Mark sat slumped in his seat, exhaustion etched on his face. He was the lone occupant in his section, except for an elderly woman wrapped in a black shawl a few rows ahead, her gaze fixed on the passing darkness outside. Her stillness unsettled him, a mere silhouette against the window, seeming almost a part of the train.

Mark attempted to shake off the feeling of unease, leaning back and closing his eyes. But a soft, deliberate tapping sound jolted him awake. His eyes darted to the woman, who remained unmoved. Beside her, fog swirled on the windowpane, and words began to form, "HE IS BEHIND YOU." His heart raced as he turned to find empty seats staring back.

A nervous chuckle escaped Mark, blaming his imagination, until the lights flickered. In that heartbeat of darkness, a shadowy figure appeared inches from him. When the lights stabilized, the space was empty again, but his fear was real. He scrambled to his feet, rushing toward the next car in search of safety.

Mark skidded to a halt at the door. His heart thudded wildly as the reflection showed the elderly woman still seated, yet her chair was undeniably vacant. A chilling whisper brushed his ear, "You should have stayed asleep." It was as if the very shadows of the train were closing in on him.

The train screeched to a halt, and Mark awoke with a start. The carriage was alive with chatter, filled with passengers oblivious to his ordeal. He wiped the sweat from his brow, dismissing it all as a vivid nightmare. Relief washed over him as he chuckled softly at his own fear.

Mark let out a weary sigh until his gaze fell on the window beside him. The words "HE IS BEHIND YOU" were still visible, etched in the condensation. A chilling breath touched the back of his neck, causing him to shiver. The boundary between nightmare and reality felt paper-thin, leaving him questioning if he was truly awake.