so unexpected. . . .”
The agent placed a hand tenderly on Cody’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry to hear that, son. I recently lost my grandfather. Hardest day of my life. Don’t cry, it will be all right. Here are four tickets. These two take you to Las Vegas. From there you’ll catch a connecting train with these two tickets. I wish you speed.” Wiping his watery eyes, Cody took the tickets. He attempted to thank the officer, but emotion seized him so merely nodded his thanks.
Out of earshot from the booth, Jade grabbed Cody’s arm. “Sick grandmother, eh? That was quick thinking.”
Cody grinned a boyish smile. “What can I say? Lying to get out of trouble is my specialty. I’ve had plenty of practice with Ms. Starky. Why Los Angeles?”
Jade shrugged. “Because it’s far west. I figured we could just mind the pocket watch and wait until it changes, then go from there. It’s not much, but it’s a start.”
They reached docking bay 51A. Luckily, the next train scheduled to Las Vegas was only ten minutes from departure. Punching in their tickets, they stepped aboard. Only a few other passengers were sharing the early morning train with them. Cody stepped into the first empty compartment. “Come on, let’s take this one.” They moved in, closing the door behind them. Overhead the loud speakers crackled to life: Ladies and gentlemen please take your seats. We will be departing for Las Vegas momentarily. Cody leaned his head against the window preparing for departure. He released a deep sigh of relief. They had escaped.
The call of the horn signaled that the train was departing the station. The travelers onboard were busy getting comfortable for the lengthy trip. Had any of them been looking out their window toward the dock, they no doubt would have noticed, jogging alongside the train, a tall man wearing a long black jacket and a matching black fedora pulled over his eyes. With a final call of the horn, the wheels began spinning and the train chugged smoothly out of the station. The boarding dock was empty.
A Calm in the Storm
T he steady chugging of the train’s wheels soothed the two young travelers. With a moment of peace, they began to notice the aches in their legs and the exhaustion that had set in. Just yesterday the biggest crisis in their lives was which book to purchase; now they found themselves trainbound to “The City of Lights,” with supernatural forces an unknown distance behind them. Not your average weekend . As Cody lifted his stiff legs up onto the seat, a paper in his pocket crunched. Reaching in, he pulled out Wesley’s note. Cody knew that the time to figure out the note was quickly evaporating. Sitting up he unfolded the paper:
Fifty-three, less four, until the rite does write, Iron décor, future war, hides passage out of sight, Deep contrite, prevents invite, now precious yore, Must leave Tonight.
Jade joined Cody on his bench. “I’ve been thinking about it, too. I keep hoping that as we get closer, something will reveal itself and it will suddenly make sense.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out the pocket watch, the small red hand still pointed west. “At least we have this to guide our way. Just give it time, Cody, it will come to us.” Her green eyes drooped, struggling to stay open. “It will come to us.” Muttering these last words she leaned her head down, nestling it onto Cody’s shoulder. He tensed up; his spine stiffening as firm as a plank. Looking down, Cody gazed at the peaceful face of his best friend; her steady rhythmic breathing indicated that she was already possessed by a deep sleep. Cody’s muscles loosened.
He had never been very popular at school and third grade had been the worst. He was always slow to learn, and several of the class bullies made sure he was daily reminded of this flaw. When Jade transferred to his school the next year, she had saved him from a sea of depression and helped him find his place. Looking at the
The agent placed a hand tenderly on Cody’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry to hear that, son. I recently lost my grandfather. Hardest day of my life. Don’t cry, it will be all right. Here are four tickets. These two take you to Las Vegas. From there you’ll catch a connecting train with these two tickets. I wish you speed.” Wiping his watery eyes, Cody took the tickets. He attempted to thank the officer, but emotion seized him so merely nodded his thanks.
Out of earshot from the booth, Jade grabbed Cody’s arm. “Sick grandmother, eh? That was quick thinking.”
Cody grinned a boyish smile. “What can I say? Lying to get out of trouble is my specialty. I’ve had plenty of practice with Ms. Starky. Why Los Angeles?”
Jade shrugged. “Because it’s far west. I figured we could just mind the pocket watch and wait until it changes, then go from there. It’s not much, but it’s a start.”
They reached docking bay 51A. Luckily, the next train scheduled to Las Vegas was only ten minutes from departure. Punching in their tickets, they stepped aboard. Only a few other passengers were sharing the early morning train with them. Cody stepped into the first empty compartment. “Come on, let’s take this one.” They moved in, closing the door behind them. Overhead the loud speakers crackled to life: Ladies and gentlemen please take your seats. We will be departing for Las Vegas momentarily. Cody leaned his head against the window preparing for departure. He released a deep sigh of relief. They had escaped.
The call of the horn signaled that the train was departing the station. The travelers onboard were busy getting comfortable for the lengthy trip. Had any of them been looking out their window toward the dock, they no doubt would have noticed, jogging alongside the train, a tall man wearing a long black jacket and a matching black fedora pulled over his eyes. With a final call of the horn, the wheels began spinning and the train chugged smoothly out of the station. The boarding dock was empty.
A Calm in the Storm
T he steady chugging of the train’s wheels soothed the two young travelers. With a moment of peace, they began to notice the aches in their legs and the exhaustion that had set in. Just yesterday the biggest crisis in their lives was which book to purchase; now they found themselves trainbound to “The City of Lights,” with supernatural forces an unknown distance behind them. Not your average weekend . As Cody lifted his stiff legs up onto the seat, a paper in his pocket crunched. Reaching in, he pulled out Wesley’s note. Cody knew that the time to figure out the note was quickly evaporating. Sitting up he unfolded the paper:
Fifty-three, less four, until the rite does write, Iron décor, future war, hides passage out of sight, Deep contrite, prevents invite, now precious yore, Must leave Tonight.
Jade joined Cody on his bench. “I’ve been thinking about it, too. I keep hoping that as we get closer, something will reveal itself and it will suddenly make sense.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out the pocket watch, the small red hand still pointed west. “At least we have this to guide our way. Just give it time, Cody, it will come to us.” Her green eyes drooped, struggling to stay open. “It will come to us.” Muttering these last words she leaned her head down, nestling it onto Cody’s shoulder. He tensed up; his spine stiffening as firm as a plank. Looking down, Cody gazed at the peaceful face of his best friend; her steady rhythmic breathing indicated that she was already possessed by a deep sleep. Cody’s muscles loosened.
He had never been very popular at school and third grade had been the worst. He was always slow to learn, and several of the class bullies made sure he was daily reminded of this flaw. When Jade transferred to his school the next year, she had saved him from a sea of depression and helped him find his place. Looking at the
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