With that realisation, Michael felt his rational mind begin to retreat. It left something else. Something primal. That thing – that other self – that he had called on so many times before.

He moved without warning. With no thought to the pain or to the damage it was causing. He launched himself off of his injured ankle and towards his opponent, now just feet away.

The sudden movement caught the man off guard, but he managed to avoid Michael’s lunging right-hand punch by leaning out of range. The movement put him off balance, and he took the impact of Michael’s follow-up body charge full-on. It staggered him backwards but it didn’t knock him down; Michael was shocked to feel the sheer strength as he hit the resistance of the agent’s body.

It took only three faltering steps for the man in black to regain both his footing and his composure. A recovery that was much too quick for Michael.

With momentum still carrying Michael forward, the agent planted his left foot down and allowed his right side to give way. The movement removed all resistance to Michael’s charge, causing him to stumble forward with no control. As he did so, the man pushed Michael downwards.

Towards the tracks.

Michael could do nothing to stop his fall, but his instincts remained sharp. He had to avoid the power rail. That was instant death.

He threw both hands out ahead of him, to break his fall. As they hit, he felt his right arm give way, causing him to take the full force of the fall on his left.

The impact sent a searing jolt of pain through his body. He was too heavy to take his full weight one-handed; it broke his wrist and dislocated his left shoulder in a single blow.

It also saved his life, as his awkward one-sided landing rotated his body away from the lethal third rail.

It was the difference between life and death, but it was not perfect. The motion did not propel him far enough to miss both rails and so, as his left arm gave way, his head fell forward and hit the immovable steel of the second.

Everything went black.

Michael had no idea how long he was out. It could have been only an instant. Or it could have been longer. Whatever it was, he regained his senses to a roar of noise and vibrations. For a moment he was confused. Then, to his horror, he realised what it must be: the train, leaving the platform and heading towards him.

Fear forced Michael to his feet, intending to leap aside, but as he did so he saw that he was wrong. The eastbound train was still at the platform, stationary and with its driver looking on in shock at what was happening in front of him.

Michael had no time to consider his mistake. Back on his feet, he was aware of just how unsteady he was. The agony of his left ankle forced him to place all of his weight onto his right, while the pain in his left arm rendered it useless.