SHEOL

24

Before we had even walked a few feet into the Cimmerian shade, the large door that we came through slid shut. It was an electrical door that reminded me vaguely of those in an elevator. It also had a small window in the middle. I sprinted back and pounded on it, staring at Kingston through the clear glass. 

He mouthed "What's wrong?" very clearly so that I could understand.

"The door closed on it's own." I lipped back.

"Are you in danger?" He articulated in the same manner as he did previously. 

"No." I said. "Stay safe."

I then turned around and grabbed The Window Killer's hand. 

Although he carried Kingston's phone, he still managed to grasp me securely, but not with a grip that was tight enough to evoke harm. "It seems as though they're watching us."

"They're?" I questioned nervously.

"I don't think that we're dealing with a leech anymore, October." He replied, linking arms with me instead. He handed me the light. "This is definitely not the work of a leech."

We walked through the cabin, but nothing was there. I shined the light at each row, checking under each seat and inside of every overhead compartment. The blackout window shades were also in use, eliminating any chance for light to shine through. I tried to lift them up, but they had been bolted to the wall. The Window Killer never let his guard down.

"What do you think it is?" I asked.

But, before he could answer, we appeared at the next door. When Kingston, The Window Killer and I boarded the train, we were escorted to sit in the second car. Everything awful seemed to be happening behind us, right under our noses.

This door did not automatically open. Instead, I had to search around for a button that opened it when pressed. Before I could press it, though, The Window Killer stopped me.

"Wait." He whispered as he motioned for me to hand him the flashlight.

"What is it?" I questioned apprehensively. 

He simply motioned for me to hand it to him again. Reluctantly, I did.

He pushed me to the side and peeked into the tiny window while shining the light through. In less than a second, he stepped back. 

"October..." He said extremely quietly. There seemed to be a twinge of fear blanketing his voice.

I clutched him even tighter. "W-what?"

"You need to go back. Now."

I looked at his face. His stone cold eyes were stretched wide and terror was painted from forehead to chin. He stepped back.

"What do you see, Window Killer?" I shouted aghast.

He merely shook his head. "October. Run."

I grabbed the flashlight from him. "I can't run, you know that! The door was locked behind us!" I then shoved him aside and looked through the window. After a few seconds, I backed away too.

The next cabin was dark, just like the one in which we stood. The windows were cloaked with shades and the seats were empty. But something was very wrong.

"W-what... the... f-fuck...?" I whispered as my voice falsettoed. An abominable terror choked my frail body.

In the middle of the next cabin stood a man. He wore nothing but a uniform similar to that of the old woman, and a smile. He made no movement when I shined the light at him. He merely stood there with his arms at his side. Waiting. But that wasn't the horrifying part. Sure, it was odd to see a steward standing in the middle of a dark cabin, smiling. But I'm sure that there could have possibly been a logical reason for that. However, this situation was anything but normal.

There were two major problems with this man, one being that he wasn't breathing. He didn't even flinch when I flashed the light at him. I suppose that there is a good reason for that, though. The foul creature didn't see the light: He didn't have any eyes.

"W-Window Killer..." I choked out. My voice was being held captive by pure dread. "Why doesn't he have any eyes?"

 The Window Killer took another step back. "I don't know."

It wasn't even as if the man was just born without a set of eyes and miraculously landed a job working on a train. No. His eyes were stolen from him. His eyes were gouged out.

Blood ran like mercury tears down his cleanly shaven face. But he continued to smile.

"Window Killer, we have no choice but to defeat him." I glanced back through the other window at Kingston, who had his knife ready. 

The Window Killer wiped the sweat from his brow. "I know, but I don't want to put you in danger. This man is definitely not a leech. He is the product of something far worse. He could easily snatch the pendant from you. I thought that I could protect you by keeping you with me, but now it seems as though you should have stayed with Kingston."

"It's okay, Window Killer." I said as I walked to the door that we entered through. "You didn't know. We didn't know. How about I just stay back here, by these empty seats?"

The Window Killer motioned me to come back. "No, that will never do. It isn't safe to put such a great distance between us. I suppose you'll just have to stay here, by my side."

I returned to him, clutching the flashlight and my knife. "Are you ready?" I asked him. 

He clenched his teeth. "You have no idea."