Almost Karma

First Steps

All aboard!

The conductor yelled all the commuters outside started rushing in to catch up. "Are you ready?” the old scruffy man asked his son. The boy's green eyes gleam with excitement. "Now!” the boy yanked a chain and a loud horn echoed throughout the station. The man activated a lever and the train slowly made its journey.

"Papa, do I have to wear this?” the boy felt uncomfortable in his grey suit. The father fixed his bow, "You have to champ, Mr. Winchester is having a party at the third cart for his daughter and he asked me if you could join. I want you to be on your best behaviour, is that understood?” the boy nodded and the father patted the boy's hair. "Jimmy! Take the chair for a while, I'll just send off my boy.” a young teen came in from the front of the train, his clothes covered with coal.

"Ah, Mr. Strife glad you could join us" "I'm just accompanying my son; I'll have to get back to the cab." "Very well, Well hello there young Will. There is somebody I want you to meet. Victoria comes here!" The tall man in a black suit said.  A young well dressed child emerged from the crowd, "Yes father, you called for me?" "Ah, I want you to meet Mr. Strife here and his son, William." The girl elegantly bowed and said, "Good day to you Mr. Strife. Hello my name is Victoria" then she reached for Will, "come, I will show you my doll set!" she dragged Will and they ran across the crowed.

"It seems the train will be fairing smoothly, Mr. Strife." the tall man in a dark suit exclaimed. "It seems, I better get back, thank you Mr. Winchester.", and he walked back to the cart.

"...this one's Sarah, and this one's Leanne, and this is Belle, she's my favourite I like her very much!" Will frowned a little, "But Victoria I don't play with do— suddenly the train stops.

"Mr. Strife, what is going on...? Quick! Run to the back!" The man in the black suit dragged Will's father out from the cab and closed the door, "call the sheriff!" The sheriff, also in a suit, comes in, "What happened?" "Someone shot him; I saw raiders coming for the train.” Mr. Winchester replied. "Richard, let me see the engineer.” a man with a white suit said, "His pulse is slow, but he has a strong heart. He needs a hospital, but for now put some pressure on the wound." Richard Winchester kept his hand on Trevor Strife's wound.

Sheriff Todd rushes in bringing a couple of rifles, "Here's all we have for now.", and he threw it to those who knows how to use it; including Richard Winchester. "Just like hunting eh?” Mr. Winchester asks as he loads the rifle.

"Shh, your father told me we should hide in luggage area for a while, you come in as well, William.” a young, well dressed nanny tells Victoria.

"Leave everything, we must hurry!"

Victoria, still holding Belle held her nanny's hand in her right and Will's on her left, they ran towards the luggage area and the nanny covered them with suitcases and bags to hide them. "Whatever you do, don't make any noise. I'll be right back."

The group formed a circle inside the train and waited for the oncoming invaders. They heard footsteps in the rooftop. The sheriff signalled with his hand to two men to check the rooftop, those were Marco and Jared.

Jared was a young teen, with grey eyes and dark brown hair, but he was an excellent marksman for his age. Marco has been his mentor since he was taken in when he ran away from his home. Alice, Marco's wife, kisses her husband as both men left.

"Now remember here son, this here ain't like 'em bears and wolves. They shoot back; you gotta shoot 'em before they get 'cha.” Marco warns Jared as they walk out.

They were at the door when they heard it being opened from the outside. "Quick! hide.” they hid in the sides of the door in the next cart. Jared peeked in for a moment, and then he signalled Marco. Marco mouthed the words, "Are you ready?” Jared nodded.