“This is going to be tricky, captain,” the boy whispered. “These ones are weak as kitties.” He glanced up at Sam. “You strong enough to help carry ’em, squirt?”

“I don’t know,” said Sam. “I’ll try. I don’t feel too good myself.”

“You don’t look it, skipper.”

Jason looked up at the boy, fear pulling at his face.

“Who are you?”

“I’m the Miracle Kid,” said the boy. “The lizard boy, something of a worm and something of a cat. King of the tunnels. I’ll have you out of here in a thrice, I do declare.”

Jason opened his mouth wide to say something, and the Kid put a finger to his lips and shushed him. He winked.

“I’m your ticket outta here, buster-balloon. Hoick your bones up and let’s get shifted.”

“I’m not leaving,” said Jason.

“Are you joking me?”

“I can’t leave here,” said Jason anxiously. “Where will I go? Nick and Rachel are looking after me until I’m well.”

The Kid looked around at Sam and Rhiannon. “He really believe that?”

Sam shrugged. “We’re all confused,” he said.

“I’ve seen the rest of this train, my old china,” said the Kid. “I’ve seen what they’re up to. Had my peepers on them for some long time. I found my way down here looking for food, skulking like a blind mouse, running up their clocks, so to speak. You get me?”

“No, not really,” said Sam.

“Half of what I say is rubbish,” said the Kid. “But listen to this bit. I could smell food. You get me? Mm-hmm—fingerlicking good. But I don’t want to eat what those two ghouls are serving up. Wish upon a star, squire, that you are gone from here soonish, before they get their teeth into you. Trust me, young man, you do not want to stay for dinner.”

“I’m not leaving,” said Jason. “I don’t know you. Nick and Rachel are looking after me. I can’t walk. I’m sick.”

The Kid hefted Jason onto his shoulder and tried to walk; he went about five steps before he stumbled, and Sam just caught them as they fell. The commotion woke up Claire, the other twin. She was even more feeble than her brother, and spent most of her time sleeping.

“What’s going on?” she said.

“It’s all right,” said Rhiannon. “We’re getting out of here.”

“I don’t want to go,” Claire whimpered. “I’m tired.”

“She can’t stand up,” said Jason. “Leave us alone.”

The Kid looked at Sam. “It’s beyond me,” he said. “I’m quick and slick and well nifty, but I ain’t strong enough to lug no dead weights.”

“We’ll never do it,” said Sam. “We won’t get them through the windows.”

“We’ll have to leave them,” said Rhiannon, struggling to her feet. “We don’t have a choice.”