Zack stood in the narrow hallway between compartments, staring down at the tipped-over suitcase he'd just knocked off the rack. He scratched the back of his head, slightly confused.
"…Was that there before?" he muttered.
Leaning down, he reached for the bag, but just as his fingers brushed the handle
ZIP!
The suitcase burst open and out popped Big Daniel, brushing himself off casually like nothing had happened.
"Whoa!" Zack jumped back, eyes wide. "What the hell?!"
Big Daniel smirked. "Relax. It was supposed to be a prank on you guys. Guess it backfired."
Zack blinked. "You're insane."
Daniel stretched his arms and cracked his neck. "Anyway, heard there's another set of creeps bothering the girls. I'm gonna handle it."
Without another word, Daniel walked off, steps confident and eyes serious.
Meanwhile, near the front of the train…
Jace stood near the window, watching the commotion from a distance. He could see Daniel's silhouette throwing clean, devastating strikes as more thugs dropped to the floor like flies. Something inside Jace clicked.
"I should help," he muttered and started to move but just as he stepped forward.
A hand gripped his shoulder.
Jace turned fast, his heart skipping only to freeze.
A tall figure in a black cloak stood behind him. The hood lowered, revealing sharp eyes and brown hair..
"Johan Seong?!" Jace whispered, alarmed.
Johan's expression was unreadable. He tilted his head toward the other end of the train, where the girl Jace had sat beside earlier was now nervously looking their way.
"You shouldn't be here," Johan said quietly. "And definitely not around her."
Jace looked at the girl, confused. "What are you talking about?"
Johan took a step forward. "Look closer. Her hand."
Jace glanced again his eyes widening as he spotted a faint, almost hidden tattoo on the back of her left hand. A small H symbol… simple, but unmistakable.
"Hostel…?" Jace whispered.
Johan nodded. "She's one of them. Probably planted to get close to someone from J High."
Jace tensed. "Why are you telling me this?"
Johan looked at the chaos Daniel was creating ahead. "Because this isn't just about a train ride anymore. Hostel's moving in from the east. You're all in my way."
Something bigger was starting and they were right in the middle of it.