Chapter 3 - Hide And Go Die(2)

In the cacophony of silence that fell upon them, the sudden ringing of bells was particularly abrupt.

The music that blasted from the old speakerboxes above them was crude and squeaky, resembling the sounds of nails scratching on a chalkboard.

It left goosebumps along the skin and a harsh ringing in the ear.

With a short crackle, the system sounded.

[Welcome again passenger's. Please find your seats as your ride will begin shortly. ]

With a hurried shuffle, they settled into their seats. Ears perked attentively.

[On this trip, you have each been provided with food and necessities to last 5 days. The trip, however will last 7. You will be given the opportunity to earn your food but only 3 people can earn this reward.]

[Everyone has diffrent tasks, but beware amongst you is an dream destroyer.]

[The task of the destroyer is to eliminate as many passengers as possible]

[Main Task issued: Survive for 7 days.]

[Side task issued: Find and eliminate the destroyer.]

[Individual Task issued: Chu Yi, Bai Chuan, Chun Li, Zhan Xi, Ren Yuanqing, Zhong Feng, Dan Bai, Wu Xin]

[The conductor will be here shortly to address any of your concerns.]

[Have a safe trip passengers.]

Another short crackle then it became silent.

This system was really unreliable to say the least.

The atmosphere became tense.

The system had directly pit them against each other.

One amongst them was a destroyer and food was limited.

Among them only a few could survive.

In the face of starvation, humans can be the cruelest creatures. Directly skinning and eating their own children wasn't too farfetched, much less faced with a group of strangers.

Chu Yi's lips arched into a smirk. Licking his lips as he Imagined the delicious chaos and fear that would ensue.

Looking around, the eyes of all the others were shifting, staring warily at each other whereas just a minute ago they had formed a dependence.It seems he wasn't the only one with this idea.

step.

step..

step....

'BANG!'

The harsh sounds of footsteps resounded in the cabin before the rotting door of the compartment was directly slammed open.

Standing in the doorway was a man.

The conductor was here.

It didnt seem like much of a man, as of a shadow. The feature of its face was blurry, only a strong piercing cruelty reflected in its pitch black eyes. The figure was shrouded in the deepest darkness where no light could penetrate into its depth. The open door carried with it a strong smell of blood. Suffocating and heavy.

The moment it stepped past the threshold, the air in the compartment seemed to have been compressed to the limit.

The shadow wore a dark red conductors uniform. They couldnt tell if it was the natural color or it had been stained with too much blood.

The consequences of finding out would probably be gruesome.

aAHHHHH-

A scream shattered the silence

One of the college students let out a piercing streak under the tense atmosphere

Startled all eyes immediately turned towards the source. It was Wu Xin.

What seemed to be a bloody tendril had crawled out of the darkness and wrapped around her leg unseen, the burning stench of charred flesh instantly flooded their noses.

A bloody wound had appeared where the tentacle had touched, as if she had been doused with burning acid. The flesh and muscle around the edge of the wound burned and curled up. The acid had borrowed deep into her skin, with the top of her bone showing.

By the time they looked back, the tendril had slithered back into the darkness.

"Cough-"

"Sorry about that passengers. One of our little friends got a bit naughty there and came out to play. Forgive him, hes just trying to be friendly."

The conductor gave them what seemed to be a sheepish smile.

If it wasn't for the stench of blood and burnt flesh still permeating the air, and Wu Xin crying out in agony, they would have believed him.

Bai Chuans eyes twitched.

Why did this 'polite after doing bad things' posture seemed vaguely familiar. He looked behind him,

There was a chuckle.

And sure enough, it was Chu Yi

An amused smile spread across his pale face, his ruby eyes twinkling with twisted mirth.

"Your pet seems very cute Mr. Conductor. You should let it out to play more often."

Under the horrified eyes of the others. The conductor smiled back and agreed

"Yes surely such a mischievous thing could use some play time."

They both stared at each other chuckling.

After a minute of silence and Wu Xins screams turning into whimpers. The conductor clapped his hand and said.

"Alright passengers, the train to Black City will start in half an hour. After that time, there will be 3 stops to refuel on the 5th, 6th and 7th days."

"Here are some rules to remember,

1. Please refrain from venturing into the fuel chamber

2. Do not open your eyes after 12

3. Do not leave the train

4. No wasting food ."

"On and remember to not feed the pets."

While stating the last one, there was an illusion that he was staring right at Chu Yi.

With one last chuckle, he stated,

"Your tickets will be collected at in 4 hours."

Afterwards the conductor took a deep bow, eyes still trained on Chu Yi before walking gracefully out the door. His back blending into the shadows.

Chu Yi stared at him as he walked away, the arc of lips growing wider as he left.

It seems that trip was destined to be eventful.

The cries of Wu Xin had gotten louder the moment the conductor had left. It was apparent she had been suppressing her pain out of fear. The other college student, Dan Bai who's face was white, immediately threw up on the side.

Chun Li, gave a complicated look to Chu Yi, before going over to help Wu Xin.

Grabbing a water bottle from her nearby backpack, he washed away whatver the tendril had left behind before roughly tearing a a piece of cloth and binding the wound.

It was the best they could do given the circumstances.

After a sigh, he turned around to the rest of them,

"From my experience,those three stops on the 5th, 6th and 7th definitely coincide with the 3 chances to get food. And it will definitely be the most dangerous part of this instance."

"I wont say much because right now everyone needs to complete there own tasks. We can discuss the rest after we come back alive."

Looking around at the ragtag group, he once again made eye contact with Chu Yi.

His instincts honed from many life and death situations screamed danger.

There was definitely something terrifying about this beautiful man.

Looking away , he took one last look at the rest before beckoning to Bai Chuan and Zhan Xi before splitting off to look for clues on their own.

Dan Bai and Ren Yuanqing were frantically trying to comfort Wu Xin and the middle aged Zhong Feng had said nothing since the beginning. Only trembling dumbly in his seat.

With a smirk,

Chu Yi unhurriedly stood up and stretched.

His slender body making a graceful arc as he turned, making his way to the door that the conductor had just walked through.

Something was telling him that this trip was going to change something.

A bloodthirsty look shrouded his features, his red tongue leaving a wet trace as he licked his lips.

It's been a long time since he felt so curious.

He looked forward to seeing the bloodshed.

[4:06:57]