Ghost Train

Where was she? Who was she?

The first thing that registered was the steadily unsteady rocking that suggested a moving vehicle of some kind. The next sense to return was sound, and the regular click-clack of wheels over a cross-spikes and slats: a train.

But how had she come to be on the train? Where was she bound? Who was here with her?

... why was the train speeding up?

It was not safe, it could not be safe! Again, the train picked up speed. She lifted her hands, ready to push herself to her feet, and discovered that they were bound, and bound well.

A glance down showed that her feet were also tied, and a short lead connected those bonds to the seat.

Cries echoed around her, as other passengers roused, and discovered themselves in a similar position to her. They were of all ages, and several nationalities, and if there was anything that the passengers had in common, other than being restrained and on the train against their will - or at least without their informed consent - she couldn't see what it was. None of the others appeared to know, either, all as frightened and confused as she was.

The train wheels were screaming with friction against the tracks, and she wondered if someone had managed to try and engage the brakes, for all the non-existent good it did.

It could not end like this! They could not. She could not!

There was the sound of a horn, and a bright light and screaming and....

Tina was yanked back out of the vision, gasping for air and clutching her temples, which were pounding nearly as hard as the pistons on the train wheels were.

A gentle, dark-skinned hand touched her shoulder, and Tina managed to make out her wife's concerned face, her vision swimming in and out of focus. "Are you alright, dearest?"

Tina managed a pained whimper, wincing at the soft rustle of cloth and cardboard, too loud in the face of the impending migraine, as Valerie pulled out an instant freeze-pack and fabric sleeve. Tina accepted the offering gratefully, pressing it against her throbbing head. Psychic powers really were the absolute worst, sometimes.

Valerie waited until Tina managed to open her eyes again. "A vision?"

Tina nodded. "Get the geographic co-ordinates and have HQ look up if there were any train accidents in the area, especially ones with mass casualties."

Valerie already had her phone out, texting at an enviable speed. There was a reason she was usually the one voluntold to handle the tweets during any livestreams or live-reacts. "Any details you can give me?"

Tina did her best to analyze the vision, despite the pain that felt like it was splitting her head open. "The death I saw... there was a lot of pain and anger, but also fear and confusion, like they woke up on a train with no idea how they got there. The passengers were tied up, like they'd been knocked out and then put on the train. I don't think the accident was any such thing."

Valerie nodded, "I'll have HQ narrow the search to accidents with heavy casualties where the majority of deaths were Minorities or Undesirables of some kind. Should I have them send Rachel or someone who stands a strong chance against Vengeful Spirits?"

Tina hesitated, thinking it over. The vision didn't have the hallmarks of a Vengeful Ghost, but the fiasco at the Inn, which had brought Tina to the attention of the Agency in the first place, proved that ghosts didn't have to be focused on revenge to cause damage. Best to be on the safe side.

She considered the options. "Rachel and Desdemona, if she can be spared from the mines. Have them go by car or bicycle, if they can - anything that isn't a train or driven by someone else. Just in case."

Tina still felt the concussive blast of a misfired musket, saw blood staining her best friend's shirt, heard the sound of bodies falling, in her nightmares. Dead lovers who wanted their happy ending, never intending to kill nearly a dozen people in the process. Even years later, with proof that Lizzie had survived to complain about Tina not visiting more often, Tina doubted that she would ever forget.

Valerie's arm wrapped around her, pulling Tina into a gentle hug. "Desdemona has a break coming up - apparently she told the higher ups that she is not the Duracell energizer bunny and does, in fact, need to recharge between thwarting spirits."

Tina couldn't help it; she laughed, and immediately regretted it, putting the ice pack back against her head. "Good on her. Wake me when we get there? If we're going to have a night of mission prep, I want a nap now."

If Adventures with Ghosts and Psychics appeal to you, you may enjoy this series.

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