Runaway (choose your own adventure

chapter six - riding the rails

The first steam-powered train ever invented was made in 1804 and ran primarily off of steam, making it surprisingly efficient. It was originally used to transport metal and the first locomotive ever created carried twenty-five tons of iron as it's the first voyage. Although being five tons in itself it ended up breaking many of the cast iron plate rails.

I looked to the train deciding that it would be the best chance I had, and as it came near, the two riders started towards me. I saw an open car and a few seconds before it went past I launched myself at the train. I saw my entire life flash before my eyes, now looking back my life was bleak and dingy. Sadness crept around each corner. If I didn't make this my time in life would have been wasted. No, I couldn't stop, not now. Time resumed as ordinarily and I fell into the cart. I felt a fire lick my chest, the pain seeping through me traveling all the way down to my hips. Although it felt like I had maybe only cracked or maybe sprained something. I got up with a grunt and saw the riders attempting to catch up with the train, no luck did they receive and they soon fell behind giving up. I sighed victoriously, several times I had escaped my own personal demise. It would seem that God was with me.

A few hours went by until the train finally stopped. I looked out and saw a large train station, and decided that this was a quicker way to get around the railroad, bot figuratively and literally. Unfortunately, though I would be caught if I stayed, so I hopped out, away from prying eyes and snuck away without being seen. I made my way in the trees and away from the station and found myself at the edge of a town. I had made it out of Virginia and into Maryland, arriving at a town called Dublin. Lucky for me it was right by the northern border I could probably cross it in a few days. when night fell I came out of the trees searching for the sign of a depot, spotting a quilt hung by the window. It had a soothing pattern with interlocking zig-zags which formed diamonds, and squares overlapping creating octagons. I knocked on the door, and I went as before. Asked for a meal then hid for the night.

I set off in the morning after receiving breakfast before dawn. The man who ran the station had a friend working as a conductor and offered me a ride. Swiftly we left, the sun still not passing the trees nor the grass, and I set out further into my journey. (go to chapter 10)