Behind the fence

Chapter six

We are directed into the first of two train cars. The place is not exactly fancy, but we don't have fancy anyways, and at least we aren't driving in the old rust bucket to the hanging tree. Almost immediately, the train pulls away, with only one other person in the other car, and we are on our way to our new life in Chaffendale. 

I can't help but being worried about our future. Will the people welcome us, or will they think we're traitors, and through food at us, like I learnt about in history. In a way that would actually be rather nice, at least we wouldn't ever starve. But what if it's bad, old food. Ugh. 

I really am grateful we don't have to face the hanging tree, but it doesn't mean I'm not worried about our future, what awaits us in this new place. This new world?

There are no windows or air vents in the car, and so it gets very hot a stuffy after just a few minutes. Through the small crack surrounding the door frame, I can make out two empty crates positioned in one corner, their lids removed, and a small pile of hay in the other.

Enyah is getting wary from standing, and grandmother finds it hard to stand for long periods of times these days, so I go and flip the crates over, creating to seats, no better than the ones we had at home. They gratefully sit down, grandmother on one, mum and dad on the other, Enyah nestled amongst the scratchy hay that we'd use as our beds back at home. I lean against the wall, shacking to the rattle and clunk of the train and the railway.

After what what seems like hours, I hear the sound of something so strange, I almost panic. At first it sounds like the trains going to blow up, the whooshing and thudding, the crashing and pounding. But then I notice a somewhat familiar sound, of trickling, flowing water. I gasp, could it be that thing our history and geography teachers told us about. Oh what was it called the... Sei, no,no, that's not it, the sea! The ocean. 

It's hard to believe since I can't see through the rusty metal walls, but I can imagine it, ever so vivid in My head. The sea! A few moments later, the train pulls to a holt, and our car door slides open. Some sort of guard steps into our car, and helps us onto the platform after removing our cuffs that the escort hierarchy defender placed on us when the train was slowing down. 

I am even more happy when this person says in a sweet voice; "I can take it from here" to the black, evil escort when he try's to dump us! After we are out, I notice the old man from the other car is also being helped out of it by a nice person, and I smile. I can already tell I'm going to like this place. 

"Hi, I'm Natalia, welcome to Chaffendale" she is so nice, and when she takes off her mask, her face is just as beautiful as her voice and kindness. She has chocolate brown eyes that match her waves light brown hair, tied back in a high ponytail. "Please, come inside and have a drink and a bite to eat, you must be wary and in need of refreshments after your travels" 

The only thing else I feel is even more joy when I look out the window of the train station building, sipping orange juice, when I see the rusty thing starts heading back in the direction of our old hometown. I have it goodbye forever. Maybe this won't be as worse as I thought!