Under the relentless midday sun, Clay and Aiyana watched as their horse, an unwavering companion across the barren stretches of High Noon, collapse in a cloud of dust. Its sides heaved in a few short, shallow breaths before stillness took it, leaving them with heavy hearts and the silence of the endless desert. They'd pushed too hard, and now, stranded on the outskirts of Eldritch Hollow, they felt the weight of their choices. With their last coins, they purchased tickets for the only train out, a promise of escape from the looping despair of the hollow.

Eldritch Hollow was an unsettling quiet, buildings standing like tombstones marking the death of a once vibrant town. Time here was a twisted loop, with moments repeating and stretching, defying any sense of natural order. The train station, barely more than a shack with a flickering lantern, was their beacon of hope. The clerk, his face a map of unspoken stories, handed them their passage out without a glance, trapped in his own unending cycle.

Once aboard the creaking train, they settled into their seats, the worn fabric telling tales of countless others seeking escape. As the train prepared to depart, the eerie stillness of the town seemed to press against the windows, a final reminder of the loops they were leaving behind.

Options:
1. As the train starts, scout the carriage for any useful items or allies.
2. Start a conversation with another passenger, seeking stories or warnings of what lies ahead.
3. Look out the window, keeping an eye on Eldritch Hollow as it fades into the distance, for any signs of the unnatural.
4. Prepare their gear and weapons, expecting trouble on the journey ahead.