TERROR ON TRACKS

TERROR ON THE TRACKS

Dave's mom pauses at the cabin door. " are you sure you don't want to join us dinner? " she asks him.

" Yeah, how often do you get to have dinner on a midnight train? " Dad adds

" I don't even want to be here, much less have dinner here " Dave grumbles. " Why couldn't we have taken a plane? We'd be at the hotel by now. "

Dad sighs " never mind "

" Don't leave the cabin, " Mom reminds him " see you later! "

Bored out of his mind, Dave falls asleep. When he wakes up, he
finds that his parents haven't returned. He looks around the gloomy cabin.

" What are you doing here? " someone whispers. Dave spins around and sees a girl standing in the corner. Although she's looking at him, her face is obscured by shadows.

" What are YOU doing here? " Dave shrieks in surprise.

" This is my cabin. "

Dave gets up. " Sorry, this is MY cabin! You have to leave. "
Why can't he see her face?

" It's pretty lonely out there. Let's play a game! " she says, creeping closer. She lifts her head and he sees that she has no face!

Dave's mind goes black blank with terror. " What the heck are you?! I'm outta here! " he screams, and runs out of the room.

The train corridor is empty. " I have to find Mom and Dad, " Dave thinks.

As jagged mountains and rumbling black clouds streak by, the sickly green moon provides the only light in the dim car. The rumbling engines echo like the belly of a monster: Dave falls against a seated passenger when the train lurches unsteadily. The hand that grabs his shoulder is hard and bony. " Sorry, "
Dave stammers. A flash of lightning illuminates the car and
Dave finds himself staring straight into the face of a skeleton.
It scowls at him. " Find your OWN seat "

Dave shrieks and staggers back. All down the aisle, he sees ghastly white skulls looking at him. He runs as bony hands grab at him. Dave dashes through the forest of bones. When he reaches the dining car door shut,

The dining car is brightly lit. He sees a swathe of his mother's dress a few tables down. Dave breaths a huge sigh of relief
" Mom, Dad ! "

The skeleton wearing his mother's dress turns to him and says
" Dave! You shouldn't have left the cabin. "

The skeleton in dad's suit turns to him and says,
" You've gotta get off this train, Dave. HURRY! "

Dave backs away and makes for the door, but the little girl is blocking his way. " Where do you think you're going? " she asks.

" You have to let me off this train. Get out of my way! "

" I don't have to do anything. You're not going anywhere. I want you to be my playmate. FOREVER .

~ FIN