The Ninth Cipher
Printed across the faded paper were six chilling words.
RETURN JOURNEY NOT AVAILABLE.
At that exact moment, the train's brakes screamed.
The entire carriage shook violently.
The conductor's voice echoed through every compartment.
"Now arriving..."
A long pause followed.
Then, in a calm, emotionless tone—
"...Black Hollow."
The train came to a stop with a long, metallic scream.
Silence followed.
No announcement.
No movement.
Only the slow ticking of Adrian's watch.
The carriage doors remained closed.
Outside, thick snow drifted across the abandoned platform.