James twists and turns in his sleep. Unable to stay still.
He screams and wakes up, cold sweat drenching his back. He breathes heavily as his personal maid, Maria, rushes in.
"Are you okay, young master?"
James takes a deep breath and looks over to Maria.
"Yes Maria.."
"Another bad dream?"
"Mhm"
"Ah, would you like some tea to calm your nerves?"
"No thank you, Maria."
"Alright young master.. Sleep well"
She leaves, closing the door as quietly as possible.
In the morning
James wakes up again and checks his clock. It's 10:47.
He sits up on his bed and looks to his right, seeing his suit nicely ironed and folded on his bed.
James gets dressed and starts walking down the grand staircase. he hears the loud running of someone behind him. He ducks and watches his younger sister, Veronica, fly down the stairs. Before she can harshly land on her face, a fish-like child catches her.
"AHH! Oh- Thanks Imani!"
The small fish-like child tries to open her mouth to respond, but covers it as water starts flooding out of it.
"Veronica! No running in the mansion. You could break something, insolent child!"
Veronica looks down sadly at the old woman's harsh words.
"S-sorry gr-granny.."
"That's ma'am to you. Get it right stupid child."
"Yes ma'am.."
James glares at the older woman and picks Veronica up, wiping her tears that built up.
"Have you had breakfast, Ronnie?"
"Mhm! Maria made pancakes!"
"That's good"
Imani reaches up to James, indicating she wants to carry Veronica.
James gently hands her to Imani, who is much taller than Veronica and carries her with ease.
"Go get out of your night gowns and I'll take you to play in the garden."
James smiles as the small child carries Veronica off as if she's carrying a small puppy.
"Stop babying her child. She needs to grow up."
"Mrs. Elwood, if I recall, she's ten."
He sits down adjacent to his grandparents.
"If you wake me up one more damn time with your little midnight tantrums, I will have you gone."
"They aren't tantrums, I can't help having them, no matter how much I try."
"Don't back talk me, orphan. This is why your mother left."
Maria sets a plate of pancakes in front of James.
He starts eating.
"Of course you're eating pancakes. How childish!"
James slams his fork onto the table, wipes his mouth, and stands abruptly.
"I suppose I won't eat then."
He grabs his bag and storms out the front door.
Veronica soon chases after him, Imani in tow, and grabs his hand.
"Can we go to the garden now, Jamie?"
"Of course! C'mon kiddos, let's go."
YOU ARE READING
Train Ride to Hell
FantasyA young rich boy, has certain dreams at night and they progressively get worse until he finally confronts them.
