UnNatural

Chapter 1: Not a proposal

“Take my hand.”

“No!”

“Look, I’m not trying to ask you to marry me, I’m trying to save your life!”

The boy stretched out his hand, as far as it could reach, leaning down from an open door of a section of the train. He looked down at the black haired girl, frustrated, his golden brown hair falling into his violet eyes. She had to get on. He knew. That’s why she was here. That’s why he was here.

But there was suspicion in her teal eyes. Of course. Why should she trust him? They didn’t know each other. He could easily hand her in. Just as she could hand him in. They weren’t meant to be here. But they were.

“I’ll just help you up. That’s all,” he fanned out his hands as though shielding himself.

“But my brother-”

“He’s out of breath. He looks exhausted.”

She looked down, understanding “He would be...” she whispered. “Ok-”

Then suddenly there was a creak. Then another. The train. It was moving. She looked up, frantic. If they hurried, he could get her on before the magnetic braking system began its work, after which the train would move at a continuous speed, never slowing till it reached its stop. He leaned further, holding his hands out. She rushed forward, grabbing them, as though her life depended on them - because it did. Feeling for the tiny footholds, fit only for the mechanical train monitors, she jumped into the carriage, as the boy pulled her up simultaneously. She landed on top of him, who was now sprawled on the floor, her fingers still entangled with his.

“You alright?” he asked, an amused smile on his face, which was only millimetres from hers.

She awkwardly retreated, quickly detaching herself from him.

“Yes. Uh, th-thank you,” she dipped her head slightly, so he wouldn't see a light blush form. She had refused his help, yet without it, she probably wouldn’t have gotten on. She would have been left behind. Alone. A runaway. A fugitive.

“It’s alright,” he got up slowly, brushing himself off, sliding the door shut, and moved further from her too, which wasn’t very far at all. There wasn’t much space.

Now inside, she looked around and saw a small compartment, with luggage stacked haphazardly from one end to the other, bouncing slightly as the train reached its constant speed, after which it would be as though they weren’t moving at all. There was hardly any space for actual living things. It was perfect. With this many inanimate objects surrounding them, her and her brother would be ok. They would be able to hide easily. They would get away. As she surveyed the area, she saw her brother, Lucien, sitting on one end breathing heavily, bent over so that his black hair, same as her own, concealed his face. Next to him sat a small girl, her honey blonde hair pinned away from her lavender eyes. She looked quite young, and just as fragile as Lucien. Panicked, she crawled towards him, pushing away the luggage nearest to her.

“Luce. I’m sorry… I should’ve slowed down,” she sat next to him and leaned his head on her shoulder, gently stroking his dark hair away from his mint coloured eyes, “I didn’t think it would be much. I-”

“Lorelei,” he replied firmly, still panting, “It’s not your fault. I’ll be alright. I always am. Eventually.” He chuckled dryly.

The smaller girl patted his arm, “Are you ok?” a worried frown painted on her face.

Lucien nodded, “I will be. Soon, I hope.”

“Ember,” the other boy called from the opposite wall of the compartment. The younger girl turned to him, “Don’t bother them. Come here.” He patted the floor next to him.