The Passenger in the Smoke — Every night in October, Dex polished the moon-route engine until it smelled like warm coal and candle wax, then waited for the hill wind before ringing the midnight bell. Read the full story →
Every night in October, Dex polished the moon-route engine until it smelled like warm coal and candle wax, then waited for the hill wind before ringing the midnight bell. He wanted this run to reach Pumpkin Bend exactly when the moon smiled over the rails. Until one night, a bat made of smoke tumbled from the chimney and landed on the bell rope, squeaking, “Not yet!”
Because of that, Dex held the bell, though the cars rattled and the spiders swung like tiny pendulums. Because of THAT, the train slowed beside the crooked trees, where a hidden flock of smoke-bats burst from the chimney and pointed their wings toward a broken rail gleaming ahead. Dex braked hard. The wheels shrieked silver. At last the wind turned, the bats curled safely into one long cloud, and Dex rang the bell so loud every jack-o’-lantern blinked. Next time the moon smiles over the rails, can you spot the patient passenger who said, “Not yet”?
