The Heart pulsed beneath Evelyn's feet like a living drum, each beat shaking her bones. Shadows writhed around her, licking the edges of her vision, but her lantern flared, burning bright against the black tide.
Then, the whispers began. Soft. Almost gentle.
"Evelyn…"
The voice sounded like Alex. Warm. Familiar. Begging. "Come to us… it's safe here…"
She froze, heart twisting. Her knees shook. The lantern flickered. No. She forced herself to take a deep breath. "It's not you," she whispered. "It's the train. None of you are here."
Then Sophie's voice joined, light and trembling. "We waited for you… why did you leave us?"
Tears welled, but Evelyn gritted her teeth, tightening her grip on the lantern. "I didn't leave! I'm here, fighting!"
Leo's voice layered over theirs, deeper now, warped: "You can save yourself… and join us. Stop fighting. You'll be together again."
The Heart pulsed violently. Veins shot up like chains, wrapping closer to her legs, arms, trying to pull her toward the center. Shadows coalesced into perfect replicas of her friends—smiling, innocent, alive—beckoning her.
Evelyn screamed, swinging the lantern. Flames cut through the illusions, scorching the black forms until they shrieked and melted into nothing. But more appeared, faster, each one whispering memories, hopes, regrets.
"Step through… end the pain… be with us…"
Her chest heaved. The lantern flared brighter than ever, white-hot, searing through the illusions. Evelyn's voice rang out, firm, defiant:"I am not yours! I will not be tricked! You do not control me!"
The Heart shuddered violently. The shadows screamed in fury. The veins writhed, snapping at her, trying to crush her will.
And then, for a brief heartbeat, the voices stopped. Silence.
Evelyn stood alone on the writhing surface of the Heart, lantern blazing, breath ragged, tears streaked but unwavering.
She realized, in that stillness, the truth: the train could tempt, twist, and terrify—but it could not break her if she refused to give in.
The next choice lay before her: strike the Heart… or risk succumbing to its whispers.