“Hi. How far are you going?”
“I’m not sure. As far as the train goes, I suppose. And you?”
“As far from the city as I can get. I barely made it, to be honest. Between the checkpoints, the protestors and explosions, I’m lucky to be here.”
“Me too, I’m surprised the train left the station. I think we’re the only passengers.”
“It’s fully automated. As long as the computers keep working, everything works. In the old days trains needed drivers, even cars and taxis needed drivers.”
“Really? Well I reckon it’s only a matter of time before they blow up Central Control. After that God knows what will happen. No food, no power, no comms. I intend to live off the land. Back to basics. I’ve got seeds, a gun, ammunition and a fishing pole. I’ll survive.”
“That’s great. I only have the clothes I’m wearing. No idea what I’ll do. All I know is I had to leave the city. I’m Jessica, by the way. What’s your name?”
“Jack. Jack Ryan. My friends call me Wolf.”
“Wolf? Where did that come from? It’s a weird name.”
“No idea. Ever since I was knee high to a grasshopper I’ve been called Wolf. It just stuck”
“Well, nice to meet you Wolf. I’m glad of the company. A lot better than being alone.”
“Hush a minute. Do you hear anything?”
“No. what’s wrong? You’re making me nervous.”
“That’s the point I can’t hear anything. I think the train has stopped.”
“Oh shit. Is it them or has Central fallen? Oh shit, shit, shit. We’re fucked, if it’s them....”
“Calm down Jess. Wait here a minute. I want to have a look further down the train. There might be other survivors.”
“No, please don’t leave me alone. Let me come with you. Please.”
“I’ll be quicker and safer on my own, Jess. I’ve got my gun. I promise I’ll be back in a minute.”
BANG. BANG, BANG
“Shit, It’s them. I felt the carriage shake. It must be bombs or something.”
“Quick Jess. Help me break the lights. We’ll be safer in the dark. You start at the far end I’ll start at the other and we’ll meet in the middle.”
“Where are you Wolf? I can’t see a thing. All I can hear is crunching noises. I’m scared.”
“Right beside you Jess. The crunching noise is only broken glass under my feet. Here’s my hand. Sit down. There’s a seat right beside you.”
“Okay, I’m okay. Just a bit panicked in the dark. It must be pitch black outside. I can’t tell where the windows are.”
“I think we’re in a tunnel. The noise might have been a collapse or maybe emergency brakes if central is offline. Listen to me, Jess. For now we’re stuck. All we can do is wait and see if the power comes back. Try to get some sleep. If we’re going to survive we need to rest any chance we get.”
“I don’t think I can. I too frightened. It’s the dark, the silence, not knowing. Shit I could be dead in the morning.”
“Whatever, Jess. I’m going to sleep. Wake me if you hear anything.”
“Jess, Jess. Wake up, Jess. It’s morning.”
“How do you know it’s morning? My watch stopped about the same time as the train. Central is down. I’ve lost my bio-metrics, time, video, everything, everything, it's all gone, nothing left..”
“I left you sleeping and walked to the front of the train. We’re definitely in a tunnel, but I could see daylight in the distance. We need to force the doors open and get out.”
“I might just be an Arts student, but even I know that MagLev trains are sealed. There’s no way out of these things. No way.”
“Jess, I was conscripted at the start of this. I've seen combat, I’ve got training. there’s always a way out. We just have to find it.”
“Mr. Macho Wolf, taking control. Fuck off. I’m staying here. I’ll wait. Maybe Central will come online. Maybe search and rescue will find us. I’m staying put. You do whatever the fuck you like.”
“Jess, I like you, but you have a foul mouth. I was thinking you’d like to stick with me. Make a team. You and me against this fucked up world kind of thing. Anyway fuck it. Stay here if you want, I’m getting out, with you or without you.”
RAT A TAT TAT, RAT A TAT TAT.
“Shit that’s gunfire. Sounds like an AK47. We need to move. We need to move now.”
“Fuck off. I’m staying here.”
“Jess move now or I’m leaving you.”
“No you’re not. You’re not going anywhere. Have a look in your pack, I took your gun while you were sleeping. I’m in control now. My friends will be here any minute and then it’s over Mr. Wolf or should I say Mr. President? You’re no conscript. You’re no soldier.”
“Ah shit. You’re one of them. You stupid bitch. I’m the last chance for survival. I have the final link to Central embedded into my brain. Without me Central is gone. Gone forever. No government, no control, no industries, all gone.”
“Sorry Wolf, but that’s the point. No control, no government. We want freedom. We intend to start all over. Rebuild a free society. It started fifty years ago with Brexit, then the Yellow Jackets, it all ends now.”