The Train Outside the City

Jimmy pressed his nose against the dirt-stained window of the train. The buildings blurred past him in shades of gray, but soon the landscape changed to a sun-soaked picture of wheat fields and patches of grassland.

The change in scenery gave him reassurance that he was on the right path. He diverted his attention to the crumbled-up paper he had held firmly since leaving home.

He readjusted himself on the uncomfortable train seat, clutching the note close to him. His voice was filled with resolve as he mumbled under his breath, "I'm coming for you, Ollie."

Suddenly, Jimmy leapt to his feet, grabbed his backpack with the Spider-Man logo on it, and placed it on his lap. He rummaged through the bag until he found a chocolate bar, part of the emergency snacks he'd packed for the journey.

He unwrapped the candy bar and devoured it eagerly, feeling a rush of energy course through his body. But the surge faded quickly, barely taming his stomach, which was still grumbling with hunger.

Trying to ration his supplies and make it through his journey, he murmured to himself, "Only one chocolate bar, Jimmy; you still have a while left to go."

A hearty laugh drew his attention to the large woman sitting next to him, who was beaming with a wide smile—all of her teeth showing. Her Afro puffed up around her head, and she said in amusement, "Oh, look at you! Stocking your candy for later. Where are you going?"

Jimmy couldn't understand why the woman found this amusing. He had only brought three candy bars and still had three hours until he arrived at his destination. But the woman had a kind face and decided to explain the gravity of the situation.

"Well, ma'am, you see, I have this friend, Ollie—he's my best friend, by the way. He lives with us. He wasn't there when I got home today," Jimmy said, his voice quivering. "And I found this note."

He extended the note to the woman, who reached for it without hesitation. Her voice was tinged with worry as she opened it. "Oh no!" She exclaimed in response, "That's awful. I'm so sorry, pumpkin."

Jimmy replied with a determined expression, "Yeah, but I'm going to find him—you'll see!" He watched as the woman dug around in her bag and took out a huge pair of hot pink glasses. Fitting them onto her face, she began reading the note.

He watched anxiously as she read, hoping that maybe she would find something he had overlooked. She put down the paper and shifted her glasses to the tip of her nose before turning to face him..

The woman's face shifted, and her brows knitted. "Hey, muffin, do your folks know you're here?" she asked.

Jimmy was surprised by the question and responded hastily, "No, ma'am, I couldn't wait! I had to hurry and get on the first train so I could find Ollie!"

The woman's curls bounced as she nodded her head. There was something strange about the way she looked at him; it almost seemed like she was trying to get a better view of him. Just as suddenly, her friendly smile returned and her eyes softened. She spoke in a comforting tone, "I understand, hon. Let me see if the conductor can help you. Can you keep an eye on my things for me while I go check?"

Jimmy nodded enthusiastically while the woman got up and walked to the next wagon. He got on his knees and perched over the seat in front of him, trying to follow the woman.

As he waited, the floor rattled beneath his feet as a thunderous roar filled the air, shaking the entire train. Jimmy's grip on the seat in front of him tightened as he tried to stay steady, and around him people glanced about in panic. The noise slowly faded away like a distant storm cloud. Moments later, heads bowed and conversations resumed as if nothing had happened.