Bones of Disaster

Chapter 1: A new discovery

The train rattled across the rails that led through the forest. Max stared out the misty window, watching deers grazing on the luscious green grass. Their heads jerked up as the train sped noisily by. Bird flew gracefully high in the sky. The sight was strangely calming. Max felt his eyelids grow heavy and soon felt himself dozing off.

'Hey man, don't fall asleep now, we're almost there.'

Max looked over at his friend, Ash. Ash was a tall athletic boy and had short dusty blonde hair and his face was covered in freckles. Max was average sized with longish curly brown hair.

'Did Max fall asleep?' called Alice from the seat behind Max and Ash. Alice was a tall pretty girl with long straight blonde hair.

'Almost.' replied Max.

'Haha. Trust Max to want to sleep.' said Olivia. Olivia had long dark brown hair and a perfect face and figure.

Max laughed and looked back out the window. The train rounded a corner and Max could now see their location. A clearing with a large pool and an overhanging rock drew near. Out of the corner of his eye, Max saw a glint of sunlight reflecting of something. Suddenly a loud crack filled the air the train rocked violently.

'Fuck!' yelled Ash, as he smashed his head on the seat on front, blood pouring down a cut in his head. The train continued to shake, then everyone heard a boom and the train began to spin. When it finally came to a stop, Max looked around. Many people were lying motionless on the floor or seats. He looked out the now cracked window. They were on a cliff's edge. Alice went over to the driver and screamed. Max and Ash ran over to her; Olivia close behind. The driver was bent over the steering wheel, the gear stick through his gut. Olivia's hand flew to her mouth and Max and Ash looked away. Ash went to the door and tried it.

'It's busted!' he called. Max went over to help him, who had begun kicking the door. With a loud crash the door fell outward. They only had about a metre of land before the drop.

'Everyone! Come out slowly and be careful!' Max called down the carriage. He could see people from the other carriages doing the same.

Once everyone was out on safe ground, Max looked around at the crowd.

'There isn't many left,' he remarked quietly, 'How many died on the train?'

Olivia came over to him. She had a large cut where a shard of glass had cut her.

'Hey are you ok?'

'Yeah I'm fine, thanks. How about you?'

Alright, just a little shaken.'

Olivia winced as she brushed some hair out of her eyes.

'I'll get you something for that, ok.' Max ran over to the train and went inside. He found the first aid kit battered on the floor. He opened it and checked inside. Luckily everything was unbroken. He pulled out a bandage and some wipes, then shoved it back in and brought the whole box.

Max walked back to Olivia who was sitting on a rock.

'Hey Liv!' Max called holding up the kit. She looked up and smiled. He put the box down next to her and began to clean and bandage the wound. She smiled at him, flashing perfect teeth.

'Thank you, Max.'

'Your welcome.'

Max finished bandaging the cut and he helped her to feet. He suddenly remembered the flash he saw right before the train crash.