2| Mysterious Train Officer

Rain is very excited. She couldn't even wait until Ben came back from the convenience store. There wasn't much time to catch the last night train to Westlake.

In that state, there is a small town called Dark Wood. Referring to the story of the woman he had just contacted, Rain only needed to go there by night train.

Before leaving, Rain left a note for Ben and promised to be back next weekend. Rain only brought one travel bag containing two pieces of clothing and personal equipment.

Rain's departure for Westlake was like a gamble. She risked the last of his money to buy train tickets to get this job.

"If I fail the interview, I'm sure I'll be a bum tomorrow," Rain muttered as she pulled her coat tighter up.

She walked quickly to warm up the body that was starting to shiver. The street lights started to turn on. She walked a few blocks to reach the city station.

Rain reached into her coat pocket. She took out some coll and some of her last coins.

"One ticket to Westlake," Rain said, handing the money over to the counter.

The counter guard glanced at Rain before handing her a night train ticket.

"What time will the train arrive?"

"It's 10:55 p.m., Miss."

Rain looked back. There was only her there alone. "Will there be a lot of passengers going to Westlake tonight?" Rain asked, a little bit scared at the counter guard.

"Looks like you're the only one going to Westlake from this station. Maybe at the next stop, you will meet the other passengers?"

Rain accepted the ticket and nodded. She didn't really care. Right now, her only thought was how to get her this job.

Rain stood on a deserted platform. Only her alone waiting for the train to the state on that cold night along the waiting bench. Rain glanced back at the clock on her ticket and matched it with the time at the station.

"The train should arrive in fifteen minutes."      

Rain sat on a bench. At the far right of the bench was an old man sitting, nodding off. Rain put the travel bag on the right side. She was busy rubbing her cold palms.

"Rain," whispered a voice.

"Yes?" The girl reflexively turned her head, but no one was there.

"Am I hallucinating?" she thought. "I'm sure I heard someone say my name."

Rain glanced to the right at her backpack; something like a black beast slipped into her open bag. Rain didn't notice that. However, the old man sitting on her right was slightly surprised and rubbed his eyes.

"Am I dreaming?" murmured the old man.

Rain turned to him. "What is it? Did you hear anything, Sir?" asked Rain, still curious about the voice calling his name.

"Who knows. I fell asleep and wasn't sure what I heard or saw. Where do you want to go young girl?"

"I'm going to attend a job interview at Westlake. Are you going there too?"

"Ah no. I'm just sleeping here. I'm just a tramp. But Westlake is a beautiful and mysterious city."

"What do you mean, sir?" asked Rain.

His voice was drowned out by the roar of the engines and wheels of the oncoming carriage. She had not received any response from the old man. Rain had to stand up and get into the carriage.

"Be careful, young girl!" said the old man as the carriage door closed. "They will keep an eye on you!"

"What?" surprised Rain. She was sure she had heard right. "That old man asked me to be careful and something is watching me? What? Who?" thought Rain. "You crazy!" she muttered indifferently.

Rain sat in carriage number five according to the ticket he received. That night, the train was completely empty. Inside carriage five, there was only her alone.

"Maybe at the next station there will be passengers boarding," she hoped in her heart.

Unknowingly, Rain was already asleep. She didn't know how much time had passed. The train was moving very quietly and comfortably.

"Ticket!" muttered a man to wake Rain.

The girl stammered. When she woke up, it was very dark outside. The carriage lights also cracked—out and on again and again.

"Where am I?" she said.

"We have just entered the longest tunnel connecting St. Marina and the state of Westlake."

Rain looked at the dark-skinned man with a beard covering his face. His body is tall and big. His head almost touched the roof of the carriage. Rain might have thought the train attendant was a criminal if he hadn't been wearing the dark blue uniform.

"May I check your ticket, Miss?"

"Of course!" Rain frantically reached into her coat pocket for the ticket. "I kept it here just now!"

"Do you have the ticket, Miss?"

"Of course I have!" Rain replied a bit curtly in panic. "Meet!"

He handed the ticket to the clerk and smiled in relief. But, it was only for a moment. The clerk repeatedly read the ticket and looked at Rain in turn.

"Is something wrong, Sir?" Rain started to panic.

"You are going to Darkwood?"

Rain nodded. "How do you know? My ticket only says Westlake."

The clerk punched a hole in Rain's ticket and handed it back. "Tonight you're the only passenger going there after three months."

Rain gaped. The train attendant had already left her to the next carriage. Rain tried to stand up and chase the officer. In carriage six, the conditions were the same; only three passengers were there. However, the bulky officer was nowhere to be seen in carriage six.

"Madam, is the ticket checker gone?"

The passenger who was asked by Rain shook her head. "There are no ticket checkers on this train. All of them are already using e-tickets."

Rain's body shivered for a moment. She decided to return to her seat and wait for the train to completely stop. In the window, she still saw the tunnel walls that seemed endless. Once again, Rain checked the ticket. The ticket paper was actual and had been punched in by the officer.

"Someone toyed with me?" her grin.

She no longer bothered the mysterious officer. Rain closed her eyes again until the train actually arrived at Westlake Station.

When the train came out of the tunnel, it was greeted with thick fog. The ticket inspector walked on top of the carriage with dragging steps. His large body grew, and a hairy tail appeared on the back of his body.