Curse of Twins

13. Getting the Hades Out of Dodge, Kansas!

We voted to stay above ground instead of going back to the Labyrinth. No more giant boar attacks. We found a train station just outside downtown and bought tickets to Denver because it was the soonest westward train. Lucas found me in the bathroom as I tried to scrub the dirt and grime from my face, arms, and legs. I fixed my hair enough to be presentable. We didn't need any more attention.

"Oh, now you show up. I'm not in any danger now, stupid cat." I picked up Lucas and put him in my backpack and told him to stay.

I walked out of the bathroom to find that the boys had also cleaned up.

"Keep an eye out for anything suspicious and try not to draw any attention. I do not want a repeat of what just happened." I spoke softly to the boys. James mumbled something about stupid wind.

We sat together on a bench. James was in between me and Thomas for fear of an all-out brawl between us. I don't know why I'm so angry at him. He's my friend, we read books together and fangirl about them. When did he become so logical?

I let out a sigh. James put his hand on my thigh and I brushed it off. He looked at me and seemed a little down. I felt bad and laid my head on his shoulder like I used to when he was playing piano at school. What am I going to do about you?

"All Aboard! Train to Denver!" Came from the loud speakers.

"Man, alright let's get the hades out of Dodge!" Thomas cheered.

We got up and got into the long boarding line. James shakily grabbed my hand. I was about to pull my hand away when I remembered his fear of crowds so I left it alone.

In ten minutes, we were in the train in the private cabin we managed to afford somehow. I let go of James' hand and sat down next the window, James sat next to me and Thomas across form us. We slid the door shut and pulled down the blinds so no one could see us including, hopefully, monsters. I hoped they couldn't smell us here. I didn't need another damn monster attack today. I let Lucas out of my bag and he jumped out to the seat across from James, curled up and fell asleep. We were all tired. Thomas was already dozing off against the window.

"Hey, do you think it safe enough for us to catch some sleep here?" James whispered in my ear. It sent a shiver down my spine.

"Um... Yeah I think we are safe for now and it'd be stupid to sit here for almost eight hours and not rest up." Even as I said this, I knew I wasn't going to sleep. I knew I'd hear the voice again. I can't watch him like that anymore, the visions already replays in my head nonstop.

I sighed to myself and looked out the window, watching the landscape pass by. I felt a hand on mine. "What's wrong?" James whispered softly as he squeezed my hand.

"Nothing." My voice cracked as I was fighting back tears. Not now. Don't cry.

"Come on. Talk to me." He begged slightly. The past couple days' events hit me and I couldn't hold the tears back.

I turned into him and cried into his chest. "I see him in my dreams. He's hearing and seeing things. It's torture for him. I can't see him like that not again. He's totally destroyed. Every time I close my eyes, I see a piece of him fall away. I'm scared that I can't save him. What if I can't get to him in time?" I sobbed quietly into chest as not to wake Thomas.

James petted my hair, trying to calm me down. "It's ok. You'll save him. No one else in the world could possibly save him, except you. You're the strongest person I know. If anyone can get into that head of his, it's you. Come on now. Let's get some rest and when we get up, it'll be a new day. We'll get there. I promise." He whispered to me softly, afraid that I might shatter if he spoke too loud.