Purple Roses

Chapter 15 - A Victorious Return

As we get back on the train I see Luca zip the crystal away in his pocket.

"You know, I thought it would take more convincing, especially since the prophecy isn't proven?" Luca tells me

"I think it's the fact we had the dark Crystal and had knowledge, also because I think they were a bit terrified of you because you're a shadownite and the son of the king." I reply.

"Potentially." Luca says. "Oh wow.. I'm so happy this worked!"

I nod in agreement.

Within minutes we are already rushing past all the trees and fields and breakneck speeds.

"Do you reckon mum would consider moving us all out here, especially after what your grandad said?" Luca asks me once again.

"As I said on the train ride up, I'm not too sure, it's a sacrifice." I reply

"I know... it's just, in the city I feel scared, scared that they'll find me very easily... scared they'll do something to us." Luca says solemnly. "But out here, it's so far away, they wouldn't have a clue where we would have gone! Sure, some of the people looked a bit shocked when they saw us but that's natural, at least here we"re further away."

I really want to agree with Luca here, however it could put us in an even worse place then we are now, besides, mum is stressed enough as it is.

Luca tries to catch some sleep, finally putting his hoodie back on as the air conditioning works, and to use it as a blanket of some sort.

I'm restless. Something I love and hate about these trains is that they're so comfy yet I can never seem to get sleepy on them.

I put my headphones on and start watching a movie. Well I try to do that. I just keep thinking about what we are going to do next. I think it would be a good idea to take them to Mr Hazel and see what he thinks of them. We haven 't tested them yet but we don't want to yet.

Despite distractions, eventually I settled in to the movie and I watched, Luca lies slumped on my shoulder as he sleeps. He is a fairly heavy sleeper. I will give him that.

Just as the movie is about to finish everything suddenly changes. I feel a loud bang and vibration as the emergency brakes kick in, we are all forced slightly forwards as the train begins breaking extremely hard. Luca wakes up and grabs onto the armrests.

After around 30 seconds of pure brake pressure we completely grind to a halt, being thrown back into our chairs as we stop, at the same time I hear the crew call alarm sound.

"This isn't right." I say

"Oh you don't say!?" Mabel sarcastically replies from a few seats down

"Maybe it is something blocking the line, like a tree or a person." I reply

Nobody really responds, we just sit back and wait. The smell of burning rubber from the brakes seeps into the train.

that's when I spot something out of the window. There are people, they are in dark clothing, their faces are completely hidden.

I see one of the people carrying a gun, being held by a silver grey hand.

At the same time I see Luca tense up and his breathing begins to increase.

"I... I recognise that army uniform." Luca utters.

"Oh crap." I say in shock.

My mind instantly kicks into action.

"We need to get to the front train cab and see what's going on. Luca, Mum. Come with me." I say

"What about me and James?" Mabel interjects. Instinctively putting herself in front of James at the sight of the soldiers.