Quiet train ride

            Fog settled in the night air. All was quiet and still. In the distance a train could be heard chugging away. The sound grew louder and louder, soon bright lights pierced through the darkness and the roar of a train echoed through the trees. Then, in an instant, the train was gone.

            Jim stared out the window, looking out into endless darkness. If it were during the day he would have some lovely forest scenery to look at, but at this hour all there was to do was sleep. All was quiet in the train and the muffled chugging of the train was relaxing. Jim was lucky enough to get a compartment to himself. He was traveling on business through a mountain range to the next city over. It was hardly a hot vacation spot and the late night trips were usually pretty dead.

            To ward off boredom, Jim decided to take a walk around the train. He could walk up and down a few isles, check out another car and then his exciting adventure would be done. He stood up and went out the door of his compartment, he didn’t even take two steps before he heard a scream. Jim was much of a hero, but a mix of concern and curiosity urged him to go. He ran into the next train car, it was just two long rows of seats with a little isle in the middle. When Jim arrived on the scene he saw several passengers curled up in their seats, staring terrified at a strange man in the middle of the isle. The man had strange clothing, looked as if he had just come from a medieval festival. Wearing mostly green and brown, with pale skin and dark hair. The man looked as worried as the train passengers. In his hand he held a sword, it pulsed with a strange blue light.

            “He just appeared out of this air!” someone yelled. Another man entered the train car, pushing his way past Jim. This man wore a trench coat and a hat. “My name is detective Murphy. Put down the sword” Murphy said to the medieval man. Murphy was traveling on business and heard the scream. Train security wouldn’t be able to handle this situation so it was a good thing he was here. The swordman didn’t reply, so Murphy raised his gun. The guy with the sword didn’t seem to understand what was going on but knew enough to see Murphy was a threat. Acting on instinct the swordsman dashed forward and slashed, at the same time Murphy fired his gun. The sword sent a rush of energy out destroying the bullet and sending Jim and Detective Murphy flying back against the train car door.

            The swordsman looked terrified but held a fighting pose. Murphy drew his gun again and fired. The swordsman didn’t even see the shot, but now staggered backward with a bullet wound in his gut. “I-I am sorry” said the swordsman, looking confused. The blade he held started to glow, then the light spread and engulfed the swordsman’s entire body. Thunder crack loudly in the sky and a bolt of lighting shot down from the heavens, striking the train, it torn the ceiling off the train car and hit the swordsman. In an instant the swordsman was gone.

            Lucky none of the passengers were hurt and except for the trail roof, there wasn’t any damage done. Jim looked around bewildered. After a few moments when everyone calmed down, Jim finally broke the silence and said. “At least the ride wasn’t boring”