The Eternal Winter | A Snowpiercer Story

𝐈 | The Damage They Sung

"See, the Lord is going to lay waste the earth and devastate it; he will ruin its face and scatter its inhabitants- it will be the same for priest as for people, for the master as for his servant, for the mistress as for her servant, for seller as for buyer, for borrower as for lender, for debtor as for creditor. The earth will be completely laid waste and totally plundered. The Lord has spoken this word."

- Isaiah 24:1-3

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ABOARD SNOWPIERCER, APPROACHING CHICAGO
....

Elena sat against the wall of the narrow Third Class hallway, counting down the minutes as Snowpiercer approached the Wilford Industries Chicago Terminal. This was it. She thought, her heart beating faster as everything set in. She refused to believe it at first, but reality began to set in as they approached the Chicago terminal. The end of the world was here, those boarding at Chicago would be the last to enter, and after that... Well, there was no more going outside. Her entire life as Elena knew it was over.

She would remove her Brakeman cap and wipe the beads of sweat from her forehead before placing it back nervously. Elena knew she was pushing the limits with her superior officer, she was to report to the Third Class Brakeman muster station to prepare to disembark and provide security to the final boarding passengers. But she was late, instead heading to her room. She would walk about three cars down before reaching her door. With one swift action, she reached out and pressed the palm of her hand into the pad, the chip in her hand opening it. She walked inside, turning to her two children.

"Mommy!" Her daughter fearfully called out, rushing over to Elena, with Anthony Jr. following close behind.

Elena's heart broke as she kneeled down, extending her arms as they both hugged her. She wanted to start crying and break down from the stress, but this wasn't the time for that. She shut her eyes and held the tears in, unsteadily breathing.

"It's okay... It's okay..." She began to lovingly squeeze the both of them.

Eventually, she would let go, her hands resting on each of their shoulders as she looked at them, an uneasy smile invading her face. It would be a lie if she said it was a real smile. "You two are safe here. The safest place in the whole wide world... Just stay-"

The train's intercom system would loudly chime on, prompting her to slowly look down in disappointment. A woman's voice came on, the voice of the train.

"Attention all passengers, Snowpiercer will arrive at the Chicago Terminal in t-minus, five minutes." The intercom would then chime off.

Not long after, the radio on her belt would come on. "Brakemen on perimeter assignment, we're set to move out. Report to your muster stations immediately for pre-mission briefing and equipment check. Over."

Knowing that Snowpiercer was five minutes away, and likely many more for the Third Class section to reach its proper area due to the sheer length of the train, she had enough time to get to her station. But only if she left now. Elena slowly stood up, taking steps backward until she was out of the room.

"I love you.." The door would shut in front of her.

Elena would begin to hurriedly jog down the cars of the train, empty cars except for the occasional passing Jackboot or Hospitality member. Soon she would make it to the car she needed to be in. The door opened, revealing a rather spacious but dark car that was littered with Brakemen frantically getting ready. Chief Inspector Roads was near the door and saw her arrival. His boots clicked as he matched over with haste.