But my foot was caught. I could feel the train coming, it was already grinding over me in my mind. I looked back quickly, but I couldn't see around the bend, all I could do was feel and hear it approach at some unknown speed.

Oh god. Oh fucking god. I can't die like this. I can't die like this. Alone. In fear. My family can't find me like this. I'm not ready. Oh god... I screeched in frustration - teeth bared and tears beginning to stream down my face.

My foot was wedged between two planks and something sharp has snagged my flesh - what was really holding me as I yanked my leg as hard as I could was some unseen grasp around my ankle. If I weren't so scared of the train coming I would be screaming in pain. I pushed in and immediately wrenched at my leg, feeling it snap, accompanied by a sickening wet, cracking sound. I fell back in shock and it took seconds to realise I'd felt a bone shard tear through skin as I'd fallen. I just breathed in and felt a wave of nausea pass through me and suddenly I was heaving and vomiting onto the track next to my ruined ankle. I couldn't see it since my jean leg had fallen back down over it, but I could see blood seeping through the denim. I was shaking and couldn't tell how much was from the vibrations of the train coming, and how much from the chaotic panic inside my body and mind in that moment.

I sat there, not numb, but suddenly aware that I had to make a sacrifice. I looked down at my leg and started sobbing violently. I heard the train, closer than ever and suddenly, five-hundred yards away, it reared it's ugly head as it powered towards me. Hoarse keening ripped through my throat and I pushed as far back from the track as I could, stretching myself as far from the track as possible.

Staring at my leg, I said goodbye, praying I wouldn't get dragged under the train or caught on something as it passed...or...pass out and die of blood loss. I pulled my jean leg as far up as I could and closed my eyes. I knew the train was there, just there, on top of me, almost...I screamed as loud as I could but couldn't hear over the horn and engine.

Hyperventilating, I closed my eyes and stretched as hard as I could, pulling down and away, knowing that my foot was definitely gone, but that I so desperately wanted to live - I had to. I clenched my jaw and every muscle in my body was tensed for that instant of incredible pain I expected. My eyes tightly shut and stinging with sweat and tears, I felt a split second of white hot pain and then...nothing...