Story 919: Nightmare Express

The night was heavy with mist, swirling under a pale full moon. Mira stood at the edge of the railroad, the scent of rust and rot thick in the air. The others were behind her—Draven, Elias, and Zara—all staring at the oncoming train barreling through the darkness.

But this was no ordinary train.

Its metal gleamed black, streaked with crimson. Shadows moved within its windows, too fast, too unnatural. A ghastly whistle tore through the air, and the wind howled in response.

"The Nightmare Express…" Elias muttered.

Draven exhaled sharply. “This wasn’t part of the plan.”

The Cursed Book they’d taken pulsed with an eerie glow, reacting to the presence of something ancient.

Zara pulled her twin daggers. "Then we change the plan."

The train screeched to a halt, and the doors yawned open with a sickening groan. Inside, the carriages were lined with twisted figures, hunched and ravenous. Their eyes burned blue, their skeletal fingers twitching.