Crowning Love

Chapter (1) The Ovadia Express

Katia's P.O.V

We arrived the Ovadia train station, the heaps of people in front of us blocked our view as we struggled to find instructions; everything was such a panic, with no explanation as to why we had to evacuate our city. We were born and raised here, I had never left the city before, and now all of a sudden, we are leaving it forever. I could feel my heart beating faster and my eyes grow watery, but I knew this wasn't the time to start getting emotional. We had to be strong.

"So once the train blows its whistle, you follow the rest of the children into the train and find a seat and stay seated."

I looked over to my Mom and saw her face was pale with the identical worries I had. I grabbed her hand tightly until the warmth of my hand spread to hers.

"Mom, I got this. I'm not worried, so you shouldn't be either." I comforted her, sending her back a soft smile.

I actually wasn't worried. I was more scared. Terrified even. Because everywhere I looked around the train station, every direction I face, I would see groups of families crying with each other and sharing tight hugs. I would see little children, toddlers, with their own luggage and their parents wishing them luck or trying to melt their anxiety. Some of them stretched out their arms desperately to catch on to their loved ones.

But I had to stay calm, for my Mom.

My Mom sighed lightly, nodding her head in agreement. "You're right. I just want to make sure you'll arrive at Folsense safely and survive at least one day without me."

Suddenly the fear started to pile up again, just by mentioning Folsense.

"Mom, why aren't you coming with me?" I asked instantly, "You know that I need you with me."

My Mom's blue eyes went a shade darker, her face cloudy and seemed blank.

"I'm sorry, Kate," she began as she frowned slightly, "But it's an order given by the new government. It's unsafe for you to stay here at home, so all the children are being exported to somewhere more....secure." Funny how she said 'exported' like we were worthless beings. But I guess that's what we looked like to the governments' eyes.

"But what I don't get is why we are suddenly kicked out of our homes. A couple years back we were perfectly fine. Now the government is lashing out on us." I scrunched my eyebrows together while I spoke.

My Mother pressed her lips together, "I'm sorry, I can't explain more. You only have a minute left before you're allowed to enter the train. Damn it, I knew we should've came earlier."

"Well, we would've if we just took the car instead of walking all the way here!"

"No, one of the government's new rules."

"What?" I paused, glancing over at my mother. "Using cars is now against the law?"

My Mom rolled her eyes in irritation, "No. We're not allowed to use them anymore."

I gave my Mom a bizarre look, "So what you're saying is, we're not allowed to use cars? The government is forbidding us to use something that is actually useful? Are they trying to make the world go back into 1898?"

"Katia please, be under-"

Suddenly a blasted horn echoed throughout the station silencing everyone. The sound instantly made my stomach lurch and made my breath hitch.

My Mom glanced over at me with worry, placing her firm hands on my shoulder, "This is your cue. You have to leave now."

My eyes suddenly felt watery and I blinked several times to hold them back. "Wait. I can't go. I can't go without you." My chest was heaving up and down at an uneven pace and I felt an urge to puke. I never felt so scared in my life, I didn't want to leave.

I reached out to my mom as she wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into a warm hug. Her body heat spread around my body, as I felt the tears now rushing down my cheeks.

"Kate," she whispered into my ear, rocking me slightly, "I love you. You'll be fine."

I opened my mouth to say something, anything, but all that came out were deep, gut-wrenching sobs that tore through my chest. I buried my face into my mother's neck, gasping and shaking. "I can't do this. I'll be all alone with no one to help me-"

"Shhh," my mother hushed me lightly.

The train let out another horn indicating that the train had to leave soon, and more kids started to leave their families with heartbroken expressions. I was going to leave my Mom, the only person left in my family.

"Take care of yourself, okay? Don't worry about me - I'll be fine." She assured me with a small smile tugging at her lips. Her eyes were glassy as well, and I could tell she was scared too.

A young man in uniform approached us, a stern look planted on his face. "Ma'am, I'm afraid you have to leave now."

I felt my Mom's grip loosen as she lightly pushed me away from her. "Go, I believe in you."

"W-will I ever see you again?" I choked, rocking back and forth. My head felt heavy and my sight was slightly blurred with crying.

No one said a word for a few seconds before my mom shook her head, pressing her lips into a straight line. "It's very unlikely."

The uniformed man cut in, grabbing my arm firmly. "Ma'am, you must leave now."

I sent my Mom one last smile before I waved at her, as the uniform man escorted me to the train. My fingers curled around my suitcases, as I climbed aboard the train, my feet wobbly.

The train hooted one last time before I caught a glimpse of my Mom standing outside, mouthing the words 'I love you'.

_______________________________

Short chapter for the beginning.