Dear Mr. Tim, your resume has been verified. National Railway Company formally invites you to join us as a Train Conductor.
Sender—Anonymous.
01
Before leaving, I made sure to tidy up my appearance in the mirror.
Due to long-term insomnia, my eyes were ringed with dark circles, resembling two black whirlpools.
My face had settled into a habitual solemn tension over the past three years.
With an uneasy heart, I stepped into the station.
At that moment, my phone vibrated!
Anonymous: “Attention! Attention! Once you’re successfully hired, make sure you’re ‘alone’! No one is trustworthy! Wolves disguise themselves as sheep, making it hard to tell. Do not make yourself a target!”
My hearing has always been exceptional, and I clearly heard vibrations behind me at the same time.
I slowly turned, my heart pounding, to face three tense figures looming behind me.
The tall one with yellow hair sported a golden mohawk, reminiscent of a rooster’s comb, embodying a restless, almost feral energy.
Pan, with long hair, seemed to be a silent man but gave me a vague sense of danger.
The third, a skinny, short man with gold-rimmed glasses and a sharp gaze, kept darting his eyes around like an automatic searchlight.
Let’s call them Yellow Hair, Pan, and the Spectacled Man.
Suddenly, it hit me!
I remembered!
These three…
Three years ago, among the nineteen people who escaped from Train K104 alive, these three were there!
We stood in place, staring at each other.
Finally, we nodded knowingly.
“Where are the others? Are we the only ones invited?” Pan shook his phone and asked.
The Spectacled Man adjusted his black-rimmed glasses and softly said, “Maybe someone has already joined ahead of us.”
“No!” I said, my voice cold and unyielding as I laid bare the harsh truth, “I visited some of them. Some had mental breakdowns and were sent to asylums, while others chose to end their lives.”
“So, we, the last survivors, became the ‘new employees’?”
02
Not long ago, when I saw the word ‘Anonymous’ again, my body tensed, and tears welled up in my eyes.
It was an indescribable emotion.
Fear, panic, helplessness…
Then, unparalleled excitement and thrill!
Three years!
I thought, I finally have a chance to verify whether it was a surreal dream or reality!
In these three years, no one remembered the 109 people who disappeared on Train K104, and no one even acknowledged the existence of Train K104!
Friends and family once thought I might have been traumatized, mentally deranged.
The biggest bug in my ‘fabricated’ story was that my good friend Chris had died.
But ‘in fact,’ Chris was alive and well.
And he had completely changed from that incompetent, timid, and lustful guy.
He passed the civil service exam and became confident, cold, and superior.
We hadn’t seen each other for a long time…
Until I received this job invitation email!
03
The sound of leather shoes tapping on the ground echoed in my ears.
A man in a black suit appeared, wearing black sunglasses and a mask, completely covering his face.
“Follow me. Get ready for the entrance medical examination and registration.”
I carefully observed this Train Conductor.
His chest badge read Train Conductor, and his chilling voice made my hair stand on end.
He seemed lifeless, cold like a machine, devoid of emotion.
Yet, I felt a strange familiarity.
I’ve always had an exceptional memory for voices, recalling songs from childhood even after ten or twenty years…
…
Half an hour later, the four of us completed the medical examination and each received a black package.
Before leaving, the Train Conductor said emotionlessly, “This is your uniform. Remember! Your uniform must not be seen by others; it must be kept secret!”
“And…”
“Welcome to this train journey. The train number is… K104!”
04
It’s here!
Indeed!
It’s K104! It’s really K104!
“Passengers, please gather your belongings, take care of the elderly and children, and check in at Gate B12.”
“…”
The station announcement repeated three times, and my head started buzzing!
My body was paralyzed, as if struck by a bolt of lightning; my limbs no longer obeyed me.
“K104…”
I finally verified reality and illusion, my heart pounding with excitement.
It’s not a dream!
It’s not a dream!
“Buzz buzz buzz!”
My phone vibrated!
The four of us almost simultaneously checked our phones.
We had been added to a Staff WhatsApp Group.
21 members.
Anonymous: “Dear train attendants, hello. Now you can proceed from the staff passage to your designated carriages for service work.”
“Please note the following.
[1. To avoid disturbing passengers’ rest, attendants should not speak while checking tickets and inspecting. If a passenger asks you a question and you cannot avoid it, tell them you don’t know.
Attention! Attention! On the train, do not make eye contact with anyone except colleagues in the same uniform! This is for your safety!
Attention! Attention! Before the train departs, each uniform must be kept secret to ensure your safety!]
[2. To maintain a public civilized environment, this train is non-smoking. If you find someone smoking, stop them immediately! Remember, you must stop them!!!
Attention! If you encounter a passenger with a strong smoking addiction who cannot bear it, you can let them smoke in the toilet.
If you warn them three times and they still refuse to cooperate and continue smoking, leave immediately. After seven minutes, take the black plastic bag from under the bed in the Crew Rest Area and clean up.
Attention! When cleaning, do not let the red liquid on the trash touch you; be careful of infection!
Place the cleaned trash bag at the carriage door for someone to handle.]
[3. To ensure staff rest, this train operates on a two-shift system, with two batches of attendants serving passengers at different times.
Before 3:30 AM, the first batch of attendants works, wearing blue uniforms.
After 3:30 AM, the second batch works, wearing red uniforms.
Attention! The shifts are alternating; you should not see colleagues in different colored uniforms! If you do, hide in the Crew Rest Area between the carriages and do not open the door!
Attention, never take off your uniform! Never take off your uniform! Never take off your uniform!]
…
Rules!
The rules have finally emerged!
I read the rules several times, memorizing them.
Picking up the package, I said nothing to the other three.
I remembered the warning when entering the station—these three are not to be trusted!
At this moment, a staff form suddenly appeared.
I saw my name in the 12th row, indicating my post was in Carriage No. 12.
I didn’t expect to return to the carriage where I once escaped death this way.
05
The staff outside Carriage No. 12 gave me a cold look.
“The Crew Rest Area is on the left, next to the bathroom. Come out after the train departs at 5 AM, and remember to clock in!”
“Thank you.”
I knew this was an important reminder.
Then, his neck turned mechanically, quickly adjusting.
After I boarded, his expression changed rapidly, becoming kind and thoughtful, checking tickets for passengers…
Three years later, everything in the carriage—the decor and layout—was exactly as it was three years ago, even the advertisements on the tables were the same.
I quietly entered the Crew Rest Area.
Then, I opened the package.
It was a blue uniform.
No wonder I was reminded to go out after the train departed; I’m a blue uniform attendant, the first shift.
The uniform fit perfectly.
A form on the wall required me to clock in.
After completing everything, I quietly waited for the train to start.
The room was small and stuffy, and I began to feel hot. Worse, I urgently needed to pee, but there was still half an hour before departure!
I couldn’t hold it; no one can hold it in.
I secretly opened the door, confirmed no one was there, and ran to the bathroom.
“Ah…”
Instant relief.
Just as I opened the door to return, I heard the sound of wind.
I turned and met a pair of cloudy white eyes!
A few meters away, a tall, slender attendant, his red uniform stark against the dim light, was walking toward me…
Damn!
At this time, there shouldn’t be any red-uniformed staff!
Terrified, I tried to return to my room but found the door wouldn’t open!
Just as he was about to reach me, the lock clicked!
Finally open!
In a split second, I rushed into the room at my fastest speed!
My heart pounded, ready to burst from my chest!
I listened to my heavy breathing, recalling the man’s appearance outside.
His face didn’t look human at all. His eyes were entirely white—no human should have such eyes.
I just sighed in relief.
“Bang bang bang!!”
“Open the door, I’m here for the handover.”
I felt a massive force pushing the door, and I pressed against it with all my might.
“Open the door!”
“Bang bang bang!!”
“Open the door…”
“…”
Two minutes later, the noise gradually faded.
Unsure if he left, I pressed my ear to the door, listening.
At that moment, the train started.
Signaling the beginning of my shift.
Taking a deep breath, I nervously opened the door.
06
No one was outside.
According to the work form, attendants had to inspect their carriages hourly, checking tickets and accounting for passengers.
To prevent stowaways and smoking.
It was dusk, the sky slightly yellow, visibility clear.
I inspected the carriage but found nothing unusual.
Preparing to return to my room, I suddenly smelled something.
As an eight-year smoking veteran, I quickly walked to the carriage connection.
Sure enough, a middle-aged man was puffing away by the sink outside the bathroom.
“Sir, this is a non-smoking train. For the health and hygiene of others, please refrain from smoking. If you can’t bear it, you can smoke in the toilet.”
Talking to passengers was allowed during ticket checks and smoking prevention.
The man impatiently glanced at me, pursed his lips, and pointed a gold-ringed finger at my nose: “What’s it to you if I smoke? You worthless attendant, you think you’re somebody?”
Despite the scolding, I followed the procedure, warning him three times.
In return, I got more insulting remarks: “Curses, if my car hadn’t broken down, would I be stuck on this wretched train? Usually, I travel in a Rolls-Royce!”
I didn’t stay longer and quickly returned to the Crew Rest Area.
Watching the time, exactly seven minutes had passed. I immediately retrieved a black garbage bag from under the bed.
The bag was large enough to hold a person…
I went to the smoking area and painstakingly stuffed pieces of ‘trash’ into the bag.
All the while, I carefully avoided the sickening, bloody smell, terrified of getting any red liquid on me.
Just as I was about to tie the bag, clink!
A shiny gold ring fell out!
Driven by a greedy impulse, a thought of taking it rose within me…
…
As per the rules, I placed the garbage bag at the carriage door.
The position at the door of Carriage No. 1.
In the following time, apart from inspecting every hour, I persuaded four or five Old Smokers.
Without exception, none of them listened.
I had to clean up the ‘garbage’ repeatedly because of them.
During this period, I went to the bathroom once, but unlike three years ago, I didn’t see a Black Shadow outside the window.
Could it be that such shadows only attack passengers?
Is my Blue Uniform a form of protection?
After the train passed four stations consecutively, it was finally midnight.
There were still three and a half hours until my shift change.
Suddenly, I was pulled into a new WhatsApp Group!
I also heard constant WhatsApp vibrations coming from the carriages!
The number of people in the group steadily increased until it reached 129 people!
In this WhatsApp Group, I discovered I was in a state where I could speak!
And my profile picture was in an Anonymous state!!!
I… am the ‘Anonymous’ in the Passenger WhatsApp Group of this train?!!!
I can speak?!
WhatsApp suddenly vibrated, indicating a new message. I exited the group chat and found a new Private Chat Message.
Anonymous: ‘There are a total of 24 crew members on this train. After a random selection, congratulations, you have become one of the two Passenger Rule Announcers!’
Immediately following was a string of rules I was extremely familiar with and would never forget even in death!
I am one of the Passenger Rule Announcers for this Train K104… one of them!
Just as I was in an extremely excited, chilling, and indescribable state, the Staff WhatsApp Group sent a notification: ‘It’s time for the Staff Meal!’
Following the instructions, I walked from Carriage No. 12 all the way to the Dining Car.
Since I was in the last carriage, by the time I arrived at the Dining Car, the other crew members had almost finished eating.
When I saw the food served, my appetite disappeared instantly.
The meal was very sumptuous.
There were Pickled Chicken Feet.
The chicken feet had five fingers, as large as a human hand.
I had eaten such chicken feet before.
Although I only chewed a few bites before spitting them out, that unique flavor was unforgettable…
There was also the Specialty Braised Dish.
The blood-red broth, the pale meat slices, the dark and bloody Braised Liver and Braised Lung.
The chef, wearing Black Sunglasses and a mask over his mouth, didn’t ask me what I wanted to eat and just placed a steaming bowl of braised dish in front of me.
My stomach was already churning.
Someone sat down in front of me with a tray.
It was ‘colleague Pan, who boarded the train with me!
He glanced fearfully at the red broth in my bowl and shrank his neck.
Then, he held onto his Large Chicken Feet, closed his eyes, and gnawed on the meat.
He might have thought that, in comparison, the chicken feet were less disgusting than the braised dish.
But I saw deep indentations on the knuckles of the large chicken feet he was gnawing on, marks left by a long-worn ring…
I couldn’t bear to make Pan nauseous, so I extinguished the thought of telling him the truth.
After finishing the meal, it was already one in the morning.
Back in the Crew Rest Area, I immediately received another Private Chat Message from the Anonymous Person.
He informed me that it was time to begin!
I opened the Passenger Mute Group and, under the guise of Anonymous, posted the detailed rules!
Anonymous: ‘Dear passengers, good evening,’ the message read, adding an eerie chill to the already tense atmosphere.
‘For some reason, the train will soon stop running. During this time, please carefully read the prompts in this group and memorize the Survival Rules. Remember, you must memorize them!’
[1. The train will stop in the Extremely Cold Suburbs. Please cover yourself with a Quilt and do not let your hands, feet, or head stick out of the quilt. It’s very cold and dangerous outside. The train will restart at 3 AM and supply heating.
Note: Before 3 AM, try to sleep and do not make any noise, you can pretend to sleep.]
[2. The train provides free food and drinks, including bread, eggs, and mineral water. Please get food from the crew wearing Blue Uniforms and do not buy food from those in Red Uniforms.
Note: We only provide bread, eggs, and mineral water, nothing else!
Note: There are no crew members in Red Uniforms on this train.
Note: If you see a crew member in a Red Uniform, do not speak to ‘it’, try to close your eyes and pretend to sleep.
Note: Do not make eye contact with the crew member in a Red Uniform, or you will face dire consequences.]
[3. For public health, do not smoke in the train carriages. Smoking is harmful to health.
Note: If you really can’t resist, you can smoke in the toilet before the train stops.]
[4. Once the train stops, the toilet doors will automatically lock and cannot be opened. If someone is inside and cannot get out, they must squat down to avoid being seen through the window!]
Note: The desolate suburbs outside the train are uninhabited. If you see a figure outside the window, it is an illusion.
Note: If the ‘person’ outside the toilet window starts staring at you, remain still and hold your breath until ‘it’ leaves.
Note: After the train stops, do not use the toilet before 3 AM. It’s unsafe! Unsafe!’
‘Notice, there are 25 minutes left until the train stops. Use the toilet and smoke if you need to.]
‘Damn it, who is it? Sending messages in the middle of the night?’
‘It’s so noisy, can someone turn off the sound?’
‘Who’s the fool that hasn’t put their phone on silent, do you want a beating?’
‘Someone in the group anonymously said the train is going to stop?’
07
The train, just as I had guessed, stopped!
Within a few minutes, the passengers became restless.
Through the window, I saw passengers in the other carriages receiving transfer notifications and starting to get off the train one after another.
Everything was as I had imagined, and also the same as I remembered.
My eyelids were heavy.
That night, the cries and wails from all around accompanied me to sleep.
…
The air suddenly became cold.
The temperature in the carriage dropped sharply!
The temperature gauge clearly showed a sharp decline in temperature.
‘Ahhhh!!’
I was woken up by a scream!
The already oppressive atmosphere in the carriage was suddenly disrupted by intense screams!
It was coming from the toilet!
Someone in the toilet was howling for help!
‘Help! Help, someone save me!’
‘Ahhhh!!’
Then there was the sound of flushing, and the door automatically opened.
I didn’t leave the Crew Rest Area but heard everything clearly.
I was also a bit uneasy.
Suddenly, I heard a knocking at the door.
The knocking sounded like a heavy hammer, pounding on my chest, making me tremble all over.
I approached the door and heard a familiar voice outside, which made me relax a bit.
I opened the door to find Yellow hair, the crew member from Carriage No. 11 who had boarded with me.
He was also wearing a Blue Uniform.
Yellow hair stood outside the door, shivering all over, his eyes filled with terror as he looked at me.
‘What’s wrong with you?’ I asked.
‘I… I was cleaning the garbage, and I accidentally got a lot of Red Liquid on my shoes and clothes… I… I broke the rules!’
His clothes, pants, and shoes were all stained with Red Liquid.
It seemed to have been there for a while, as the red had already solidified.
Suddenly, he looked at me and laughed eerily: ‘Your clothes are still clean!’
My heart skipped a beat!
Yellow hair lunged forward, trying to grab my collar!
He wanted to steal my Blue Uniform!
I clearly remembered the initial prompt!
Do not trust others!
So, when I heard Yellow hair’s voice outside and decided to open the door, I was already prepared!
I ducked and kicked Yellow hair out!
Yellow hair crashed into the opposite wall, grimacing in pain.
‘Damn it!’
Yellow hair was unwilling, he got up and tried to rush back into the Crew Rest Area.
Suddenly, my pupils contracted, and my whole body was engulfed in fear!
A dark red light danced in the darkness, shredding Yellow hair’s entire body into countless strips of flesh!
The flesh strips slowly slid to the floor and turned into a puddle of flesh!
Yellow hair was dead…
There was no corpse left!
Fear gripped me, making my legs weak. I nearly collapsed.
Then, the Red Liquid started flowing toward me.
I was overwhelmed with terror!
Once my clothes got stained with this Red Liquid, I would be discovered and end up the same way!
I quickly stepped back.
Meanwhile, the Staff WhatsApp Group sent me an @ message: ‘Carriage No. 12 crew member, please clean up the garbage left by the Carriage No. 11 crew member!’
I still had to… clean up?
I swallowed hard, carefully pulled out a garbage bag, and cleaned up the ‘garbage’ left by Yellow hair, tying it up and placing it at the carriage door.
The floor didn’t need mopping.
The Red Liquid left by the previous Old Smokers would mysteriously disappear once I packed up the garbage.
At this time, the carriage was already silent, a dead silence.
I knew clearly that the passengers were all hiding under their quilts, not daring to show their heads, following the rules.
And I, according to the rules, had to do an inspection.
I walked in the dark, but the flashlight suddenly malfunctioned.
What’s going on?
No power?
I shook the flashlight.
Suddenly!
With my keen hearing, I heard a series of sounds.
‘Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!’
The sound came from the end of the darkness…
My hairs stood on end!
At this moment, the flashlight lit up again!
In the dim light, a small figure staggered towards me, step by step.
I saw it clearly!
It was a very young girl, but she was extremely small.
The reason for her small stature was that her legs had been cut off halfway, leaving her to ‘walk’ by knocking her shin bones on the floor!
Her exposed white bones knocked on the floor, making a creepy sound.
‘Give me back… give me back… my legs!’
‘Give me back… give me back… my legs!’
I was terrified to the extreme, already filled with inner fear, almost losing all courage.
My limbs were out of control, trembling…
I knew this girl…
Three years ago, to save myself, I ruthlessly smashed her foot bones with an umbrella, killing her last hope of escape.
Although I didn’t regret it and felt no guilt, this sense of being avenged still sent chills down my spine!
‘Give me back my legs!!’
The girl screamed.
I forced my trembling body to retreat, step by step, until I reached the vicinity of the toilet…
Then, in the darkness, I ran!
