Chapter One
The train ran clumsily over the tracks, bouncing and jerking, slamming my head painfully against the fogged up glass. My eyes shot open upon impact and I immediately put my hand to my head, feeling for any blood. There was none, thankfully, just a goose egg that I was sure would bruise. I yawned, mouth wide, and glanced around the cart only to realize that I was the only one in a seat. There was no one next to me or around me. I leaned over and squinted to see through the doors; it didn’t seem like there was anyone on the train at all. Glaring through the offending window, I realized that night had come and the train was blanketed in darkness. Only a slight hint of light caught the horizon.
What time is it? I stumbled up to a sitting position as my stomach growled. I reached for the bag next to me. My eyes were still heavy with sleep and I couldn’t see what was in the bag. Instead, I dug my hand inside, feeling around until finally it clamped around my phone. Pulling it out, I pressed a button and instantly a bright glow pierced my eyes.
I blinked until my eyes adjusted and then looked down to read the time. It was six in the morning and I was nearly at the end of my trip. Thank God. Eight hours on a train was not my idea of fun. My body screamed in pain as I shifted in the seat. Trying to settle down, I looked out the window and was greeted by the train station. With a sigh, I began organizing my things. I couldn’t wait to get off the train and away from the badly cushioned seats.
“Next stop, Donahue, Virginia!” I heard over the loud speaker. The obnoxious sounding voice echoed off the deserted cart and verberated in my ears. I stuffed my phone in my back pocket for easy access later and as quickly as I could with my back throbbing, I hoisted my carry-all over my shoulder and grabbed my rolling luggage with the other hand.
I reached the door at the same time that the train hand did, nearly bumping into him. I looked up at him like I looked up to everyone else, with blatant curiosity. If people were allowed to stare at me, why wasn’t I allowed to stare at them? The train hand smiled, stepping to the side to give me room. He was handsome in the lanky, too tall for his body type of way. His nose was thin and narrow, hooking at the very end, but his eyes were a piercing blue, a color only saw in cartoons.
“Evening ma’am,” he said as he tipped his hat for me. I snorted but nodded back before looking down and waiting for the train to finally stop. Moments later the doors opened and I stumbled out, trying to pull my luggage along with me. Much to my disdain, the wheel of my rolling luggage caught on the gap and my suitcase tumbled over, ripping apart and spilling clothes everywhere.
“I’ll help you ma’am,” the train hand said as he collected my belongings and slipped them back through the rip. Then, to my surprise, he took out a roll of duct tape and placed three thick pieces over the tear, successfully keeping my clothes inside. “It’s not perfect, ma’am, but it will get the job done while you look to get a new one.”
“Thanks,” I said. “I appreciate it.”
“My pleasure, ma’am,” he said. I took out a few dollar bills from my pocket.
“Have a good day.” I pressed the bills into his hand. Stuffing the bills in his pocket, he tipped his hat yet again.
“Thank you ma’am. You have a good day too.” The train hand jumped back into the cart as the horn blasted and it began to chug away.
Though still in the wee hours of the morning, the humidity was thick and assaulting. As I descended the steep steps of the train deck, my t-shirt clung to my body and my jeans felt like they weighed a hundred pounds. If it was this hot this early in the morning, how hot would it be later on? I shuddered at the thought. Great, I've landed in hell.
I slung my duffle bag over my shoulder and used my free hand to pull my rolling luggage behind me. Through the heat, I glared at the crowd in front of me, searching for my sister. There were so many people in the crowd and, despite my height, I couldn't spot the top of my sister's head. People shuffled around, eyes focused on their cell phones in front of them, bumping into each other as they went. My head pounded and my pulse throbbed in my neck.
“Come on, Rebecca,” I muttered. “Where the hell are you? Do you even know what it means to be on time?”
“Amber!” I turned at the sound of my name. “Amber over here!” My eyes locked on Rebecca standing on the far side of the train station stop, a tall lanky guy wearing plastic glasses standing next to her. Adjusting my grip on both my bags, I pushed my way