The Yellow Roof

Catch that train!

The train whistle blew twice more. Still three more blocks to go. How could I get there in one minute?

I finally scrambled around the last corner. No one stood on the platform. The train rumbled and pulled forward.

"Wait!" I screamed.

I ran after it, but had no hope of catching up. I slowed to a stop and rested my arms on my knees.  My lungs burned and couldn't get enough air.

The ticket stamper leaned out of his booth. "Better get a move on, missy. Next train don't come till the next shift."

I spoke between gulps of air. "How...do I...get to work?"

He nodded toward a row of rusty bikes. "Used 'em in the old days. If you be cuttin' through the city, you could get there near on time."

"Thank you!"

I hopped on the old transportation unit, and pedaled away from the station. The ticket stamper shouted something, but by that time I was around a corner, and heading into the heart of Big City.

I balanced the bike with one hand, and tapped the mapbox with the other. The old technology flickered, filling the screen with a cream colored light.

"Get me to work," I said.

Lines in different shades of grey appeared. Good thing history class had us study long gone maps. Otherwise I wouldn't have a clue how to read it.

The mapbox crackled and buzzed. Trying to tell me something?

I didn't know how to follow the map and poke around at the same time. I hoped it wasn't too important whatever it had to say. But Mama says nothing is done in Big City without direct purpose.

The audio played again. Sounded clearer--less like white noise. Maybe if it ran a few times, the box would lose its rusty edge? I let it play until I couldn't stand the static anymore.

I banged the screen. "Stop it!" The noise cut out, and I sighed with relief. But before the breath was even fully released, the tires locked up, and I was flown head over heels onto the road.

I sucked in air threw my teeth, and clutched my wrist. The tiny rocks in my palms burned. Thin lines of blood trickled down my arms.

The shift whistle blew. I groaned. Overseer is going to kill me.

I winced trying to stand. Somehow the bike hadn't fallen. It stood perfectly straight in the middle of the road. I limped closer. It didn't lean on anything. I poked the handlebars. Nothing. I shrugged. I didn't have time to think about that now.

My legs protested as I mounted the bike. I'd take a look at my cuts after work.

I tried the pedals. They wouldn't move. I clenched my teeth as I pushed harder. I lost my balance and fell again.

I bit my tongue to keep from crying. How was I going to get to work now?

Someone cleared their throat. "Need a little help?"

I raised my head. A tall man smiled, and stretched out his hand. I couldn't remember the last time someone had smiled at me. I slowly took his callused hand. It must've been twice as big as mine. He pulled me to my feet, shook my hand, and glanced at my arms.

"Better get those cleaned up." He jerked his head to the side. "Follow me."

He turned and walked down the street. Torn between going after him and rushing to work, I shifted my weight, looked at the bike and back again. His footsteps echoed in the empty road. I was already late...things couldn't get much worse with the Overseer.

"Wait up!"

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