[https://i.imgur.com/29SpP5x.jpg]
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The train continues on its way, its last stop being the one that took Deshya, Tessa, Frie and Amora into its bosom. Since then, the train has not stopped moving at a constant speed, unable to make the slightest stop: if the driver dares to slow down or make the slightest stop, bombs planted in the train will explode. The lives of 247 passengers - including the driver - are in danger, but one of them has nothing to worry about; or rather, he won't have to worry about being blown up by one of the bombs, because a bullet has passed through his heart. From now on, he lives in the world of the dead.
The man's name is 'Nikolas Aidalro'.
In the third carriage of the train, he was killed by a culprit who has yet to be found. Three people are the prime suspects: 'Trisha Keryun', the woman who was chatting with him when he died, sitting right next to him. 'Dera Nomura', a red-haired woman sitting opposite Trisha, simply looked through the window when the man died. The final suspect is a man by the name of 'Megure Afronai', who was sitting opposite Nikolas, resting. An elderly man with a battered umbrella is also on the list of suspects, as she slowly stood up when the shot was fired. The murder weapon has not yet been found and it's been a few minutes since Nikolas was shot; but no message has yet been sent to the station that would allow the train to stop. It has to keep going, going and going. Keep going without a moment's rest.
Deshya and Tessa are at the crime scene with 'Annie Terru', a doctor who works for the police. She recognizes Deshya directly, not only because of her good looks, but also because she's friends with her father, 'Gatito Oveja'. She agreed to let the two teenagers investigate to find out who the murderer was…
But so far, no clues have been found. No clue as to who did it.
While Deshya, Annie and Tessa are still trying to work out who might have killed him, and how, Tessa thinks of something.
- ... !
Observing the car she's in, she thinks about something. She's wondering something. She's asking herself a question that has just flashed into her mind. Her eyes squinted, her hands in her pockets, she wondered—
- Why didn't they use a silencer...?
Now that she thinks about it, no one seems to know where the sound of the gun came from when he shot Nikolas. But why take such a risk? Why risk getting caught on a crowded train when, with a silencer, the culprit wouldn't have risked so much...? Tessa touches her chin.
- Is it because he's an amateur? Or is it…
She frowns.
- Is there another reason...?
CHAPTER 9
⎾The Never-Stopping Train ; Part 4⏌
Tessa thinks for herself, while Deshya stands by the man called 'Mista'. He shows her the photos he took with his phone, which was hanging on the edge of the selfie stick. Deshya can't believe someone is still using one, but considering their styles don't really surprise her that much... Two old-fashioned people from head to toe.
- …
Deshya carefully observes the slowly scrolling photos. For the moment, she doesn't notice anything strange. This takes place a little before the crime. The photos are taken to focus mainly on the two of them, in the center of the picture. Some show a little more of the train in general, and Deshya even notices Annie's stylized ponytail in one of the chairs in the distance. So the photos are well taken today; it's not a bad shot. They scroll by one after the other, but no detail stands out. The man in the hat can be seen moving, but he's simply moved to the window side. Deshya squints, looking for the slightest detail, but—
- ...is it over?
The man nods.
- This is the last photo.
Deshya looked at all the photos... but nothing special was observed. Nothing at all. Despite one or two people moving places or standing up during the train's journey, nothing was photographed that could offer her the slightest clue. The last photo taken by this camera was one that took place just before the shot was fired. In short, Deshya can't have the slightest clue as to who might be responsible for this murder.
- Shit...!" she said inwardly.
She clenches a fist and turns around. Tessa is thinking, Annie right beside her. How are they going to find out who the murderer is...? Search everyone? Even if it seems the best option, Deshya isn't convinced.
- The weapon used is a gun, so it should be easy to find, but if we act carelessly, the culprit could get up while we're searching someone else and shoot us... If we let ourselves get distracted or... Tsk.
She clicks her tongue and observes the man guarding his umbrella at her side. She's tempted to run over and take it, since it's highly likely to be the murder weapon, but if not, what's she going to say? She can't do as she pleases: there are rules and laws in place in this country. Even if she's not going to be confronted in court, she can't risk doing just anything. What's more, Deshya is convinced of something else.
- There are 3 of us looking, and yet we don't really have any leads... Whoever is the culprit must be laughing in the shadows.
In short, they must think they are in a good position. Even if they don't say so, it's clear that they don't have any leads yet. They have a hundred passengers to search, and there's no guarantee that in an act of stress, the culprit won't take another person hostage or shoot one of them. Deshya doesn't want to take such a risk. She'd like to play it smart, but she has to remember one thing.
- It's a real crime scene. This is a real train that could explode at any moment. This is the real thing.
She's not in a book where the main character won't die. She's not in a story where the main character is certain to solve everything. She's not in a fictional story where the main character is protected by the author's pen.
She's in the real world. The real thing.
The culprit she's looking for is a real murderer. The one who shot another man through the heart and probably the one who planted bombs on the train. Although the train has no intention of stopping or braking for the moment, all their lives are in danger. If Deshya can stop the culprit, then there's a better chance that the train's passengers will be safe…
- But no. I can be optimistic, but I can't take the second option into account.
An unpleasant thought. One that means catching whoever is the culprit is a 'GAME OVER' for them.
If the murderer on the train and the one who has planted bombs and can detonate them are not the same person, it's possible that catching the murderer will force the other to detonate everything.
If that's the case, then Deshya can only do one thing: giving up. Stop looking for whoever is to blame for this murder. Just accept defeat and that their plan is perfect. Ask Annie and Tessa to wait for a message from the station and warn the police that a criminal will get off the train when it stops. Isn't that the best solution?
- No... Even if we take a photo of everyone on the train, finding the criminal is going to be very complicated..." thinks Deshya.
She stops a few steps from Annie and observes the carriage. Her idea might be a good one if they can discover the criminal's identity first. Let him escape and have him arrested when he gets off the train... Annie can send a quick message to the police and even Deshya can contact Gatito if need be. However, she's not always sure it will work. After all, they need to find the culprit before the train is stopped; given that the murder has been committed, it shouldn't be long before a message is sent to the station... In short, their time is limited. With this in mind, Deshya raises her head and frowns.
- After committing the murder, why didn't they send a message directly...?" she asked himself.
The more she thinks about it, the more Deshya thinks there's something odd about the whole thing. After all, if whoever planted the bombs on the train just wanted to kill someone inside and make sure he didn't get caught, wouldn't there have been a simpler way? Why risk the lives of almost 250 passengers to commit a single, simple murder? Deshya opens her mouth and looks at Tessa. The latter turns, feeling watched, and stares back at Deshya.
- ... Deshya?
She calls her by her first name and approaches her. Deshya closes her mouth and Tessa whispers this to her:
- Did you find out anything?
Deshya shakes her head.
- The photos don't show anything..." admits Deshya.
Tessa sighs, but Deshya keeps talking.
- However, I thought of something…
- What is it?
Deshya checks that she can't be heard and whispers in Tessa's ear. The latter opens her eyes wide, as well as her mouth, and turns back to Annie. Tessa finds it hard to believe at first, but it doesn't take long for her to realize that it makes sense. Nevertheless, if that's the case…
- …
She looks at Annie, wondering if she should tell her. Has she figured it out yet? If so, then…
- ... against the clock.
- …
Deshya doesn't respond to Tessa's remark, but she knows what she means. Their time is running out; finding the culprit is even more important than before. Tessa asks Deshya if she really hasn't found anything interesting in the photos.
- Really nothing, sorry..." she admits.
Tessa scratches the back of her head: so they don't really have any leads. Megure is the prime suspect, but given that the victim was chatting to Trisha when he died, she's also a prime suspect; she may even be the real number one suspect. Searching them seems the best thing to do... Annie can do this on her own, while Deshya and Tessa check that no one is doing anything stupid; there are also the two muscular men who can check the wagon. Tessa turns to Annie and speaks her mind. The doctor listens to everything silently before turning towards the end of the wagon.
- …
Annie says nothing directly. Soundlessly observing her surroundings, she thinks about everything Tessa has said.
- I feel the same way," Annie finally admits.
Deshya suspected: Annie had thought of it too.
- I really think that searching the main suspects is the best solution," she says. It might be risky, especially since I'm the only one on the force and you're just teenage girls, but if we don't move in time, there's nothing to say it won't turn ugly soon enough.
Tessa and Deshya both agree with Annie. They don't have time to sit in a chair and just think. Deshya turns to Trisha and asks Annie who they should start with. Annie loosens her scarf a little and stares at Deshya.
- I'll look around, you check that nothing strange is going on.
- A-Ah?
This surprised Deshya, who made no secret of her surprise. Annie moves towards Trisha without detailing her thoughts, leaving Deshya and Tessa behind. The latter takes a step towards Deshya, touching her arm with hers.
- Who do you think could be the criminal?" asks Tessa.
Deshya answered nothing and Tessa finally turned her face towards her. She blushes softly, her gaze downcast. Tessa questions her with her expression.
- You don't know, do you?" asks Tessa.
Deshya blinks as she looks up, blushing even more.
- A-Ah, no... I-I…
Deshya scratches her right fox ear, red as a tomato. She calms down by gently moving her body.
- I-I don't know yet…
- Why is she acting like this...?" wonder Tessa.
Deshya clears her throat and sighs heavily before looking at Annie. The latter is chatting with Trisha while looking through her things. Her small suitcase is in the doctor's hands, while the woman and man opposite seem to be feeling stressed.
- …
Deshya watches them attentively without saying a word. Although they look uncomfortable, they don't seem to be in a position to attack. Tessa starts walking down the long corridor of the carriage, observing all the passengers. She notices that the racket has resumed and that people are starting to get excited again.
- Will the train ever stop...?!" cries a woman.
- I'm scared, Mommy..." cries a little boy.
- We'll be there soon, darling…
Tessa doesn't like this atmosphere. Even though no one knows about the bombs in this carriage — except the three of them and the driver —, knowing that a criminal is on the train and that it is not stopping, it's impossible to sit still in your chair as if nothing were happening. Even as Tessa puts on a cool face and searches alongside Deshya and Annie, she feels a certain pressure and stress inside her. The bombs have no reason to explode if the train doesn't stop or brake, but there's no guarantee that after a while, if no message is sent, the station won't force the driver to stop. If that's the case, and the message wasn't a joke…
Then they're all dead.
It's this stress that makes her heart beat faster, but she doesn't like it. She doesn't want to think about dying so young. She doesn't want to think about what will happen if the train stops. Even if the story about the bombs is false, the crime committed is not. A real human being has been shot by a culprit who remains hidden in the crowd of passengers. Even as Annie searches some of the suspects, Tessa can't help but feel a certain unease. Not from the train that won't stop, but from someone else.
The instinct that made her who she is today.
Even if she never talks about it or follows it, she has always felt something at times. It's an instinct she thinks is silly, but one that helped her a lot as a child. It's nothing supernatural; nothing more than a sixth sense inside her. She can't explain it, nor really understand it, but even if she'd rather follow her logic than her instinct, she knows she's got it in her.
- And then it tells me…
Tessa frowned. She can't see what lead to take, or who could have killed Nikolas except one of the three next to him. Trisha. Megure. Dera. One of the three. She's convinced, but watching Annie search the man now, her instinct tells her—
- It's not going to be as simple as that. A search... won't help.
She knows she could be wrong. She knows it doesn't mean anything. She knows it all.
But she thinks about it.
However, whether her instincts tell her that or not, it doesn't matter: after all, she's just a teenager considered a 'genius', nothing more. This woman is a police doctor, one who has surely been working with them for some years and has not only experience with them, but also experience in life. She's willing to risk her life rather than let two young people do anything; Tessa can't say anything in this case. She can look for the culprit alongside Deshya, but that's where it ends. She can't give orders to the passengers.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
And as she thinks about it—
- I've had it!
A man throws his hat on the ground and rises from his seat. Deshya and Tessa turn towards him and he attracts everyone's attention. Annie stops her search and stands up, wondering what's going on.
- What's going on with this train of death?!" he shouts.
He approaches the doctor with clenched fists, pushing Tessa out of the way. A woman who gets up from her chair in turn catches up with Tessa and asks if she's all right. Tessa nods her thanks and watches the man walk towards Annie. Without flinching, the doctor fixes him with neutral eyes.
- You're doing a search, aren't you?!" he yells. So that means you still don't know who the criminal is?!
- Sorry, but no.
- !!!
The man grits his teeth and waves his hand, almost hitting Deshya.
- You've got to be kidding me!!! Search everyone if you have to, I don't care, just find him!!! I've got kids on board !!!
- M-Me too!" says a woman in the background.
- Why doesn't the train stop...?
Voices start to ring out in all directions. The man remains in front of the policewoman, challenging her with his own gaze. Deshya moves to Tessa's side and Tessa gently grabs her to make sure she isn't pushed by anyone. Deshya observes the carriage as passengers start to stand up and move around in every direction. The situation is starting to get worse, but she'd expected it... after all, people are losing their patience. Several stops have been missed, no one really knows why the train won't stop, and they don't know who killed the man still in the car. His corpse can't really be moved anywhere else, after all... In short, the tension inside the carriage is getting worse and worse.
- I want to get out!
- Go wake up that idiot driver!
- My mother is worried!
- We're going to miss my stop!!!
- Aaah, why is this happening to us?!
Some of the passengers get up and start walking down the aisle of the car, pushing each other or wanting to get out. The two muscular men get up and try to calm everyone down, while Annie grits her teeth and doesn't know what to do. Shouting at them to calm down won't help this time. Their patience was already stretched to the limit, but with this man making the first move to shout out his frustration, they can't take it anymore. They can no longer stand by and let this train continue; but they don't know they have no choice. All they're doing is preventing them from finding the culprit: if they start to leave the wagon, then whoever killed the man will take the opportunity to run away or even throw his gun out the window...!
- And if he wears gloves, then... then... !
Annie imagines several possibilities: and nothing reassures her. As people push each other and one threatens to move to the other car, a figure jumps on one of the chairs and runs to the door with the man.
- What are you doing?!" he yells.
The girl looks up, having just landed on all fours in front of him, and opens her mouth wide.
- RETURN TO YOUR SEATS!!!!!
Screaming at the top of her voice, the hooded girl blocks the way by spreading her arms wide. The man in front of her backs away in surprise, jostling another woman. The noise stops, but quickly resumes when the man starts shouting back.
- Mo-Move from there!
- NO!!!
- A-Ah?!
Deshya absolutely refuses to move and takes an even more aggressive tone. The man shouts again, but Deshya speaks first.
- If you get out of the car, the criminal will take advantage of it!!! You'll let the culprit get away!!!
- W-Whatever, we have to stop—
- The train won't stop!!!
- W-What?!
The man doesn't hide his surprise, his eyes wide open.
- How do you know, little one?!" yells the man.
Deshya frowns.
- We already went to see the driver !!! It won't stop now!!!
- B-But why—
- Technical problems!
The mass of passengers start to look at each other, some on the verge of tears and others sweating. Deshya is still in front of the door, which is open, automatic and responsive to the things in front of her. Deshya lowers her arms a little, but her pose proves that she'll never let anyone through.
- All the other trains have been warned, so we're not going to crash with another train," Deshya reassures them. Go back to your seats and let us find the culprit.
She stops frowning, another expression now on her face.
- Please.
Her tone is less aggressive, much calmer and more passive. Her arms are completely down and if the man were to run at her, she'd be pushed off without a care in the world. He could go up to the driver and yell at him, as expected. This girl is defenseless, much smaller than him and without any muscles.
- ... Tsk.
The man crosses his arms and finally turns around to face the crowd of enraged passengers.
- Let's do as she says.
- Eeeh?! Why, even?!
- SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!
- A-Ah?!
The man clenches a fist in front of his face.
- She's right! If we let the murderer escape, it won't help! Right now, he's stuck with all of us! If he dares to pull out his gun again, he'll be no match for us!!!!
Deshya smiles as he looks at the short-haired man's back. A woman lifts her tearful child into the air.
- We have children here! We can't risk their lives!!!
- She's right!!! And the train must be stopped!!!
- You idiots!!! She just said the train can't stop because of mechanical problems!!!!
- Who says she's not lying?
- She doesn't lie! I've been there too!
Annie shouts from the other side of the train. Most of the passengers turn towards her. The woman in the blue scarf touches her chest, a serious expression decorating her face.
- The train won't stop any time soon! If you're going to yell at the driver, you're going to keep him from concentrating on solving all the problems!!! Go back to your seat and leave the rest to us.
Silence descends on the carriage. As the passengers look at each other, wondering what to do, one of them squints. They remain silent, observing the scene taking place inside the train at the moment; or more precisely, in this carriage.
- Looks like I haven't been spotted yet... I don't have time, shit.This person is the culprit. The one who shot Nikolas Aidalro through the heart. They remain unnoticed, patient and confident that their plan is working perfectly. Whatever happens, they won't get caught: even with the policewoman and the two teenage girls who think they're heroines, they’re convinced they'll get away scot free. The train still hasn't stopped and it shows no signs of braking: in short, their plan is still on track. They let out a smile that only they can see…
Because they’re convinced of their success.
- I'm willing to go back to my seat, but...!!!!
A woman screams in the crowd of passengers who have risen to their feet. She has no child in her arms, but her only daughter is still seated, huddled in her chair and frightened by the adults' behavior.
- You'd better find the criminal fast and let us get out of here unharmed!!!!
People start nodding along with her, shouting at her side that they want to get out of here as soon as possible. Annie listens attentively, as silent as a carp, but finally nodded in her turn.
- I promise we'll find them soon. Go back to your seats and leave the rest to us.
Some passengers start grumbling, but most accept without struggling. Deshya sighs and Tessa passes between the people going to their seats, careful not to be pushed by anyone. She arrives at her friend's side and pats her on the shoulder, which surprises Deshya.
- A real heroine, I see!" says Tessa with an amused smile.
- They bother me doing whatever they want... They don't think," admits Deshya.
- Eeeh, that reminds me of someone~...
Deshya squints as she turns to Tessa, but the latter puts her hands behind her head and whistles with a smile that just won't go away. Annie returns to them and observes the carriage with eagle eyes. She stops right beside Tessa and tucks both hands into her jacket pockets.
- I don't suppose they had any weapons on them," Deshya says, noticing Annie's almost disappointed look.
The woman nods.
- Unfortunately, they don't seem to have anything that could be used as a pistol or anything else. Perhaps they've hidden it or passed it on to someone else who's in league with them. Otherwise—
- Is someone else the murderer?
Annie gets cut off by Tessa, the latter with her hands in her pockets too. Annie doesn't say anything, but she doesn't need to hide them, especially as they're helping her with this investigation. If only she weren't the only policewoman, it would be more useful…
- The train can't stop and we've got several different suspects... and then some. There are too many people who could have done it and there are only three of us to search the others. It's not enough.
Annie begins to think, lowering her head slowly.
- I can't take these three off the list of suspects even if I haven't found anything... There's nothing we can do but search everyone and keep an eye on the surrounding area. Otherwise, we'll have to check with the other members of the police force to see if anyone in this car has any particular connection with the victim…
- I was wondering if we could just wait for the train to stop?
While Annie is deep in thought, Tessa speaks, removing her hands from her pockets. Annie looks up and looks at the teenager with the long purple hair.
- What do you mean?" asks Annie.
- If we can't find the culprit, all we have to do is force everyone to stay here when the train stops. Then the police arrive and a general search is carried out. The murder weapon is found, so we know who did it, and that's it.
- Have you forgotten what we were talking about before?" asks Deshya, unconvinced.
Tessa turns to her and shakes her head.
- I'm not saying we shouldn't be on our guard or look for someone to blame, but I don't think there's much we can do if he doesn't act again.
- But that's if—
Deshya wants to speak, but the situation doesn't allow it. The end of her sentence will never come, because at the same time as she's trying to justify herself, at the same time as the three girls are talking amongst themselves, and at the same time as calm has settled over the carriage…
BAM
Everyone tensed up. Deshya holds her ears as the noise begins to echo in her head, even forcing her to stoop from the pain. Annie and Tessa both turn around suddenly, their eyes wide open. A woman screams. A man follows. Sounds of terror and fear echo through the wagon and some people stand up. Annie runs from the car, while Trisha clings to the window, her heart pounding in her chest. Mista and Minerva, the two old fashioned friends standing next to the two teenagers, also stand up, startled by the noise they've just heard. Some passengers' ears ring and hurt, while a baby starts crying at the noise. Then another. Children follow, and even some adults get wet eyes.
- Let me through!!!" cries Annie.
Tessa starts to shake and turns to Deshya. She's on the floor, clutching her sweater over her ears, tensing. Even the teenager listening to her music loudly is shaking, her jaw snapping. The man with the destroyed umbrella blinks and looks back, wondering what just happened. Annie struggles to pass between the passengers, who start moving in all directions. Some start running towards the door, where Tessa and Deshya are standing. The still-standing teenager steps to the front and yells at them to calm down, especially as Deshya is still down.
Terror in the wagon.
People yell at Tessa to get out of the way, but she yells back that she can't let them. Annie finally makes it through and gets close to the two muscular men, who make no secret of their shock.
- W-What?!!
Annie screams and recoils at the sight in front of him. A woman nearby is crying, traumatized and standing in a ball.
A man has just been killed, shot in the forehead. A direct fatality.
Annie looks at the corpse before turning away. People start running to the door, begging to get out. The door to the second car, the one leading to the third, opens. Passengers on the other side start running towards the other car, having heard the shot. Tessa turns and grits her teeth: at this stage, she won't be able to stop them
all! Finding the culprit is going to be borderline impossible. She frowns, standing in front of Deshya and continuing to yell at everyone to get back to their seats. People are crying and screaming: they're terrified.
Because a man has just died. One more time.
- RETURN TO YOUR PLACES !!!!" screams Tessa from all her strength.
But that's not enough. A murder has just been committed: they fear for their lives. For the lives of others. They can't sit in the same car with a criminal. Annie asks the two men to help Tessa, and they nod in agreement as they enter the pile. It's a mess. An unbearable noise that hurts Deshya's ears; so much so that she can't get up. Tessa lowers her head without doing the same with her gaze, making sure that no one can get through that door; because if she lets anyone get to the other carriage, then their investigation is going to be impossible to finish. The culprit will get away with it, and they can abandon any thought of catching them. A defeat on their part.
- Plus... Plus... !
Tessa heard it. Something that was so fast and so powerful that few people probably noticed, but Tessa did. The anomaly. Something that surely shouldn't have happened. Something she has to understand; but to do that, she has to calm everyone down.
The train continues on its way without stopping.
It has now been 1h12 since it left the stop at Tetazo, maybe the last one of around 250 people.