Chimera Ryder

Chapter 8 - Train

Jessa flopped off of her bed and pushed herself up. Her arms were twitching, and her legs were shaking, but through her sheer willpower, she was able to force herself up. Rand's training left calluses on her hands and blisters on her legs. She wanted to stay in bed, but she had already promised her father that she would be at her graduation.

She wobbled down the stairs and found Ryder sleeping next to the empty fireplace. Ryder was tired from her training, too. Her training went poorly in the beginning. She was easily distractible and would not listen to Rand's command. After countless retries and great patience from Jessa, Ryder was finally able to focus. She was starting to look like a real racing beast now; well, minus the racing equipment... Every time they brought the halter and the saddle near Ryder, she would throw a tantrum on the spot.

Jessa was fine riding Ryder bareback. They didn't have a saddle before, and she didn't need a halter to tell Ryder which way to go. Rand was not pleased with Jessa's decision, but since Jessa insisted, and he had already spent too much time on them, he was just going to let this one go; it was already too late for him to find a new protege anyway.

The trolley train on route six was packed this morning. Jessa's father was the only person on the train in a formal suit. His suit was old, but he kept it well. He married Jessa's mother in this attire. Jessa was not embarrassed by him. Everyone knew why he was dressed up, and everyone knew Jessa was going away for her tryout. The bumpy tracks near the third street forced the train to move up and down, shaking all the passengers out of their seats. Unable to reach the handle above, Jessa grabbed her father's hand instead. His massive body blocked the other passengers from crashing into her. She clenched onto her father's palm. She couldn't remember the last time she held his hand like this.

Seven years of school was over in that one instant. Jessa could not even remember walking up to the stage to receive her diploma. All of her friends were down in the quad, trying to find each other after the ceremony. Some cried, others laughed. The photographer took one serious picture and then one goofy one. They all cheered after the goofy one. They hugged each other one last time before setting foot on their separate tracks.

Mollia walked up to Jessa after their photo session. She gathered all of her classmates back and handed Jessa a big card. The card was signed by everyone. They all imprinted their precious memories and secret messages on that card. Jessa was like their little sister, the youngest, yet the fiercest. They all wanted to wish her good luck before her tryout. Jessa didn't think she was going to cry today, and she was glad she forced herself up this morning.

She stood in the middle of the crowd, trying to soak in the moment. She watched Mollia run up to Stanberg who was waiting outside of the school gate. They held hands through the closed bars and gazed into each other's eyes. Zinny was with Jessa. She sauntered around their remaining classmates and stuck flowers into their hair. They all laughed immediately after and then all started to cry. Jessa saw her father walking up to Zinny's parents. She knew it was time for her to departure. Zinny's parents agreed to take care of Jessa while she stayed in Bayheart. That was where the tryout was held this year.

Ms. Penwright also wanted to wish Jessa good luck. She wanted to say more, but she knew their relationship was complicated, so she kept her words brief. Jessa shook her hand and thanked her for the education she received.

"...I'll take care of your father while you're away," Ms. Penwright blurted out.

She didn't know if that was the right thing to say, but she said it anyway.

Jessa opened her eyes wide, not sure how to react. But she knew Ms. Penwright had the right intention, so she nodded and smiled. Jessa walked up to her father, and she walked out of her school gate one the last time.