Art Knights Dystopia

Train Ride

After discussing the plans with Toki, I called in sick and took the train to prevent anyone from being able to track me, just in case. I knew that there was no train that took people directly to the borders, considering it's probably banned from the average artizen which is essentially another term used to describe citizens that resided in Artopia, not that anyone would want to go there either.
      The train was crowded and every seat was filled with bubbling artizens, except for a seat next to a petite girl with silky brown hair pulled into a messy ponytail. She looked quite young and harmless enough. Curious and wanting to sit down, I made my way towards her and as I got closer, I realized that it was the same girl I bumped into yesterday.
       I smile softly, "Hey, I never got your name yesterday, I'm Noki by the way." With a single swift motion, she turned her whole body around in surprise, as if no one has ever approached her before, "Huh? Wait... you're the creepy guy that gave me a ride home yesterday right? Are you here to amputate me now?" I must have seemed shocked because soon enough she burst out in laughter, "Hehehe! I'm just playing with you, my name's Choco!" My face twisted in confusion hearing her odd name. I considered asking her about it but decided against it. We barely knew each other after all, and it seemed like a rude thing to do. She must have seen the confusion on my face because she quickly added, "My real name is actually Cathy, but ever since elementary, people would call me Choco because of my unhealthy addiction to chocolate. I guess it just stuck with me ever since hehehe..." Chocolate? I've only ever heard rumors about it much less taste it, it's one of those rare, luxury items that I bet the upper class consume on a regular basis. I wonder how someone her age knows about it? Much less have access to the resources, especially since she resides in the lower class.
     Unable to contain my curiosity any longer, I asked, "How do you know about chocolate? Much less eat one and get addicted to it? How does it taste? I heard it's really sweet, is that true?" My voice growing louder and more excited as I unleashed a barrage of questions until Choco interrupted, "Shush!" She hissed and yanked me closer, holding my arm in a firm grip, meekly looking over at the over passengers to see if anyone was eavesdropping in our conversation, "I get it from the trade circle. I suppose you have no idea what the trade circle is?" I stayed silent, nodding in curiousity. I've never heard of the trading circle before. "Well," she continued, "it's similar to what you'd call a 'black market'. Meaning, it's a place where you can obtain all kinds of goods that the government has kept away from us." She paused for a second and looked around again, pulling me closer and whispering into my ear, "I have no idea why I'm telling you this, but consider it my thanks for the ride home yesterday. But, if you're on this train, then you must be going to the border too?"
      "Yeah, I am," I responded, "to find a friend."
      "Ah," she nodded her head in understanding, "You see, everyone who boards this train is either going to the trade circle, or have the intention of going to the borders." Her amount of knowledge shocks me, how could someone so young know about this and I didn't? Not to mention that she has a lower rank in society. "Well... anyways, I'm going to have a quick nap while we're waiting for our stop," she said sleepily before yawning. She then rest her head against the window and started to doze off. Now, I'm no expert on trains but even I know that that has got to feel very uncomfortable. Feeling guilty and responsible, my maternal instincts were kicking in as I sat down next to her and lightly tapped on her shoulder. "Hm? What is it?" she asked softly. I gestured at my shoulder and asked, "Do you wanna lean on my shoulder instead? It's way better than resting on the window, I promise." She looked at me puzzled, then happily gave in, "If you say so! Don't do anything weird though!" She plopped her head onto my shoulder with a small thud and murmured, "Mmm, you're so warm..." I gave a lighthearted chuckle, "Thanks, now sleep, we still have a ways to go." After she dozed off, I began to feel sleepy as well and unknowingly drifted away.
   Slowly regaining consciousness, I looked down and saw Choco still napping on my shoulder, realizing that I was resting on top her head as we slept. Glancing around, I noticed that the majority of passengers that were once here have gotten off, leaving Choco and I the only ones still in this section of the train.
     A robotic voice interrupted the peaceful atmosphere, "Approaching Port 56A in ten minutes, I repeat, approaching Port 56A in ten minutes." As we got closer to the border, more and more buildings began to disappear into the distance behind us, while the sight of the vast ocean was approaching, coming into view. I shook my head and remembered Toki's words, that it was all an illusion. Tricking us into believing that we were the only ones here. My stream of thoughts were interrupted by the abrupt stop of the train.
A startled voice piped up beside me, pulling away from my shoulder, leaving me with a cold empty feeling, "Huh?! We're already here? Oh wow...Was I really asleep for that long?" Nodding in response, I gestured towards the sliding doors, "Yeah, you slept like a brick. Now let's get off the train before they kick us off." I was halfway up before a small hand reached for my shirt, "Please, help me up, my legs are asleep." She begged, unable to reject her large, round, chocolate brown eyes, I gave in and offered my hand which was soon met with the small and smooth structure of hers. With a firm yank, she was standing. I never noticed how short she was until now, I suppose this is the first time we've actually stood next to each other. As soon as we departed from the train, it zoomed off into the opposite direction, leaving us and a couple other people stranded at Port 56A. A sudden wave of anxiety washed over me, where do I go? It was weird to think that just one night could change my whole entire life. Do I really want this? I could go back, pretend everything is fine just like before...
"No I must do this for Nat, and if what Toki says is true, then Artopia is not a safe place to stay." I muttered, convincing myself to stay. Choco looked up at me with a repulsed expression, "Uh, you okay there buddy?" I looked down surprised, forgetting there was another person next to me. "Y-yeah hahaha." I replied sheepishly and looked away, embarrassed. We departed the train and began making our way through the silent foggy street. In hopes that she may know the way I asked, "Hey, do you know where Tunnel G6 is?" She looked up, surprised, "Yeah! Of course I know where that is, it's the trade circle, you dummy! Oh lord, you have lots to learn, that's for sure." Frowning I looked away, I didn't belong here with these people, I was never one to break rules. Thankfully, my depressing thoughts were interrupted by a cheerful voice, "Aw, I didn't think you would take me seriously. Listen, no one was born knowing this, we were all new to this at some point, you'll get used to it eventually." She paused, "Sorry, I'm not the best at comforting people..." She looked off into the distance. This was a new side of Choco that I haven't seen before, who knew she was mature enough to understand and sympathize with me. I smiled kindly, somewhat reassured by her words, "No, thanks, I feel a lot better now."