The Midnight Train By Sammy Copyright © 2024 Sammy All Rights Reserved. Each night, a midnight train rides the rails to the midnight valley. It has unique conductors, rules and passengers. Can they survive each journey?

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Image Credit: Steam Locomotive
 
Luna stood stoically at the edge of the platform as she waited patiently for the train. Her puppy yapped at the strangers, rubbing against her legs for comfort. Luna could use a little comfort herself, though she’d never admit it. She leaned down to pet him.
“Easy, Soot.” She murmured, feeling her own anxieties melting a little at the touch of his soft fur. It wasn’t easy to be around so many strangers, so many opportunities for pain. But she ignored the others. If they were riding the midnight train out of here, they needed just as much help as she did. Which meant they weren’t people to approach. Soot seemed to agree. There were other dogs with their owners, but Soot stood his ground with his owner, about as interested in socialising as her.
Luna checked her watch. The train was late, but they always were. This wasn’t her first time riding a midnight train. It was her first time riding this midnight train though.
*
The sigh that rattled through the train's pistons was echoed deep within the heart of its engine, and again in the conductor's cabin as it chugged to the station. The sigh was followed by the silent sighs of the other conductors. This job didn’t get any easier for Aubrey. She didn’t have much choice, but that didn’t mean she had much job satisfaction. She tried to put a brave face on for the others, but when it was just her, alone in the carriage like this, it was difficult. Especially when she knew exactly how the evening was going to go. It was like watching a home movie. She remembered what would happen, but she needed to see it through again just to be sure.
She heard footsteps behind her and moulded her expression into some semblance of a smile, like a child clumsily modelling clay. Despite the mask of happiness, Aubrey couldn’t hide the panicked thump of her heart rate, despite the fact that it had stopped beating hundreds of years ago.

“How can I help you?” She said automatically, her voice gentle and kindly. It wasn’t that different to how her voice usually sounded, just a little gentler and a slightly higher pitch, as if she were talking to a child. It was her voice for the passengers, as was the question. So she was surprised to see a fellow conductor standing at the door to answer that question.
“Relax. We haven’t even gotten to the station yet. Just thought I’d check in with you before…” The end of his sentence hung in the air between them like an unspoken curse. If either of them finished the sentence, it would come true.
“Thoughtful of you, Buck.” Aubrey smiled. Despite the simplicity of her words, Aubrey genuinely felt a sense of gratitude for his thoughtfulness. Not many of her coworkers would have done the same, but she and Buck had always been a little different. Two of a kind amongst a barrel of rotten apples. “Are you ready then?” She asked him timidly as he made the final touches to his outfit, straightening his waistcoat and slicking his hair back.
“If you can be ready for something like this.” Despite his words, the man exuded confidence, or had he just resigned himself to his fate?
“I guess.” Aubrey muttered. “Do you think she’ll remember?”
“Does she ever?” They shared a knowing, doubtful look. Two doomed souls holding hands in the land of the damned.
They didn’t get a chance to say more than that. Steam rose from the wheels of the train as it slowed. The whistle let out a haunting scream, indicating that it had come to a stop. Dread settled over the conductors as they knew with a deep certainty what that meant. Time to get to work. The train was getting impatient.
*
Finally the train was here. Luna approached the ticket booth, unable to ignore the striking red-head that manned the stand. Most red-heads she’d seen were really ginger, but this woman had flaming blood-red hair. Must be dyed, she thought to herself, but it didn’t make it any less striking. She smiled at the woman. “Two tickets anywhere.” She said, indicating to Soot, who had decided to curl up in her backpack for a nap. Something had calmed him down. Luna just wished she knew what it was.
“Pets go free.” The woman told her, smiling back.
Luna was taken aback by that. A lot of the trains she’d ridden didn’t even allow pets, let alone let them ride free. “Is it a service dog thing?”
“No. It's just a rule. Our service likes to encourage company aboard the train. Our passengers tend to need it.” There was a twinge of bitterness in the woman’s voice, but Luna could understand that. No one sane and fulfilled was out riding the midnight train to nowhere, let alone conducting it
.
“In that case, one ticket anywhere.” Luna looked at the pretty woman again. She had a stunningly sharp-toothed smile and piercing blue eyes. Her features were littered with freckles despite how pale her skin was. She couldn't decide if this woman had never seen sunlight before or spent her days basking while she worked all night. “Why don’t you pick your favourite stop for me?”
“I believe the fae circle is pretty nice. But be sure to get off at your stop. We wouldn’t want you to get lost.” There was a hint of something in the woman’s voice that Luna couldn’t quite work out. Maybe it was amusement, maybe danger. Either way, Luna liked it.
“Fae circle it is.” Luna smirked at her. “Are you just working the ticket register or am I lucky enough that you’ll be serving me aboard the train tonight?”
“No, I’ll be working on the train.” The woman smiled back at her. There was something comforting about her smile. Almost familiar.
“In that case, it might be helpful to have a name to call out.”
“Aubrey.” The woman replied. “And if you want my attention on the train, you’ll have to wait for the regular intervals we serve the passengers.”
“Who said I was talking about the train?” Luna smirked at Aubrey, causing a light blush to colour her cheeks as she handed her a ticket.

With that, Luna left the woman be. She found it was best to leave them wanting more. She took her seat nonchalantly, opening her backpack for Soot to jump out. He was nestled in a pile of bottles. “Careful, sweetie.” She said as she lifted him out to sit beside her. He bristled at the colder air, but easily curled up beside her.
*
As Buck wandered up the aisle, his eyes searched for the man he longed to see each journey. “Just coming round to check tickets, folks. I’ll be happy to serve you after I see those slips.” He said as his eyes searched the sea of people, but alas, the man he sought was no longer among the heavy throng.
Buck’s shoulders sagged as he resigned himself to his mundane task without those guiding green eyes he longed to see. It had been too long since he’d seen the one his heart longed to see. He missed his favourite passenger. The one who used to light up the whole carriage, the one who saved him from this dead end job- literally, the one who made his heart sing. Perhaps that last song really had been the last. A swan song all for Jakov.

The last time he’d seen him had been particularly brutal, but then it was every time. He at least thought that he’d come back. He did every night. But not after that night. That night had broken him, broken them. Nothing had been the same. Not his shifts, not Odette’s sneers, not even Aubrey had been the same after that night. Buck sighed as he thought about it. He barely even remembered what he was doing. Luckily, he was safely back in the conductor’s cabin. Almost safely.

“Having a rough night?” A voice floated to him. It was a high pitched, sickly sweet voice, scented with cheap perfume.
“I don’t wanna talk about it.” It was an answer Buck had been finding himself saying a lot lately.
“He’s not coming back, you know.”
“I said I don’t wanna talk about it.” Buck repeated, turning to see the smug smirk on the woman’s face. Odetta had a particular way of getting under people’s skin. It was a talent of hers, and not just because she had sharp fangs.
“Had to happen some time. You might not want to talk about it, but you at least need to face it. Stop with the lost puppy act, Buck, it doesn’t suit you.”
“Go bother someone who will listen, Odette.” Buck grumbled, running a hand through his hair.
“You don’t want to listen? Maybe you’d listen if you heard his screams again? Or begging you to save him? Oh, no wait. You didn’t listen then either. You just watched as he was torn limb from limb. It's just a shame you wouldn’t let Shelley save his pretty head for you.”

Buck couldn’t help his heart leaping and his stomach lurching at Odette’s words. She could be callous and low when she wanted to, but this was too much. Being reminded of that night only brought flashes of memories back. Memories Buck had tried desperately to forget. He closed his eyes, pushing them back into their little box, evening out his breathing. He plastered a smile on his face and took out a little hand mirror, looking at himself. His eyes were coloured with dark circles, but other than that he looked like his usual self. Buck winked at himself in the mirror, knowing that he could only get through this if he put on a hell of a show. “I’ve got a job to do.” He said, getting up to tend to the passengers.
*
A fizz filled the air as Luna prepared her drink. The train had departed by now so she was desperately trying to focus on not spilling the precious liquor, she hardly noticed the figure stepping up beside her.
“No alcohol allowed on the train.” The figure said, making her jump. The fizz spilled on the seat and Soot ran to lick it up excitedly, his little tail wagging.
Luna was less impressed. “Says who?”
“The rules.” The conductor replied. It was the same woman from the ticket stand, which gave Luna a little pause. She didn’t want to be mean to such a pretty woman, but at the same time, that pretty woman had just ruined her drink.
“Where?” Luna indicated to a board in the front of the carriage. It displayed thirty one rules, all odd and unnerving. But nowhere on the board did it state that there was to be no alcohol, or that pets went free, as Aubrey had told her before.

“It's an unwritten rule. Not all of them are written there.”
“Are you sure you work here?” Luna grumbled, staring at her name tag as if it would give her the answers she was looking for. Or maybe it was just an excuse to stare at Aubrey’s chest. She wasn’t quite sure. She was sure of how her heart pounded in response.
“Sadly, yes. I can offer you an alternative beverage if you’d prefer. Maybe a cookie too?” Aubrey gave her a sharp toothed smile, showing off her impressive set of fangs.
The hairs on the back of Luna’s neck prickled at the sight, but somehow the sight of a vampire didn’t repulse her as much as usual. It only made her stomach flutter in response. But she was playing this by the rules, which were detailed on the board. She couldn’t bring them to Aubrey’s attention one minute then flout them the next. The board stated ‘ do not eat any food offered to you with a smile’, rule 17. Luna turned her attention back to the conductor. She didn’t look like she’d harm her. She looked very gentle and sweet and her smile was cute and not dangerous. The rule said ‘eat’ not ‘take’. “I’ll take a cookie, but I’m fine with my drinks the way they are.”

Aubrey nodded and handed her a cookie from the concession cart. “I’m afraid I can’t allow you to keep those drinks, Luna. It's for your own good.” The woman’s voice was much more serious now, and haggard. As if this was something she’d been doing every day for weeks. But it wasn’t and it was none of her damn business.
“You don’t know what's good for me.” Luna growled.
“It's not this, sweetie.”
“It's just a goddamn drink.” Luna was getting heartily sick of this. “Drop the good samaritan act. It's not a rule, you just want some for yourself.”
“Luna, it's not just a drink. You know what's in there. You don’t have to do this every day. You can enjoy yourself without it, you don’t need it to live. I know you, you don’t have to do this. Not again.” Aubrey pleaded, looking at her with concern and despair etched into her pretty features.

Luna didn’t want to do that to her. She didn’t want to be the storm that ruined her calm. She frowned, compelled to drink, but Aubrey was making some good points. And at the very least she didn’t want to ruin her night, which is seemed like this might. “Alright… Just… Just take the damn thing.”
“And the rest. Empty the pack. Just for tonight, sweetheart.”
“How did you… How did you know?” Luna muttered, reluctantly removing her bottles and little packets from her backpack, leaving it nearly bare. Nova left a pink tinge to a drink but in a bottle it was practically untraceable. Aubrey must have been a mind reader to know.
“Doesn’t matter. What matters is its gone now.” Aubrey muttered with a smile. “Thank you. For trusting me. It warms a girl's cold, dead heart.”
“Yeah, well, maybe you can give me your number and we’ll call it even.”

Aubrey didn’t reply to that with her number. Instead, she looked around and signalled at someone that Luna couldn't see. “Maybe I can keep you company instead. That way we can get to know each other here.”
Luna wasn’t so sure of this plan but she scooted aside so Luna could fit into the seat beside her. “Shouldn’t you be working?”
“I’ll only be here a few minutes, I won’t be missed.”
Somehow, Luna couldn’t see her not being missed. She was a beautiful woman, clearly attentive to her passengers' needs and with a sweet nature to match. How could she not be missed? But as she looked over at the aisle, she noticed a blonde man chatting to the other passengers as he pushed the concession cart that Aubrey had left. He was handsome, but he had nothing on the auburn beauty beside her. “I see. What exactly is your job then? I’ve seen you doing about five.”
“I’m a conductor. The midnight train endeavours to have all of its passenger’s needs covered by the conductors. We do many jobs all rolled into one. One of those happens to be looking after our passenger’s health tonight.” Aubrey gave her a pointed look, causing Luna to blush awkwardly.
“Sounds like a crappy job.”
“You could say that. But it has its benefits.”
“Like gorgeous passengers to take care of?”
“Mayhaps.” Aubrey grinned, leaning closer to her, which only made Luna’s heart race faster. Before she knew what she was doing, Aubrey’s lips were on hers. Not that she was complaining. In fact, she couldn’t help but pull her closer. It was only when Soot yapped at her feet that they broke apart.
“You’re very forward for a conductor. Do you go around kissing all of your passengers?” Luna teased breathlessly. She couldn’t remember the last time a kiss had left her feeling so high.
“Only you.” And somehow, Luna could believe that.
“Well, you’re one hell of a kisser. For a vampire.”
Aubrey smiled back. “Down, girl.”
“Bite me.”
Aubrey chuckled. “If you’re a good girl, I might give you belly rubs until you wag your tail later.”

Luna just growled playfully, but couldn’t help the flutter of desire at the thought of being played with by Aubrey.
The playfulness had left Aubrey’s eyes by now though. She looked almost sad. “You need to get back to work?” Most people looked that way when they went to work, not that Luna would remember. She hadn’t worked in too long to remember how she looked back then.
“I’m afraid so. I’ll drop by later though.” She gave her a half-hearted smile and Luna returned it.
“I’ll hold you to that.”
Aubrey just give her a little nod and picked up the armful of bottles and packets, heading out of the carriage.

Luna didn’t know quite what had happened there, but it had been much better medicine than her bottles of salvation. She couldn’t help the little smile that tugged at the corners of her lips. “Luna Langford on the rise again.” She said to Soot, who seemed to agree with a wag of his tail.
*
Banshee had been sitting in her seat quietly, but her back was hurting, did they try to make this the most uncomfortable train purposefully. In her realm, she had nice plush leather seats. She just couldn't abide the feeling of rough wood coated in a thin layer of badly decorated fabric digging into her back. She stopped the concession cart as it rolled by. "Excuse me, darling. Would it be possible to be upgraded to first class? I'm sure I can pay for the upgrade." She batted her eyelashes flirtatiously as her striking green eyes sparkled in the dim lighting.
"I'm afraid not. First class is strictly for VIP passengers." The conductor- Buck, his name tag read- stated.
"Oh, well, that’s perfect then. Thank you." Banshee made a move to leave, tendrils of her snowy white hair flying into Buck's face.
"I said no. I'm afraid you're not on the VIP list, ma'am."
"But don't you know who I am? There must be some mistake. I'm a good friend of Lilith, you know."
"I'm sorry, we have very strict rules here, ma'am."

Banshee pouted, sitting back in her seat. "I didn't read about that one. Besides, aren't rules made to be broken?" She looked at Buck with puppy dog eyes- as did her snake, who was slithering out of her sleeve. Perfectly white, she blended into Banshee's hair very well whenever she wanted a nap in the nest. She knew the rules of this train like the back of her hand, everyone did in her neck of the woods. She knew how dangerous it could be to come alone. Rule 22 'Do not travel alone. It keeps you sane.' Those poor souls who didn't have a companion… But then again, rules were made to be broken, right?
Buck just stood stoically still, giving her a look that said 'you don’t wanna go there'. But she most certainly did.

Banshee glanced at the cart. It was a gamble, but the board clearly stated that one rule must be broken every night. Just to figure out which one. Maybe… "I'll take a lollipop, dear."
Buck didn't look like he liked where this was going at all, but Banshee could change his mind. After all, what was the point of having feminine wiles if there was no one to use them on? He smiled and handed her a lollipop from the trolley. Cherry flavour.
Banshee grinned, sucking at the sweet. 'Do not eat any food given to you with a smile'. Rule 17 broken. Banshee prayed it was the right one. She played her tongue over the lolly, licking at the top and never breaking eye contact with Buck.
But to Banshee's surprise, Buck just let out an amused huff and moved his trolley on. Drat. And she'd risked it all for nothing. She thought no one could resist her charms.

*

Buck shook his head as she took the trolley back to the cabin. He'd been through all of the carriages. Odette was right, his Jakov wasn't there. He thought… Well they always came back. But maybe not this time. Maybe he really was gone. It was so strange to think of after so long. "Gone." The word hung in the air like a whisper of a prayer in the night, but there was no answer to it. Just the loud tooting of the train's horn. Maybe there was a tunnel ahead or maybe they were going to come to an abrupt stop or maybe- Buck had to stop himself. He didn't have to worry as much anymore. Of course, it was still difficult not to worry about his passengers, but there was no need to worry as much when Jakov wasn't aboard.

"I saw that, you know."
Buck frowned, heaving a sigh. Odette. "You see everything. You must have as many extra eyes as you do teeth."
"That’s hardly my choice. Besides, there's no need to be so mean to me just because you haven't had a nibble in so long."
Buck rolled his eyes, blushing a little. Did she have to be so vulgar? "I don't nibble. I devote myself lovingly and care about the other person. Just because you're heartless- literally. It doesn't mean the rest of us are. I mean look at Aubrey."
"Oh, don't remind me. Its sickening, isn't it? And it stinks. Wet dog and heartache." Odette's face scrumpled into an unpleasant shape, which wasn't difficult for Odette to do since her face was often an unpleasant shape to Buck.
"That’s not what I meant. You should be kinder to your own kin."
"I thought I said don't remind me. She's too pathetic to be of my blood."
"You've been at this game too long, you're speaking like…" Buck stopped himself, he knew his place and it that was a line he just wasn't willing to cross. Not after what had happened.
Odette only found that more delicious, her lips perking up into a sadistic smile. "Like who? Go on, say it. Use your words. Insult the almighty. See where that lands your precious Jakov. Probably more of a snack-ov to some demon or another."

Buck clenched his jaw tightly, feeling the sting of her words, but she wasn't wrong. He couldn’t. It was his own fault for getting into this mess, but he had too much heart for this damn job. Before Buck could dig himself a deeper hole, he heard footsteps behind him. Good, Aubrey was back.

"Who's driving today?" Buck asked her, turning to see her walk in. He was glad to see Aubrey's flaming red hair instead of her cousin's paler ginger locks.
"I think its Jack tonight." Aubrey said. That was a sentence that both of them could take solace in, though it fuelled something in Odette. Rule 11 'Jack is a good driver, Steve is alright, Martin will get you killed.'
"That really is a pity. I thought it was Martin's turn tonight." Odette said, playing with her hoop earrings. It wasn't like she had a job to do or anything.
"No, you hoped it was Martin's turn." Buck rolled his eyes. "Don't you have passengers to attend to?"

"Oh, let them get on with it. We all know what's going to happen to them anyway. Why bother babying them with help and attention? I mean look where that got the two of you. A dead boyfriend and a girlfriend with a drinking problem and dementia. Oh, and just for the cherry on top. Every time they see you, they die. Isn't that a great basis for a relationship?" Odette just laughed. "I think I'll stick to myself, thank you very much."

*
To Luna it seemed like all the time in the world was passing, and that time was frozen at the same time. She had no idea where she was or where she was going, or even what time it was. Something deep inside her told her that that was a very bad thing on a train like this. Of course, she had no notion of how bad or why it was bad. She wouldn't, not unless she remembered. Despite this, Luna wasn't panicked, she was having fun with her puppy. She was petting his fluffy belly when a man came to sit down next to her.

He was wearing a brown trench coat and while his face was uncovered, Luna couldn't make out what he looked like. "Excuse me, miss." He said in a monotone voice that sent shivers down her spine. "What's the time?"
Luna didn't even think about glancing at the board with the rules of the train written in red. "I honestly have no idea." She said instead of the right response. Rule 16 'If a man in an oversized brown trench coat sits down next to you and asks for the time, tell him its nine o'clock. He'll go away. Eventually.'
The man didn't make any reply, simply staring into nothingness.
Soot yapped at him, but still the man remained stonily silent, as if he wasn't even there at all. Luna couldn't help but wish he wasn't.

It was some time before the man left. Luna wasn't sure how much time, it seemed to have less meaning here. Or was it more meaning? She wasn't quite sure. Either way, she had no idea. Maybe it was the liquor she'd been drinking before the ride. It was only when the man had left that she glanced at the rule board again. She read rule 16 and winced. "Shit." Soot whined in sympathy at her feet. But maybe, just maybe it was okay after all. Luna read the bottom of the rule board. 'Obey all but one of these rules and the tracks shall let you pass.' Of course the damn board didn't say which rule was omitted. Luna prayed that it was that one. Well, not prayed exactly, she didn't believe in any of that anymore. But hopefully… just maybe the tracks would let her pass. Whatever that meant.

*
After a long while, the train came to a juddering halt. Banshee glanced out the window, but there was nothing to see. The night was as dark as doom and she couldn't see a platform at all. Just a sea of dark trees taking strange and rather intimidating shapes. It was the middle of nowhere. Banshee didn't even have to glance at the board, she knew these rules. Rule 24 ,'Do not leave your seat if the train comes to an abrupt stop in the middle of nowhere. Nowhere is a good place, please don't worry.'

Of course, this could be the rule to be broken this ride, but Banshee had already broken one rule. If she'd placed her bet on the wrong one, then that was her lot. She'd already placed that bet. And in her mind, it had been worth it to flirt with that rather handsome conductor. So, she followed the rules and did exactly what she was told like a good little demon. She stayed in her seat and distracted herself to stay calm.

Frost slithered up her sleeve, poking her little head out to taste the air. She wasn't so sure about this being safe.
"Darling, don't worry. We're safe here." She stretched out a finger to pet her scaly little head. It was as soft as fresh snow.
Frost made a little hissing noise, blinking her slitted eyes. Clearly someone was panicking about this.

*

Luna hadn't checked the rule board either, why would this even be a rule on there? It was, she simply had no notion of that. She couldn't help the panic rising in her heart. It was very vocal about that, thumping away at an alarming pace. "Why have we stopped? There's no platform. Are we supposed to just get off onto the ground?" Luna asked to no one in particular.
Soot was equally as worried, his tail between his legs.

Luna stared out the window. Anything could be in that dark night, and she had broken the rules. She might be hauled off by police at any second. That’s what happened when you broke the train rules, right? Armed guards or something. Must be. At this particular moment, Luna was in such a state of worry that she might have ripped them to shreds with her claws if they laid a hand on her. Her hands had sprouted claws by now, so anything was possible. Her teeth had turned to daggers and her ears were slinked back against the dark fur on her head.

Before Luna could panic herself into a full transformation, one of the conductors was at her side. "Luna, it's okay. I'm here."
Luna recognised the voice instantly. "Aubrey?" What was she doing here? Shouldn't she be at the front of the train, getting everyone ready for an early departure?
"Of course. Don't panic. Nowhere is safe."
"Is that where we are?"
"Yes, exactly. Nowhere. We're safe here, I promise."

That seemed to quell the fires of panic burning in her lungs. She didn't know why, but she trusted Aubrey's promises. They seemed comforting and right. "Aubrey, I… I don't even know what time of day it is or where I am or anything. What… what time is it?"
Aubrey's face seemed to scrunch up at that. Almost in repulsion? What was wrong with asking the time? But a moment later, the expression was gone, replaced with a neutral mask. "That doesn't matter, sweetheart. Just relax. Nothing bad is going to happen, I promise."

But it seemed on this train, the promises of the conductors were like whispers in the wind, fleeting and meaningless. A snap could be heard outside the train. Luna looked over to the window, jumping when she saw two glowing eyes staring at her in the dark.

"Its… probably a wolf…" Aubrey whispered, wrapping her arms around Luna. The embrace was comforting, like the soft escape of a mattress after a long day. But her words weren't.

Luna could smell the thing from her seat, and it did not smell like wolf. It stank of blood and broken memories. Luna let out an involuntary whine. Whatever it was, it was coming closer. She hadn't seen anything more of it than its eyes, but that was enough. They were a light glowing colour, but that didn't mean it would be trusted. Things could look innocent enough, and be dark and twisted underneath that mantle. But this didn't even look welcoming or innocent. Light eyes meant nothing. Its body was made of the fabric of the night, its ribcage made of hollowed out stars. This was death.

*

Frost crept closer into Banshee's sleeve. She'd tasted the evil in the air and she wanted no part of this. Banshee could sympathise, but she didn't have much choice but to have a part in this. She'd bought her ticket after all. Either she'd broken the right rule or not. She just had to stick by that decision. Part of her thought about taking the coward's way out and trying to portal herself back home to her comfortable chair and have a warm bath. But it was too late for that. Whatever this was, Frost seemed to sense that it was more powerful than her, so she didn't bother trying. Besides, it was stalking closer now. There was no way out, they were trapped like rats in a cage of their own making.

Banshee cast around for the handsome conductor. If she was going to die tonight, she'd prefer it to be around a handsome and available young man. Maybe he could catch her romantically and press a kiss to her lips so the last thing she ever tasted was him. Banshee warmed to that thought like a lizard to the sun. But she couldn't see him anywhere. "Aubrey, dear? Where is that handsome young conductor? Slicked back blonde hair, golden eyes and the jawline of a demigod?"
Aubrey chuckled. "You mean Buck? He's in the cabin, I don't think he'll want to be here for any of this. Besides, he's not… You're not exactly his type."
Banshee took a moment to realise what she meant by that. Oh dear. The poor man was homosexual. "Oh…" She burned red with embarrassment.

They didn't have much time to dwell on that embarrassing scene though, the carriage shook with an unearthly roar. "I'm sure you know all the denizens on the train's route, darling. What is this one?"
"I…" Aubrey faltered, her grip tightening on Luna, who was still half transformed. "I don't know." Despite her words, her tone echoed with recognition. She might not know what this was, but she'd certainly seen it before.
"I see." Banshee muttered, turning her attention to calming Frost down.

A heavy, ragged breathing filled the carriage as the thing approached. Banshee couldn't see what it was until it moved closer. By then it was too close, standing- or rather floating- right next to her seat. It had streaming black hair that blended into the night. Its body was a dark, demonic cluster of twigs and vines twisted into something that resembled a humanoid form. A smile cracked across its face, like cracks of lava flowing through a volcano. Wild and powerful. Its mouth was a burning fire of rage and torment, twisting its face into some sort of expression.

"H… Hello dear." Banshee whispered, hoping this was a friendly creature. Never judge a book by its cover. Unless that book happens to be glaring at you through sunken, soulless eyes it seemed.
"You… broke… the… rules…" Its voice croaked out, the cark of a deep and old magic. One bound before demons and angels. Banshee stood no chance.
"I do apologise, sir… I thought I was breaking the right rule. Which one was that, might I enquire?"
"Tonight's rule… Rule 24…" The creature whispered, the foetid breath of living death wafting against her.
"Oh…" Banshee breathed, feeling rather trapped. Rule 24 ,'Do not leave your seat if the train comes to an abrupt stop in the middle of nowhere. Nowhere is a good place, please don't worry.' Dammit. She'd obeyed that one. Too late now.

She backed up against her seat, but it was no use. The thing lashed out with rage she'd never felt before. She screamed as the thing sunk its mangled hand deep into her chest. It plucked out her heart, feeling it pulse quicker and quicker under its hand. Banshee was still breathing when it crushed it into ash in its hand. Her body was cold and still afterwards. The only sign of life was Frost slithering over her frozen skin.

*

Aubrey heard the scream, turning towards the sound. Her eyes only left Luna for a few minutes, but when she turned around, her arms were empty. "No. Luna, come back here!" She said, casting about for the sight of her. But she couldn't see her. Panic rose in her chest. She couldn't be gone already. Not so quickly. Maybe it was a blessing if she was, at least then she wouldn't have to watch.

A growl sounded throughout the carriage. Aubrey's head whipped around to catch it. At the end of the carriage, a large black wolf lunged at the monster of midnight. She champed its jaws and slashed with her claws, but the creature's form twisted and shaped itself around the blows like smoke. It cackled at the blows, slashing out with its own. The mangled figure cut the wolf down like a knife through butter, severing sinew and flesh. Aubrey stared in horror as she saw fur and blood flying. "Luna!" She yelled, watching the woman she loved howl in agony as she was torn limb from limb.

Luna was still panting and whining in pain when the creature stopped. It fixed Aubrey with a deliberate, yet silent gaze. Its meaning was clear. At least to Aubrey. It laughed once more, the laughter turning to blades in the wind. Blades that sought their target quickly. They sliced through the thick fur of Luna's neck quickly. She was already on her knees, but now her head slid right off her body. With one last laugh, the creature tossed her head over to Aubrey's lap. "Broke… too… many… rules…" It croaked, and with that, it disappeared into the night. Its job was done.

Aubrey couldn't help the tears that ran down her cheeks. She got up from her seat, stroking a hand through Luna's thick fur. It was something she always saw, but never got used to. "You never learn, sweetheart." She whispered to her, gently putting her head back on her body. She knew it would slide right back off as soon as Shelley got hold of it. But for now, she needed her to look whole. She needed her to look right. "Maybe… Maybe next time…" She muttered, trying to keep herself whole too. But there was no hope, her heart was in pieces. Luna never learned. She always led with her heart, reacted with her emotions. That’s what she loved about her. And that was always her downfall.

*

Buck came in a few moments later. He'd heard the commotion, or tried not to hear it more like. But now, it was over. He had to help pick up the pieces. He saw the carnage in the carriage, and Aubrey kneeling in a pool of blood. He sighed. "Aub…" There wasn't anything he could say to make this any better. "She'll be back." Was all he said instead.
"How can you be sure?" Aubrey replied, her voice wavering with unshed tears. "You remember the las time that-"
"Yes." Buck snapped, cutting her off. "I remember." The memory of it was all too raw. Jokov's dismembered body was still fresh in his mind.
Aubrey looked at him apologetically. "I'm sorry…"
Buck pinched the bridge of his nose, shaking his head. "Don't be. We're moving again. I'll get this cleaned up, you go back to the cabin… Or somewhere else. Just try and avoid Odette."
Aubrey looked all too happy to do that. Her shoulders heaved with a heavy sigh. She gave Luna's paw a little kiss before she got up. When she'd left, it wasn't hard to hear her sobbing echoing through the train. It seemed to fuel its wheels.

Buck steeled himself to work. He tried to put his feelings behind a brick wall, humming a tune to himself as he worked. It was one Jakov had taught him, it helped. He piled the bodies in a wheelbarrow and wheeled them to the last carriage on the train. Shelley was waiting.

"What time do you call this?" She grumbled, she was never happy.
"Aubrey needed some time."
Shelley rolled her eyes. "Thought I told her not to get involved with them."
"You know Aub." Buck muttered, ignoring the side eyes that earned him.
"Yeah, just her. Sure." Shelley muttered, stoking the furnace.

Buck just left her to it. That was one of the jobs they didn't share. Thankfully. The crematorium cart was all Shelley's. Buck rattled a sigh as they travelled through the night. He rubbed the blood off his face, but it still covered his uniform. Aubrey's wailing was the only sound in that dark night. Well, besides the chugging of the train and the haunting scream of the whistle blowing.

It would all happen again. The circle of life was very different for them, but it continued rolling on, just like the chugging train wheels.