In Only A Moment

Chapter 2

As soon as I reached the train, I noticed a woman holding a plaque that read my name. She wore a long gown that seemed to be too formal for a train station. Her hair, walnut brown, was pulled tightly into a bun. A small boy stood next to her. His hair was ruffled, but hair aside, his appearance was impeccable. There was no way he was any older than six or seven. He was the woman's son, I presumed. I walked over to her cautiously.
"Excuse me miss, are you Sheridan Tyler," she asked once I was within earshot.
"Yes ma'am. That's me."
"Good. Follow me please."
I noticed the boy looking over me hesitantly, as I followed them onto the train.
We took three adjoining seats in an empty compartment. She instructed the boy to collect my bags and place them across the compartment from us.
"I realize I never introduced myself. I am Catherine O'Donnell. This is my son, Peter."
The boy, Peter, nodded in acknowledgement.
"I will be your mentor at school. We have been awaiting your arrival for some time now. Surely, you know where we are going?"
"I'm sorry, but I don't. My mother called it a prestigious boarding school. That's all she told me."
"Boarding school? No dear, you're coming with us to-"
For the first time, Peter spoke.
"Not here Mama. It's not safe."
"Quite right. Thank you son. Sheridan, please rest. I'll explain everything when we arrive."
An inexplicable exhaustion fell over me. I slept for the rest of the train ride.