UnNatural

Chapter 2: Not a good surprise

They heard a loud screech. Like pieces of metal rubbing against one another. Then again, but closer.

Ember shifted, sleepily opening her eyes, “Wha-”

Mathias clamped his hand over her mouth. Her eyes widened in surprise as he shook his head. He gestured to the twins to get into the space they had made. They moved without questioning. He then directed Ember into the space, entering last.

And just in time. As soon as he got in, the door slid open creakily. The same metallic screeching continued. But now it was in their compartment.

Through the miniscule gaps between the suitcases Ember could just make out a cylindrical piece of metal. It must have been the train monitors her mother had warned them of. If they were found, they would be sent back, locked up.

The screeching stopped. Silence. It was deafening, even more so than the screeching. Ember held her breath and clamped her eyes shut, grabbing onto whoever’s sleeve was closest to her and tried to concentrate instead on the light musty smell that had become more obvious in their hiding spot.

A high pitched beeping began. Once. Twice. Three times. Silence again.

What did that mean? Why the silence? To intensify their panic to insane proportions? Had they been found? Were they going to be sent back?

Thousands of questions ran through Mathias’ head as the silence continued. He had put himself in charge of the construction of this hideout. If anything happened to any of them, or if they were caught, it would be on him.

He heard a strange static from opposite the luggage where the monitor was.

Then a robotic voice broke the silence, ‘Clear.’

The screeching began again. The door creaked shut. The screeches receded.

Silence.

No one moved. Not a sound. It was as though time had stopped.

They stayed that way for more than a minute.

Then Lucien spoke up, breaking the silence. “Think it's safe?” he whispered towards his left, where Mathias should have been, though he couldn’t make out his face in the dim light.

“We can’t hear it anymore so… I guess,” Mathias replied, slowly inching his way out.

Ember emerged with Lucien close behind, the younger girl still latched onto his sleeve. Mathias watched them amused. Lucien hadn’t said anything, or asked her to let go. Rather he looked genuinely pleased, smiling down at her as he lightly petted her head.

“Are you ok?” Lucien asked her, crouching till he was at her level.

“Mhm, I’m fine now. That was scary, but,” she shivered, “Are you feeling better… um… uh...”

“Lucien.”

“Um,” she glanced at the floor, as though contemplating, before gazing back up at him, “Lucien… Are you feeling better? ‘Cause you were sick before...”

“Yup,” he smiled proudly, placing his palm over his chest, “Told you I’d be better soon.”

She sighed, “That’s good. I don’t like being sick,” she then moved closer, glancing at her brother, before whispering in his ear, “‘cause my brother has to take care of me and I don’t think he’s that good…”

Lucien placed his palm over his mouth, muffling his laugh, “Ah I see.” He whispered back, “I’m sure he tries though.”

"Hmm… he really does actually… I think"

Watching the slight scowl she wore as she contemplated, Lucien couldn't help but laugh out loud. She was so small. She only reached up to his waist.

"Look at you, such a big girl! Don't make things hard for him, ok?" he ruffled her hair slightly.

Mathias looked over from behind them and whispered to Lorelei, "You sure he's only seventeen? He acts like he's some.. parent..."

"He's always wanted to be a teacher. He's a bit of a child magnet. They all used to gather around him for no reason whatsoever. But he loves them, if you couldn't tell already," she sighed as she gazed at Lucien's delighted face.

"Hmm.. I can tell."

Still glued to Lucien's side, Ember asked hesitantly, "Will we still go together when we get off the train?"

"Ember, you should let them decide," Mathias scolded her lightly. In his heart he hoped this stop wouldn't be the last time they saw each other. It was a comfort to know he wasn't on his own.

Lorelei and Lucien looked at each other nodding slightly.

"If you guys don't mind," Lorelei began, "It would be nice to not have to go alone… You know… considering it's gonna be a whole new world out there. It might help if there's more of us together. I mean, only if you guys don't mind…"

More eagerly than he meant to, Mathias nodded, "Of course we wouldn't mind. It would be nice to have you guys around." He let out a sigh of relief.

"Yay!" Ember shouted, throwing her arms in the air, "We can go on adventures together, and have fun, and play and be bestest friends!"

If only life was so simple.