(from Nellie's pov)
The foggy train window was cold against my forehead. Despite being old enough to drive, it made me too nervous. Besides, train rides give me more time to think.
Another fire. My worst fear flashed through my mind, smoke burning my eyes as hot orange flames engulfed me. I gasped, sitting up and hitting my head on the wall of the train. An old man in a big coat looked up from his newspaper. I looked at a spot above his head and hoped he would stop looking at me. My mouth twitched in what I hoped was a passable smile. At any rate, it was enough to make him go back to reading.
As the train rocked back and forth, it felt as if I were on a boat on a gentle sea. That helped me breathe easier. I hummed the melody that I'd been trying to improve on when Lemony had come into the coffee shop. I didn't want to go back to the city, but at any rate it was better than being stuck in that strange town. I much prefer tea. With a bit of milk.
Apart from delivering the news of the fire, I had someone to talk to back in the city. He would be happy to know that I was getting better at the song we'd been talking about. I pursed my lips. People who smile in public for no reason are odd, and get stared at. Straining my eyes to see through the mist, I glimpsed the city coming up in the distance.
