Inhumanity

Chapter 3

I hold my wrist up to the pad but it beeps denying me exit "what the hell?" I mutter. I try again but nothing changes. My phone rings and I pick it up "seriously, you're putting me in time out?" I ask sarcastically. "What's wrong, I was calling to ask you to come up to the engine this morning to lend a hand" Ben ask. I run my forehead "my door won't open, thought you guys had done it?" I explain. He sighs "I'll send a mechanic up to get you out, something must be wrong with the individual pad" he says "sit tight" the line goes dead "like I can do anything else". I glance to the clock in frustration and put down the phone. I pick up my guitar and sit cross legged on my bed strumming on some chords, before I know it my door pops open "what was the problem?" I ask. The mechanic point to the outside pad "looks as if someone bashed it and were too scared to report it" he explains. I examine the panel, "I'll replace it, by tonight it'll be as good as new" he says. I nod "thanks" I smile politely. He runs the back of his neck "so you single?" He asks. I tilt my head "are you asking?" I say playfully. He shrugs "they're bringing fight night forward thought it would be nice to watch the entertainment with a pretty girl by my side" I nod, "meet you back here, 7ish,when I'm done for the day" I say. He looks surprised but gets over it and nods quickly "yeah". I smirk and take off walking down the corridor to the engine "I have a date tonight" I sing as I enter. Ben sits up front "who's the unlucky guy" he asks spinning round to face me. I glance up in embarrassment as I realise I forgot one tiny detail "I was in such a rush I forgot to ask" I state slumping down into a seat, he chuckles "what's all the laughter about" Javi asks emerging from the sleeping quarters. Ben leans forward "Eve has a date tonight, and she forgot to ask the poor sods name". Javi looks at me , if I didn't know any better I would say he was disappointed "what he was cute plus he got me out of my room, I owe him a few drinks at least" I state. He tilts his head "yeah what was that all about" Javi asks cleaning his glasses. I shrug "dunno, some idiot smashed the outside panel and was too scared to report it" I explain. They both frown "what?". Javi puts his glasses back on nervously "those panels are petty strong, you'd have to punch them a few times or sack them with a hammer to completely lock the room" he says. I frown, this was deliberate? Melanie enters and notice us all sitting around not doing much "what's the matter, something wrong?" She asks. I turn round "someone deliberately damaged my panel so I got locked in my room..." I trail off, Javi nods "you need to whack those things with hammers to put a dent in them. chances are it was deliberate, but why? No other panels have been reported damaged" he questions. Melanie bites her cheek and makes a thinking noise "maybe the murderer... intimidation?" Ben suggests. Melanie nods "make sense, Layton's locked up in the brakeman room all night and till bunks with three other brakemen. Your the only one by yourself" she says. I snort "well it's not really working" I state. The three of them look at each other, why do I feel like the three of them have a plan that I'm not going to like. Melanie coughs "whilst the killer is still at large maybe you should move up here, there's a spare bunk and it would be safer-" I cut her off "no way, part of the agreement was I got my own space" I argue. Ben shakes his head and leans forward "Eve you've got to consider the dangers, if the killer goes another step further they could attack you. You can defend yourself of course but if they get a good punch in there's going to be breakage and your blood is going to be noticed". I shrug "I'll be cautious but I'm not moving up to the engine, this might not even be connected. It would be an overreaction. I don't mind helping out from time to time but I like to be separate once in a while" I state. With that our impromptu meeting is over and we get back to running snowpiercer. I glance to the clock "time flies" I point out. Javi nods slowly "sure does, aren't you going to help your detective out today" he asks.

I shake my head "The beating he revived last night, that'll put him out of action for a day or so. Plus Nikki Genêt is still a no go." I say. We go back to our comfortable silence "you going to be watching the fight tonight?" I ask, he shrugs "I'll be stuck up here" he says boredom lacing his tone. I smile "shame, I'll bring you something back" I offer. I stand up and stretch "I'm going for a break, I'm not meant to be up here full time. You guys take advantage of my soft personality" I tease. Ben laughs shortly "your about as soft as a brick wall" he says playfully. I tilt my head "aww come on, I'm a wonderful personality up here" I say. Javi shakes his head "bring me a cup of noodles or something next time and then we'll see" he says. I walk backwards "haven't you heard, noodles are off the menu until they can confirm no humans were harmed in the production" I leave slowly and head down the train to where I'm sure they're keeping Layton locked up after his escapade