The hinges started to bend outwards. Then the door began to curve towards us as if a giant hand was pulling it away from the frame. I glanced at Dan. Sweat had broken out on his brow. His hands were shaking. I didn't know how he was doing this, but somehow he was achieving the impossible.
Brodie stared at him, wide-eyed before turning to me.
I shrugged.
Beats me.
The hinges finally snapped, and the door floated free and bounced once before settling against the wall. Dan dropped his hands. There were a million things I wanted to say, but this wasn't the time. I stumbled into the driver's cabin, trying to ignore the blood-spattered remains of the driver as well as the scenery zooming past the window.
My brain refused to think. We were now hurtling along at a terrific speed. The whole carriage was shuddering from one side to the other.
Which control stops the train?
Then—
That's it.
The control was obvious now that my brain had kicked in. The dead man's switch operated only when the driver's hand was on it, but a bullet had hit the metal housing and locked it in place. Grabbing it, I pulled back. At first, nothing happened. Then it suddenly released, dropping into the off position, and the train began to slow.
The carriage still rocked wildly from side to side, but at least now, we were in no danger of flying off the tracks. Just as well, too, because at that moment, we were heading for a bend. The train continued to slow. Finally, just as it reached the curve, it gave a final lurching shudder and stopped.
Until then, I'd been holding my breath. Now I let out an explosive sigh as Brodie grabbed my arm.
'Well done,' she said.
'Well done?' I repeated. 'I didn't do anything.'
We both looked back at Dan, who was still staring at his hands.
'Do you want to explain all that?' I asked.
He peered up sheepishly. 'I probably should have mentioned it before,' he said. 'It started not long after I woke up. I was on a park bench when I saw a coin on the sidewalk. I thought of how I really needed some money—and then it started sliding towards me. I thought I was possessed.' He laughed nervously. 'After some practice, I realized it was metal objects I could move. I started with small things like coins and later moved onto larger objects.'
Brodie spoke. 'And you didn't mention this because…'
'I didn't want to seem like a weirdo,' Dan said, shrugging.
'You're not a weirdo,' I said. 'You're a…superhero.'
I thought about what I'd said to Brodie earlier. She and Dan were the same, but different. She had her martial arts, and he had his ability to control metal.
'You're super…Dan,' Brodie finished lamely.
'Super Dan,' he said, his eyes lighting up. 'I like that. Real catchy.'
'Let's worry about names later,' I said. 'We should get out of here before the authorities turn up.'
We made our way down the length of the train. By now, the fire brigade, ambulance, and police had all turned up. A fire ladder had extended to the elevated line, and people were being helped down one at a time. We reached the footpath below where cops were directing people into a diner. It looked like they were interviewing everyone about what had happened on the train. We glanced about for a means of escape, but the only way seemed to be running at full pelt down the road.
Not a good plan.
Everyone crowded into the building. We positioned ourselves into a booth at the end, unsure about what to do, but then the older man from the carriage wandered over.
'You kids seem quiet,' he said.
'Uh, yeah,' Brodie said.
'You saved the day.' The man looked confused. 'You haven't told the cops?'
We looked at each other in silence.
'We'd rather keep a low profile,' I said. 'We don't want to attract any attention.'
The man nodded thoughtfully. 'I suppose we owe you our lives,' he said. 'If that's how you want it…'
'It is.'
'Okay.' He glanced towards the counter. 'There's probably an exit through the kitchen.'
'What are you suggesting?' Dan asked.
'Just be ready,' he advised.
Sauntering down to the door where the cops were located, he started speaking to them amiably enough but soon started raising his voice, yelling about equal rights and freedom of passage. The altercation grew louder. Then he clutched his chest and grabbed both the cops as he slid to the ground.
'Come on,' Brodie urged. 'Now's our chance.'
The old guy's performance was so impressive that I'd forgotten it was all an act. As the crowd grouped around him, Brodie led us around the counter and into the kitchen. A black-haired woman was there cutting up tomatoes. Looking at us curiously, she said something in Spanish. We just smiled and exited out the back door into an alley behind the diner. Just as we started away, a voice yelled out, and two cops hurried towards us. They'd spotted our escape.
'You kids were on that train, weren't you?' one said.
'What train?' I asked.
His partner frowned. 'I think we'd better have a little talk to you.'
Dan frowned at them. 'You don't need to talk to us.'
Both the men stared at him. For a long moment, it was as if time had come to a halt. They looked mesmerized. Finally, one nodded in agreement. 'You're right,' he said emotionless. 'We don't need to speak to you.'
'We weren't on the train,' Dan said.
'You weren't on the train,' the other cop said.
My mouth fell open. I don't believe it! Dan was somehow brainwashing the cops into following his instructions! This is another power he had in his arsenal.
But what was it they said about the corruption of power?
'We're not the droids you're looking for,' Dan said, now enjoying himself. He gave us a broad wink.
'Star Wars?' I murmured. 'You're giving us Star Wars?'
'They're not the droids we're looking for,' the cop repeated, although even he seemed puzzled.
'May the force be with you,' Dan said. 'Always.'
The cops nodded, turned, and disappeared down the alley. Brodie and I confronted Dan.
Brodie grabbed his arm. 'You can control minds?'
'Did it occur to you to mention this?' I asked.
'I was about to,' he said. 'I didn't get a chance—'
Brodie looked furious. 'Don't you ever use that on me!' she said.
'Me neither,' I added.
Dan held up his hands. 'I promise,' he said. 'I'll never do anything to you guys—ever.'
He seemed sincere, though I could understand Brodie's anger. Manipulating someone against their will was horrible, like using someone like a puppet.
'Where to from here?' I asked.
Dan smiled. 'Wherever you want.'