The first train from Las Navas del Marqués leaves at 6:40 in the morning. It usually carries those who need to arrive at their job as early as possible—hospitality and construction workers—as well as tourists who need to catch a morning train or plane. The next train leaves an hour later. It's taken by those who have the luxury of a later start, usually the office workers.

On a hot Tuesday in August, the man who was later identified as Javier García Martínez entered the station at 7:31 and headed to the cafeteria. He ordered a café solo—an espresso without milk and sugar. He put his briefcase next to the high table and stood watching the foggy landscapes of Castile and León above the railway tracks, just as most of the people at the station cafeteria did.

The train to Madrid always arrived on the first track, meters away from the cafeteria, and was rarely late. At 7:39 it appeared from the west and was slowly approaching the station.

Javier García Martínez finished his coffee and started walking to the platform.

"Señor, you forgot your briefcase," the waiter said.

"Where I'm going, I don't need it," the passenger said as he jumped in front of the train.

Sergii Pershyn is a Ukrainian-American writer. He explores reality and perception through literary fiction infused with magical realism and urban surrealism. His short works have appeared or are forthcoming in The New York Times, foofaraw, Oroboro, and other publications. Pershyn is currently working on his debut novel.