Before Time Runs Out

Chapter 9

Ethel had run as fast as her legs could carry her as she got to the train station, leaning over with her hands on her knees as she gasped in breaths of the frigid air. She had found out what station Carmelita would be at for her departure, after seeing one of her maids in one of the shops in Linz and pestering her over it until she got an answer. She pushed her way through the crowd, scanning for that familiar head of raven curls. She had the compass that Carmelita had given her grasped tightly in her hand, occasionally checking the arrow to see where it was pointing to. She finally escaped from the crowd and saw the face of a familiar maid. Elise.

Ethel rushed up to her, practically stopping her in her tracks.

"Where's Carmelita?" Ethel's hair was a mess, and she was fairly disheveled, only having a thin coat on over her indoor dress.

"She's already on the train she boarded earl-, wait you can't just get on you don't have a ticket!" Ethel had already hopped onto the stairs, hearing a whistle blown at her by one of the police guarding the station. She had to be quick about this and find Carmelita. She ran from train car to train car, the thumping of a pair of shoes not far behind her. She knew she was in trouble already for running from the house but getting arrested was another level. She grasped one of the cabins handles of first-class, practically flinging herself into the room, Carmelita standing there with a face now full of shock. Before she could speak Ethel tightly embraced her, burying her face into her shoulder.

"I used your compass," Ethel looked up at her, her face now stained from her tears. "What am I supposed to do for three months?" Carmelita sighed, patting Ethel's head gently as she smiled down at her.

"I'll write to you every day my dear, I promise," She leaned down to whisper in Ethel's ear, taking note of the police officers who had followed her onto the train. "I'll take you on a lovely date, my treat. I'll show you some of my favorite places that I would like to enjoy with you." Carmelita slipped the small golden ring off her finger, her family coat of arms engraved in it, and she slipped it onto Ethel's finger, it fitting perfectly.

"I'm sorry gentlemen for the disruption, my dear simply wished to say goodbye before I departed. No charges shall be made against her under my protection." She gave them an apologetic smile before wrapping an arm around Ethel's shoulder and leading her off the train. "Get home soon my dear, you'll catch a cold out here." Carmelita took her scarf and tied it snugly around Ethel's neck, and Ethel took her hands in hers.

"Promise me you'll come back." Carmelita had never seen Ethel so filled with anxiety and worry, and she knew a nod would not be good enough.

"I promise my darling, I will."

Her and Ethel said their goodbyes, Ethel standing and watching the train depart as Carmelita waved at her, giving her a smile that Ethel could not help but return.

Ethel stood in the cold of the train station, staring across the horizon to where the tracks finally disappeared into the morning sun. She rolled down her sleeve, knowing Carmelita had seen the bruises on her arm. Verna had grabbed her arm so harshly and drug her to her room once she had returned on Christmas that she had sprained her wrist. She was terrified of what awaited her when she returned from the train station, much worse after she had snuck out and been caught by Verna. She ran after realizing she would never get the car started before Verna had caught her, Verna letting her go after soon realizing she could not catch her.

Carmelita dwindled the fountain pen she was holding in between her fingers, her brows furrowed, and her lips pursed in frustration. She had to find a way to convince Ethel to come and live in her home with her. She had looked much thinner than usual, absolutely exhausted, and full of fear. That was why she enjoyed spending so much time with Carmelita. She was trying to escape the pain and hurt that awaited her back home, behind closed doors. She only stayed due to her mother's things still being inside that house, that awful, bitter place filled with those awful, bitter people.