Behind the tears

Summer vacation

"I'm coming Victor!"

Steps echoed down the steam platform as two figures rushed past. They dodged in-between other people. Darting back and forth as the steam for the train they were trying to reach started pumping. Filling up the station with a mist.

One was a girl, her blond hair waving in the wind, sweeping over her forest green eyes and honey tinted skin.

She lugged behind her a bulky suitcase which looked like it is about to explode any moment. A younger boy ran in front of her, his legs much quicker being able to carry him faster. The boy had short chestnut brown hair and freckles splattered across his face with a slight lighter toned skin. He arrived at the steam train first and leaped onto it. Turning around he waved to her as she followed after him.

The sun glistened through the window as the girl opened up a compartment and they filled in. Victor sat down on the lumpy seats by the window as the girl heaved the suitcase on the rack above. Collapsing onto the seat next to Victor in exhaustion.

The sun was a clear sign that summer had begun and they were on their way to their vacation. Visiting their Granddad. He lived in an old lighthouse by the beach. It had not been used in years, but he refused to let it get torn down and it made for a pleasant place to take it easy. They would usually go on holiday with their parents, but not every family is happy. Their parents trusted Elizabeth to take herself and her younger brother to the home.

"Do you think there will be Pirates?" Victor asked

Elizabeth smiles at him fondly and raps her arm around him rubbing him in affection.

"Yes there will be Pirates there. I'm sure you'll be able to see them," she hoped, wanting him to be happy on his holiday.

"Yay!" Victor exclaimed turning around and hugging his sister tightly. They stayed in that position, drifting off to sleep to the sound of the steam train chugging away.

"We are here!"

Elizabthe's eyes flutter open to see her brother inches away from her face. Jerking up in shock, she nervously laughs hugging her elbows.

"Come on lets go," she mumbled to him, her face still casted in a frown, after taking a few minutes to relax. Grabbing his hand and their bags, she pulls them along off the train.
They walk through the rusted metal gates turning right. In front of them was a wide path covered in mud and broken twigs, with bushes each side leading them towards their Grandad's.

After a while of walking Victor begged for a piggy back, claiming he was tired to which she compelled too. Doing anything for her little brother.

His weight along with having to carry the heavy suitcase made her body ache. Staggered on along the road she almost tripped over a few times causing Victor to complain in annoyance.

They were almost at their destination when a boy emerged from a bush. He was shorter than Elizabeth and had more weight on him. Wearing a putrid yellow jumper and brown shorts, his hair was neatly brushed and held into place with gel.

"Why have you stopped?" Victor inquired as he sits on her shoulders.

The boys corner of his mouth turned up, viewing them as if studying them very carefully and Elizabeth felt a shiver run through her spine. She felt uncomfortable under the boys judging gaze, something the boy seemed to realize casting his blue eyes up to meet hers directly.

"Do you need any help with carrying that luggage?" He questioned politely.

Elizabeth didn't want to accept help from strangers. No matter how much it hurt carrying her brother and the case. She was fiercely independent and could cope on her own. There was something about him as well that put her on edge.

"No thanks I can manage," she retaliates before sauntering off.

This boy however did not give up so easily and instead followed behind her at a steady pace.
Noticing that he was following her she grows worried. Fear starts to consume her thinking of all the possibilities as to why he was following her. She knew she had to face him though and demand to know why because if he found out where they were staying Victor could be in danger. Swallowing her fears she turns around to confront him.

"Are you going to stalk me?"

"I prefer the word following, I'm not a stalker. I am going to keep following you until you let me help you with your luggage. You must be wondering how I know that you are struggling. You have some sweat rolling down your forehead and even though it is sunny it's not that warm. Your body is slightly arched because of the pressure of your brother sitting on your back. Your bag is so full they are almost spilling out so I'll ask again. Do you need any help with carrying that luggage?"

Elizabeth stared at him in stunned that he was able to deduce that and realized she is dealing with someone greater than her.

"Ok then, since you put it that way. We are almost there so you will not have to travel far," she ordered, deciding to trust him, pushing away her worries about him.
He took the suit case from her hands started to walk along beside her.

At first Elizabeth felt uncomfortable accepting help from a stranger. Even if he was around the same age as her. Victor slowly drifted off to sleep. Leaving them to be as they strolled along the dirt path in awkward science. Both not sure exactly what to do. She glanced over to him feeling eyes watching her, and he lifts an eyebrow in response.

"So do you live around here?" She asks trying to start up conversation and looking away from him focusing on the path ahead.

"Yes, I live here with my brother and sister, It's a nice place. Your brother will like the beach, and I'm sure you will enjoy it there to,"

"We've been here before, last summer, with our parents,"

"I've never seen you here before, and I remember a face when I see one."

"Well I can assure you that we have. My parents did not like to go to the beach much, more looking at old building and relaxing at the house,"

"I see. My brother and Sister love the beach. I have to go with them and make sure they don't drown themselves in the sea,"

Elizabeth starts to laugh at his remark causing the boy to smile at her happily. All bad thoughts of him disseapring as quickly as they arrived. They continue to talk to each other, enjoying the companies but reaching the end of the path. In front of them was the lighthouse. It's once bright colours now faded and mixed with dirt to creat a dull tone. Ivy crawled up its side and the windows were murky and stained from the rain.

Elizabeth gently woke up Victor. When he saw that they had arrived, he jumped off her shoulders and rushed into the house without a second thought. The girl grinned at her brother before turning around to the other boy.

"Your staying here for the summer. A summer place with your granddad. I see this man sometimes. He never rents this place as he cares about it too much yet lets it fall into ruin. I know he had a son before his wife died and as you said that you came here with your parents it's the only logical reason,"

"You're really intelligent,"

"Thanks Elizabeth," he replies his eyebrows rising up as he takes in the words of her compliment.

"I'm not going to even ask how you know that,"

The boy turned around and started to walk away, but Elizabeth suddenly felt an urgency and shouted back to him.

"Wait!"

He turned around to look at her.
"Arn't you going to tell me your name?" she implored

"Mycroft Holmes,"

With that he wonders off.