Quiet One

Sisters

The train began to slow down as it approached the station. MC gathered up her things and swung her backpack onto her back. She made her way toward the doors between the cars. The train came to a stop and the doors opened with a hiss. Stepping down the stairs, she felt the cold morning air hit her face. She stopped and took a moment to look around, both to get her bearings and to search out her friends.

Someone pushed past her on the station platform. It was a hard enough push that she had to step forward to keep her balance. MC gazed after the retreating figure. A man? It was hard to tell, but she got the impression it was a man. He was dressed in dark clothes with a black backpack, his shoulders hunched forward under the weight. That was about all she could learn. She couldn't even tell what color his hair was as he had the hood of his sweatshirt pulled up against the cold April morning.

"MC!" someone called from behind her further up the station platform.

As she turned, MC saw the two sisters. One was taller with chestnut brown hair that was long and curled slightly as it fell below her shoulders. Hannah. The other had a cute blonde bob cut that bounced playfully as she moved which she was doing quite enthusiastically. Clearly, that was Lilly. Now that her sister was safe, Lilly's smiling playful side appeared more often. MC was glad that their relationship had improved. Past MC would never have believed that Lilly was the one in Duskwood that she felt closest to now. In the past, it clearly would have been Jessy.

Oh, Jessy. I am here now. I hope you let me support you. I want to see you smile again. With that thought, MC gathered her things and ran across the platform to greet the sisters.

"Sorry, we can't stay," Lilly moaned. "I really can't wait to hang out with you and get to know you even better. I already feel like I know so much from our conversation."

"It's ok. You both need to get to work. Besides, I am exhausted. I don't want to sleep for too long as I am sure I will have jetlag, but a short nap and shower sounds amazing right now!" MC assured her. "Hannah? I know Lilly is working at the motel again, but where do you work?"

"Oh, I got a part-time job at the flower shop. It is a peaceful job and has really helped me as I have started working through everything." Hannah smiled.

"Is that the same flower shop that Dan worked at for a week?" MC smirked.

"Yep. That is the one!" Hannah laughed back. "We don't let him forget it either!"

After the sisters said their goodbyes, MC grabbed a bowl of cereal they had left out for her and made her way to Lilly's bedroom. This would be her room during her stay, the sisters choosing to share so that their guest could have her own space. The apartment was lovely! Two bedrooms and a bath. Kitchen and living room the flowed together into one main common area. There were large windows that allowed the sun to fill the rooms with warmth. It was peaceful. This is how MC wanted to remember Duskwood, not the feelings of fear, helplessness, and betrayal that had hung like a storm cloud in her mind from everything that happened during and after Hannah's kidnapping. She laid back on the bed and shortly after her head hit the pillow she was asleep.

The alarm started to beep on MC's phone. She set it to make sure she didn't sleep too long. She needed to try and adjust her circadian rhythm to the local time now that she was far from home. She yawned and stretched. It was nice to have slept in a soft bed after such a long day of travel. After a warm shower and a cup of coffee, she was feeling almost human again.

Relaxing on the couch, MC took out her phone and opened Dead City. Jessy had raved to her about this game once and she had downloaded it, but never played it. There were still a few hours before the sisters would be home from work. It seemed like the perfect time to get lost in a mobile game. Remembering the peanut flips she had purchased at the train station, MC went to retrieve them from her backpack. She always enjoyed trying new foods and this was one of the more unusual snacks she had seen offering in the little convenience store located at the Duskwood station. Peanuts and Corn. She figured that couldn't taste bad!

As she went to unzip her bag, she noticed something white in the mesh side pocket. What was that? She didn't remember putting anything in there. MC hesitated, but slowly pulled the small slip of paper out of the pocket. Unfolding it she saw a familiar red eye and 5 numbers. A small gasp escaped her mouth as she sat back down on the couch.