The Silent Passenger
 |
Ella hated late-night train rides, but work left her no choice. The train was nearly empty, save for a man in a dark coat sitting at the far end of her carriage. He was hunched over, his face obscured by the dim lights.
As the train lurched forward, Ella felt uneasy. The man hadn’t moved since she boarded. She pulled out her phone, pretending to text, and glanced at him. His head was slightly tilted now, as if listening.
The next station approached, and Ella hoped he would leave. But instead, he stood, shuffling closer with each lurch of the train. She clutched her bag tightly, pretending not to notice. His face was pale, his eyes sunken, and his movements unnatural, almost puppet-like.
“Excuse me,” he murmured, his voice raspy. “Do you have the time?”
Ella looked at her phone. “It’s 11:45,” she said, her voice trembling.
He tilted his head further. “It’s almost time,” he whispered and turned abruptly, shuffling back to his seat.
The train slowed again, this time at an old, abandoned station. The lights flickered as it stopped. Ella watched in horror as several more figures, equally pale and lifeless, climbed aboard. They moved in sync, their heads tilting in unison toward her.
Panicking, she rushed to the door. But as she reached for the emergency exit, the man from earlier appeared, blocking her path. His sunken eyes locked on hers.
“It’s time now,” he whispered.
The train plunged into darkness.
Ella’s scream echoed in the silence.
Would you like me to expand on this or craft a different story?
.jpeg)
0 Comments