The Kids on the Tracks

By Kerenza Ryan

When two teen girls fall off raised train tracks, some people say it is a phantom train, and others say it's a double homicide. The two queer women who find them are caught in the middle— of both the controversy and their entangled relationship.

Harriet believes it is murder and looks deep into a local restaurant next to the site of the crime. Secrets and rumors rush out of its doors.

Toni, on the other hand, dives deep into ghost stories and talks to the victims' families, creating anger throughout the town.

In the end, only one of them can be right, and it could be enough to ruin everything. Victims, murderers, and innocent bystanders will never be the same. Can justice really come after death?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kerenza Ryan
• Release date: Apr 1, 2025
• ISBN: 9798230070085

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Kerenza Ryan

The Kids on the Tracks

Copyright © 2024 by Kerenza Ryan

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

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Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 1

Harriet had no plans of letting her fear of practically everything ruin her life, but bars were a tough one. Morning to Night, a local coffee shop that turned bar late at night, was her and her best friend Toni’s favorite, just at different times of the day. When the espresso machine’s hiss stopped, and the tap began to pour, Harriet knew it was almost time to go home, but Toni’s ghost stories were just getting started. Listen, Toni said, I know you’re new here and everything, so you—

It’s been two years, Harriet said.

Right, so since you’re new, I need to tell you this story.

Fine, Harriet sighed, running her hand through her long auburn hair to try to smooth it down. For some reason, it always got frizzy when Toni drank. Probably because of how much Toni played with it when she had little inhibition.

That train track, just across the street, used to be Penny’s and my favorite place. We walked it practically every night, Toni explained.

Harriet didn’t generally like being reminded of Toni’s old best friend; it reminded her of the fact that she quite possibly would never know Toni for that long. Toni’s gregarious spirit, and lighthearted friendship with everyone made Toni wish she had known her as a teen, a child, an infant. When it was dark? Surely that’s dangerous. The tracks stood like

third-floor scaffolding, like a bridge crossing a canyon, with boulders underneath. It was a long jump, and Harriet wasn’t sure someone could survive it. If they did, it wouldn’t be easy.

The trains have headlights, and we knew their schedule. But Beatrice and Magnolia weren’t so smart. They walked on the tracks at night with no idea when the train came.

Were they hit?

No, they jumped from the embankment. They didn’t survive.

Why would you tell me that story? Harriet asked. She had never been one for overly morose things. Toni loved the dark and haunted, and she was the sort where paranormal podcasts came on automatically in her car. The silly grin on her face made it unclear if she believed it. Beatrice and Magnolia are still there, patrolling the tracks and bringing ghost trains whenever people walk near their grave sites, even though the train has stopped running. That doesn’t tell me why you are telling me this story.

Because we’re going there tonight.

Harriet froze for a moment till the noise of a glass hitting the counter a bit too hard shocked her back into the moment. She didn’t really believe in any of this; she was never the type to like old legends like that. Not interested.

Fine, I’ll go without you.

Toni’s face let Harriet know she was serious, and Toni was at least a bit tipsy. She refused to back down just because someone told her it was a bad idea, but Harriet figured she at least needed to try to convince her.

We can go tomorrow morning.

To be fair, it’s already tomorrow morning.

I know you think you’re funny, but now is really not the time.

Are you scared of the dark?

I’m scared of you going on such a high place when you’re drunk, Harriet said, trying to hold her ground. The thought really did make her adrenaline pound. Toni didn’t budge.

Well, I can go with you or without you.

Let me take you home.

My home’s not so far; I can walk.

In truth, Harriet thought it was six miles or so, with woods and lakes on both sides and if she tried to walk, Harriet didn’t trust Toni not to get hit by a car. She wasn’t in the right state of mind. Look, we can do it first thing tomorrow morning.

We both know I’ll have a splitting headache tomorrow morning. Plus, I work.

Tomorrow afternoon then, Harriet said.

Come on, aren’t you any fun? Penny would’ve done it with me. Penny did do it with me.

Toni knew exactly what it took to convince Harriet to do anything, though Harriet hated that about herself. At 27, Harriet didn’t think her heart should beat fast for a 24-year-old, even one with shaggy hair and smooth golden-brown skin in all-black leather. Even the feminine frame in masc clothing. Harriet sometimes liked to think her dresses and low, reasonable heels were a good match, but a part of her still knew better. Fine. But we can’t get too close to the edge.

It’s not that steep, Toni exclaimed, bouncing from one foot to the other as she stood and counted cash.

I seem to remember you saying people fell to their death there, Harriet said, visibly shivering.

Keep the change, Toni called to the bartender. She grabbed Harriet’s hand and pulled her forward, throwing some money on the counter. Harriet knew Toni didn’t make much as a barista, but she also knew Toni would hate for anyone to point that out, so Harriet, saying nothing, walking out with her.

Harriet was also quite distracted by Toni grabbing her hand, the warm sweat both comforting and exciting. She didn’t want to be interested in her best friend, knowing the multiple reasons it always failed for others. So, she had decided to shove it deep down long ago.

Harriet had driven, but she decided they could come back for her car. Toni preferred walking, always had from what Harriet knew, and she was thankful Toni still had her shoes on. An over-cracked