The tunnel swallowed them whole.
For miles, the train had crawled through abandoned stations and shattered towns, but now, as it dipped into the narrow, concrete throat of a mountain tunnel, darkness closed in from every side. The weak emergency lights flickered overhead—off, then on, then off again.
Car 8 fell into a heavy, uneasy silence.
Jason stood near the front window, staring into blackness. Even with his military experience, even with all he'd seen—he didn't like tunnels. Underground, the claustrophobia intensified. If something happened in here… there would be no escape.
Behind him, Mia stirred in her sleep.
Asher sat cradling her gently, his thumb brushing the edge of the blanket covering her small body. Ethan leaned next to him, shoulder to shoulder, listening to the soft rhythm of her breathing.
But then—
Mia whimpered. Her body tensed. Her face twisted in distress.
"No… Mommy…" she mumbled, still half-asleep.
Asher leaned closer. "Mia? Sweetheart?"
"Don't leave me…" she whispered, tears forming under her lids. "Daddy, help…"
Ethan reacted instantly. He scooted forward, wrapping his arms around both of them, tucking her tiny body between them like a barrier against the pain.
"Shhh. We're here. We're not going anywhere," he said softly.
Asher added, "We've got you, okay? You're safe."
She calmed slowly, her fingers fisting Asher's hoodie and Ethan's sleeve.
From across the car, Leo watched quietly, hugging his knees.
"She's lucky to have you guys," he murmured.
Jordy nodded. "We all are."
But peace was short-lived.
A commotion broke out near the water stash. Malik was shouting at Sienna, his voice raised in anger for the first time since the outbreak.
"You're hiding supplies! I saw you stuff something in your bag—don't lie!"
"I was taking a granola bar for Leo—he hasn't eaten all day!" Sienna shot back.
Malik pushed past Jordy. "Don't give me that. We're all running low, and people are starving. Who made you queen of rations?"
Jason stood up immediately. "That's enough."
"No, it's not!" Malik snapped. "We've got a crying kid, no light, no idea where we're going, and now people are stealing food? We're not gonna make it if we keep pretending we're safe."
The tension was sharp, like a snapped bone.
Ethan rose, stepping between Sienna and Malik. "We're not pretending. We're surviving. Together."
Malik rolled his eyes. "Easy for you to say. You've got the kid. Everyone listens to you and Asher now like you're the damn captains of this hell train."
"Because we earned it," Ethan replied, voice quiet but firm.
"And what makes him so special?" Malik pointed at Asher. "You two used to hate each other. Now suddenly you're leading us? What are we supposed to think?"
Asher opened his mouth, but Ethan beat him to it.
"Think what you want," Ethan said. "But while you were panicking and pointing fingers, Asher saved a child, calmed a mother in labor, and risked his life to pull half of you out of death's reach. If you can do better, go try. Otherwise, shut up and get in line."
The car went silent.
Malik looked away, jaw clenched. Then sat down without another word.
Later, while the others ate what remained of the rations, Ethan sat beside Asher, both of them pressed against the side of the train, watching Mia sleep again.
"You didn't have to do that," Asher said quietly.
"I wanted to."
"You made me sound… better than I am."
Ethan shrugged. "You are better than you think."
They were quiet for a long moment.
Then Ethan turned, voice low.
"If we make it out of this... If there's still a world left... I want something more."
Asher tilted his head. "More?"
Ethan's eyes searched his. "More than just surviving. More than hiding what we feel."
For a second, it felt like time froze.
But then a loud clunk rattled the train, jolting them both.
"What was that?" Jordy asked, already on his feet.
Jason rushed to the window. "Train just stopped."
They all looked at one another.
It wasn't a gentle stop. It was sudden, sharp, and wrong.
Asher placed Mia gently on a pile of cushions and stood up.
The lights flickered once.
Then went out completely.
Total darkness.
One second passed.
Two.
Then—Tap. Tap. Tap.
Footsteps.
But not inside the car.
Outside.
Someone—or something—was walking along the roof of the train.
Jason raised his weapon.
Ethan shielded Mia instinctively, crouching down again.
"Human?" Sienna whispered.
Jordy shook his head. "If it is… they're walking slow. Dragging something."
The sound faded toward the front of the train.
Then silence again.
But the threat lingered like a cold breath against their necks.
They waited for hours.
No power. No answers. No idea what—or who—might come next.
In that darkness, Asher reached for Ethan's hand.
No words.
Just warmth.
And a silent vow that no matter what lay ahead...They'd face it together.
For Mia.For each other.For the hope that something still mattered in this broken world.