The train groaned in protest as it broke hard, with the curious sound of metal grating against a nonexistent track. And when the Doom Train finally rattled to a halt, the doors slid open, and the Conductor stepped outside.
'Why does he need a lantern?' Cali asked.
Butland tilted his head to the side. 'I suspect it's for reasons we'd do well not to ask about.'
'That works for me, so long as we don't have to set foot out there ourselves.' Butland nodded, flashing a grim smile.
The Conductor began swirling the lantern around in circles. And having only just left the carriage, we could still see through our blacked-out windows, its seemingly dim light trailing with every swing. Then he started shouting. 'How many times must I tell you three! You get off this train before your determined destination, and you're stuck here until the day you die.'
'But, please, the Sun Flies have destroyed any food and water resources for hundreds of miles!'
