Torment

Pathetic

With the battle now over, the weaker, more vulnerable tail section passengers made their way to our new position on the train. Curtis stayed with me while I dressed again, he was respectful and turned his back, but I could tell he didn't want to leave me alone. The two of us still hadn't said a word, I was no longer crying but the image of Edgar was still fresh in my mind. My clothes were not as bloody as before, however, the cold temperatures meant they were still sodden. I was shivering uncontrollably, my wet jeans and roll neck sticking to my thin body. "Here," Curtis said, holding his hand out to me. I took it, finally looking at him. He was clearly worried but masking his emotions, trying to seem strong.

Still gripping his hand tightly, I wiped away any tears remaining on my cheeks as we left the shower cubical. Keeping a stiff upper lip, I nodded to my fellow passengers as I passed them, picking up my rucksack in the process. I had to put my emotional blip behind me, there wasn't time for weakness right now, I couldn't let Edgar's death be in vain. I squeezed Curtis's hand causing him to look at me. His eyes searched mine briefly, I smiled softly, not in a gleeful way, but to let him know that I was alright. He nodded looking me up and down one last time before letting go of my hand. Someone tapped me gingerly on the shoulder, I spun around, seeing a middle-aged woman holding my coat in her hands. I smiled gratefully; I couldn't remember her name, but I recognised her from my medical duties. She'd obviously picked up the jacket on her way through, I couldn't even remember exactly where I'd lost it.

My hair had begun to dry in waves around my face, but it wasn't stopping the chill on my skin. I was thankful that I still had a dry piece of clothing and knew it wouldn't be long until the remainder of my clothes dried with body heat. As I pulled my coat on and repositioned my rucksack, I jumped at a loud clang nearby. I looked forward into the water supply carriage to see Tanya and Andrew threatening Mason, who was currently handcuffed against a wall. "Have you seen these kids?" Tanya asked, holding up the hand-drawn images of Tim and Andy. "I don't know anything about..." Mason began to stutter, but she didn't have long to reply as Andrew lunged at her, axe in hand. She screamed as he hit the wall behind her. Tanya gripped the woman's lower face.

"Where are they, you bitch?" The mother seethed. I stayed back waiting for her answer. "I don't know, it's not me," Mason whined. Tanya pulled the woman tight, exposing the minister's arm to Andrew. He lined up the axe on her bicep. "Tell us or we'll cut your fucking arm off shorter than mine you bastard." He seethed. "Wilford knows. Wilford likes kids. He does. That's why he sent that yellow one, Claude to get them for him. It's Wilford you want, not me!" Mason panicked, hoping to keep her arm.

"Wilford likes kids?" Gilliam suddenly spoke up. I looked over to the source of his voice. I saw him sitting in his wheelchair in the centre of the room, a little bit back from Mason, Curtis was sitting on the floor beside him. "But all he cares about is his wretched engine." I piped in, scared as to where his liking for children was going. Mason whipped her head towards me. "The engine is sacred. And Wilford is divine. Wilford is merciful." She shouted in an almost holy fashion. I shook my head. "Call him. See if he'll come save you." Curtis simply replied. He was right, if Wilford was so wonderful, he would surely come to his minister's aid.

"Yes. Wilford the merciful. Call him." Gilliam added. "He won't come here; he won't leave his engine," Mason replied. "We're gonna rip you into little pieces, he still won't come?" Curtis asked, I was a little shocked at his abruptness, but Mason was the reason our dear friend was dead. The woman stayed silent. "When we control the water and turn that off, he'll have to come," Curtis confirmed. Mason looked puzzled. "Turn off the water? Well, you'll only be condemning your own people." We all looked at her confused. "The water comes from the front. The nose of the train, it breaks up the snow and ice and turns it into water." Of course it does, yet another obstacle in our path. "Like an elephant's trunk. The water comes in the mouth. Not in the bum, Curtis." I looked to Curtis as Mason said his name, he too looked shocked, how did she know him, we were all just numbers to the front.

"Yes, Wilford knows you well, Mr Curtis Everett. He's been watching you. And we know you won't harm your own people." Mason goaded. "Too bad you couldn't save your second in command, what was his name? Edgar?" Mason jeered. I heard Curtis unsheathe a knife, but I was already rushing towards the minister, I had been standing to the side of Tanya as they interrogated the bitch. Without hesitation I swung my fist at the woman, connecting my knuckles to her face. As I knocked her glasses crooked a loud crunch confirmed that I had broken Mason's nose. As I pulled away standing in front of her, Curtis dove forward placing a knife to her throat. "Shut the fuck up!" He seethed, holding the blade tightly to her skin. "Mr Curtis, I can help you." Mason whimpered looking between the two of us, blood trickling from her nose down her chin. "You can fucking die, is what you can do," Curtis shouted, seriously contemplating her death. "No, I can help you. I swear it. Listen to me. Wilford won't come here. He's not coming. You've got to go to him. And I can take you. I know the train; I can guarantee you safe passage." Mason bargained.

"Why the fuck would we trust you?" I spat at the woman, the throbbing of my hand only now becoming noticeable. "Because I want to live," Mason begged. Curtis looked to me briefly. "So, you'd sell out Wilford the Benevolent?" I cooed sarcastically, emphasizing her loving words from earlier. "If I take you to the front... you have to kill him. I'll get you close enough. You kill him and let me live." I stood shocked at her sudden change in tone. She looked between Curtis and me before lifting her handcuffed hand to her mouth and pulling out her fake top set of teeth. I frowned. "Curtis?" She pleaded again, trying to make herself look as vulnerable as possible. I looked away from her, I couldn't stand to look at her anymore. Pathetic.