The Trial of Morrigan Crow Book 2; The Return of Morrigan Crow

Chapter 4 - Hometrain

Mog,

Won't be back before your first day. I'm really sorry.

Forgot something important: UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES are you to travel anywhere outside of Wunsoc by yourself...I'll try to get back before it all starts... I mean it. I'm trusting you. Good luck! You will be great.

–JN

.

As expected, on the early morning of Monday, much, much earlier than she would have liked, she was woken by three knocks on the door.

Not her bedroom door.

But the door to the Unit 919 home station.

Morrigan groaned as she slowly at up in her bed, stretching and yawning. She really wished that the Wundrous Society would stop calling people up so early in the morning.

Knock, knock, knock.

She gave up trying to go back to sleep for a few more minutes as Morrigan threw off her blankets and dragged herself to the door. Straight away she noticed the small golden circle, right in the centre of the black wood. A circle the size of a fingertip.

It began to glow – a diffused golden light, emanating from the metal itself. Gently at first, then a little brighter, until finally the glow crept into the centre ... illuminating a tiny metallic W.

Ah, thought Morrigan. She pressed the W imprint on her right index finger to the glowing circle. It was warm to the touch.

The door swung open. Morrigan blinked into a small, brightly lit room that was something between a hallway, a utility room and a walk-in wardrobe. The dark panelled walls were lined with hanging spaces for clothes and glass-fronted display cupboards, all empty.

In the room have only a single outfit: boots, socks, trousers, belt, shirt, jumper and coat. All black, except for the shirt, which was grey. All smart, new, freshly pressed and in Morrigan's size.

Morrigan rubbed her eyes, looking at the familiar uniform in front of her.

In less than a minute, she was ready, shirt buttoned, boots laced, pyjamas hung in the hanging spaced, and the circled W on the second door across the room immediately began to glow. Morrigan grinned, reaching out to press it.

The door swung out on to a small Wunderground station. It was neat and tidy – despite the residual smoke, and slight air of neglect – and unadorned but for a gleaming brass clock hanging from the ceiling and a wooden bench at the end of the platform. The atmosphere had changed; there was a dense chill in the air here, and a subtle scent of something like engine oil. Morrigan took a breath, closing her eyes for a moment, glad to be back in the familiar station she know.

Morrigan opened her eyes again to see Cadence, thick braided hair sat alone, shoulders hunched, legs hanging over the edge of the platform. Morrigan's door closed behind her with a loud click, and she turned at the noise.

"Good morning Cadence," said Morrigan.

"Oh, it's you...hm, it's about time." Cadence's expression change from worry to relief knowing she's not the only member here. She still looked a bit surprised to hear that Morrigan remembered her name as that was one of the things mesmerist does to people.

"How long have you been here?"

"A while," said Cadence. "The door locked behind me."

Morrigan didn't look surprised as she nodded calmly.

"Mine's that one," said Cadence, pointing to a forest green door, three along from the black one. There were eight doors besides Morrigan's own; eight different styles and colours, leading to eight different homes. "It showed up in our living room overnight. Mum wasn't happy. I had to stop her from calling the Stink."