The haunting of father Frank. (Frank X Eddie)

1

Trees passed by. sky was clear from clouds leading to warm sunny weather. The train to Rome was a quiet one. enjoy the peace and quiet, watch nature's creatures get left behind by the train's speed while eyeing a bird who couldn't keep up.....

The one traveling and enjoying that view, was Frank frankly. A 27 almost 30 year old seminarian who was traveling to Rome for business. was offered a job there to help at an orphanage for a better pay grade and higher reputation

He sat in the dimly lit compartment of the train, the rhythmic clatter of the wheels against the tracks providing a comforting backdrop to his thoughts. the train sped through the Italian countryside, he gazed out the window, watching the landscape shift from lush green hills to quaint villages

As Frank settled into his seat, he felt the familiar weight of his satchel beside him. He reached down and unzipped it, revealing a carefully organized array of items: a worn-out notebook, a few books on child psychology, and, at the bottom, his prescription pills. The sight of the small, amber bottle brought a wave of mixed emotions. These pills had become a necessary part of his daily routine. He remembered the doctor's stern voice advising him to take them regularly.

With a gentle twist, Frank opened the bottle and poured out a few pills into his palm. They glistened under the soft overhead light, small and unassuming.

As the train continued its journey, the landscape outside morphed into a blur of colors, but Frank's mind was focused inward. He took a deep breath, swallowed the pills, and chased them down with a sip of water from his canteen. The familiar bitterness of the medication lingered on his tongue, their nose scrunched up and they closed their eyes for a few seconds before opening them back open.

Frank stared back out the window, his gaze fixed on the rolling hills of the Italian countryside that blurred past in a cascade of greens and golds. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm, golden hue over the landscape, and for a moment, he felt as if he were part of a painting—one where every brushstroke told a story of hope and renewal. He inhaled deeply, the scent of the warm air mingling with the faint aroma of the train's wooden interior, a reminder that he was moving toward something significant. The rhythmic motion of the train created a soothing cadence, lulling him into a contemplative state as he absorbed the beauty outside.

he instinctively reached up to fix his dark blue hair, which had grown slightly tousled during the journey. The color was a deep, rich shade that mirrored the hues of twilight, and it framed his face in a way that highlighted his sharp features and thoughtful expression. He ran his fingers through it, smoothing down the strands, feeling a sense of control returning to him as he prepared to step into his new role.

Yet, as he adjusted his hair, a stray strand fell across his forehead, stubbornly refusing to stay in place. Frank paused, momentarily distracted by this minor annoyance. He could feel the delicate tickle of the hair against his skin, and with a gentle flick of his finger, he tucked it back behind his ear.

Frank reached into his satchel, his fingers brushing against the various items nestled inside until they landed on a book that caught his attention. It was a well-worn volume titled There Was a Place, Now There Is Empty, its cover faded from years of travel. He had found solace in its pages during moments of solitude, and as he opened to the chapter he had left off, he felt a sense of comfort wash over him. The words danced on the page, drawing him into a world of reflection and introspection, a welcome distraction from the rhythmic clatter of the train and the thoughts swirling in his mind.

Just as he was becoming immersed in the narrative, THE SLIDING DOOR OF THE COMPARTMENT OPENED WITH A SWIFT WHOOSH!
breaking his concentration. Frank nearly dropped the book in surprise, the suddenness of the intrusion jolting him from his reverie. He looked up to see a girl standing in the doorway With his uni brow furrowed