My eyes went wide. My bottom jaw shook. If I were a dog, my ears would have stood.

Did I hear the reporter correctly? Did he just say on national television that I, Mike, would not be getting any sleep tonight? Was he even talking about me? Or was I just imagining it?

The reporter had his hands on the desk. His two eyes were lifeless. There was no sign of life. They stared at me if they were sucking out my soul. The expression on his face did not help either. It was dull. Blank. He was not even cracking a smile.

I gulped and grasped the edges of the bed. Could he see me? Could he see that I was in a hospital bed?

"I can see you, Mike," the reporter stated.

He is not referring to me. He probably is friends with someone who has the same name.

"Are you cozy in that hospital bed? Are those covers keeping you warm? 'Cause they will not protect you from what is to come."

Crub.

I sat up again and pointed a finger at myself.

"Yes, Mike. I am talking to you."

"C-can you hear me too?" I stammered.

"I am hanging onto every word, Mike. I will admit to you that your reaction is hilarious. Why, it is the only thing that has made me smile all day."

"But...you are not smiling."

The ends of his mouth curved upward, forming one creepy smile. A chill crawled down my spine.

"Is that better, Mike?"

"Nah. It makes you creepier."

"That is too bad because I will be keeping this smile."

"Are you trying to creep me out?"

The reporter - if you can even call him that - ignored my question and instead said, "I have come to warn you."

"Warn me? Warn me about what?"

"I know, Mike. The passengers and I know that you are afraid."

"'Passengers'? What passengers?"

"You cannot put the pieces together, now can you? It is obvious that you are not bright."

"Hey! I was bright enough to save Mrs. Miller from her doom."

"And how did that go?"

"Not well."

He brought his face close to the screen. "You will not sleep a wink on this night. I am warning you."

"That is where you are wrong...whatever your name is." I yawned and stretched. "My eyelids are getting heavy. I am tired and ready to hit the hay."

"Now how can you hit the hay when there is no hay around? Plus, you are lying in a bed."

"Haha. Very funny," I said sarcastically. "Now could you please explain to me why I will not get any sleep tonight?"

My room is on the first floor, and because it is at the end, I have something extra. That is a window. Not just one window. I had four windows that lined up on the wall. I could not see much because the sky was dark blue at the time.

"The answer that you are seeking is just outside your window," the reporter said. "Take a look."

So I did. I shifted my head to the four windows - and saw it. Saw the yellow light that was coming towards me. Coming in my direction.

I squinted at it. "What is that?"

"It is light, dear Mike."

"I know that it is light. I am not dumb."

"We will see about that."

"Where is the light coming from? A lighthouse?"

"There is no lighthouse in the town of Forlot, Mike. At least, not near the hospital."

"Then what is that? And why is it getting closer?"

"It is the train, Mike. It is Fright Train. And it is here for you."

"What?!"

The reporter tossed his head back and laughed. "Yes, Mike. Yes! Fright Train will plow right through here and force you onboard."

"No!" I tried climbing out of bed, but I was too weak.

"You cannot escape from Fright Train, Mike. It will always find you. So instead of fighting the inevitable, get over your fear and join the passengers. Join Mrs. Miller's husband."

"Noooooooooooo!"

Then the room went black. Next thing that I knew, I was outside. Not outside of the hospital. I was in the middle of the woods...

...and lying on train tracks.

I scrambled off the tracks as fast as I could. "Ouch!" Pain traveled up my left leg, and I held it and hissed. Upon further investigation, I saw that my knee was cut. It was a bad cut.

I glanced at the train tracks. No doubt that the tracks ripped off the skin.

I uttered curse words - not really - and slowly rose to my feet. My left leg was filled with so much pain that I had no choice but to limp. I despised being in this situation. I hated that I was by myself in the woods. I hated that I was by some train tracks. I hated that I was bleeding. And I hated that I had no clue how to return to the town.

Why me? What did I do to deserve this?

I decided to follow the tracks. Maybe they could lead me to Forlot. I hope.

I had taken only a step when I noticed a figure. The figure that was standing inches away from me.

The figure was a female. Her long, gray hair covered her face. A few strands danced in the wind. She was wearing a white, long-sleeved dress that was stained and had tears. The girl's skin was pale. Paler than a human's.

As you might expect, I was startled by her presence. She was as still as a statue. Like me, she stood next to the tracks.

I feared for my life. Should I call to her? Or should I keep quiet and mind my own business?

Then the woman spoke. She said, "Save us. Save us!"

"W-what?" I sputtered.

"Save us. Save me. Or you will end up like us."