Don't Look Back!

Roger was sitting on a bench on the train platform waiting for the train home to Philadelphia from Maryland. He was an assistant professor at the University and as usual, he quickly slipped his book from inside his briefcase and started reading. As he turned the page, a white-haired old man sat down next to him. He placed his fedora next to Roger on the bench and smiled at him. Roger nodded stiffly and went back back to his book. The old man then casually tilted the white Styrofoam cup to his lips and sipped.

"Nice day, eh?" The old man said casually. Roger glanced over at the old man and nodded stiffly. He doesn't really likes to converse with strangers at a train station because he was afraid to miss the train. "I'm heading to New York, where are you heading?" He asked.

"Philly." Roger answered quickly with a tiny smile.

The old man nodded and took another sip from his cup and then swished the liquid in his mouth.  Then he patted his knee, "Well, it looks like my train is coming in a couple minutes." He placed the cup on the bench. "It was nice talking to ya." He smiled, grunted, and stood up.

"Wait, you forgot your hat." Roger shouted but the old man just kept walking away.

He grabbed the hat and his briefcase but just as he was about to run after him, he suddenly noticed a tiny glint of light coming from the cup.  He took the cup and glanced inside.  In it was a gold antique pocket watch.  Roger's forehead began to form wrinkles as he reached into the cup and reeled out the watch. He turned the smooth surface in his palm.

As he turned the watch in his hand, he felt something. He turned the watch onto the back and saw an inscription. "Never Look Back?" He read out loud. He looked up again and tried to find the old man but he was nowhere to be found. His brows furrowed as he repeated the words in his mind, never look back.  What does it mean? He wondered. He spun around and looked behind him but it was too late, boom! The explosion had just taken his life.