One might think that my cool and collected demeanor hid a hard, tragic backstory.

Um...no.

First of all, I was not cool and collected. I was so overwrought with my college finals to begin with that I didn't have a lot of spare emotions to begin with.

Secondly, no tragic backstory.

But watching Hawthorne, I had a feeling he did have a hard, tragic backstory. It was just the two of us for the first time since this entire train ordeal began. He was putting some of his safety equipment on me. It looked like a wristwatch, but he insisted that it would help keep me safe from the gloom outside. Fun thing, despite having a metal band, it fit me just as well as him. The metal band was much thicker on me than him, somehow stretching or shrinking until it fit the intended recipient.

"Won't you need it?" I asked him.

He scoffed, very politely mind you. "This is unprecedented. There are more dangers and unknowns here than even a campaign." He played with the dial again. "Yu Lin and I would not have arrested you and taken you with us had we even guessed a quarter of the danger." His deep voice rumbled. "I meant for you to stay at the shelter house. This entire matter with the train is much too dangerous."

"You sent me for parts. I had to bring them back. Um...someone blew up that place, by the way..." And hopefully killed a lot of dinosaurs.

"So loyal." he said, eyes looking far away. "That bought time, by the way. The explosion probably got us 10 extra minutes."

I wanted to tell him everything. I really did. I knew nothing. At first I had kept my origins a secret because I didn't know anyone and didn't trust anyone.

Now I did.

"I want to make you my ward. Properly." He said, removing his silvery tie. "Coming from the countryside without having the first idea of what life in the cities is like was foolhardy. I was once that same kind of foolhardy. Making you my ward is the best and safest thing I can give you. I have no heirs, so you will be secure in the future. My estate is not small."

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

"Shouldn't we...survive the next attack before talking about stuff like that?"

"I might not survive the next attack." he said, darkly.

Oh.

This was somber.

"I believe I will. I know more going on than I can share with you. I think we have every chance of making it." He said, comfortingly. He even almost smiled "But I like to prepare for worst case scenarios. Yu Lin would vouch for you, once she catches up. But if something happens, and I am not there to stand for you, at least now my name can do that in my stead."

I wanted to tell him everything.

But I couldn't.

Because I was scared.

"You don't know me." I whispered.

"I was a stranger in a strange place before. I know what that feels like. When I was your age, I set out on my own. Had I remained on my own, I would not be the man you see before you today. I don't 'know you', you say, perhaps. But I see you brave and composed you are. You saved the train. Will you be my ward?"

"Okay. Thank you."

He gave me his silvery tie. "Hide this somewhere." he said. "Normally Ward Gifts are more...appropriate, but it is a gift of great value and we only have a very short notice.."

Did he just give me his badge?

"Don't you need this, for your job?"

"I have another one, just not as good."

I took the tie. It was cooler than I thought. I thought it had been silver only in color, but while this did feel like fabric, I had the feeling it was more than just cloth. The weight of it alone was enough to make me wonder if you could weave metal and silk together. I had the idea that this was more important than I thought.

"Jesseme can show you how to use it later. Tuck it away for now. It has the proof that you are officially the Ward of the Hawthorne Estate."

There were lights flickering overhead.

The train made an unhealthy noise at the same time.

"I believe trouble has found us again." He said. He pulled out another silvery tie, although not as shimmering as the one I now held in my hands.

I didn't want to go. I just wanted to be safe. I just wanted to go home.

"One hundred people are left on this train, give or take a few." I said, taking to my feet. I had a feeling if I stopped moving, it wouldn't end well for me. If I didn't push the plot forward, I might be swallowed by the chaos. Best to stay near the main characters.

"One hundred people. Of them, there are at least 3 people trying to stop this train. The others are naive. But you see, don't you?"

I gave a small nod.

There was a loud sound, and Hawthorne grabbed my hand. "Hold close to me now. And whatever happens, make it to Central Yard, all the way to Special Yard. Through any means necessary."

The screaming started outside the door.

"Let's go!" I said.

And we did.