As soon as the train started moving, an announcement echoed through the speaker:
"Welcome aboard my train. This train will take you to the final stop. You will receive everything you need—food, drinks, and comfort—along the way."
Veer frowned.
*"This doesn't seem right… The entire train is made of wood. Where's the sound system? How is an announcement even possible?"*
A little later, a woman came down the aisle carrying snacks.
"Once again, welcome to all of you," she said politely.
She reached Veer's seat and handed him a tray.
"Sir, please take this. Have a pleasant journey."
"How long until the next stop?" Veer asked.
"The next stop will arrive tomorrow morning, sir—our final stop. Please enjoy your meal."
"Alright. Thank you."
Veer sighed.
*"What am I supposed to do until morning? I'll die of boredom…"*
Just then, the same woman walked back and handed him a book.
"Sir, this is the best book on our train. If you read it fully, it might take you several months."
Veer scoffed.
"What nonsense! I can finish something like this in an hour."
"As you wish, sir," the woman replied.
Veer opened the first page.
**'Year: 1880'**
The story described a deserted ancient city named *Intelio*. The people living there had no wealth, no hunger, no complaints—until something miraculous happened. Money began falling from the sky in heavy showers. The entire town rushed out, grabbing the raining cash, unaware of where it came from or why.
Veer closed the book.
"This is nonsense. There was no miracle. A thief's bag must have burst open after he was shot by police, and the money scattered everywhere. What a useless story."
He tossed the book aside.
"Bring me something interesting. I'm getting bored. I'll sleep for a while. I need to be fresh before I start gathering information for the case."
Veer fell asleep almost instantly.
His phone rang several times—*ring-ting-ring*—but he didn't hear any of it.
---
### **Morning**
"Good morning, everyone," the announcement said. "We are about to reach the final station. Thank you for traveling with us."
Veer opened his eyes—and froze.
All the passengers who were sitting earlier…
**were gone.**
Only he remained.
"What the hell…?"
The woman appeared again.
"Sir, your stop is just a few minutes away."
"Where did the people who were sitting here go?" Veer asked.
She replied calmly, "They all got off at the previous stop. No one ever gets off at the final stop, yet the train still goes there. You are the *first* passenger in one and a half years who will get off at the last station."
"Interesting," Veer said. "Very interesting."
"Did you say something, sir?" she asked.
"No. You may go."
The train suddenly blew its horn—loud, long, and strange—and its speed increased instead of slowing down.
Veer grinned.
*"The closer I get, the stranger it becomes. This is getting exciting. If luck is good, maybe I'll meet a beautiful girl too… otherwise, I'll return alone."*
Suddenly the train braked hard.
Passengers would have fallen—if there were any.
Veer stumbled forward but regained balance just in time to see a girl falling from the opposite door.
He rushed and caught her mid-fall.
For a brief second, she looked at him with an expression he couldn't understand—fear… or was it recognition?
Before he could say anything, the train's wooden structure creaked and folded apart as it finally stopped.
Veer stepped off the train.
The station was empty.
Silent.
Deserted.
Only one old man stood there.
Veer walked up to him and whispered the code word.
The old man nodded and signaled him to follow.
He led Veer to a small wooden boat.
"Sit. Stay calm," the old man said.
"Why? What happened?"
"We were ordered to take you safely to the village."
They boarded the boat and sailed for nearly two hours.
When they reached the village, Veer was stunned.
The place was ruined.
The people walking around looked less like humans and more like living corpses—emotionless, hollow, drained.
The old man gathered the villagers.
"Listen, everyone! This is the new sub-inspector. Be careful around him—he is very strict!"
Veer tried reading their faces—but failed.
Every villager had the same blank expression.
No fear.
No curiosity.
No reaction.
Veer prepared himself to meet the woman who had written the letter… but he was shocked to learn she had **died**.
Now he had no one to explain the truth behind this village.
He would have to uncover it alone.
---
### **At the School**
Veer went to the school first.
Surprisingly, it looked well-maintained.
Children were studying peacefully.
*"Why did the letter describe such horrors…?"* he wondered.
A voice came from inside:
"Don't you understand you should finish your task before coming here? Go stand outside!"
Veer moved toward the voice—and froze.
The **same girl** he had caught on the train was standing there.
For a moment, all his tension, stress, and mission slipped from his mind.
He simply stood there…
quietly…
staring at her