The air was turning cold viciously, with a bite to it that caused pain rather than numbness.

The demon stood atop the wood car ahead of the caboose regarding John with red eyes that gained and lost intensity as soot from the locomotive rushed past.

John continued to breathe the Lord’s Prayer as he returned the demon’s gaze. He knew the creature was simply waiting him out. Eventually, John would lapse into eternal sleep as his body cooled, the creature’s goal complete. The demon did not seem to be in a hurry to enter the caboose; be it the prayer or the crucifix. John did not consider himself pure of sin, yet maybe he was good enough to give the demon pause. How long would he last? John asked himself. The longer he survived, the further the train would struggle north.

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John added a plea for strength to his prayer.