The train rattled along the tracks, its rhythmic clatter masking the underlying tension within.
In the front cabin, the train driver, an imp with a somber and bored expression, had no idea his last moments were upon him.
The door to the driver's cabin was suddenly kicked open, and a group of shark demons stormed in.
"Hey! What the—" the driver began, but his protest was cut short by a knife to the throat. One of the sharks grabbed the intercom, a sinister grin spreading across his face.
"Attention, passengers," he said, his voice dripping with mock politeness. "Due to track damage, we will be taking a delayed rail path. This will add approximately two hours to our journey to Pentagram City. Thank you for your understanding."
He clicked off the intercom and turned to his comrades. "Let's make sure everything goes according to plan."
"Hey, Fury, why are we here again?"
Fury sighed, rolling his eyes. " For the love of all that is Evil...We're here for two reasons, Choncker. First, there's a shipment of Asmodean crystal on this train. The boss wants to get his hands on them for some reason or the other.
"And second, the bratty son of the Von Eldritch family is on this train. Somebody paid big bucks to capture him alive. The plan is simple: we secure the kid and the crystals, then teleport out. This rail path is actually unfinished. It leads straight to a 500-meter drop."
Choncker blinked, finally understanding. "Oh, so we get what we need and leave everyone else for dead."
"Exactly," Fury said with a cold grin. "Now let's get to work."
...
Meanwhile, Oliver was wandering the train, trying to stave off boredom. Unfortunately, his wanderings led him straight into the path of the shark demons.
"Hey, look what we have here," one of the demons sneered, grabbing Oliver by the arm. "You're coming with us, kid."
"Let go of me!" Oliver struggled, but the demons easily overpowered him, dragging him into the cabin next to Tucker's.
They threw him to the floor, securing him with angelic cuffs. One of the demons, a particularly nasty-looking one, leaned down and smirked.
"Do you know how much you're worth on the black market, kid? Someone hired us to kidnap you, and they're paying a fortune."
Oliver glared at them. "You're all going to regret this."
The demon laughed, delivering a harsh kick to Oliver's ribs. "Keep dreaming, brat."
"Real brave, ganging up on one kid," Oliver muttered through gritted teeth.
"Keep talking," one demon sneered, delivering another kick. "It's not gonna help you."
...
Outside, Tucker stirred from his nap. He stretched and decided to take a walk to clear his head.
As he stepped into the corridor, he noticed Oliver's hat lying on the floor outside the neighboring cabin. He picked it up and frowned, sensing something was off.
Sniff
He knocked on the door. "Hey, anyone missing a hat in there?"
The door swung open to reveal a shark demon.
"Hey there. Sorry for butting in like this?"
Tucker smiled, then promptly headbutted the demon, sending him reeling. Inside the cabin, Oliver and another demon looked on in shock.
The second demon raised his gun, but Tucker vanished from his sight. The demon felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to find Tucker standing behind him. "Looking for me?" Tucker asked, grinning.
The demon swung wildly, but Tucker dodged easily.
He was about to karate chop the demon but he stopped himself when he heard, Music?
[All around the haunted house,
The spirits chased the evil.
The shadows creep, the banshees scream,
Pop! Goes the demon!!]
Swooosh!!!
A boxing glove suddenly sprang out of Oliver's hat, hitting the demon square in the groin.
POP*
Another glove followed, punching him in the face and knocking out several teeth. The demon collapsed, unconscious.
"Got you, you son of a—" Oliver muttered, standing up and shaking off the cuffs. Oliver had already freed himself from the cuffs, hours ago.
"I had them, you know. I was playing the fool so they would spill who sent them to hunt me down."
Tucker shrugged. "Could've fooled me. Looked like you were getting your ass handed to you."
Oliver rolled his eyes and rubbed his bruised chest. "I've been away from my class too long. Even with my shity teacher, she'll notice if anything happens to me."
"Go on, then. I'll take care of these two," Tucker said, tying the demons up and shoving them into the bathroom.
"Oh and what was that punchy thing in your hat, I didn't see it in there before." Tucker asked curiously, it almost reminded him of his sealed space.
"Brimstone Interstice Hat...holds a space much larger insid then out." Oliver responded putting his hat back on before leaving.
"Brimstone Interstice Hat...Intresting!"
....
After ensuring Oliver was safely on his way back to his class, Tucker returned to his seat.
He sat down, but this time he remained vigilant, sensing the train around him.
His trusty boken lay beside him, ready for action.
...
[Two hours later]
Two hours have passed and nothing happened, after the kidnapping Incident.
So Tucker pulled out his phone, ready to distract himself from bordoom. And almost immediately, his phone buzzed with a few messages.
The first was from Valentina:
Valentina: How's the train ride, mon cher? 💋 Any exciting sights or just the usual scenery?
Tucker typing back:
Tucker: Just the usual. Train's delayed though. Something about track damage. How are the new recruits.
Valentina: Tom has informed me there doing okay. Though Verosika seemed pretty annoyed a certain fox wasn't around.~
Tucker laughed awkwardly: I've already spoken to her, I'll make it up to her the next time I'm over.
Next, Ruby's text popped up:
Ruby: Tucker! Guess what?! I bought a new guitar! 🎸 It's black with red flames, looks metal as fuck!
Tucker replied:
Tucker: Nice! Planning to set it on fire during your next gig?
Ruby: Hell yeah! Going full-on demon rockstar! 🔥🔥By the way I've already sent over all the pics from the Concert.
Tucker Replied: Really? Thanks I'll have to check them out later.
Another buzz from Amethyst:
Amethyst: Hey, Tuck! I started that vlog I told you about, I've decided the theme will be Aliens and mysterys. Did you know they might be living among us? 👽
Tucker: Really? Last I heard, they were hiding in plain sight, selling lemon juice at the Hell Mart.
Amethyst:😂 Exactly! I'm telling you, the truth is out there. Maybe I'll catch one on my vlog. Text you later, Ruby's making a fuss about her new guitar and currently arm baring a neighbor!!
Tucker shook his head, amused, when another text came in from Armyn:
Armyn: Yo, Foxy! Check this out!
A video link followed.
Tucker clicked it and watched as Armyn, in the middle of a turf war, ducked behind cover while imps and demons fired at each other. Armyn grinned at the camera, bullets whizzing past his head.
Tucker: 😑Seriously? In the middle of a turf war?
Armyn: Ahhh, don't worry, I'm bulletproof. Mostly. 😎
Tucker: Just don't get yourself killed. I still owe you that drink.
Armyn: Bet! Hey, how's the train ride? Boring as hell?
Tucker: You could say that. Got interrupted by some amateur kidnappers, but nothing I couldn't handle.
Armyn: Damn, can't take you anywhere without trouble finding you. If anything
exiting happens make sure to record it.😂
A final text was sent over from Valentina.
Valentina:⛑️Stay safe on that train, okay?
Tucker: Always do. Talk later.
He leaned back, feeling more relaxed after the barrage of messages from his friends. It was nice to have friends who could bring some levity into your life.
"Friends—huh...now that I think about it, did I ever have friends when I was alive..." Tucker thought back, but couldn't really think of anyone he could call a friend.
In any case, that didn't matter, he was alredy blessed with the friends he's made in hell...no matter how weird they were.