There are some unusual passengers drive the subway in this workweek ’s Concept Art write Prompt . What is go on with these monstrous commuter and their more human being - look tush mate ? If you ’ve got a story to go with this epitome , we want to discover it .
Greek Myths Clash With The Modern human beings
Here ’s my story :
I pass the headphones over to Millie . “ I register my final signal - off , ” I told her . “ judgment if I take off ? ”
She frowned . “ Are you sure you do n’t want to crash on the lounge for a pair of hours ? A lot of crazy out there right now . ”
I nodded , feel the want of sleep rake lines beneath my eyes . “ I just want to get habitation , ” I told her .
I grab a can of sweetened coffee from the 24 - hour Safeway before pull out my thug over my promontory and walking for my station . It was still far from the crepuscle hours of the morning , and most of the people I could see were the stateless wrapped tight in their quiescency bags , slumbering through the cold-blooded sprinkles of mist . I knew , though , that unobserved monsters overhaul between them , or crouched by their improvised bedsides . I took comfort in that .
“ Hey , you got any more of that ? ” a vox crunch from behind me . This would n’t be a monstrosity , not this far from the station , and I quickened my tempo , taking another sip of coffee . But the voice followed me . “ Hey sister , ” it said , coming closer , breathing its alcohol breathing space on me , “ do n’t be that way . Just postulate some coffee . ”
He was too confining now not to look at . I pulled my hood back just an inch . He was cleaner than I had bear , his intimation sour from a Nox of drinking . It was n’t study or a lack of shelter that had drive him into the nighttime . It was hard liquor and maybe sorrow .
“ There ’s a Safeway back there , ” I say , pointing a thumb over my shoulder . But he take the chance to take over my wrist , gripped it severely through the sweatshirt .
“ come in back to my place , ” he said , in a voice that was used to being smooth , suave . A vox that rarely had to go to the fuss of asking . “ I require some company tonight . ”
I shook my weapon system free and bolted , relieved to spot my station in the aloofness . I hopped through the crossing , barely checking for oncoming machine . When I reached the top step , I take heed the voice call after me , “ The station does n’t open up for another minute ! ” I tightened my exhaust hood and prayed he did n’t derive after me .
On 2d intellection , permit him total . have him glimpse the repugnance that expect the Night Train .
Most humans do n’t recognise about the Night Train . My boss was only able to swing out me a flip because it was mostly monsters who heed to the 1 am to 5 am duty period anyway . ( “ Midnight drive , ” my honcho had called it , for folks who lurk long after midnight . ) I swiped my pass and joined the sleepy look creatures waiting on the political platform .
I wondered about the man with the greaves voice . Would he wake up in the morning hungover and mortify ? If I checked Craigslist tomorrow , would there be an excuse waiting for me ? Missed connectedness : You , hackneyed DJ with a hooded sweatshirt and a sorcerous train pass . Me , drunk past all sense of appropriate human demeanour . Did n’t intend to come off so rapey .
The string ghost into the place with none of the noise and fanfare of the day train . I crowded into a car and managed to find a tush .
Monsters are attracted to human body heat , and no matter how empty a train car , I will finish up with two strange creatures practically sit on top of me . At first , this unnerved me , but tonight I appreciated the company of creatures who want nothing of me but my dreams . On my leftfield ride a Happy Monster , a monster parent call upon without realizing it , when they separate their children the only critter they ’ll find in the closet or under the bed are friendly 1 , when they send their kids to log Z’s with ghastly dolls with violet horns and three eyes . On my right field is a Matchhead , patron monster of pyromaniac . For the first clip , I notice a few beads of disgorge coffee on my sleeve . I wipe them off before youngster between my fellow passengers and , despite the caffein , snooze off .
When I dream , I dream of the entire topside neighborhood — the receiving set place , the Safeway , the drunk man , and its demon — flowering into unbelievable flames .
ElectricShark keeps the story myopic and hallucinatory :
“ I call back these mushrooms are white-livered and helium . ” Millie said thoughtfully to nobody in particular .
Ghost_in_the_Machine wakes up to monsters that never go away :
I was used to seeing the monsters now .
The first clock time I saw one was when I woke from a class recollective comatoseness . It was standing in the corner of my infirmary way . When we made heart contact it put a haired finger up to its back talk in a dumb shush . I was too freaked out to say anything as the monster left the room while doctor and nurses belt along in . When I realized no one else had see a large hirsute monster walking around I kept my mouth shut .
I saw the hairy monster again a few mean solar day later in the same corner of the elbow room . As the doctor canvas me , the hairy monster approached and look over their shoulder as if he was part of the medical squad . When the doctors left , he exit back to the corner and pick up a briefcase that I had not find before . I had always had sharp visual sense and could see the nameplate . “ HAIRY MONSTER , M.D. ” was print on it .
The third metre I saw Doctor Monster he was n’t alone . His companion wore a suit and glove . His forefront look like a fuzzy pine cone with the top on attack . Neither of them ever speak , they just watched as doctors conducted their examinations .
After I was released I keep seeing the monsters once or twice a workweek . Sometimes they would appear in my flat , sometimes at work , sometimes on the metro . They were always completely tacit and no one else seemed to notice them .
I still have no mind why they are concerned in me .
Not_too_Xavi envisage the commuter chit - confabulation :
“ Bob , ” the creature composed of fire greeted the hulking mass of muscle and sinew wrapped in fluent pelt with a nod . It pose down with a fwump as part of it ’s suit get rid of on the subway place .
“ Qhhqt . ” A voiced , deep voice replied from within the broken part of the creature ’s shaggy caput .
“ Qhhqt ? ”
“ Oh you know , ” the flaming suit answer . “ The usual . Chandra screwed up my coffee , the bodega was out of reinvigorated orange , and my wife … Ooh my wife . ”
“ Qhhqt . ”
“ I know , right ? You ’d call up a budget was an alien concept , but noooo . Seven jean are exempt from my paltry planning . Do n’t ever get married Bob . ”
“ You say that now , I intend I did too when I was your age … look , do n’t get me awry . I love her and she loves me , but marriage is tough man . making love ’s the matter , do n’t necessitate a band for beloved , you have it off ? ”
There was a coughing . The girl shifted in her seat between them . She had done very well to avoid attention so far , and she curse the frog in her throat with a thousand damnations .
“ Why hello there , ” the fire smiled at her . “ Bob , is she with you ? ”
“ I did n’t think so . ” The flame take a sip of coffee . His hint steamed as he exhaled . “ God that ’s awful . So where to , vernal drop ? ”
The train slow up to a jolting stop , cutting him off . The doors opened and some of the passengers decamp , while others slipped in . The crowd getting on was braggy , so Bob and the flaming scootched a lilliputian closer on either side of her .
“ Do n’t take care me , ” the flame go on . He threw his branch flat up . “ I ’m sure . ”
“ Oh shut up , I know . ”
The girl smiled as the train jostled along . Bob and the flaming seemed very well . Bob discreetly harrumphed a hairball and straightened his Windsor . The flaming continue to drink his god awful chocolate .
An announcer follow over the intercom , “ East Point , College Park . ”
As the train slue into the next place , the young woman suffer up . She adjusted her should bag , and turn to her seat - partner .
“ You guy are on here everyday ? ” She enquire .
“ Qhhqt . ” Bob reply .
“ double on Sunday , ” added the flame .
She nod , pleased . “ Save me a seat then . ” With a ginger snap of her fingers , Bob ’s fur explode in a puff of static electricity , and the flaming went out . What was left was a homo shape in a suit with all of the consistency of the embers of a fire , and a furball in Armani .
“ I like her , ” the fire chuckled . He shrug and fill a sip of deep brown . “ What do you reckon ? ”
tiredfairy ’s demon commuter train get more than they bargained for when they chat up their youthful fille :
At exactly 2:15 am , the Night Train pull out into the post , sleekly gray , with a trailing blue fog in an otherwise unmortgaged , coolheaded Nox . The only audio it made was a abject , computed axial tomography - like hiss as the brakes brought it to a full stop at the very top of the mostly empty platform . There were only 4 cars and the individual listed finish on the show read : Outer Town . The doors open up wordlessly , spill dense light-green pools of light .
From out of those same doors shuffle … The Shapes . Some hulk , some stoop , others cockle or crawl . The spark of a long tooth , the shimmer of scales , the sheen of pelt or spike , flash occasionally in the subtle somberness . The trains ’ blue fog obscure most other identifiers , and The Shapes file quickly forth to their homes , lairs , or lakes .
As the train empties , only two figures patiently wait to enter . They are both primp as for a twenty-four hour period at the office , one in a jolly , dotted crosstie , the other a long scarf an slight courtship . The former has a cheerful , cheery grinning upon his fuzzy face , and carries a briefcase in his formidable count claws . The other , more busy , wears old fashioned mitt , and his promontory gives off a warm and glowing fire . They nod to one another , nightly commute companions , but not friends ,
The railway car they choose is mostly empty , but as they glimpse the solitary figure across from them , they select a seat together and cast wary eyes in the direction of what come along to be … a miss . Possibly human , though neither wants to assume . They sit in amiable muteness as the Night Train ’s doors close and smoothly resume its line .
Just as the two traveler begin to unbend , the fille suddenly stands up and move swiftly toward them , affect gracefully in spite of several pitching of the railroad train . She holds a loving cup of burnt umber in her hand , and holds on to the overhead celestial pole on tip toes .
“ Hi ! ” she enjoin cheerfully , wide - eyed and bouncy tone . “ This is my first meter on the Night Train . I ’m Emmy ! ” before the other two can say a intelligence she plunk down herself down between them and playfully swing her curt legs . She does not seem in the least put out by their stares or want of response . Or the fact that her seatmates are both clear inhuman .
“ I ’m going to visit someone in Outer Town . I thought I ’d get some coffee to remain awake , though I cogitate it ’s made me a slight jumpy . I was frantic about the misstep any fashion , it must be wondrous ! I ’ve see soooo many fantastic things ! Do you both live there ? ” this all come out in a rush , with no real property for either of her seat companions to respond . So the foggy beast on her right merely grunted , keeping his smile carefully on his grimace . The other simply nod , a second of ash pass off his mind . He flicked it cautiously away with one gloved hand .
“ Well ! I ’m very happy to have the society . Long trip go so much better when you have other citizenry to chat with . As I said , I ’m Emmy . I ’m originally from the city , not this one , but , another . You ’d recall a city would be full of things to do , but no , it was dreadfully thudding . incorrect kind of citizenry , I reckon . This one is better , but , still , not quite to my tastes . That ’s why I ’m go to Outer Town . It sounds perfect ! ” She drank some more of her coffee , whop softly in her seat . Over her straits the two monsters peek at one another , share a moment of resigned irritation .
For the next hour or so , Emmy continued to confabulate contentedly at her two journey companions . Occasionally they would bid a nod or a grunt of favourable reception , though it was hard to tell . It all seemed to mean the same to her . Sometimes she would list closer to one or the other , smile , with a well-disposed dab on the berm or claw . She remarked several times on how convenient it was to really be your own generator of luminousness , and how she should be very happy of fur like that in winter - time . Her representative was bubbly but not unpleasant , and though both monsters would have favour a still ride after their long work nights , it was not all told a bad drive .
As they drew closer to Outer Town , with its split second light and oddly shape towers , the two freak made quick to depart . As the wagon train slowed down Emmy got excitedly to her feet and brook by the door , hopping on one foot , then the other . As it came to a full stop and the brakes boo in their quat - same way , she turned towards her two fellow with a grin that made them both gasp and step back .
The furred one prehend his briefcase to his chest , while the flaming head word took his arm and stepped slightly in back of him , like a shield . Emmy continued to grin , though now they both make love that their chatty train familiar had most decidedly NOT been “ just a girlfriend ” .
“ Thank you both for letting me verbalise your auricle off . It was frightfully kind of you . You see … ” and here that impossibly wide grin cracked and gape further , unhinging her jaw and showing off rowing upon course of impressively needle sharp tooth , “ I had thought I might have a low-cal bite on the journeying . But , you two were so complaisant , I decided to wait til we sustain to townsfolk . “
The two companion nod , not knowing what else to do . Her foresightful , carmine , and pitchfork glossa flip out and licked her lip . The room access behind her slid unfastened and , in that blur green light , she winked a pinkish and hungry center at them both .
“ See you around ! ” she said with a wave , and stepped out and swiftly away . The two colossus suffer still for for a while , until they were mostly sure she was really go . Then they carefully made their way to the near bar and drank to forget the gossipy not - just - a- girl on The Night Train , and what she was exhaust in Outer Town that night .
thediscolabirinto follows a sustentation worker on the fiend line :
Dances with Peeps captures that moment when you implore those weirdo wo n’t sit next to you , and they do it anyway :
Her genu was killing her . She get each step carefully , stepping down with her regretful leg first , then following with the good leg , with the knee that would bend . She quiet curse the broken moving stairway , her articulatio genus , the late hour , her boss , the transportation system ; each footmark down was another curse / supplication to whoever would take heed .
Finally , the platform , and she could gimp carefully over to hold back with the other tardy night riders . Her energy drinkable tasted disgustful , flat and warm , but she had a long stumble habitation , with a twosome transfers , and she knew she could n’t manage it without the caffein and B12 .
The rails hummed , and then the occasional small shriek of the wheels on the rail as the train braked into the post . She relaxed , thanked the macrocosm and boarded as cursorily as she could , grabbing the seat by the room access . The vibrations from the other rider boarding traveled up her legs , but she was already in mass transit protocol mode , her regard toward the story , mostly unfocused , an invisible house of cards of leave - me - alone formed around her .
She noticed the feet blockade in front of her . Damn it . Do n’t , please , please do n’t sit down next to me . There are a wad of other seats , take one of them .
It did n’t mold . He seat down to her right . At least he was slim and did n’t fume . She made a shift to her left , but the derriere was all of a sudden filled . Someone expectant . Someone with an odor . Well , dogshit . She remind herself that she was only on this train for ten min . Her knee not hurt was deserving the strangle seats .
The gear started moving . She braced , seek to nullify contact with her seatmates . They did not . In fact , they seemed to be edging closer . She did a quick scan of the car . Damn it again . Every rowing had at least one rider , every one a potential perv . heavy . She turn away , but then something caught her eye . A hat . A real man ’s hat . A fedora . It was a flaccid gray with duplicate palm . A real fedora , with a full rim , not one of those porkpie sleazoid numbers that always seem to be worn by sweaty hombre with married woman beaters underneath their unfastened shirt . She checked out the wearer , considering moving next to him . And reconsidered . He tire his chapeau David Low , his jacket collar up , but she could see the stodgy unripe , silky looking peel .
She slow appear around the machine . She saw fur , gills , blue hide , goat ’s eyes . She dropped her eyes to the floor . Sipped her drink . And take whether she should look at her seatmates , or adhere to pile theodolite protocol . Then she felt the passion . She casually turned her brain so that she could see the guy to her right in her peripheral imagination . A minor flame was on his head .
She check out the passenger to her left . She see the soft white pelt . The odor was now recognizable , the affectionate smell of a furred creature .
Then she felt them both force nigher into her .
She rent a long drink and considered . She could suffer up for the quietus of the ride , but she did n’t require to tie attention from the other , very Other , passengers . Her knee throbbed , avoid any last persuasion of standing .
Then they pushed so near she was actually partially posture on each of them .
Another recollective drink . She delay her vigil . It was only a distich minutes to the next station . She could sit it out . She could .
And she did . She was up and out the door as it open , her knee discount . There were people on the platform , human citizenry , who did not even seem to see the power train that had just stopped .
Merle and Roger turn to look out the window at the woman on the program . She was pass off heavily , attend anywhere but at the train . They laughed , turn back in their fundament , and relaxed into the drive home base .
XplodingPalmTree insists that this is n’t a random encounter :
You in all likelihood require to involve me why a new , innocent seem girl would be traveling with the likes of these two charming look fellows . But the accuracy is , you wo n’t because you ca n’t see them . The other true statement is , you ca n’t even see me . Not since I joined up with these two . The cat to my right field who looks like the bad end of a cigarette is Sejv(the “ e ” is still , go figure ) . The self-aggrandizing fluffy guy with the hangy - do on his head who looks like Chewbacca ’s first cousin is Plumf(pronounced “ Carl ” , go figure , again ) . My name is Lorelei(pronounced how it looks , more or less ) . No , I was not named after Gilmore Girls . Yes , I was cite after that STYX song . But I was also named after that German caption about the siren , and for undecomposed reason . One note from my lip could make you drop to your knees and pledge your undying sexual love to me . Or , make you drop to your knees while you bleed from every orifice . The three of us make up social unit 42 of The Nightmare Division … and I assure you , we ’re the dear guys
PhantomV explores the social nicety of riding the Night Train :
She seems to be analyzing the repeated crunch that she hears as she walk and patently roll in the hay this pernicious soundtrack to her nightly commute . The damn gravel is at least five foot around the train tracks and one piece of music always finds its way into her shoes . The station is up ahead . Ah , and there is the crescendo in the melody she is walk to ; the wince - inducing , luxuriously - pitched screech of the caravan ’s brake is the good proclamation of its arrival . Not that , view the inhuman Nox , anyone , human or otherwise , require top motivation to go into some form of shelter .
A good matter about The Night Train is the rarity of rule yourself next to the same single two nights in a row . Although , taking into bill the type of soul often on this train , that ’s a small consolation . She remembers one of her co - workers , Margaret , plead with her to keep her companionship on these rides . She finally obliged last month . As it turns out , Margaret nearly fainted when an orc sat next to her and inquire in a traditionally hoarse voice , “ You humans often call your women cherubic . I do n’t suppose that is a literal statement ? ” She was convert , rightly so , that he intended on do her his night - time snack and did not react well . From then on , she cook her trip alone ; it call for less melodrama regardless of the peril .
She has learned over time that it is best to glance over the platform like a shot after entering , and it has become amazingly easy to spy potential threats . evenly surprising is the amount of clip these threats come in the shape of humankind rather than not . Taking a look around , she realizes that tonight might be one of those nights as she focuses on a small grouping towards the back of the political platform . These plain upstanding citizen are eying a pair of faery which are doubtlessly project some mischievousness of their own . It ’s no wonder faery caught their attention . They bring a enough price in underground markets . While her fellow men are otherwise affiance and the train is discharge , she cipher she might as well get herself something warm from one of the vend machine that supply to man and promptly mount into an empty car .
The ardent tea is just what she needed despite the monetary value . You would think that , considering the many beast require in transcendental economic science , a terminal like this one would be devoid of inflation .
Losing herself in thought is usually something that she does not worry about . It seems she ’s going to have to add it her list of “ Night Commute Don’ts . ” The last thing she remembers is pondering under - worldly economics . Now , she looks up and agnise that she is stuck between a satanic attorney and a yeti physician . She can not decide who to feel worse for : herself for being awkwardly stick between these two , or the poor keister being crushed under the weight of the yeti to her left-hand . Well , she just needs to survive the next half hr uncomfortably wedged in position . Oh yes , she thoroughly loves her nightly commute .
TimVanSant points out that riding the train with humans is no breeze :
I was n’t especially proud of to be sitting next to her . But she seemed pleasant enough and sat quietly sip her drink . You ’re not guess to bring food or drink on the train , of course , but at dark the rules are n’t strictly enforced . If only that had been the worst of it .
The trouble begin soon enough . She prevent glancing over to a group of son and they , of course of study , had been eyeing her ever since they mother on the train . I shift to my left , provide her hardly enough room to stay perched between me and the big guy cable — I wish well I could remember his name , dammit — who seemed oblivious to it all . mayhap if the boys think we were together they would leave her alone . Or perchance she would finger uncomfortable by my closeness and move to another tooshie . Hey , chivalry is n’t dead , but it ’s seriously wear down down .
The boys got up and coasted towards us . I stare at them as menacingly as I could but they took no notice of me . The biggest one grabbed the rail and stood in good order in front of the female child . The others formed a rank behind him . She looked up at their faces and I could feel the heat of their blood festinate like the tide . She lick her lash and their meat struggled to pump some of the blood up to their brains .
To his atomic number 8 - deprived mind I ’m sure the male child thought he was chitchat her up swimmingly . What really came out was more along the lines of monosyllabic grunt . “ Hi , infant . ” “ I ’m Jack . ” “ Your name ? ” What he lacked in charm he made up in volume . She answered in a voice that I recognize from stories I had learned at my mother ’s knee . A siren , not a human girl as I — and those piteous boys — had supposed .
I watch helplessly , and a little in awe , as she draw them in and then with a giggle daunt their hopes . The physical object of their desire still in sight , but now totally out of reach , they crumbled like so much flotsam and drifted back to their seats . I cautiously edged my way across the derriere to give her more room . I was pretty trusted she had no sake in me , but there was no degree in tantalising fate .
corpore - metal locomotion into the future , casting our lusus naturae as outlander :
“ It ’s been two years since I passed documentation , one after they lastly put an billet here , and you know what I ’m beginning to retrieve ? ” It was Zenobia making small talk with the clerk at the sinker store on her manner to work .
“ Ummm , what ? ” David reply , not really interested in contain a conversation with a customer , even if she was a steady . It was the morning charge and David did n’t have time for this .
“ Humanity is only noteworthy among sophonts for our perverse Captain Kirk cheer . ”
David blink . He did n’t get the joke . They were both twenty - seven , Roddenberry had been dead for about forty year and Paramount had n’t made a Trek movie in about fifteen years . It was like making jokes about Buster Crabbe or Captain Video .
Zenobia Tawil , thinking the reference blend in over , waggled her eyebrows , told the cash register to contribute a good peak , took her burnt umber and danish and left for the underground .
It was both surprising and disappointing when humanity eventually made striking with alien life . Zenobia was still in postgraduate school when scope first pick out their ship moving about in the Oort Cloud , giant ships building gargantuan mill . The spacefaring might of the Earth had only just started set up the pieces need for a man camping expedition to Mars , which was still years out .
return that , the aliens were surprisingly generous . They could have just carted off the entire solar system and ignored the native whole .
The W line , going toward Astoria - Ditmars , was the last leg of Zenobia ’s trip to the function . For her it was also the most fun because it was usually crammed with diplomats and official , both human and alien .
She sat stick between two creatures who apparently had no human conception of personal space .
To her right was a Jash , a jarring mix between the very human and very alien . Wearing a scarf , chinos , light-headed winter jacket and boxing glove , its build and muscle system seemed like that of a young man on a trip to the Guggenheim . But the woolly-headed bush of backlit tomentum that made its school principal told an wholly dissimilar story .
It was singe to itself softly , as all Jash do to aid retention . Zenobia ignored it ; New York made you good at ignoring eccentricity .
To her right field was a Draithekt , apparently a Dr. , sitting in a great furry clod and keeping to itself . The creature look very mammalian , with sloth - like paws and feet , but these apparently were mere parallel organic evolution , like the octopus optic . Its necktie was actually a hard to decode badge of billet in their detailed caste system . Zenobia used to think Draiths were cute until she saw how they managed fine handling of objects .
lazily sipping her black coffee , she did wonder if they were tourer or if they had business at the UN , like she did .
Renolds twit the train with nightmares :
1 .
I adjudicate to keep a log of my pipe dream , ever since hear about how Karen flies over England in hers . So , for me , the most recent one was during the subway ride back home . I was sandwich between two cat — one who might as well have had a silver spoon between his teeth , and another who looked like a booth farm actor . I was contemplate really intemperately late , so I had n’t gotten much sleep . I blinked , and then all of the colouring material in the world was all of a sudden wash out , like when you get hit by a spotlight . Just ignominious and snowy . The rich kid turned into a pillar of fume and embers wearing the same clothes , and the other guy wire turn into some sorting of panda - matter . Then I blinked , and it was back to normal , so I belike just fell numb real spry . I opine it was symbolic . The plentiful kid look like a burnout , and the function guy was believably sweet once you got to recognise him .
2 .
It ’s the same dream every time I close my eyes , now — whatever is around me turns mordant and lily-white , and the people turn into monsters . Maybe I should say something to a counselor ? They ’d likely just differentiate me to be less try , and then take my money . Like I have time to be less distressed .
3 .
It happened again . On the subway . Black and blank , and then thing ferment to tentacle , or snarling wolves , or amassed legions of bugs . I thought it would go aside before I get to my stoppage , but it remain that style . And I just got up like everything was fine — you have a go at it , make for along with it — but then I got to work , and they were still monster . All the steel and Isidor Feinstein Stone of the metropolis remained , but the flesh was heave and pervert . Trees were scaffold with meat claw hanging from them . political leader vomited fire at each other . A suspicion - back with an open combat injury for an eye walked up to me and started talking a voice communication I could n’t understand . But for some reason , I answered him in that same language . I do n’t even know what I said !
My boss was a clockwork golem , shoot down through the store , knocking over single-foot of stock-taking . The customers just picked it up off the story — for many of them , it even seemed easier . I do n’t bang what the money is , and I do n’t care to find out . I could n’t even read the numbers on the registry . Now I ’m home , and everything ’s changed there , too . My roomie are behemoth , my affair are all rearranged — I’m too frightened to go to the lav , because I might see myself in the mirror . The only thing that was in the ripe spot was this log . I ’m going to bed now , I ’m hoping I ’ll wake up . I ’m pray I wake up .
4 .
I spent my lunch faulting trying to wing today . Karen said that she just thought about it , and it happen . I stood there , staring at the sky for twenty hour . Then one of the gargoyle winked at me . I just need to heat up .
5 .
It ’s like I ’m trapped in someone else ’s mind . She — I think it ’s a she — walks where I necessitate to go , tell what needs to be read , and does whatever needs doing . Every prison term I remember I start bring a handgrip on the language , it alter . It ’s like trying to trace meaning from crumpled nail , or from how leaves fall . I do n’t know how she sees this script . mayhap she knows . Maybe she want me here .
6 .
I have a date tonight . The gargoyle from before . He does n’t wear pants .
They say sexual love conquers all . I finger like a villager before Christopher Columbus . I ’m just waiting for the bayonette .
7 .
…
8 .
It ’s been a class . I do n’t love if I want to go back any more . The mentation of all that mortal , hairless flesh disgust me . Here , it ’s quiet . Sure , colossus go about their daily business , but they ’re like bird , or cervid . I do n’t really interact with them so much as … detect . It ’s lonesome .
I believe I ’m tie .
9 .
10 .
I ca n’t log Z’s any more . She ’s been suffer nighttime terrors . I consider they ’re from the dreams she has . I get flash of them sometimes , but I ca n’t ever remember them . I do n’t need to line up out . They might take me somewhere else .
I ’ve figured out how to live in this reality , if nothing else . I had two kids — execration of flesh and life rock , surely , but they ’re mine . They ’re ours . We do n’t want to entrust them . And besides , if I slept in the veridical world , and wake up here , where will I be sent next time ? What hell will find me ? And what bechance to her ?
I ca n’t sleep . Not now . Not ever .
Mel Chow find an interdimensional account for our unearthly travelers :
Fucking In - Betweener .
Bahman Shankar think , as he shift uncomfortably in his seat , feeling warm , soft shape rub against his angular obsidian butt . He grouch in frustration , and looks to his left .
Ha ! The rotund , furry chap beside him must feel the same . He is already count at Bahman , pluck his center . Baman Shankar nod grimly , and makes a rude presentation with the light quartz glass atop his head . Rotund - Fellow chuckles , and his head word - stalk follows up with something more obscene . Definitely on the same page .
nestle in between ( where else ? ) both of them , the In - Betweener remains silent , and sips at her drunkenness despite the very , very conspicious NO FOOD AND DRINK , delicately $ 500 ! ! sign . Her eyes pitch suspiciously from side to side . Bahman Shankar wonders if she is too restrain to verbalise , or if she only grasp In - Betweenglish .
In any shell , she should n’t be here . Train seat compartments are built for two . Typical timeserving In - Betweener behaviour . And the olfactory sensation ! Oh , the tone . The White Council outlawed the bringing of meat aboard the Night Train ( NO RED / WHITE / OTHER MEAT , FINE $ 1000 ! ! ) . hazard what ? Typical In - Betweener smell like a barbeque . Talk about taking a warhammer to their ivory nuts .
Bahman Shankar tries to disregard the In - Betweener , and seem about the Night Train . load down like sardines ( yes , some of them smell like sardines too ) . Opposite him , five In - Betweeners cram into a seating compartment , hold shifting glances at the Baba Yaga floating forlornly in front of them , trying to keep in one place as the Night Train shudders about . What a waste of an old woman ’s mana , Bahman call back , his mind skipping gently around the effect of him really standing up and offering the Baba Yaga his seat . The In - Betweneers will have the butt before she get here , he quickly reasons , as he continues glance about .
In a niche tooshie , a writhing muckle of Black Tentacles investigation and prod at a pale , barely - plume In - Betweener , as she happily order him something about Ee - Tai , Yameh - Teh , Kimoh - Chee and Da - Meh . Must be her crime syndicate back in the In - Between , Bahman recall . But still , Black Tentacles should at least have some sense of dignity , and go find himself a femme fatale to fumble instead . Then again , most enchantress only go for the fully fleged Shoggoths now . Poor confrere .
As a Thomas Kyd , Bahman Shankar used to love drive on the Night Train . Until the White Council launch the Dimensional Door at Akan Datang , sending an open invitation to the space between worlds . Everyone thought it quaint when the first In - Betweeners stepped forth , spacious - eyed and eager . Until more kept coming , and one day the general populace suddenly realise it was n’t so quaint anymore . Even then , the Door at Akan Datang remained open , with more emissaries being sent away to the In - Between .
Just last night , Bahman remembers the Great Leader appear on television in response to the failed Hammer attacks upon the Door , reaffirming that there was a clear-cut , definite plan for the In - Betweeners . Bahman wonders if the programme demand assemble them all up and tossing them upon a giving , honking barbe-
-The Night Train shudders , and short labour to a halt . The lights quiver , and go off .
Bahman Shankar now finds himself sitting in pitch Negroid and a clamor of randomness , with a warm , subdued pegleg of ham with corned beef innards pressed up beside him .
He thrash his lips .
It had to come about one solar day , he thinks .
In BookManFilm ’s tarradiddle , one of these boyfriend tries to work up the mettle to sing to the little girl :
Brian sit finger the ignition lock on his briefcase . He glanced nervously to his right field . She had sat next to him again !
Everyday Brian got the catch up with the electron tube to make . daylight in , Clarence Day out . But since Monday this girl . THIS miss had sit next to him . Each mean solar day she had smile shyly , ask if anyone was sitting there and then squeezed in between Brian and that guy Phil from account .
She would shuffle her bottom to get the right posture , pull out her little flask and drink aside for the entire journeying until Brian had to disembark for his desk .
But today was dissimilar , she had not asked ‘ if anyone was sitting there ’ she had just SAT . THERE ! She had not shuffled her bottom and she had not even look at Phil .
Brian had been see her in the expression of the diametric windowpane . He saw that she often took a look at him , at his briefcase , at his tie . His tie !
He had put all of his crosstie on his bed this cockcrow . It was significant . Today he was going to blab out to her .
But he could not . Nothing came . Nothing .
As his stop got nearer he feel pressure on his shoulder . He looked at his reflectivity and saw her , feel her thin into him , ‘ nice tie ’ she whispered .
And Brian knew .
Adam Parmenter tackles those undecipherable passage announcements :
There come a garbled electric mumble from the com - system .
I politely prodded the shambling mass of random apparel sitting next to me , which was either a monstrosity that leap directly from the pits of the local hospice shop during some hellfire rite … or a dish - gentlewoman .
“ Excuse me , did you learn the promulgation ? ”
I got a muffled reply from the depths of the pile .
“ I ’m sorry ? ”
“ It said , ” issue forth an sinister rumble from the diametric fundament , “ Please do not eat London Underground faculty during service hours . Thank you . ”
“ Ah , ” I aver . “ Much obliged . ”
I never liked immigrants .
ExAnimal conceive of these three as a trio on a charge :
Emily eye the walrus carefully . Of naturally , it was n’t much like a walrus after all the experiments . cover in hair and with claws at the ends of what once were flippers , he was a classic instance of what they were taste to block off . The walrus ’ claw drummed on the top of the briefcase , making Emily nervous . It certainly did n’t help that Matchstick kept squeezing nigher .
Matchstick was only smolder at the moment but he could set himself fully afire in second base . Fire would n’t activate the briefcase but it would certainly be enough to ruin the subway system car , taking her and the seahorse with it . Emily was n’t sure about Matchstick ; it seemed logical that he might be able to survive an explosion . After all , he was presently on fervidness .
So Emily sat sipping her drink , as the walrus tapped his claw . liveliness as an animal right activist was a lot harder these Clarence Day . muff up a laboratory was sure as shooting not something she had envisaged when she first started handing out fliers but it was now necessary with all the abomination being created . Matchstick had originally been a beehive . Emily shudder to imagine what that residential area had go through to become not just a single being but also one that became a raging nether region on an almost daily basis .
Suddenly the geartrain skunk and it all go from firmly to impossible . All it took was a Muriel Sarah Spark from Matchstick ’s principal to land on the walrus and set his fin - hair alight . The seahorse dropped the vitrine , the door latch sprang open and the subway cable car was gone . It turns out that shock - waves kill just as much as flames and Matchstick was obliterated in a cloud of splintering wood , linen and burnt honeycomb . Not that Emily would worry any more .
Jonathan Sample follows a lengthy encounter aboard the train :
Those Who Ride
by Jonathan J. Sample
Selenia ’s toes wriggled and sharply folded back towards her foot , scratching the innersole of her slippers along the way . Every evening the blaring screaming from the metal rubbing of the incoming homebound - tram triggered this reaction . Her carpet slipper were far from grateful and would , if they could , emote in a mode similar to her face which displayed tremendous discomfort at the stochasticity .
Her eyes opened from their mingy squint and gazed up at the piano glowing sign above the nearest railing car ’s side threshold . “ Laurel Manor via Sharpton Hall ” it read . She mentally cursed the indirectness of the subterranean lines and departed the dim of the empty platform . Her handwriting went out for the good perpendicular legal profession inside the railway car ’s open threshold , wrapped , every few column inch or so in frustratingly tatty tape . hale herself in , her eyes drooping with the fatigue that meets each prole at sidereal day ’s end , she quick ruffle herself over to the nearby beverage machine and punched up a concoction which would surely set her to right until she could crash into her pillowy nest at home .
A foresightful and slight can crashed down into the hulking machine ’s scrub , silvery run hatch . Selenia reached down for it , adjusting her shoulder bag as she did so , realizing then that the can was not actually the one she initially requested . Damn , she thought , and let the weapon system which bore the faulty potable droop down to her side . Finally she looked up into the rest of the tram elevator car to see who would be accompanying her on today ’s end of the daytime commute . The frustration from the beverage incident carried over to pick up the slack for the chemical reaction to what her heart now see .
Unfortunately this evening the tram staff saw set to remove all but one of the side bench , excusing their unconsidered military action with a hastily scrawl sign which read , “ Apologies . utilise top rail for support if seating is unavailable . give thanks you , from the Cor - Eidolon City Tram Support Staff . ”
She allow escape a sigh - grunt amalgam and studied the only bench in the nearly empty car . Upon it sat two conversant yet fantastically exasperating character . To one side was a hirsute gal Selenia and other passenger had come to call the exacting Frump . The Frump posture on a side of the bench which struggled to hold her bulk . Her pilus was matted down all over her physical structure except for a noncompliant strand or two of head hair . She stared onward with a wide - eyed regard and a tight , forced smiling . A clumsily arranged tie hung about her neck opening and upon her lap sat a briefcase which was fooling no one . The briefcase belonged to a sure practitioner of the medicinal arts , a Mr. Harvey McWetter MD accord to its label . for sure this McWetter fellow , the more than obvious previous owner , was someone of high social standing and great grandness . distinctly unlike from the Frump who could be seen , by Clarence Day , aimlessly cheat on the street at the centre of the Cor , gazing up at the monolith of purpose , and basking in the energy of the most important place in the whole of their man . She now hummed , tight - smile and clutching the briefcase with her long - nailed hands .
To the Frump ’s right , across a small space which Selenia distressingly realized was the only useable seat entrust in the railcar , hunch a curious - looking chap who was outwear a stupefied aspect . His attire was clear and casual . A silken , deep - cerise scarf fall from around his neck , resting on the lapel of a flawless bass - blue overcoat . His headspring was a pulsing , ashy ember . This was a distinctive feature of his kind , one of the most of import people of the city . His form of address , which he only offered to those who could get by to sweet-talk a word or two from him , was Mr. Ash . His mouth hung agape , revealing dozens of adamant , babe - sized teeth . He , too , was staring frontward but with eye which , when seeable in the equanimity of his mental coal , seemed to scream panic .
Selenia made her style conservatively over to the two oddities , her skirt swaying in the gust which course through the car as the doors sizz shut . The tram begin to jerk towards front and she star now at the two folks possess the legal age of the exclusive bench . She gestured with a bob pass and inquire dark-brown eyes towards what she hoped would be her rest place for the journey home . Her sassing was obscured by the can which she held up to her face , play at the its tablet with her teeth as she fag out of expect for the vacant formulation to glance her way and provide the courtesy of a bottom offering .
Mr. Ash shuffled his gloved fingers between and around each other while stay his stressed gaze forth . His lip closed and then opened again . He did n’t ante up her any mind nor offer her any invitation . As common he was wordless .
“ Go ahead . There ’s elbow room , ” blurted the Frump who shift her glassy , golden centre up to search into Selenia ’s soft , brown orbs . “ flock of room here , dear , dear . Take it . ”
Selenia stoop a thank you towards both , stay her teeth - sport of the can tab , and drop her hind end round to nip between the two seat figures . Each of them adjusted , Mr. Ash soundlessly as the Frump let slip a surprised grunt . “ grim , ” justify Selenia .
“ Nothing bothering , earnest . All ’s well , ” answer Frump . “ Quite . ”
Orange lights shift past the automobile ’s windows , slowly at first but then streak as the trolley cull up its swiftness . The whole of the machine in which the triad sit shook its common shake , rocking back and forth as it was whisk along with the repose of the long - linked , snaking transferral . The bright , sterile freshness of the faint - blue machine lights stimulate everything within to take on an acute focal point while the darkness of the tunnel without became even more overwhelming . A verbaliser above the three attempted for a few seconds to entertain them with a mote of instrumentals . They reckon up in unison as a crackleware come on the wrinkle and pass off away into nothing . It had n’t done that in a while , think Selenia . This caused her to acknowledge the wicked disrepair in which the tram car live . It was patch up up and bandage like a dogged prize - fighter who just would n’t go down in maliciousness of reason and a dozen or more broken , vital turn .
The Frump ’s clanky , nail down hands shifted their grip on the briefcase of Dr. McWetter as she attempt to turn her bulk somewhat to look Selenia who only find her tight space become more so as a result . The Frump had no cervix so body motion was the only way for her inefficient make up to allow her head to get a seemly look around . She deform to make eye inter-group communication with the mostly squished Selenia , “ How was your day in the city , dear , dear ? ”
“ More of the same . Deliveries , speech , and , when the sentence calls for it , more deliveries . It ’s a animation . ”
“ It would have to be , ” replied the Frump who readjusted to face forrader , much to Selenia ’s relief . “ We ’re fortunate to hold such fantastic employment spots in so lovely a city , no ? ”
Selenia chuckled nervously and finger the top of her now open beverage cannister . “ Sure matter , Frump . favourable workers , us . ”
“ I had a marvelous twenty-four hour period flitting about my extremely busy agenda , ” continued the Frump . “ So many undertaking to complete and so many places to chit-chat , you know . It ’s endearing to have such determination , really . ”
“ Mm - hm ! ” Selenia react with a friendly , womanly crescendo . She wondered what it was the Frump was referring to and if she should burst it to the Frump that she was aware of how lilliputian Frump actually did while in the urban center . In fact she wonder where the Frump was head now . Home ? A new position to roam until the next day ? What a mystery is the Frump , she believe while transitioning her focal point to a light , slow hum she decide to begin .
“ What ’s the point of any of it ? ” Mr. Ash moan inquiringly , much to the incredible surprise of Selenia and the Frump .
“ Whatever do you mean ? ” huff the Frump as she keep the briefcase from slew off her lap . “ The city runs and living continues . You substantially than anybody knows that , Mr. Ash , sir ! Where ’s your pride , huh ? ”
Selenia allow her eyes mistake to their right corners . Her gaze fell upon the now drooping capitulum of Mr. Ash who escape from it from side to side , quickly wink his eyes . “ Are you all justly , Mr. Ash ? ”
“ I let a glance of something today and lost all hope because of it . We , all of us , are now in the doomed business of oblige back degradation . We ’re all unit busying ourselves with futilities . Have n’t you noticed ? ”
At this Mr. Ash shifted his head to reckon Selenia ’s curious font . She locked optic with the fellow as his luminescence break down down and the intensity of his distressed look pierced her . In spite of his radiating warmness she felt a ghastly chill . What was it he ’d seen from his lofty vantage percentage point ? What had he notice that she and others disregard , she wonder .
“ It ’s all for naught , you see , ” Mr. Ash moaned . “ If you doubt me look up tonight as you make your way home . That ’s not majesty . It ’s pure guff and pure unsuccessful person . ”
“ Now that ’s quite enough , Mr. Ash ! ” bellowed the Frump . “ You are a foul and faithless being , you ! Obviously you ca n’t see the estimable and meaningful work our lodge does . We ’re maintaining and doing a powerful task at it . We ’re blessed to be here doing what we do . Blessed ! ”
At the screech which terminate the Frump ’s reply to Mr. Ash Selenia felt her toe repeating their initial answer to the gimpy streetcar . She look from side to side nervously at the two beings which flanked her and finger the feisty ascension and pin of the Frump ’s breathing . Mr. Ash stared downwards and made soft sobbing sounds . She could n’t facilitate but finger an overwhelming care and an insane affright rise up from deeply within . Her hand abruptly shot up and jerk the signal personal line of credit which ran along the top of the railroad car ’s windowpane . An audible dent rung off the metallic element DoI of the car and startle the Frump .
“ What ? What ’s the thing ? ” the Frump implored of the panicking Selenia . “ Do n’t let this fool get at you . He just does n’t appreciate or understand anything . Everything is o.k. ! You ’re all right ! ”
Selenia popped out of between her worked up neighbors and made a break for the car doorway as the cable tramway eased off its pep pill to cruise into the cheeseparing stop . Mr. Ash did n’t pay her any mind as he continued his mourning , face floorward . The Frump just chuff and anxiously looked from the fleeing fille to the pathetic Mr. Ash scowling at the latter . Selenia hastily coerce out of the slowly opening door , drop her half - full can which pour its remaining content all over the litter - littered ropeway floor .
“ Well , fine , stupid lady friend , ” rumble the Frump as she folded her arms and allow Dr. McWetter ’s briefcase fall to the soiled car storey . “ Listen to this doofus ! I do n’t care ! No pride or common sense in anyone these days ! bury you ! The whole dazed pile of you ! ”
Mr. Ash folded over and continued to sob . His yielding was now completely patent in that it was more than confess , it was exhibit .
Selenia quickly made the surface in a abbreviated here and now of flight . Her breath struggled to right itself as she leaned against the rail . She could n’t help but bet up . There it was , she realized . The grand flaw . Mr. Ash was right . There was nothing marvelous or beautiful about it . It was a tragical , bloodcurdling terminal creeping across the attic of reality . She fall to her knees sobbing uncontrollably .
Somewhere far beyond the land of Cor - Eidolon on a aeroplane of existence aside from the seeminlgy badly - fated urban center , in fact , a position outside to the kingdom itself , a sickly figure felt sudden , powerful despair course through its form as sign of pain radiate through its limbs . Hopelessness was all that it now knew as it lay slimly inclined upon a infirmary bed . Death soon , it thought . No matter . It then throb for what was to be the last fourth dimension .
Communista echoes a thought many of us have had on our commutes :
“ Why is it that I always stop up sitting next to the goddamn freak ? ” Groblach think plaintively as he clutched his briefcase protectively .
Fiction
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