May 16th, 2000 Night

The giggles and chatter on the train, mixed with the lively tunes of a band, made the moment both exhilarating and surreal. Two women beside Daniella were deep in conversation, absorbed in the music. She glanced up from her book, sighed, and closed it. *I can't read in all this chaos,* she thought.

"If they want fun, let's give them fun," Daniella mused as she stood up. She began clapping along to the beat, allowing herself to get swept up in the rhythm. Her dress twirled around her as she danced, and for a fleeting moment, none of her worries mattered. Others around her joined in, their spirits lifting. A small girl, no older than six, beamed at Daniella, who took the child's hands and spun her around as the crowd cheered.

It felt like magic—one of those rare moments that you never want to end. But Daniella knew it would. In an hour, the train would stop, and everyone would return to their lives, scattered to their destinations.

An elderly couple, likely in their 60s, sat quietly, watching the scene unfold. Daniella approached them, reaching for their hands, urging with a smile, "Come on, let's dance." They hesitated for a moment before laughter escaped their lips as they rose to join in. The train had transformed into a rolling festival—everyone either singing, clapping, or dancing.

Suddenly, a loud shout from the conductor pierced the joy, freezing everyone in place. Without warning, a deafening thud echoed through the carriage. The train had collided with another train.