The Train's Liuyun Station (4)

Part Four: Platform in the Dense Fog The train doors burst open, revealing not a single streetlamp or building light outside, only a sky filled with swirling gray mist. Within the thick fog, an ancient station built entirely of black stone was faintly visible. A wooden plaque hung high above the entrance, bearing two characters, '琉雲' (Liuyun), carved deeply and filled with bright red cinnabar, the script seeming to ooze a crimson liquid. A powerful fear surged within Su Yue; he had no desire to disembark. Yet, an irresistible, icy force seemed to control his limbs from the depths of his mind, pushing him forcefully from behind and shoving him out the door. The moment his feet touched the stone platform, the black train behind him instantly dissolved into a wisp of thick black smoke, vanishing into thin air with a piercing hiss of steam. His retreat was completely cut off, leaving only a deathly silence all around. The platform was eerily quiet. There was no wind, no insect chirps, only a series of crisp sounds, like the striking of a wooden fish, echoing from the depths of the dense fog across the empty platform. Su Yue clenched his fists, the cold sweat in his palms soaking the black ticket. He could only walk step by step towards the bizarre station…… To be continued……