The two thugs stomped down the narrow train aisle, still grumbling from their earlier humiliation. Bruised egos and shaken pride made them seethe.
"We need to tell Matt," one muttered.
"Yeah," the other spat. "That wasn't a student. That guy was a damn gangster."
Cut to: Somewhere near the rear car
Matt Kang, their supposed "leader," lounged with his legs stretched out across three seats. Hair slicked back, tattoos peeking from under his collar, he was every bit the runaway gang's image of a tough guy.
The two thugs arrived, still fuming. "Matt! Some lunatic just threatened us. He looked like a gangster, dead serious."
Matt raised an eyebrow. "You got punked by some school kid?"
"He wasn't normal, man. Called himself Vasco or something."
Matt's expression darkened. "…Vasco?"
He leaned forward.
"Like… Burn Knuckles Vasco?"
They nodded.
Matt clicked his tongue. "Seems we have visitors."
Cut to: Train Station Platform
The train had stopped at a scenic rest station surrounded by food stalls and vending machines.
Vasco stood in front of a tiny stall, overwhelmed by choices.
"Sausage bars, sausage bars…" he muttered, eyes darting between flavors. "Jace likes the spicy ones… but maybe I should get the barbecue-flavored ones too…"
Behind him, a vendor was trying to restock, while a couple of tourists debated over fried squid. Vasco squinted, deep in decision-making.
Inside the train, Jace glanced at his phone.
"Vasco's not back yet," he murmured, standing to peek out the window.
Then the conductor's voice came over the speaker.
"The train will now depart. Please stay clear of the doors."
"Wait, what?" Jace's eyes widened.
He ran to the window and spotted Vasco still at the stall, holding one spicy and one barbecue sausage bar still undecided.
"Vasco!" Jace banged on the window.
Vasco turned just in time to see the doors close.
His eyes widened. "Wait—!"
The train began pulling away from the station.
Vasco took a step forward, sausage bars still in hand, watching helplessly as the train rolled off into the distance.
Jace sighed and slumped into his seat.
Vasco, now a stranded warrior with two sausage bars, stared at the tracks.
Before the train left Vasco realised the girl sitting by Jace has an h symbol on her hand meaning one thing.
"Hostel"