Read The Screaming (Book 1): Dead City for Free Online

arriving at Stevenage.” Announced the recording over the carriage speakers.
     
                  The train eased to a stop and a loud hiss surged from the brakes. The “Door Open” button flashed green and a frantic beep sounded as the doors flung open. A current of fresh air flooded the carriage, offering relief to the stuffy atmosphere. Zac looked down the carriage towards the open doors, wondering if anyone was going to board. After several seconds the doors beeped again and glided shut. The brakes hissed once more and the train slowly pulled away.
                  Suddenly the door at the end of the carriage ahead of Zac slid open and in stepped a man. He was in his mid-twenties, wearing a black bomber jacket and baggy cargo trousers with tassels hanging down his legs. He stumbled down the aisle towards Zac and sat in a seat about three rows in front. The man plonked a tatty old army backpack on the seat next to him. The most noticeable thing about the man, was that he was wearing the biggest earphones Zac had ever seen. Zac muffled a grin at the garish enormity of the earphones bobbing side by side on the man’s head. He could hear the horrific jungle music echo through them and drift down the carriage.
     
    “Passengers from Stevenage, welcome aboard this East Coast Trains service, non-stop to London Kings Cross.” Sounded the familiar recording.
     
                  The phone vibrated again, hopping across the table. An envelope flashing on the screen with “Emma” underneath it. Zac reached for it with less enthusiasm than before.
     
    “What r u going to do?”
     
    “Well the train is already delayed by two hours, I’m going to have to find a hotel.”
     
                  Not an easy task at the best of times on a Barman’s wage, especially at London prices and this time of night. Zac had saved for weeks for the money to get down to see Emma. Working on minimum wage in an Australian themed bar in Lincoln. He would have saved quicker, but most of his wages went on rent and keep to his Dad. They both lived in his Dad’s little council retirement bungalow on the edge of Lincoln. His dad was suffering with depression since the loss of his wife and rarely left the house. Zac had stayed to look after him after his mum’s death, having turned down a place at Sheffield University to study Art.
     
    “I think u should get off the train.”
     
    “I can’t! It’s non-stop to Kings Cross. I’ve got nowhere else to go.”
     
    “Emma?”
     
                  Nothing. Zac could feel a twisted knot of anger and worry build in his stomach. He had never met Emma, but considered them to be close. Plus, he was wearing his best Space Invader boxer shorts to impress. He didn’t know whether to be concerned or pissed off and found himself settling somewhere in the middle. He recalled watching the London riots on TV a few years ago, people looting electrical shops for a new X-box. He wasn’t really one for watching the news. He was more of a morning cartoons type of guy, whilst scoffing a bowl of Coco-pops. He picked up his phone again, opened the search engine and started typing.
     
    “Hotels Kings Cross.”
     
                  After a long frustrating search he finally gave up. £50 was the cheapest room rate he could find. However that was by the hour, at a place called Nicole’s, which was rated as clean and friendly. He sunk into his seat as the train started entering a built up area again, and orange street lights brightened the dull grey walls of the carriage interior. He looked around the carriage as if it would offer some inspiration to aid his dilemma. The old woman was frozen in the same position clutching her bag and staring into the black and orange blur. Earphones was still bopping away to the same shit. No inspiration there. He scanned posters above the windows, but they held nothing but tourist attractions and cheap train fares.