The Contagion

.12.

I suspect the truth is that we all are waiting for somethinh extraordinary to happen to us.

That was the million dollar question.

All attention was on Joe. He was only one who had seen the dead body of the driver. Joe had told me not to confide in anyone. And I won't. I'm his mate.

"Kate, just leave it...." I start.

"Are you insane?," She snapped at me. Shit. This isn't good. All would doubt me. Why is this girl speaking up for the train driver?
"I'm a regular commuter on this train. I've paid for a good service."
She was right, though. But I couldn't blame Joe. Something must've happened before the driver went missing.

My only fear was that Joe acted according to the plan. He said, "The driver walked all the way to Eastborough to get help for us."

I glanced at Kate. She bought the lie. Joe looked at me. I nodded and gave a side grin.

"But why would he leave the passengers by themselves on the train?" She asked him.

"We've this safety protocol." Joe began. He scratched his head, keeping his voice steady like a professional liar. "That whenever the train driver is missing due to some reason, the train guard is respinsible to take care of the passengers in the train."

"He could've told that on the radio." She said.

"I know he should've. But he didn't. He may've thought that he will return soon." He explained.

Good job.

"What did you see in the forest?" Kate asked him, folding her hands on her chest.

Joe shifted from foot to foot and rubbed his palms.

Stop doing that. You'll make her suspicious.

"What?" She asked lowly.

"I saw a dead deer in the forest. I panicked and thought that it wasn't safe for all of you to walk to Eastborough. Hence, I told all kf you to run back to the train." He told her.

***

I sat on the seat and stared at the full moon in thr sky. I pulled my feet to my chest. My mind drifted back to the memory when Rogues would roam fearlessly in the forest. At that time, Human population was low and the possibility of being caught was nil.

All of us would run in the forest in our wolf form. My white fur would shine in the moonlight. Grandma amd Myrel would run closely behind me like female bodyguards. Dee would lead us to the meadows. The meadow was the meeting place of the wolves. We would talk about the recent happenings in Neverland, brought by an informer.

Axis was the main topic of discussion. Rogues had left Neverland many centuries ago. After Talia was adamant to extinct us, we only had two options. One was to live with Queen Axis or to live in another place with a new identity. We were very excited to live with Axis as she was our best friend. But the Council didn't allow us to stay.

"Thanks for helping me." I heard someone say behind me. I turned and saw Joe standing behind me.

"Not a habitual liar, are you?" I asked him with a smile.