Prologue

How would you feel if you got a free luxurious traveling package, but ended up in Hell?

Corinne wasn’t even joking when she said Hell, it was literally printed on her train ticket—Hell Express.

When she got the train ticket from the store associate at Wilmart, the train ticket felt thick and expensive, it was a cream-colored paper with a swirly gold font. It looked lush and fancy.

But now, the ticket was transformed into something that looked like it came straight out of a horror movie. The paper turned black, and the curved font transformed into a creepy kind of text. Corinne wasn’t sure if she was just imagining it or if it was real but holding the piece of paper gave her chills.

The thought of her being pranked popped into her mind and she started to wonder if there were hidden cameras around her just as the sound of radio static broke her train of thought.

Bzzz

“Welcome aboard Hell Express Six, fellow soon-to-be travellers! I’m your lovely conductor, Katie. I wonder how many of you are still alive after the little fiasco earlier. I’m sure all of you are confused right now. Many questions are running through your mind.

Who am I? Where am I? What’s going on? Is this a prank?

First of all, no, this is not a prank and second of all, you are all on a train—Hell Express Six. As a trial traveler of Hell Travel Agency, I am not allowed to disclose much information. However, since I am a compassionate and kind person, I will use my authority to grant you guys one chance. 

Obtain the Traveller's Guide from our kitchen crew by ordering a suitable meal from them. But be careful. Don't open the door to those who are not your kind. There are different species on the train, be cautious of who you welcome into your cabin.

Oopsie! I just gave out a survival tip. Oh, how kind and generous of me! This announcement is brought to you by Hell Express Six of Hell Travel Agency. Toodaloo, trial travellers! Happy Survival!"

The message ended in another bzzz sound when the speaker was turned off.

Pushing all the confusion aside, Corinne had one thing on her mind and that was to get the Traveller’s Guide.

To get it, she would need to order something from the kitchen crew.

She wondered what the train conductor meant when she said different species and what sort of meal was considered a suitable meal?

The sound of a trolley being pushed down the corridor caught her attention, but that was not all, Corinne sensed a familiar chill down her spine as the temperature dropped tremendously.

Knock Knock Knock Knock

Corinne flinched when the knocking stopped at the fourth time.

Humans knock three times… Ghosts knock four times…

“What would you like to order? Today’s special is the human thigh sashimi served with freshly squeezed brain juice.”

Okay, now she knew what the train conductor meant by “different species.”