Teddy, Gears, and Kayda sat quietly at the train station, ever ready to leave as they eagerly awaited the arrival of the Midnight Train. Teddy nervously looked about every which way, tapping his foot in distress as his gaze shifted to his wrist before remembering he does not own a watch. Gears looked up at the stars through the various holes in the roof, his legs stretched outward with his hands behind his head as he leisurely awaited to board the train. Kayda was knocked out from sheer exhaustion from the day’s excitement. She slouched forward ever so slightly as she quietly snored, her body shivering every so often from the icy winds that pierced and shot through the dilapidated train station.
[https://i.imgur.com/QipwZkx.jpg]
The distant ticking of the station clock echoed through the empty halls, all while the frosty winds rattled the rotted and aged beams that struggled to support the metallic awning that functioned as a roof. Upon closer inspection, the “roof” seemed to be nothing but displaced billboards tossed over the support structures. Smiling visages of children loomed over the trio as a viscous fluid dripped from one of the children’s eyeholes, staining the concrete, each drop fizzling as it hit the wooden floor. Like most everything in Needles, this station too consisted of makeshift building materials, as nothing seemed to organically gel with each other, instead being the product of whatever the construction crew had on hand. The same neon smoke they’ve grown all too familiar with plumed from the vents in the floor, clouding sections of the station with noxious technicolor fumes that quickly dissipated as they met the freezing air. The fluorescent bulbs dangling above flickered erratically, sometimes leaving the trio in nearly pitch darkness for seconds at a time. Most of the bulbs weren’t even properly fashioned onto the ceiling, instead jostling from their wiring as stray sparks occasionally flew out. While getting her situated, Teddy made sure that Kayda wouldn’t be sitting anywhere underneath such bulbs, and despite being in far proximity from the nearest one, he still didn’t trust it.
The three of them hadn’t said a word to each other in quite some time, instead electing to take a moment of respite from the brutal day they had just had. Kayda practically collapsed as soon as she sat down, with Gears even going into sleep mode for a few minutes before stating the dreams he had on file were boring. Though, despite being given an opportunity to relax, the leisure would escape Teddy as anxiety had begun to set in. The time for departure would soon be upon them, and Kona was nowhere to be found. Every few seconds, his gaze would dart over to the station entrance, and every time, there was no sign of her. Fidgeting in his seat, Teddy couldn’t help but entertain the worst case scenario. Kona had done so much to assist them since they had met, he dreaded the likelihood of leaving her behind in Needles if the train were to arrive without her presence. Of course, there is the option of remaining in town overnight for the next train the following night, but he nor the others wished to risk remaining in the same place after their newfound overnight fame.
If the assassin earlier that day were anything to go by, there are indeed individuals out there in pursuit of Kayda. For what purpose, he did not know, and he shuddered at the notion of what they might want from her. Whatever it is, it has to be linked to the very same reason she found herself so far away from home in the first place. Looking at the “scar” she had left on his ankle only provided the faintest of clues as to why her captors were in such a fervent pursuit of her. It was far too early to draw up any concrete theories as to why the phenomenon occurred and the circumstances behind it. Still though, Teddy couldn’t help but find himself feeling perplexed by it all. He wasn’t able to simply ask any of the spectators what they saw, and the others weren’t able to get a good look as to how Kayda came to the rescue so quickly, due in part to being near death's door. Between hastily purchasing the tickets and making a mad dash to the station before midnight arrived, he hadn’t really had a whole lot of time to mull over the minutiae of everything. Now he was left with nothing but time, which offered a brief moment to ruminate over the ramifications of everything that had happened and perhaps formulate some theories to their rather peculiar circumstances.
“HEY Y’ALL! BACK WITH MY CRIB!” Kona yelled, appearing seemingly out of nowhere behind Teddy.
Shocked, Teddy jolts upward, “Oh, goodness gracious! You startled me something fierce!”
“Sorry, sorry! I’m just so excited! This is the first time I’ll be truly leaving Needles! Sorry it took me a sec to get back. I didn’t know what to pack! But, I think I got the essentials!” said Kona.
As Teddy’s shock began to settle, he quickly noticed the amount of luggage that Kona had brought with her. Surrounding her were no less than eight suitcases, stuffed to the brim with clothes peeking out from the sealed edges of the bags. The other pieces of luggage appeared to be milk crates overflowing with VHS tapes, assorted pieces of machinery, and a multitude of power tools. He looked on in astonishment, wondering how she even managed to get all of this here by herself. It appeared she took everything from her house that wasn’t nailed down. Perplexed, Teddy tilted his head and looked to Kona, who was still excitedly sorting through her wealth of luggage.
“You never know what you’ll need on a road trip, so I brought basically anything we could possibly need! So everything!” said Kona, happily holding a VHS tape in one hand and a Walkman in the other.
Gears approached her trove of unnecessary luggage, rummaging through it as well, “Huh, Ghostbusters?”
“Yeah! I even have the second one somewhere around here!” Kona said with a bright smile.
“Oh, great! This will be awesome whenever we need kindling for a fire whenever we set up camp!” Gears said with a snide snicker.
Kona simply let out an astonished gasp, covering her mouth in shock as she scrambled towards him, “There are folks out there that would kill you if they heard you say that! This movie is sacred!”
Gears laughed, “That means they would have to leave their basements to get me! You and I both know that ain’t happening. Hell, even you’re barely leaving your hometown for the first time today!”
Kona’s face grew a shade redder, “Hey! You live here too! Friendly fire, chump!”
“It ain’t by choice! Does a fish know why it was flushed down the toilet? Besides, you all know I’ve already seen the entire Vale. Whole reason why you clowns hired me!” Gears retorted.
“Oh yeah, that’s right. I forgot about that for a sec. I thought you just started following us around because we’re THAT cool!”
“Heh, only cool one here is the kid! You two bozos are if spitballs were people!”
“I am electing to not take genuine offense to that. Because, in the right hands, a spitball is a worthy tool to annoy one’s adversary! So in actuality, it would appear you have complimented us in an attempt to insult us!” Teddy said happily.
“Ooooh!” Kona interjected.
“Annoying is the right word, alright,” Gears replied.
Kona returned to her pile of belongings, continuing to rummage through the crates and bags in an attempt to further organize it all. However, due to the sheer multitude of possessions she brought with her, she couldn’t figure out a decent system of packing that would make further movement with everything easier, much to her chagrin. Grunting in frustration, she started tossing things she deemed useless to the side and kept everything she considered essential nearby. The discarded pile consisted of most of her wardrobe, while the essentials pile was mostly power tools covered in a variety of glitter soaked stickers. Even after discarding well over half of her belongings, the luggage was still far too much to feasibly carry on such a long journey. Coming to terms with this, Kona sighed in exasperation.
“I just have too good of taste! Can’t imagine having to part ways with all of this!”
Gears responded, “You never did. Ted here just said to bring what you needed for the trip. Instead you brought over a dweeb’s estate sale.”
“Hmph…” Kona paused, looking at nearly everything she owned, “Well, I guess out with the old, in with the new! I always figured when we got to Wakefield I’d stay there! So why bring all of these dusty reminders of the past?”
“Good thinking! Maybe you’ll be able to make a new collection of movies that ain’t ass!” Gears interjected.
“Shh! I guess I just got carried away. I just got so excited! You think I have time to take all this stuff back?” Kona said, sighing as she wistfully looked at her former belongings.
“I’m sure if you leave them somewhere neatly organized, some bystander may come across the bounty and claim it as their own! I’m positive your collection will not go to waste. These films have provided you comfort for so long, it is now someone else’s turn with them,” Teddy said warmly, beginning to help her reorganize everything into one large pile.
“That and she physically can’t carry all of that,” Gears remarked.
“Indeed, that too.”
The trio eventually sorted everything off to the corner of the station. While taking one last look at her things, she couldn’t help but feel nostalgic and sentimental about the time she spent in Needles. After all, this had been the town she had spent her entire life, as far as she was concerned. And though she was treated like nothing but a nuisance by the general public, she couldn’t help but feel a slight sense of trepidation about leaving. No amount of wanderlust could overpower the anxiety one feels when they know they are leaving home forever. The uncertainty was daunting to say the least, however the prospect of infinite possibilities beyond her hometown excited her to no end. She wondered if out there, she would be accepted just as she was by her newfound friends.
As Kona shifted her view to that of the skyline of Needles through the station’s back window, she began to clench her fist as her throat tightened. She began to return to thoughts she abandoned long ago, in fear of facing truths all too dreadful to consider. Now, with her finally being able to see the rest of The Vale, she wondered if she’d even run into her family. The prospect was too tempting to deny. With humans being few and far in between in this day and age, it only made sense that running into her parents accidentally could very well be a possibility. A possibility she hoped for, but also feared. For years she wondered why she had grown up in Needles, essentially all by herself. Her first memories were of her digging for scraps to get by, begging for every meal she needed to survive. Kona had spent years trying to discover her origin, but as time went on, her efforts proved to be fruitless and frivolous to continue. Every lead a dead end, with many of the older citizens stating she just appeared one day. No matter how hard she thought, she could not muster the image of anyone or anything resembling a parental figure. And, as the years went by, Kona elected to ignore these questions, instead pursuing social connection through various hijinks designed to garner her friends to fill the ever increasing loneliness within her. However, every moment she found herself alone on a quiet evening, the very same questions would invade her train of thought, drowning her in a slurry of uncertainty and self loathing.
Where did I come from? Why was I alone? Was I not wanted? Why did they leave me? Every time these thoughts flooded into her conscience, she couldn’t help but feel paralyzed with fear at the mere notion of discovering their answers. For years, she managed to bury these thoughts, as leaving Needles and discovering her origin seemed like nothing but a pipe dream. But now, here she stood, ready to finally leave the confines of her perpetual home, and reminder of her abandonment. And yet, she found herself feeling more jittery as the clock ticked and the train drew nearer. She knew for a fact she had to get out of here, and yet, the prospect of what lies before not only her, but her friends proved to be imposing. She looked to the slumbering Kayda, who seemed to be no less than absolutely exhausted from the day’s events. Seeing Kayda reminded Kona of herself, thrust into a world she knew nothing about, with almost no one there to lend a hand. She remembered how much her story resonated with her when Teddy recounted it that morning, and saw herself in Kayda from the moment they met. She knew immediately she was given an opportunity to truly do something with her life. She’d be damned if Kayda ended up like her. Kona wanted more than anything to give her what she never had growing up; someone to be there for her.
Pushing past the fears she had over her origin, Kona confidently nodded to herself. Though ever terrifying, she knew now wasn’t the time or place to entertain any doubts, as Kayda needed her and the others more than ever. Taking a seat besides Gears, she quietly sighed, letting her nerves finally settle as the moment of their departure grew ever closer.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
“Sigh of relief, eh? You pop a squat over there? Gotta warn us next time, I might’ve accidentally saw. Don’t wanna see that shit!” jeered Gears.
“You think I’m just dumping all over the place?! People don’t do that! They dig a hole first,” responded an embarrassed Kona.
Teddy sighed, “Enough with the scatologic banter, you two. Kayda might awake and that is not something a young impressionable mind should be within earshot of. We are the adults after all, and we should act like it.”
“My man was born yesterday and acts like he has a 401K! The umbilical cord on ya is still plump and juicy fresh, guy!” said Gears.
Teddy shook his head, “You out of everyone here should understand that is not how we function. If that was the case, why are you not the wise old sage, and I, the simpleton that speaks in euphemisms and offensive rebuffs?”
“I just got different knowledge! I’m streetwise! Born in the rough streets of Harlem, I had to fight to survive-”
“No you weren’t. You’re pulling that backstory from something else. You said you’ve only lived in The Vale, and I don’t know if your memory banks are serving you well, but The Vale is California. A long way from New York.”
Gears laughed, “Guilty! Guess the real answer is that life and experience gave me my winning personality.”
Teddy shook his head and began to relax in his seat once again, twiddling his fingers as the group continued to wait in silence once more. Through the gaps in the roof, he was able to spot the stars shining brilliantly above, dotting the pitch sky erratically. Their twinkling glow illuminated the desert beyond the station ever so slightly, as the full moon hung center stage. Its luminescence ominously hung over the horizon, peering through the open station and through the group of near strangers. Though this time yesterday, none of them knew of the others existence, they now stand on the precipice of the unknown, only having the accompaniment of each other as they dove deeper and deeper into a world beyond their understanding. A distant whistle signaled the ever approaching arrival of the mysteries that lay ahead. The accompanying squeals of the rails exacerbated the sense of unease in the station, as the party soon realized the extent of the coming journey, sharing uneasy glances as a bright red beacon drew ever closer.
Metal screeched and bent as the towering hull approached at a surprising speed, growing larger in size as it neared the station. The rickety boards of the age-old structure rattled and splintered under the might of the train’s monstrous engine that roared in fury as it raced past the station. The ancient rails wailed and moaned under the train’s weight, which towered over the station by at least six stories. A strobing rainbow of lights peered out of each car’s window, outshining the dim bulbs hanging in the station, turning the station floor into something resembling the ancient ceremony known as a rave. Pipes jutted out across the surface of the hull, ebbing and flowing into the various crevices in between train cars. A series of exhaust grates dotted the bottom of the freighter, continually coughing out brightly colored smoke. Beyond the rainbow that poured from every orifice of the engine, the shell itself was in stark contrast to the metal plating they had seen up until this point. The plating was as pristine as the glistening moon that peered from beyond the horizon, the unsullied metal taunted the machines, shining brighter than they ever could. Not a scratch, nor a dent could be seen on the engine, as if it had raced in from a time either long forgotten or not yet reached. The boarding party stood up in amazement as the almost alien looking vessel began to slow down. Dust and sand were kicked up as the technological marvel finally came to a halt, an ear splinting metallic rend that echoed beyond the station’s walls heralded its arrival, causing many of the bulbs in the station to shatter.
“You think they got a guy to fix those every time? Why not just put in better bulbs? That’s city government for ya, I tell ya what,” said Gears, doing an impression of an older gentleman who has had it up to here with local politics.
A groggy Kayda rubbed her eyes as she stood up with the others. However, her drowsiness would be short lived, as she soon let out a gasp of amazement. A grin quickly formed as she hopped closer to the train in excitement, unwittingly inhaling copious amounts of train fumes. Despite having her lungs becoming a smoker for technicolor gas, she could hardly contain her excitement as her smile remained unfettered. She kept gesturing to the others, continually pointing to ensure her cohorts were seeing the same amazing sight as her.
Teddy cautiously approached the train, gently touching the surface of its shell in complete and utter astonishment. He lightly tapped it, and was met with a light echo that reverberated across the surrounding area. Merely from touch, Teddy could ascertain that this material was far too advanced to be anything he could possibly be familiar with. Taking a step back, he shook his head in disbelief, confounded by the impossibility that towered over him. It seems every discovery in this world was more peculiar than the last. This sense of whimsy enraptured him, filling him with not only excitement, but dread. Remaining steadfast, he quickly regained his composure, crossing his arms as he continued to admire the train.
“Kona… How have you not at least come out here every night to at least witness this… this spectacle tantamount to dare I say, space travel?! A vessel of this level of elegance, should not be possible, even for the bygone era this civilization arose from!” said Teddy.
Kona shrugged, “Like I said, I’m usually conked out right now! I’m running on fumes! I could feel blood rushing behind my eyes.”
Gears chuckled, “Oh! Maybe if ya let some out, you won’t feel it all rushing around your thinkpan? Here, I got a knife!”
Kona laughed and patted his shoulder, “Ah! The ol’ George Washington. That ain’t gonna work on me, buddy!”
“Damn, thought some extra blood on hand could get us some cash for the road. Oh well!” Gears said jovially.
“Buddy, we’re friends now! If you ever need blood, just ask!” said a smiling Kona.
Teddy glared at them and nervously rubbed his neck, before whispering to Kayda, “Don’t give him your blood. We don’t need money that bad.”
Kayda nervously giggled, “I’m way ahead of you.”
The party approached the train cautiously, the set of double doors its pristine glean practically beckoning them to board. The party exchanged confused glances, not sure how to proceed. They paused for a moment, expecting the doors to open themselves. However, when this did not happen, they elected to draw closer, still unsure how to board the training. As time was of the essence, Teddy dusted himself off and adjusted his posture, before he proceeded to knock on the sliding doors ever so gently.
Gears shook his head, “Nah, dude, ya gotta put some huevos into it! Like this!”
Gears pushed past Teddy and began to erratically and aggressively knock on the door, his raps unrelenting and unparalleled. Kona smiled at this development and began to knock rudely and obnoxiously besides him, the two laughing as they continued their attack on the door. Surely, if a sentient door were to see this rabid sight, they would be disgusted and revolted to their very core. Soon enough they weren’t knocking so much as ramming their entire bodies into.
“Uhm, my friends, surely it should be apparent that this charade is not garnering results. Perhaps we should find alternate methods of entry that aren’t as… barbaric,” Teddy interjected.
“Trust me, dude! In my journeys of breaking and entering, this gets results!” Gears replied.
The two continued the barrage of attacks on the door, unfettered in their determination to enter the train. Teddy and Kayda watched in moderate embarrassment, feeling incredibly lucky that no one was around to witness the scene. Though, they weren’t quick to cease their cohort’s attempts, as they were as confused as them. Having no ideas themselves, they even considered joining their friends’ assault on the door, sharing unsure glances with one another. Teddy shook his head and shrugged, surprised that the adage of “Can’t beat them, join them.” would have any weight. As Kayda and Teddy took a couple of steps back to prepare their eventual charge, the tension in the air was swiftly torn apart by a booming and agitated voice that resounded across the entire station.
“JESUS! DO YOU IDIOTS NOT KNOW WHAT PERSONAL SPACE IS?!” Yelled a bellowing, yet silky voice from a speaker that hung just above the door.
“Oh, I do! I just don’t respect it! Now open up, Thomas the Tank Engine! Or I’ll be forced to do something drastic!” Gears yelled back.
“What? The same shit you two have been doing for the last five minutes?” The voice responded, getting increasingly annoyed.
“Damn, he found me out.”
“I do apologize for the behavior of my companions, sir! Please excuse my friend here in particular, for he could indeed be a rapscallion sometimes, be he does mean well-”
The voice interrupted, “Oh cut the bullshit, I saw you and Shirley Temple right there about to join in.”
Kona laughed, “Haha! Teddy’s in trouble too!”
The voice sighed and let out an exasperated cough, “Do you not know what theatrics are? If you clods waited for like a couple more minutes I would’ve opened the door, there would’ve been smoke and music and stuff… Pretty Shakespearean, Kubrick-esque and dare I say Lynchian. You would’ve loved it.”
Kayda responded, “Do you want to still do all of that, mister? We could step back and-”
“No, no. The moment is ruined. You ruined it. And now you don’t get to see it. Fuck you.”
As unceremoniously as physically possible, the double doors slid open. With almost no fanfare whatsoever, the door to the journey ahead was finally open to the unwitting company of strangers. The four of them shared reassuring glances as they slowly began to take their first steps into the unknown, the darkness of the train enrapturing them one by one as they entered. Kona took a deep breath before lunging into the train, eagerly ready to face what lay ahead with a wide smile, her attitude unwavering as usual. Gears casually followed her onto the train, confidently flipping his coin, nodding at Teddy as he passed by. He was ready to face any conflict that stood before him, with his same casual attitude that rivaled irresponsibility. It’s what’s gotten him this far, and you know what they say, don’t fix what ain’t broke.
Teddy sheepishly took his first step onto the ill lit train entrance, unable to see his companions any longer. Dread washed over him as he was met with the same darkness he found himself born into not forty eight hours earlier. His knees soon began to buckle under the uncertainty. However, he was determined to deliver on his promise. Remembering why he was out here in the first place, he shook his head and took another step forward, finally aboard the train and ready to face any adversary head on. Realizing that he wasn’t the last of the party to board the train, he swiftly looked back and spotted a hesitant Kayda, standing still as she stared ahead, with an expression that was nothing short of pure anxiety.
In just a few short days, she was already making such a large step in a journey she thought would be far more arduous. The ease in which she found herself making her progress filled her with guilt, still feeling as if she was using her new friends as nothing but tools. The prospect of this made her stomach wrench in disgust. As much as she appreciated them, she was soon beginning to succumb to the guilt of it all. The lengths these people who she barely knew would go to help her astounded her, and confused her to no end. They were doing so much for someone who in all honesty, did not deserve it, or at least that’s what she was telling herself. For a brief moment, she considered letting the train leave without her. At least then, she could ensure their safety. As the seconds passed, this prospect seemed more and more viable. If they were to get hurt while traveling with her, she didn’t know if she could ever forgive herself. Her throat drying, Kayda began to step back, mere seconds from outright fleeing the scene. But, in an instant, the tension that swelled within her shattered.
“Miss Kayda… You do not have to worry. We chose this.” Teddy said in a tone bordering on fatherly as he extended his hand out to her.
His response caught her off guard, and was exactly what she needed to hear at that moment. Though the relief may be temporary, she took solace in knowing that Teddy meant every word. He was not one to lie. Swallowing her anxiety, Kayda simply nodded and took his hand, hopping over the small ledge and onto the train.
The two of them admired the skyline of Needles for what they hoped was the last time, as the train’s wheels began to wheeze and whine under the freighter's weight and momentum. The technicolor steam and smoke poured from the engine’s undercarriage once more as the train’s speed began to increase, the station beginning to whir past them. Before they knew it, the Midnight Train had finally left the station, leaving Needles to be nothing but a distant memory. The two shared a warm glance, before Kayda hugged Teddy once more, both of them still looking at the distant glow of the town growing smaller and smaller.
“Thank you so much, Teddy. You really didn’t have to help me…”
“Pish posh. It’s what any sane person would do. A good world consists of many, many small actions. I am just doing my part,” Teddy said reassuringly.
Kayda was taken aback. What he said resonated with her more than he could comprehend. Little did he know, that adage would instantly become embedded within her soul. Effortlessly, Teddy had put her own personal ethos into words, and she would soon not forget those words for as long as she lived.
“Now then, let us find the others before they engage in more unsavory, rambunctious activities that tarnish our collective character, lest we find ourselves out there once more! I, for one, do not wish to be kicked off the train,” Teddy said, tousling her hair.
Kayda nodded as he dove deeper into the train. However, before she could follow him, something caught her attention from the corner of her eye. Though the glow of Needle’s nightlife was growing dimmer with distance, she couldn’t help but notice its incandescence reemerge to an unrealistic luminosity considering how far they were from the town. The town’s lights grew brighter, its sheen darting across the desert to blind an unsuspecting Kayda. The shock from the sudden emergence of light was almost enough to knock Kayda off the train car in surprise. Regaining her composure, Kayda held on tightly to a nearby guard rail, refocusing her gaze to the gleaming skyline in the distance. Brighter and brighter, Needles illuminated the desert for miles on end, before suddenly, darkness veiled the desert landscape once more. Tilting her head, Kayda leaned forward, squinting as she peered into the darkness. As quick as the darkness returned, no quicker was it dispelled once again, as from the center of Needles, a bright, brilliant tower of crimson shot into the night sky, piercing the heavens while clouds swirled around the formation of light. A scarlet hue bathed the dunes that surrounded her and the train.
[https://i.imgur.com/weoanT1.png]
Taken aback, Kayda fell backwards into the train. No longer being around the entrance, the doors began to slowly close. A shocked Kayda looked on in horror, her face caked in the bloody glow that flooded the desert. Soon, the doors closed, leaving her to be swallowed by the darkness.
If she didn’t know where Kayda was before, she certainly knew now.