Outside the window, the blood-red moon cast an eerie, cold light over the landscape. A massive shadow, ghostlike and silent, hurtled toward the train with uncanny speed.
Peril approached, yet the passengers remained blissfully unaware.
Some were lost in dreams, conversing with figures from their slumber.
Some were engrossed in dramas playing on their screens.
Others delved into books, sailing through vast oceans of knowledge.
A man patted the seat beside him and said to his neighbor,
"Hey, buddy, why don't you come sit with me? Let's have a chat—this long night is dragging on, and some company would be nice."
"Sure thing!" the burly man replied with a hearty laugh, striking up a conversation.
A young mother gently soothed the child in her arms.
"Be good, Jiajia. Close your eyes—maybe we'll arrive once you wake up."
"Wow, it's so beautiful!" exclaimed the girl in the young couple, mesmerized by the crimson moon outside the window.
Beside her, the bespectacled man felt a chill. How could her reaction change so drastically? Had she already moved past the fear?
He couldn't understand.
Perhaps people just process things differently…
The boy held her tightly.
"Baby, do you think this red moon might be a bad omen? Like in those horror novels?"
A middle-aged man wearing glasses overheard and turned his head.
"Probably not. It's just a natural phenomenon—don't let your imagination scare you."
He unscrewed the lid of his thermos and continued,
"When the Earth, Moon, and Sun align closely—Earth in the middle—the Moon enters the Earth's umbra completely.
At this point, sunlight passes through Earth's atmosphere. The shorter blue wavelengths are scattered, while the longer red wavelengths bend and reach the lunar surface.
That's why the moon appears red.
According to The Book of Southern Qi, a red lunar eclipse occurred in the first year of Yongtai under Emperor Ming.
Similar phenomena are mentioned in the Book of Joel in the West.
Even just a few years ago, people captured images of this 'blood moon.' If you follow such events, you might've seen them.
It's all due to the refraction and scattering of sunlight by Earth's atmosphere..."
"Next stop…"
The announcer's voice suddenly twisted into a distorted screech.
"Please… zzzt…"
In the very next moment, the train shrieked with a violent screech of brakes. The entire carriage jolted and swayed wildly.
With a thunderous shudder, the train came to a gradual halt.
Someone was thrown to the floor with a sharp cry.
"Ah! That hurt like hell!"
"Ow—why did it stop so suddenly?! My drink spilled everywhere! Luckily it was only warm water—imagine if it had scalded someone!"
The elderly man's forehead had slammed into the back of the seat in front of him, leaving a swollen lump. Ignoring the pain, he shouted in alarm,
"What's going on?!"
Using the seat for support, he struggled to his feet and cried out,
"Why did the train stop all of a sudden?"
In that chaotic moment, the bespectacled man shielded little Jiajia with his arms, smashing his own elbow against the luggage rack.
"Hhss…"
He gritted his teeth and endured the pain, asking with concern,
"Hey, kid—you alright?"
"Ow… my back…" the burly man groaned, rubbing his waist as he slowly stood up.
"Is everyone okay? Anyone need help?"
"I… I'm fine. Thank you, big brother."
"Thank you so much. If it weren't for you, Jiajia could've been hurt," the mother said, clutching her child tightly, overwhelmed with relief.
Even the attendant had stumbled, hitting the seat in front of her. But she quickly steadied herself and addressed the passengers,
"Please, everyone remain calm! I'll contact the conductor immediately to find out what happened."
She hurried toward the emergency call button.
"Zzzzzzt…"
Before she could make contact, the intercom sputtered to life, emitting static.
Moments later, the conductor's voice came through, distorted and crackling.
"…Esteemed passengers, we regret to inform you… an abnormal situation has occurred ahead. For your safety, please remain seated and wait patiently… zzzzzzt…"
The attendant's efforts to calm the passengers provided some reassurance, but murmurs still spread throughout the carriage.
"Why did it brake so suddenly?"
"Do you think something serious happened?"