Inhumanity

Chapter 11

"I forgot to complement you on your new hair colour" Audrey says as she enters the backstage area "you like it?" I ask in disbelief. She walks round me inspecting it from every angle "it suits you" she finally says. I quickly twist it up into a bun "nah I don't really see it, though it does kind of throw them off their search for me". I shove my hands in the pouch in the front my hoodie "you ready?" She asks. I nod "honestly I'm just glad it's happening today, the suspense of waiting has never been something I've been that interested in" The war room as I've fondly nicknamed it is in the back of a bar, the jackboots never really searched third what thoroughly for me. I'm guessing it's because as far as they've been told I'm just some third class passenger who's committed some petty crime. Not exactly the wanted fugitive tailie Layton. I've pointed this out to him on quite a few occasions though he doesn't find it entertaining at all. I guess we just don't share the same humour.

A woman enters, she hands a note to Audrey who quickly scans it "The lights just flashed in the Folgers' car. LJ made it to the Engine." She confirms. I grin, first is going to freak when they are informed of the truth "All right. This is it. Let's get ready. Good luck, everyone." Layton says loudly. The group disperses, going through the train to leave the price of red cloth, signalling to our allies that the revolution has started "Layton, I can't say which side the Brakemen are gonna land. You know how stubborn Roche is." Till says nervously. I nod "they will be the main group we have to convince, after all of this we need someone to keep order" I state. Layton nods "None of us wants a fight with the Brakemen, but... there are gonna be casualties today." He says sadly. I bite my lip nervously, I'm well aware of the possible outcomes but I've tried to remain positive. It's only now that the brutal realities are all that's spinning around in my head. We go our separate ways, I'm unsure of where I should go so I return to the night car

My stomach feels like there's 100 butterfly's flapping about in it, I'm kind of amazed that I haven't thrown up. I pace back and fourth in the backstage area that I've been hiding out in "you nervous" till asks. I nod silently "think we all are..." She trails off awkwardly. There's no words to cover up what's going to happen, no rousing speech that will blindsight the fact that bloods going to be spilled. Layton enters and sits down, there's the tense silence, thankfully there's the sound of marching boots as the jackboots make their way up train to where I'm sure Melanie is now being held after the secrets been spilled. I hold my breath as the pass is by but they clearly have other priorities than searching for any fugitives, how unfortunate for them they didn't think to do one last sweep. Audrey enters "The Jackboots are headed uptrain." She reports. I nod "like chess prices on the board" I comment. Layton holds his hands out and till handcuffs then "You ready for this?" She questions. He nods "No going back now. Send out the signal." They quickly leave, I can't focus on them, I have to focus on my part in this plan.

I scan the bustling nightcar, I know basically where I'm going to set each of the traps. I start with calibrating the fixtures I've screwed into place. Basically when the jackboots pass through them their chips will set them off, they'll be stunned with a little electricity, nothing fatal just enough to make them drop their weapons. Clay brings a box over "need you to booby trap this" he says. I swallow thickly "alright" I set up a few grenades around the lid, when the flaps are moved they'll go off and take out a few people near by "youre good at this stuff?" He comments. I nod "yeah, 5 years in the army, you pick a few things up" I brush it off. I'm finished here for now, next stop third class. Time to confront the brakemen, and of course Layton and till have made it there before me. I creep through the gathered crowds on the ramps

"Cause nobody here is gonna believe any of the lies you're selling them. Wilford's dead? What is that? Some kind of psychological warfare?" Roche rants angrily. I finally speak up "No, its true. I know, I work in the engine along side 3 others. None of them are Wilford, been that way for 6 years" I shout. Everyone looks to me "Eve?" Roche says in amazement but there's a warning behind it. I lens on the railing and look out to third "You can believe the myth if you want. The fact is, First just learned the truth, too. Now, somebody is going to take over this train. Would you rather it be them or us? Third and the Tail together. You're the ones who've been keeping this train running anyway, right?" I say carefully. Layton nods "Look, Roche, I know you didn't choose this. Locking people up in cages, in the dark, starving? That's not you. You are a good cop. Make the right choice. Just move aside. You're gonna need all the Brakemen to keep the order when this is done." He reasons. Till step closer to the assembled army "Come on, Boss. Think of Anne. Think of your daughter"