If you’ve ever been to Portland, you’re probably familiar with the city’s efficient public transportation system. The MAX tram, which runs between the Airport and the City Centre, is a convenient way to get around, even late at night. My experience with this tram ride, however, was far from ordinary. It was the last MAX of the night, and little did I know that this seemingly routine trip would turn into a chilling encounter.
Late Night MAX Ride: The Only Passenger on Board
It was Christmas Eve, and I had just returned from visiting my family. My flight had been delayed, and by the time I made it to the MAX station, it was nearly midnight. I was grateful to catch the last tram home, as public transportation tends to quiet down as the night deepens. As I boarded, I noticed something strange—the tram was nearly empty.
Sitting a few seats ahead of me was a man who appeared homeless. He was slumped in his seat, head resting against the window. I didn’t think much of it at first, chalking it up to the late hour and the fact that many passengers fall asleep on their commute. However, I couldn’t help but notice his head swaying slightly, as though he were intoxicated or under the influence of something.
A Quiet Ride: The Strange Behaviour of the Passenger
As we travelled through the quiet, darkened streets of Portland, I continued to observe the man. He seemed to be out of place, his dishevelled appearance and erratic posture drawing my attention. I assumed he had just had a rough night or maybe even fallen asleep after a long day. There was something about the way his head lolled that made me uneasy, but at that hour, I wasn’t in the mood to engage with him.
The tram passed by several stops, and I began to zone out, tired from my long day of travel. The only sound that broke the silence was the rhythmic hum of the tram’s wheels against the tracks. It was one of those rare, eerie moments when everything feels too still, too quiet.
Reaching the City Centre: The Shocking Discovery of Passenger
When the tram finally reached the City Centre, the situation took an unexpected turn. As the doors opened, I noticed several police officers waiting near the platform. I had seen them before at various stops, but their presence seemed unusual for a late-night tram. They moved toward the homeless man who had been sitting a few seats ahead of me.
At first, I thought they were simply asking him to leave the tram. After all, the tram system often deals with individuals who don’t pay fares or fall asleep in public spaces. However, the situation took a darker turn as I watched the officers interact with the man.
It was then that I learned the shocking truth—this man hadn’t been sleeping. He had been dead the entire time.
The Grim Reality: A Deceased Passenger
The police officers began questioning the man, trying to rouse him from his slumped position. That’s when they realized that his body was cold to the touch. It was confirmed that he had overdosed at some point before the tram had even arrived at the airport. The man had been dead for hours, and no one, not even the conductor or the passengers, had realized it.
I sat there in disbelief as the officers gently escorted the body off the tram. I had unknowingly shared that entire ride with a deceased individual, the only passenger on board who was truly still. The eerie silence of the midnight ride took on a whole new meaning. The thought of having sat so close to a lifeless body without ever knowing haunted me.
The Aftermath: Reflections on the Unseen Passenger
As I left the tram station, my mind raced with thoughts of what had just transpired. How had no one noticed? How had I not noticed? In a city like Portland, where the MAX tram system runs through well-lit, populated areas, it seemed unimaginable that such a tragedy could go unnoticed. Yet, somehow, it had.
That night, the only passenger on the tram was not the one who had boarded with me, but the one who had already left this world. The memory of that eerie ride stayed with me long after I got home. I couldn’t shake the feeling that, in a strange way, I had shared an intimate, silent journey with someone who was no longer there.
Conclusion: A Chilling Tale of the Deceased Passenger
As I reflect on that late-night tram ride, I can’t help but feel a sense of unease. The experience serves as a reminder of how fragile life is and how easily the living can pass by the dead without ever knowing. The only passenger on that tram was a man who no longer walked among the living, but his presence lingered in the cold, empty seat next to me. It was a ride I would never forget, a story that would haunt me for years to come.https://finvestingnews.com/