Wanderers (1st Draft)

Unknown Merchandise

Alice

Rixton is the first to leave. A few minutes later Jackson follows him.

"You two go first, and I'll follow." Mason says.

James nods and stands up. He moves out into the aisle and Alice follows him. Together they walk to the back of the train and through the door. They walk through all three of the sleeper cars and into the first baggage car.

"Took you long enough." Mason says as they walk in. He leans up against the wall to their right.

Alice looks at him and rolls her eyes. He gives her a smile and pushes himself from the wall. He walks to the other end of the train car. Alice shakes her head and follows him, Jackson on her heel.

Alice is surprised that that they haven't run into any train security yet. She would've thought there'd be one posted in front of the luggage car. But they haven't seen anyone since they left the sleeper cars. If Alice wasn't on a mission she would have snuck back here and sat for the train ride. It's cooler and quieter.

They get to the last cargo car before the car that holds the merchandise. Mason signals them to be quiet, and he creeps to the window in the door across from them.

"Guards." Mason says turning back to Alice and James.

"How many?" James asks.

"Two. Just like the girl said."

"What's the plan?"

"Well, we can't shoot them. That would alert the guards inside. But we can't go in unarmed. They'd shoot us before we could raise a finger." Mason says. He rubs the back of his neck.

"I have a plan." Alice says. Both guys turn and look at her. "Mason you wait here. Stay back from the door, out of sight from the guards." She half expects them to argue with her, but they don't.

James asks, "And what are you going to do?"

"We." Alice says with a smile. "Follow my lead." She spins on her heels and walks to the door. James follows her, and Mason hides behind a stack of crates.

"I told you our room number was 217. But no, you swore it was 712. There is no 712." Alice says as she pushes open the door and steps backwards into the small hallway connecting the two train cars.

James looks at her, confused for a moment. Then, realizing what she's planning, he says, "I could have sworn the tickets said 712."

"Well I guess we won't know since you left them in our room." Alice takes a step back, purposely bumping into one guard. She spins around and looks up at the man. He stares down at her with dark eyes.

"You two can't be here." The guard says roughly.

"We were just looking for our room. This idiot," Alice motions to James. "Can't remember what our room number is." After a pause she adds. "What's behind the door?" She tries to sound as ditsy as she can.

"Nothing that concerns you." The guard says. He gives the other man a look. "I'll take you back to the passenger cars." He ushers them out the door and into the car they came from. Once he steps through the doorway Mason jumps out from behind a stack of boxes and tackles the guard. They fall to the ground in a tangle of limbs. The guard punches Mason in the side. Mason lets out a grunt and Alice has to look away.

The guard by the door reaches down to pull out his gun. He doesn't get very far when James shoots forward and punches him. The guard stumbles backwards and drops his gun. James closes the gap between them and punches the guard in the stomach. This only infuriates the guard. The guard swings up his arm and his fist connects with James's jaw. James stumbles backwards into the cargo car.