Finally, the man’s expression changed. His jaw tightened. “You’re right,” he muttered. “That’s no trash.” He lowered the binoculars, voice hardening. “Control, this is Station Fourteen,” he barked into his radio. “Emergency on Track Two. Stop the northbound train immediately. Repeat, stop immediately.”
A hiss of static filled the air, followed by the low, rising sound of a horn echoing across the fields. Ethan’s stomach flipped. The rails underfoot trembled faintly, then again, stronger. The station master’s calm cracked. He turned toward one of the attendants at the signal box. “Signalman! Wave them down, now!”