XXXIV - The Wheel Of Fortune 4

The Rail Tracer finally stepped into the fifth wagon. To his surprise, the entire space had been transformed into a twisted circus carnival. He blinked, his eyes scanning the unfamiliar surroundings, trying to make sense of what he was seeing.

"What the hell?" he muttered, his god-killer grip tightening, ready to strike. As a natural-born killer, he felt that this place was dangerous but he wanted to get his revenge at all cost. Suddenly, a sinister circus melody filled the space, it sounded like it was diffused from an old radio, which of course added a dramatic effect.

Suddenly, a chilling, clownish voice echoed through the wagon. "MY DEAR RAIL TRACER. WELCOME TO THE FREAAAAAAAAAAAK SHOWWWWWWWWW" followed by clown laughter.

The Rail Tracer's jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing as he searched for the source of the voice. "eye patch man" he growled, his voice laced with a mix of rage and begrudging respect. "Come out wherever you are."

You must be wondering, how am I even able to create such a strong illusion? I created a domain inside his domain. Well, you see, Kichil Anakin's blood has enhanced my abilities in ways you can't even begin to imagine. This... this is just the beginning of my Freak Show.

The Rail Tracer's gaze was then drawn to a poster of a clown that seemed to be staring directly at him, like The Mona Lisa effect, its eyes following his every move. Intrigued, he approached the poster, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized the smiling clown.

Suddenly, three daggers shot out from the poster, the blades mere millimeters from the Rail Tracer's eyes. The hulking man's killer instincts kicked in, and he barely managed to dodge the deadly projectiles, his body twisting and contorting with the agility of a cheetah.

"Phew, that was a close one," the Rail Tracer muttered, his heart pounding in his chest. A twisted smile spread across his face as he stared at the now-empty frame. "Nice one, boy," he growled. 

The Rail Tracer scratched his head, his frustration evident. "Come on, boy, get out and fight me like a man. I'm bored of your tricks. If you don't, I'll have to find you myself."

The hulking killer settled onto the ground, crossing his legs and assuming a meditative pose. His eyes slipped shut as he focused his senses, blocking out the distractions around him.

Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, a predatory smile spreading across his face. "Shit, he found me"

His gaze zeroed in on my hiding spot. Listening to my breathing and heartbeat is what made him find me - how the hell can a man's senses be that goddamn developed?

The Rail Tracer rose to his feet and said. "Found ya," he didn't waste a moment. As soon as he'd located my hiding spot, the swift killer charged forward, his massive frame moving with a speed that belied his size. I had been concealed inside a giant Jack-in-the-Box, a trap I meticulously set in the hopes of catching my adversary off guard.

But the Rail Tracer's senses were too finely honed, his reflexes too sharp. With a powerful punch, he struck the wooden toy, reducing it to splinters just as I barely managed to evade the blow.

Seeing my hiding place destroyed, I knew he had to retreat, leaping back to put some distance between myself and the relentless killer. Yet even as I moved, the Rail Tracer vanished from sight, leaving me momentarily confused.

"Look behind you," an amused voice suddenly rumbled, and I turned around to find the Rail Tracer standing mere inches away, his huge form towering over me like a skyscraper. How the hell had he moved so quickly? 

The Rail Tracer's tongue passed through his lips as he regarded me, his eyes projecting a disturbing bloodlust. "Boy, you really do put on a good show," he said, "You amuse me, and I'm going to take great delight in killing you. Slowly. To be honest, your tricks, cunning, and strategies are impressive but, they are no match to my raw strength and honed inhuman instincts."

Without warning, the Rail Tracer unleashed an instantaneous assault, his massive fist lashing out in a right hook. I managed to evade the blow, but I quickly realized it had been a feint as the killer simultaneously unleashed a devastating left uppercut.

The impact of the strike was bone-shattering, and I felt my chin breaking under the sheer force of the blow. I was launched off my feet, sailing through the air before crashing down onto the unyielding concrete.

He then stalked towards me slowly and methodically, lowered himself, settling his muscular frame directly on my torso. I felt the air leaving my lungs, panic beginning to grip me as the Rail Tracer's god-killer hands wrapped around my throat.

"Good fight, boy," the Rail Tracer ejaculated, his grip tightening with each labored breath I drew. 

I clawed desperately at the killer's hands, my voice reduced to a strangled rasp as I pleaded for my life. "Please, please... I don't want to die..."

The Rail Tracer got mad and said. "Now, now, don't ruin this intimate moment between us with your pleading," he growled, his grip steadily constricting my airway. "Die like a man. You're honored to die by my hand, and I'll never forget you."

My vision began to blur, the edges darkening as my struggles grew weaker. I could feel the life draining from my body.

Was this the end of my short-lived adventure?