Strong winds wooshed by, blowing the sock southwest with a persistence streak. It winded along the numerous buildings and trees in the village, bringing a posse of intimidating soldiers who marched the usually azure sky. They were dressed in a grey standard uniform which made them look cold and held with them guns patiently… Waiting for the moment to unleash the storm that brewed below.
The eager young girl, Audrey, watched from the safety of a small station. She sat by on an old brown bench, munching on a bag of salted legumes, swaying her restless legs wherever. Meanwhile, there was a lengthy line of people on the right side of the station, all barking at the clerk of the train station.
He was constantly heckled by the people, whose moods were a bit under the weather. But, per the regular code enforced by his company, he had to keep up a friendly smile— a smile which was beginning to loosen and lose its genuine shine.
Meanwhile, the porters plodded around with their duty, sometimes tilting their head on some rather engrossing juice. They dragged dark stones finely cut into sheets, and luggage of some who managed to get a ticket.
”Poor Norton,” One of the porters muttered, “I do not know how he manages to keep that smile on, even though he's under the weather.”
”Insane willpower, probably or perhaps a habit.” His co-worker answered. “Other than that, I can’t really think of anything else.”
Suddenly, the clerk slammed his desk with a single blow, and immediately stormed out of the kiosk. He ran off and jumped off the station in a stomping rampage. The porters looked at each other with a look of ‘I’ve already seen this before, but it never gets old’.
”There he goes…” One of them muttered.
Almost simultaneously, the soldiers began unleashing the bullets down to the earth. The place suddenly dropped in heat, and the line mostly went to take shelter in the small station. Some of them rested on the meas
Audrey stood up from the bench that she sat on, and stretched her ligaments forwards. Her eyes beamed around the surroundings, observing the people crazy enough to walk through the hellish and merciless bullet fire that they continued to fire.
It seemed that there were a few who fit the description: an old man who strolled by with his best friend, some women of her age that had the foresight to bring an umbrella, most of the people who fled the station, and the tenacious ones that did not bother to bring cover.
She then threw away an empty bag into a garbage bin, and went back to the bench she lazed about in, but not before taking out another bag of salted legumes out of her large juniper green duffel bag. Around the same time, the ticket clerk returned, all soggy from being under the weather.
He stormed back towards his place, and promptly fixed everything inside it. When he did those things, he still had that awful looking grin still hanging on his sloppy eye bags. After which, he flipped a sign which hung on the window which had a sentence that was much to the chagrin of the rest who still desired to ride the locomotive to their stops.
“Sorry for the inconvenience, but we’re closed for now. Come back in a few!”
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
Nevertheless, most of the line stayed there, some either sitting down on the benches, or on the edge of the station, or stood patiently while attending to their cargo or their children. And all the while this was going on, the bullets continued to fire down.
As she watched, a A group of priests and priestesses marched forwards, all of them carrying with them black umbrellas. Following them was a young priestess who looked rearing to begin a grand journey.
The young woman wore a hat, and was visibly trembling, she was also wearing vestments that were a light but bold yellow. The standard colors of the Church of Incognita, a relatively minor religion in the region. Most of the priests and priestess were spouting out some sermons to the young woman, which visibly made her flush red.
Some of them were filled with joy, and some wept in worry. But many of them knew this was what she needed, for the very least. A dark cloud loomed over the future,
”G-Gosh!! Father, don’t worry about me.” The young woman cheerfully said, “I am in the hands of our goddess, no need to worry about it. You’ll hear from me later on, so until then please pray for my safety..”
”May Incognita’s grace fill you as always, Chloe!” The eldest priestess clapped, “Your father would be so proud of you, Chloe… Now then, order thee a ticket. Move on!!”
The young priestess stepped into the line, whilst waving a goodbye towards her peers. She gripped the bag that she carried, tightly, dreaming of the future.
***
A few minutes later, somewhat saddened, Chloe dropped to a bench. She hunched her back over, her head supported by her arms, and released the gates. A gripping bluish-purple hand began to grip over her mind, and insert some parts of doubt in her.
”It’s closed…. Did I arrive here too late?” She muttered to herself, “Can’t be, the train for Covedisa leaves at two in the afternoon... So many people around here…”
SLUURP!
MUNCH!
Chloe glanced towards where that most rude sound came from. The young woman had fiery red hair, and drooping on the side of her head, which was contained in a black and orange bandana. Something about her was strange. The young woman then stared towards Chloe, and her face looked quite annoyed.
”What are you looking at?” The rugged young woman prattled, “That stare of yours, it’s annoying.”
”Nothing…” Chloe sadly said, “I was just brooding, and just when I was to begin my journey...”
”Oh, you are going on an adventure?!” The young woman spat. “So am I. I’ve gotten chills waiting for this day, from the rain and from the thought of it. Are you going to be a bounty hunter too?”
”Bounty hunter? I am not.” Chloe politely replied, “That’s too rough for me, and I’d rather not be someone who fights other people. It’s against my wishes, hope you understand.”
”I guess so,” said the young woman, but not before stuffing some more salted nuts into her mouth. ”Humor me for a moment, can you tell me your name. Just want to know who I am talking to, a kind of informal formality per se…”
”My name? It’s Audrey.”
”Well, my name is Chloe. Pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
Both women shook hands with each other, a pleasant formality at most. Yet, Chloe’s senses started to tingle for a fraction of a moment. Something, somewhere flowed through her hand and into Audrey’s hand, like an electric shock of sorts. Of course, that would be impossible, and Audrey looked at the lost Chloe’s stare.
”Umm… Can you let go of my hand?” Audrey asked. “It’s getting kind of awkward, you know...”
”H-huh, what was I doing?” Chloe mumbled, before letting go of her grip. “Oh sorry… I got lost for a second.” Chloe fumbled for a moment, and tried to collect her thoughts from the ground. She gripped her bag tightly...
Then, a sharp hiss ensued, coming from the patina-covered, dusty speakers that hung over the wooden ceiling of the station. A fumbling and grumbling voice rang around it...
”Sorry that it took so, so, long, folks!! ” The clerk fumbled... “Next train to Gitnapieza arrives in 5 minutes, and I mean it. Plus, we are open. Thank you for listening.”