Trains

Blizzard

Anya looked out the window of the train, where it reminded her of something out of a movie. It smelled like hot chocolate and fresh bread. Children in winter coats wiped their snow-covered boots on the floor, murmuring excitedly.

It had been three hours since they had left the station, and she was already bored, She had packed books in her mom's old suitcase, but she felt too tired to read.

She looked around. Anya loved watching people, deep in intense conversations, living freely in their own lives. She saw two elderly gentlemen having a heated discussion about business, a tall man wearing a hat and thick-rimmed black glasses, stealing kisses with an elegant red-haired girl with her hair pulled into an elegant chignon. 

Anya spied a boy with brilliant blue eyes sitting a couple aisles away, and he grinned at her. She looked away shyly. 

Even watching people grew boring sometimes. She glanced away, digging through her suitcase for a book. Instead, she discovered  a silver hairbrush and mirror deep inside one of the inner pockets. She didn't remember packing it, but it was like the smooth handle fit perfectly in her hand. 

A memory, a scene, came to her in pieces, like a jigsaw puzzle.

Eliza surveyed the crowd through the soft eyes of her skeleton mask, her long hair pulled tightly away from her face. The glittering city of Chicago was unmasked in front of them. It was a strange thing, watching owls and peacocks dancing with foxes, shadowy figures all disguised to remain unnoticed. They laugh, sipping champagne, crows dancing with swans, lions kissing angels behind masquerade masks. 

She's not supposed to be here. Eliza looks at her reflection through the window, her dark eyes gleaming. She will let all her dreams come true.

That's when the screams began. Suddenly, it's like the world has spun into complete chaos. There was the sound of something ripping open and the screech of metal being pulled apart, sparks flying everywhere. The entire train shook and Anya gripped onto her seat, screaming.

The train crashed, devoured by the mountains of snow. Anya was pushed to the aisles, landing with a thud. She slumped, unconsious. 

Outside, the snow begins to fall heavier, bathing them in a deadly white blanket.