Freedom Train

February 8, 1963

February 8, 1963

It had taken almost an entire day to reach Baltimore- 20 hours to be exact.

Annabeth sat by the window on the train, watching as each state faded into the next: South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia...

She had never been outside of Alabama. Her excitement mingled with a gnawing fear that she had made a mistake by traveling so far from the only home she'd ever known. Looking back and seeing Bobby talking to Candy helped to cure her little bouts of homesickness, even though she would never say that out loud. And Terry... Well, looking at him made her think of all the possibilities for her future and it always seemed to put her at ease when her anxiety began to get the best of her.

An hour before they finally reached their destination, Henry gathered the 12 of them together to go over their plans one more time.

"Once we get to Baltimore, we're to head directly to Morgan State College. I talked to Clarence Logan, the CIG leader. He said they have some people willing to put us up for a few days, until the protest starts officially."

CIG stands for the student run Civic Interest Group. From what Annabeth had heard over the course of the train ride, CIG and Morgan State students had picketed the Northwood Theatre many times over the course of the last 8 years. While they had been unsuccessful thus far, they had successfully integrated almost all the facilities immediate to MSC (Morgan State College)- with the exception of Northwood Shopping Centre Theatre, and an old tavern.

"I want you guys to be ready," Henry continued, looking between them all. "According to Clarence, CIG met with members of the student government four days ago and they've decided that the only way to get these men on our side is to go big or go home. So, they've decided to adopt a mass arrest strategy. Picketing isn't going to work with these guys. They've tried that. We need to fill the jails- Work them to death- Give them no choice but to hear us."

Annabeth's eyes widened, immediately going across the aisle to where Terry sat beside Henry, in search of the reassurance she desperately needed in the moment. Terry winked at her and nodded, his way of letting her know it would be alright.

This time, however, it didn't seem to do the trick. Annabeth didn't want to be arrested.

She always understood that it was a possibility but she didn't think it'd be the intention. The idea of being hauled off to an unfamiliar jail in an unfamiliar town was petrifying. She wouldn't be human if she said the thought of being locked away like some common criminal- with other criminals- didn't scare her half to death.

Everyone around them nodded their heads in understanding, but Annabeth just ducked her head low. She was having a hard time coming to terms with the idea that she would most definitely find herself in handcuffs in the following days. She found herself wondering once again if this was really what she wanted to be doing with her life.

The conversation continued forth on what they would do once they arrived in Baltimore and where they would do it. Just as Terry began to make his way toward Annabeth, Brad called Terry over to a section of seats that a small group had occupied. He had pulled out a map of the city, trying to learn where everything was beforehand. Terry smiled toward Annabeth and she returned it slowly as he headed toward them and away from her.

In Terry's absence, Bobby seemed to find himself in the seat beside Annabeth. He hadn't spoken a word to her for the entire 20-hour ride. Annabeth crossed her arms over her chest, her eyes rolling of their own stubborn accord. She wasn't mad at Bobby. She had thought he was mad at her. And if he was going to be mad at her than she could be mad at him.

Elementary school logic at its finest.

"You ready for this?" he asked, ignoring her dramatic eye roll.