The Last Midnight Train

CHAPTER 2 — PLATFORM NINE

The train was older than Maya expected.

Its dark blue paint was scratched and faded, and several of the windows were covered with a thin layer of rain. Yet the lights inside were working, casting a pale yellow glow across the platform.

Maya stood completely still.

She looked back at the staircase.

There was no sign of anyone following her.

Her phone remained in her hand. The last message was still on the screen.

“I'M SORRY YOU HAD TO FIND OUT THIS WAY.”

Her father had been gone for three years.

Everyone had told Maya the same thing: he had left because he needed to start a new life.

Her mother never liked talking about him. Whenever Maya asked questions, the conversation ended quickly.

Now his name had appeared on her phone.

Maya swallowed.

“You're getting on, aren't you?”

She turned.

A boy about her age stood several metres away. He wore a dark jacket and carried a small backpack. His expression was calm, almost as though standing beside a mysterious midnight train was completely normal.

“Who are you?” Maya asked.

“Leo.”

“Did you get a message?”

Leo hesitated.

“Yes.”

Before Maya could ask anything else, the train gave a long whistle.

The sound echoed across the empty platform.

A door opened.

Standing inside was the conductor.

He was an older man wearing a dark uniform and holding a small silver pocket watch.

“Maya Dlamini?”

Maya's stomach tightened.

“How do you know my name?”

The conductor looked at the photograph sticking out of her backpack.

“Because,” he said quietly, “we have been waiting for you.”

The doors remained open.

Maya stepped inside.

Leo followed.

The conductor closed the door behind them.

The train began moving.