The departures board blinked DELAYED in red. Theo checked his ticket: Vienna, Platform 9. The woman next to him checked hers: Venice, also Platform 9. "That has to be a mistake," she said. An announcement crackled: both trains were stuck, no new time given. Theo laughed. "Looks like we're both going nowhere together." She smiled. "I'm Mara."

Theo offered to grab coffee while they waited. Mara hesitated, then nodded. They found a little cafe across from the platform. Over two terrible cappuccinos, they swapped stories. He was an architect heading to a job interview. She was a violinist chasing a festival audition. Both trips, suddenly, on hold.

Theo's phone buzzed. The Vienna job wanted him to call right now. He stepped outside. When he came back, his face was tight. "They said be there in two days or they give the job away." Mara's smile faded. "So you're leaving." Theo sat down heavily. "I don't know what I want anymore."