The train was cold and empty. Peaceful as the grave. Empty carriages were familiar after doing so many night shifts as a nurse, but the young woman still didn't feel comfortable. She'd never taken this train before; in fact, she hadn't known that it existed until she found the note left by her sister Stella. According to that note, she should get off at the first stop. Forfeit Central Station. It was important that she did not miss her stop.

The temperature in the carriage was dropping. The train began to slow, and the wheels screeched against their rails. Were they breaking down? Perhaps she would be trapped here with the voice. She doubted a hidden train would be repaired quickly.

Past the fogged-up windows, a light came into view. The station. The train was only slowing down to arrive at the station! Lily calmed down and waited as the train pulled up to the platform. But after it had stopped, the doors didn't open. She could see the platform outside was deserted of any passengers or station staff. Everything was silent and motionless. That felt unnatural. Her heart began to thud in her chest again. The doors didn't open even when Lily tugged at them. Did the person talking to her somehow seal them? Had they tampered with the electronics or just jammed them shut? She tugged harder, but they didn't give at all. She tried to move to a different carriage, but the doors between the carriages wouldn't open either. Next, she tried to smash one of the windows, but no matter how many times she threw herself against it, it didn't crack.

Of course no one replied. But the ground began to shake, like it was laughing at her fear.

With a metal groan, the ceiling of the carriage buckled in from the front to the back. As if, like an enormous esophagus swallowing, the tunnel was contracting around the train and squeezing it shut. Lily pressed herself against the ground and covered her head, hoping that she'd survive if the train was crushed further.