Man From The Train

By Mark Edwards

Linda is so gratified that she has gotten away from Erek's bondage after using his money to pay for her father's expensive hospital bills. She moves to another country to straighten her life out while her dad calmly recovers in a medical care unit over in Austria.

Things take a turn however – Linda once again sees his fierce smile; he's handsome as usual, not even a scar. But she's sure she saw falling from the train, over the cliff. And if it is really him, how did he find her? Dumb question; he always knows where to find her; she has tried running away from him before, numerous times. She has got to figure a way to pay him back or a way to escape his wrath.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mark Edwards
• Release date: Apr 25, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386439509

Mark Edwards

Mark Edwards writes psychological thrillers in which scary things happen to ordinary people. He has sold 4 million books since his first novel, The Magpies, was published in 2013, and has topped the bestseller lists numerous times. His other novels include Follow You Home, The Retreat, In Her Shadow, Because She Loves Me, The Hollows and Here to Stay. He has also co-authored six books with Louise Voss. Originally from Hastings in East Sussex, Mark now lives in Wolverhampton with his wife, their children and two cats. Mark loves hearing from readers and can be contacted through his website, www.markedwardsauthor.com, or you can find him on Facebook (@markedwardsauthor), Twitter (@mredwards) and Instagram (@markedwardsauthor).

Book preview

A  MARK  EDWARDS  NOVEL

This fictional novel contains only the names of characters, places, events and a storyline that exists only in the author's imagination.  Any resemblance to actual events, persons alive or not is a coincidence or fortuity. 

This publication is intended for readers who are twenty one years of age or older and was created only for entertainment.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction, duplication or copying of any part of this publication in any form or by whatever means is strictly prohibited unless consent is given by the author. The images, texts and illustrations remain the intellectual property of the author.

Copyright 2016 ©

P R O L O G U E

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Nice, isn't it?

Yes, nice view, he says to me as our train travels along the 2 miles bridge, over the country's biggest river that runs west to east.  Well, that's what our tour guide tells us; she speaks fluent German even though she seems to be a Westerner.

Erek takes another sip of his Edwiess beer. Want some, sweetheart? he giggles while putting his tumbler on my lips.  He throws his hands around my shoulders.  I take a sip of his beer but I hold it in my mouth.  I spit, on the floor of the coach when he looks away from me.  He looks down on the green suitcase that he rests his boots on.  He's actually overly protective of it.  That's because it has thousands of dollars packed inside.  I'm sure if he knows that I know the code he would have a fit.  But I have all rights to know the code; I'm his gal.  Erek looks over at me and then he looks over at the blinds.

Mind if I close them?

I actually do mind because we did it about 45 minutes ago.  He's greedy.  If I say it wasn't fun then I'd be lying.  I'm a bit uncomfortable though; I'm certain that the other passengers on the train figured it out.  I know they think that we are crazy people.  They wouldn't be wrong at all.

We can go for round two, Erek but why not take some pictures of the meandering river?

He looks at my bosom.  I know what he's thinking.  I know this handsome miscreant too much.

Erek, don't you think it's awesome how those bluish mountains actually sandwich the river? I pop my boxy film camera out of my bag. Would you be kind enough to take a snapshot for me, Erek?

I know for sure that he couldn't care less about mountains or rivers.  There are only two things on the mind of Erek:  One, turning me upside down and two, his money.  He is a beast that's trapped in a good body.  He does cruel stuff to me if I ever try to deny him any of his weird requests.  He gives me everything that I want but he's so obsessed with me to the point where I'm tied to his bed sometimes.  I've tried to run away from him a couple of times but he always knows where to find me.

He pulls the blinds open.

I'll make sure that I have enough film left in this camera when I'm done taking the pictures of mountains and rivers.

Why, Erek?

He looks over at my bosom.  I'll take pictures of you, this time around.

Ok, then?  How about stepping to the railings outside so you can get a better view.  The pictures will come out crappy if you snap them from inside.  It's not the best of cameras, Erek.

He looks at me.  I know that look.  He's wondering if I'm crazy.

You scared, baby? I provoke.

He climbs through the window while holding on to my camera, using his mouth. I know that is one sure word that Erek hates, 'scared'.  He's a tough guy.

That's it, my hero, I titter, cheering him on as I pop my head through the window of the moving coach.  Shooks! The wind is having the time of its life with my hair. I'd better get my head back inside.  This windspeed is sure strong enough to pull me outside, by my hair.

Oh heck! The train makes a sharp jolt.  My camera falls from Erek's hand.  He tries to reach for it.  He slips.

Help me!

He's hanging from the railing of the moving train with only one hand.

Come on. Pull me up!

Are you going to make me fall over the precipice, woman? 

He looks down.  It's got to be a couple hundred feet down.  I watch the way every muscle in his body hardens.  He's now making enough sweat to full a beer jug.  I doubt that he can hold on to the railing for much longer.  He lets go. 

Knock, Knock.

The door of the coach opens.

Is everything ok, Madam? the tour guide asks.  She looks at the seat where  Erek had been sitting. 

He went for a leak, I answer.

She continues looking at me.  What, doesn't she believe me?  He must be peeing himself up by now.

SIX  MONTHS  LATER

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6,800 KM AWAY

C H A P T E R  O N E

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HOT AIR BALLON FAIR - MONT ROYAL

They look like a thousand magical crayons, floating below the fluffy cirrus clouds that line the rich blue skies.  These hot air balloons remind me so much of a pack of assorted smiley faces as they transport the most affluent of this province, mainly couples,  along the idyllic 6 miles voyage over the peaceful green lake.  Awesome, isn’t it? 

Ha, ha.  I couldn't help noticing the brown squirrels warring beside the stump of grass to the left of my counter; it must be about the food that they've stored over the winter.  Now there's a third squirrel, with a streak on both sides. This one must be the girl, or the sow, I think.  Hmmm, now I'm thinking that she's the cause of contention between these wooly bushy–tailed rodents.  Don't make me laugh or pee myself up on this fine day.  I guess they have desires too.  Me and my crazy imagination; there I go again.  Well,