Just a Movie

The Truth Is...

I sit here, staring blankly at the wood panels for walls.  We're on a train.  Tenner's train to be exact, filled with many of his hands.  Not a new plot twist.  Only, in the film, it was Chris and Violet who were locked in a compartment.  Travis and Roy were the ones who managed to escape, and they rode hard, trying to find them.  I glance around the room, looking for similarities or anything that says this is the same one Chris was in.  It's small, dirt and mud scattered on the floor, and there's a loose plank flopping up and down by the left door which opens to the outside of the train.  There's only one window, just big enough to see what you're passing, and two brown rags act as curtains on either side of it.  I look up.  Yup, there it is, the one light bulb with a crack in the glass.  This is the same room.  The question is where is Chris, and is he on the same train with us?  I knock my head against the wall behind me, sighing.  What a mess. 

"Hey," Roy says, lifting my chin so my eyes meet his, "We're gonna get out of here.  I promise."

I give him a smile, and he stands, looking for a way out.  He tries the handle of one door, then the next, which leads to corridors and other cabins.  

"They're both locked," he grunts. 

He puts his hands on his hips, glancing out the window as he thinks on what to do, cactus and dirt flying by as we speed down the tracks.  I rub my eyes, clenching my teeth.  We're both stuck in here, but only I know what will happen.  Or, what could happen, considering all the changes that've blown in my face.  So far, not telling Roy and everyone else the truth hasn't done anything, and right now, I'm not helping either of us by keeping all this information to myself.  I could just tell him what I know without giving away none of this is reality, but then he might think I'm a mole working for Tenner and reporting to him when the others aren't looking.  I sigh.  I'd rather have him think I'm crazy than a traitor.  I play with my fingers, trying to get the courage to say what's going on.  I have to.  Don't I owe him that much? 

"Roy?" I hesitantly call. 

Before he can respond, a cheery voice pops up from behind the door to the corridor, and a tiny window slides open. 

"Good morning!" he grins. 

Tenner.  Roy smiles tightly, approaching him. 

"Good morning," he grits, standing to face him, his shoulders tightly pulled back.  "And how are you today?"

Tenner smiles, swerving his cigarette to the left side of his mouth.  

"I'm amazing, thanks for asking," he replies, obviously happy about the situation.  

His eyes could light up a whole room.  Roy nods, clenching his teeth, his body tense as he tries to control his temper. 

"So what's the plan?" he inquires.  "You couldn't have locked us up in here for nothing."  

"Oh," he says, shaking his head, "you're gonna like what I got in store for you.  A hangin'.  Right in the middle of Sand Creek Town.  I'm sure Chris will absolutely love my gift to him.  And as for your pretty little girlfriend..."  He looks at me, his eyes focused on me as the floor rumbles from the tracks underneath us.  "She has a promise to fulfill."

"You went back on your word," I hiss, narrowing my eyes, "I owe you nothing."  

He chuckles, taking out his cigarette to blow out a smoke.  

"While I may not have kept my end of the bargain love, you most certainly will.  Things around here can get a little bit..." He glances up, thinking, then smiles nastily.  "Wild," he finishes.

"If you even touch her..." Roy spits, pointing a finger at him. 

"You'll what, hunt me?  Kill me?" he asks, raising an eyebrow.  "You'll be dead.  If you happen to rise out of the ground, you'll be the first."

He turns his head, someone whispering in his ear, and he nods.  He looks at us. 

"Nice chattin' with ya."

"What've you done with Chris?" he shouts, stopping him before he walks away. 

Tenner smirks. 

"I'm not sure.  I'll have to think about it."

He tips his hat, leaving as the window slides shut with a bang.  Roy slams his body against the door, screaming his name as he tries to knock it down with force.  

"Roy," I say, trying to get his attention. 

He continues to bash the door, kicking it and doing everything he can to make it open.  I stand, raising my voice just a little, hoping he'll listen. 

"Roy."

He's either ignoring me, or he can't hear me.  Seriously?  I grab his arm, making him face me. 

"Roy!"

He looks at me, out of breath, the tension easing just a little at my touch.  

"It's enough," I say, reasoning with him.  

He sighs, running a hand through his hair as he leans against the wall with a thump. 

"I can't believe it," he huffs.  "I'm stuck in this...box!  Chris is out there something, and there's nothing I can do."

He kicks the wall, making me jolt.  He puts a hand on his hip, shaking his head. 

"I hate feeling like this," he says, keeping his eyes away from me.  "Like I can't do anything."

I let out a breath, my heart beat rapping against my chest.  Now's a good a time as any.  He has to know.  Now. 

"Actually," I slowly admit, "we're not completely stuck."

He immediately looks at me, a quizzical look on his face as his eyebrows pinch down. 

"What do you mean?" he says, his tone an angry low. 

I bite my lip, crossing my arms. 

"I mean," I say, "I know how to get out of here."

He turns his whole body, facing me, cocking his head. 

"You know how to get out of here?" he inquires. 

I try to swallow, my mouth going dry, nodding. 

"I know what's going to happen," I continue, my stomach doing a flip as I explain.  "I know everything, like the back of my hand.  I know because I've watched this story thousands of times."  I take a deep breath.  "I know because we're in a movie."