Malaysian Ghosts #3: In The TrainBy Susan Abraham
I no longer take the 8 hour night train from Kuala Lumpur into Singapore, leaving10.30pm and reaching the Causeway at 7am. Perhaps the day journey. But never thenight trains that hurtle noisily on tracks twinning deep jungle terrain while theyroll through sleepy Malaysian towns (it is after all, the dead of night) one afterthe other. I often wonder if what I encountered would ever take place with someone else. But older people, have told me that I have the third eye. I am the only one of afew who can see these strange things. I have been fortunate or perhaps,unfortunate, to have been born with this extra vision that catches black specks inthe air but cannot brush them away, that sees distorted cobwebby images dancingabout in nothingness and often when in prayer, I see sharp lights even as if aforce had splashed its headlights on me and refused to eye anything else. ]My series of erractic fortunes or a life of misunderstood misfortune...my destinycould so easily move any way now because of these strange visions at every turn ofthe head. The third eye is in other words; the ability to see into a spiritual dimension orperhaps if I would put it so lightly so as to convince you the atheist if not thecynic; then the easy comfort of peering into the subconscious or understandingintuition like one would understand his morning breakfast. Two eggs sunny side upand a slice of buttered toast. Or as they say in Malaysia: A nasi lemak (pronounced naa-see ler-maak) packet. Abanana-leaf wrapped chunk of rice cooked in coconut cream and mixed with friedanchovies, a spicy sambal, a cucumber slice, a hard-boiled egg, a sprinkling offried peanuts and your choice of a chicken drumstick or meat. And there you are. I have summed up my abilities in a paragraph.Once before, I took the night train to Singapore. I signed up for a first-class carriage. Each solitary cubicle lined next to theother faced a small corridor with which one could walk to a canteen. This wouldonly be opened at certain hours. However, if I was in danger and opened the doorto run, there may be little in the way of escape. It was one of the oldertrains.My cubicle was spacious and its bed bunk could comfortably hold two people. Therewas a writing desk, a chair, a lamplight, a washbasin and a loo. It all lookedwonderful, really. Otherwise, if like me, you travelled alone, it could also get rather daunting andlonely, as well. Unless of course, you brought along music or a book to read. My name was pasted outside the door for pleasant Immigration officials to checkpassports in Johore Bahru, at the border of Malaysia before the traincaterpillared its way onwards into the ancient but roomy Tranjong Pagar station,in Singapore.Shortly after, I went to sleep. With the lights turned off, everywhere lookedpitch black. Suddenly, I was awaked by the shouts of a man screaming. It was like thunderin my ears. When I woke, everywhere still appeared pitch black. In fact, itwas so dark, I couldn't even see the usual shadows. My body couldhardly move. I was terrified already by a cold chill in the air. I startedto sweat. There was a muffled conversation taking place in mid-air, in the Malay language,about six inches away from my face. I couldn't see anything, only hear voices. "Tolong, tolang, jangan bunuh saya, tolong." A man was pleading for his life.Please don't kill me, he kept crying, Please, please don't kill me. Iremember, he was sobing loudly. He was choking on his own sobs. Mywhole body became paraylsed with fear. I could hardly lift my head from thepillow. But the couple seemed unaware of my presence. I say, 'the couple'because a woman immediately retorted. She had a sharp, hiss for a voice. Tohear her, was truly frightening. It was like listening to the sound of asnake. You knew she was dangerous and straightaway, it occured to me that she could strangle me at any time. It was a kind of knowledge instantly given to me. She too, shouted at the top of her voice, with no compassion for the man. Saya mahu bunuh kau. Saya betul-betul ajar kau. Saya bunuh kau sekarang. Awak ta da dengar cakap saya. Saya bunuh kau." She kept spitting outthe same words over and over. "I will kill you right now," she yelled. "Iwill teach you a lesson. You have never listened to me. I will kill you. Iwill kill you." She seemed so full of hate and anger. But to just hear aconversation right in front of your face and in your private domain, withoutbeing able to see faces and bodies, is a truly terrifying expeirnce indeed. Then the voices got jumbled up together. Both shouting and screaming at thesame time. I remember feeling really frightened because the sounds werenot fading. I tried to reach out for the night light. I could feel the womancoming closer to me, as if she had noticed me for the first time. Then I couldfeel her breath on my skin. I managed to reach for the light switchthat wasn't too far from my bed but I still rememberthe fear as I fumbled about, almost losing my grip. This was one of the times whenI almost lost it. Then everything went silent. As I have written before spirits cannot take the presence of flourescent light soif you ever do see apparitions especially when in Asia, that is possibly your mosteffective weapon. I was frightened for a long time because there was no way I could have escaped. The bed was tilted against the door. I would have to pass these distorted ghostsjust to get to the door. Also, when I noticed the time, it was 2.05am. Itis often said that the most dangerous times for ghosts to wander around in theregion where I live is between 12 midnight to 3am. By 5, they normally hurry backto where they rest in the day as those who wander at nights are unable to face thesunrise. But now.... The moment, I turned the light off, the voices returnedonce more, the woman making a quick beeline for me. I could hear the same screamings and pleadings and feel the woman's breath back onmine. I managed to put the light back on again and thankfully, nothing untowardhappened after that. I believe my cubicle was haunted and years ago, a murder would have takenplace. The souls have not yet rested. Another time to Singapore, Ichose a second-class carriage which comes with curtain-covered lower andhigher cubicles, blanket, pillow on a comfy bed and armed with a night lightthat often doesn't work. I loved the chatter of families around me. It mademe feel safer.Still, I could not escape. About 3am, as the train passed deep jungle, a spiritleaped from outside, right onto my body. I don't know how she could have enteredthe air-conditioned carriage. The windows were all sealed. Also as if it knew I could sense its presence and was ready to comply for betteror worse. This was a very angry, hateful femae apparition. She immediately tried to throttleme and I could feel her fingers and hear her laughter. She laughed loudly all thetime but no one else could hear her. I was woken from sleep by the way and wasfully-consious. Again, I tried to call the name of Christ and I managed to dothis after much struggling. Then she immediately vanished.Another time, also in a second-class night carriage on the way to Singapore (likethe earlier ones above), a man came in from nowhere in spirit form and immediatelytried to lie on me. He attempted to embrace me (I could feel his legs on mine)but with the intention of killing and choking me. It was a very painful experience because I couldn't fight this spirit thatappeared very strong (in its physical strength). And it held me very fast buttrying to choke me as well. I really thought this time round that my end hadcome. I could even feel his bodily hairs and his stubble on my cheek. I did not give up though. After awhile, once more on shouting the name of Christbut I had to do this repeatedly, and then I was suddenly free of it as it vanishedfrom where it was, closeting in upon upon me. It felt like heavy chains hadentangled my body. I had a realisation that I had almost met a real death. No one else appeared to have stirred.I sat up and was unable to lie down again. I put on the night light that was wheremy feet rested up. After about an hour, I lay down again as I was truly tired. The man returned and tried to do the same thing to me, all over again. I suffered a major trauma from this particular spirit, that was violent,aggressive and armed with a powerful strength. And to know that it eyes you firstof all, amongst all the other passengers in the carriage can be really scary.I saved my tickets to warn friends and family not to travel in these particularcubicles. But older people told me that these spirits don't attack anyone else. They only come to those they know can see them and they always recognise themstraightaway. The trains are old. So are the tracks and the jungles out there inthe Malaysian towns. We have thick forestry and many ancient trees. All whichprobably hold a dark history.From then on, I decided I would fly in to Singapore. Someone like me should nevertake the night trains when you know you pass old and ancient things. It's simplytoo dangerous.
I no longer take the 8 hour night train from Kuala Lumpur into Singapore, leaving10.30pm and reaching the Causeway at 7am. Perhaps the day journey. But never thenight trains that hurtle noisily on tracks twinning deep jungle terrain while theyroll through sleepy Malaysian towns (it is after all, the dead of night) one afterthe other. I often wonder if what I encountered would ever take place with someone else. But older people, have told me that I have the third eye. I am the only one of afew who can see these strange things. I have been fortunate or perhaps,unfortunate, to have been born with this extra vision that catches black specks inthe air but cannot brush them away, that sees distorted cobwebby images dancingabout in nothingness and often when in prayer, I see sharp lights even as if aforce had splashed its headlights on me and refused to eye anything else. ]My series of erractic fortunes or a life of misunderstood misfortune...my destinycould so easily move any way now because of these strange visions at every turn ofthe head. The third eye is in other words; the ability to see into a spiritual dimension orperhaps if I would put it so lightly so as to convince you the atheist if not thecynic; then the easy comfort of peering into the subconscious or understandingintuition like one would understand his morning breakfast. Two eggs sunny side upand a slice of buttered toast. Or as they say in Malaysia: A nasi lemak (pronounced naa-see ler-maak) packet. Abanana-leaf wrapped chunk of rice cooked in coconut cream and mixed with friedanchovies, a spicy sambal, a cucumber slice, a hard-boiled egg, a sprinkling offried peanuts and your choice of a chicken drumstick or meat. And there you are. I have summed up my abilities in a paragraph.Once before, I took the night train to Singapore. I signed up for a first-class carriage. Each solitary cubicle lined next to theother faced a small corridor with which one could walk to a canteen. This wouldonly be opened at certain hours. However, if I was in danger and opened the doorto run, there may be little in the way of escape. It was one of the oldertrains.My cubicle was spacious and its bed bunk could comfortably hold two people. Therewas a writing desk, a chair, a lamplight, a washbasin and a loo. It all lookedwonderful, really. Otherwise, if like me, you travelled alone, it could also get rather daunting andlonely, as well. Unless of course, you brought along music or a book to read. My name was pasted outside the door for pleasant Immigration officials to checkpassports in Johore Bahru, at the border of Malaysia before the traincaterpillared its way onwards into the ancient but roomy Tranjong Pagar station,in Singapore.Shortly after, I went to sleep. With the lights turned off, everywhere lookedpitch black. Suddenly, I was awaked by the shouts of a man screaming. It was like thunderin my ears. When I woke, everywhere still appeared pitch black. In fact, itwas so dark, I couldn't even see the usual shadows. My body couldhardly move. I was terrified already by a cold chill in the air. I startedto sweat. There was a muffled conversation taking place in mid-air, in the Malay language,about six inches away from my face. I couldn't see anything, only hear voices. "Tolong, tolang, jangan bunuh saya, tolong." A man was pleading for his life.Please don't kill me, he kept crying, Please, please don't kill me. Iremember, he was sobing loudly. He was choking on his own sobs. Mywhole body became paraylsed with fear. I could hardly lift my head from thepillow. But the couple seemed unaware of my presence. I say, 'the couple'because a woman immediately retorted. She had a sharp, hiss for a voice. Tohear her, was truly frightening. It was like listening to the sound of asnake. You knew she was dangerous and straightaway, it occured to me that she could strangle me at any time. It was a kind of knowledge instantly given to me. She too, shouted at the top of her voice, with no compassion for the man. Saya mahu bunuh kau. Saya betul-betul ajar kau. Saya bunuh kau sekarang. Awak ta da dengar cakap saya. Saya bunuh kau." She kept spitting outthe same words over and over. "I will kill you right now," she yelled. "Iwill teach you a lesson. You have never listened to me. I will kill you. Iwill kill you." She seemed so full of hate and anger. But to just hear aconversation right in front of your face and in your private domain, withoutbeing able to see faces and bodies, is a truly terrifying expeirnce indeed. Then the voices got jumbled up together. Both shouting and screaming at thesame time. I remember feeling really frightened because the sounds werenot fading. I tried to reach out for the night light. I could feel the womancoming closer to me, as if she had noticed me for the first time. Then I couldfeel her breath on my skin. I managed to reach for the light switchthat wasn't too far from my bed but I still rememberthe fear as I fumbled about, almost losing my grip. This was one of the times whenI almost lost it. Then everything went silent. As I have written before spirits cannot take the presence of flourescent light soif you ever do see apparitions especially when in Asia, that is possibly your mosteffective weapon. I was frightened for a long time because there was no way I could have escaped. The bed was tilted against the door. I would have to pass these distorted ghostsjust to get to the door. Also, when I noticed the time, it was 2.05am. Itis often said that the most dangerous times for ghosts to wander around in theregion where I live is between 12 midnight to 3am. By 5, they normally hurry backto where they rest in the day as those who wander at nights are unable to face thesunrise. But now.... The moment, I turned the light off, the voices returnedonce more, the woman making a quick beeline for me. I could hear the same screamings and pleadings and feel the woman's breath back onmine. I managed to put the light back on again and thankfully, nothing untowardhappened after that. I believe my cubicle was haunted and years ago, a murder would have takenplace. The souls have not yet rested. Another time to Singapore, Ichose a second-class carriage which comes with curtain-covered lower andhigher cubicles, blanket, pillow on a comfy bed and armed with a night lightthat often doesn't work. I loved the chatter of families around me. It mademe feel safer.Still, I could not escape. About 3am, as the train passed deep jungle, a spiritleaped from outside, right onto my body. I don't know how she could have enteredthe air-conditioned carriage. The windows were all sealed. Also as if it knew I could sense its presence and was ready to comply for betteror worse. This was a very angry, hateful femae apparition. She immediately tried to throttleme and I could feel her fingers and hear her laughter. She laughed loudly all thetime but no one else could hear her. I was woken from sleep by the way and wasfully-consious. Again, I tried to call the name of Christ and I managed to dothis after much struggling. Then she immediately vanished.Another time, also in a second-class night carriage on the way to Singapore (likethe earlier ones above), a man came in from nowhere in spirit form and immediatelytried to lie on me. He attempted to embrace me (I could feel his legs on mine)but with the intention of killing and choking me. It was a very painful experience because I couldn't fight this spirit thatappeared very strong (in its physical strength). And it held me very fast buttrying to choke me as well. I really thought this time round that my end hadcome. I could even feel his bodily hairs and his stubble on my cheek. I did not give up though. After awhile, once more on shouting the name of Christbut I had to do this repeatedly, and then I was suddenly free of it as it vanishedfrom where it was, closeting in upon upon me. It felt like heavy chains hadentangled my body. I had a realisation that I had almost met a real death. No one else appeared to have stirred.I sat up and was unable to lie down again. I put on the night light that was wheremy feet rested up. After about an hour, I lay down again as I was truly tired. The man returned and tried to do the same thing to me, all over again. I suffered a major trauma from this particular spirit, that was violent,aggressive and armed with a powerful strength. And to know that it eyes you firstof all, amongst all the other passengers in the carriage can be really scary.I saved my tickets to warn friends and family not to travel in these particularcubicles. But older people told me that these spirits don't attack anyone else. They only come to those they know can see them and they always recognise themstraightaway. The trains are old. So are the tracks and the jungles out there inthe Malaysian towns. We have thick forestry and many ancient trees. All whichprobably hold a dark history.From then on, I decided I would fly in to Singapore. Someone like me should nevertake the night trains when you know you pass old and ancient things. It's simplytoo dangerous.