Chapter 3: B: The Fatal Trust

👉 Previous Decision: You chose to believe Julian’s reassuring words and return to bed to calm down.

Julian’s voice, smooth and calm, echoed in the narrow corridor. “Come on now, Maya. It’s just a bad dream. You need to rest.”

The gaslighting was convincing, a familiar blanket of doubt Julian always wrapped around her when she challenged him. Her exhaustion pressed down on her, heavy and insistent. She rubbed her temples, the conductor’s image flickering at the edge of her vision. Maybe he was right. Maybe she was just overtired.

With a sigh, Maya pushed the berth door open. Julian stood there, a soft, sympathetic smile on his face. He gestured her inside.

“See?” he murmured, ushering her in. “Everything’s fine. Go lie down next to Lily.”

She nodded, her shoulders slumping. She crawled into the small bunk beside her sleeping daughter, the soft rocking of the train almost lulling her into a false sense of security. Julian moved quietly, closing the compartment door behind them.

A soft click. A final, chilling sound as the deadbolt engaged from the outside. Julian’s footsteps receded down the corridor, swift and sure.

Maya’s eyes snapped open. The train’s rumble grew louder, faster. The Black River Trestle was just ahead, the condemned bridge looming in the dark. She tried the door. Locked.