Innocent Magic

Chapter 1

       The train rolled on steadily through the forest that warm, summer evening. Serena Walker sat in one of the enclosed compartments on the rough leather seats. Her stiletto boots kicked up on the cheap wooden table in front of her, gazing out into the moving window.

       Her thoughts were elsewhere while she fumbled with the silver necklace she wore; a thin key engraved with delicate swirls. This train was taking her to a destination she did not desire, and if there was one thing Serena hated the most, it was doing what she didn’t want to do.

       “What are you doing?” hissed Kayla, Serena’s older sister. The sun that showed through the window made Kayla’s red hair and green eyes sparkle, but her face was ugly from displeasure from Serena.

       “Nothing…” she mumbled, looking down and pushing her dark brown waves back with her delicate hands, and playing with her soft feathered earrings. Kayla gave her a stern look and narrowed her eyes. She didn’t like it when Serena mumbled, which was why Serena did it.

      “Look, I know you don’t want to go to another family. Believe me; having no permanent home is never fun. But these could be good, honest people who just want a loving daughter. You can understand that, can’t you?”

       Serena shrugged and placed her feet back on the ground. Having no permanent home was not fun, obviously. Who could ever want that? But she and Kayla did have that, being to about ten different families throughout their lifetime since Serena’s birth. Every family they’ve ever had gave up on them eventually, for reasons they still never knew, always making them wonder the same thing: What did they do wrong? This train was just taking them to their new future rejects.

       Correction: Serena was being taken to her new reject family. Kayla was now eighteen, just being an escort. She was free to start her new life, where Serena was still trapped. Kayla hadn’t even offered to take Serena in under her care, saying she was too much work.

       Maybe it was just because Serena and her sister just never were close, as much hell as they’ve been through together. Serena would miss Kayla, but maybe she needed her own life too.

      “Hey there.” Kayla now said in a motherly tone and clasping Serena’s hands with hers. Serena tried to hide her face with her hair so she wouldn’t see her silent tears. “It’s going to be okay. I’m sorry I can’t be there with you this time. It’s just; I have to start my own life. Go to college, get a job, you know…” Kayla trailed off, almost waiting for a reply. There were a few moments of awkward silence where she stared at Kayla, unresponsive. Kayla averted her eyes from her gaze and squirmed from the uncomfortable stare. The only noise that could be heard was the rhythmic chugging off the train.

       “I understand.” She finally replied dryly, almost on auto-mode. The silence was even starting to get awkward for her, and she was the one creating it. As much as Kayla tried to hide it, she knew that was just a cover up to get her out of Kayla’s life. No one wanted mischief, stubborn Serena. It wasn’t “practical” for Kayla’s life.

       Kayla gave one last approving nod and a pursed her lips. Serena then went back to gazing out her window while Kayla went back to reading a worn out book that was on the seat next to her, her elbows prompted on the table and eyes glued to the text.

       Serena saw the train was now descending over a long bridge over a valley in the forest, which scooped down deep into the earth. The sun was high, and not a cloud could be seen in the sky. A loner hawk drifted swiftly above them, and Serena wondered what it was like to be free.