Ensorcell

Train

The gray train puffed along like it did every year. It puffed itself from the clouds, to the earth, through water, then the burning core, and finally, Ensorcell, school of magic. . It moved and looked like smoke and floated along the tracks rather than rolled.

Melony waited at station 1 in the clouds with her mother and father. There were other children there too, peachy pink boys and girls in pristine gray uniforms. The station is crowded, all students from sky towns and flying villages going to Ensorcell are conjugating there. Some, like Melony, wore witch hats. Hers was her favorite lavender one, which her mother agreed looked good with her gray uniform. Other girls wore pastel colored hats like mint green or powder blue with brooches and ribbons. The boys wore dark, smoky gray hats. Everyone's uniforms were gray jumpsuits with puffy sleeves, a collar, and two pockets in the front.

"You know," her dad began "it's not too late to go to that all girls air school."

Melony's mother elbowed him in the ribs "she's going to an all eliminates school and that's final. And Remember to write and try not to lose anything," her mother said for the second time that day, "and try to make some friends." She straightened her daughters' hat and uniform collar then checked her school letter once more. "Where is that train. It's running late and I will not be late to the bank." Her dad complained.

Melony heard her mother muttered to herself.

"Reminder," her mother said. "No wands till the second year ... and no familiar till fourth." She gave the paper back to her daughter.

"Don't worry," her father reassured her, "I'm sure you'll do fine."

The train pulled into the station. It stopped and blew its whistles, signaling its presence to the children.

"This is it," her father said. "You have fun." He gave his daughter a hug.

"Okay, Dad."

"And listen to your teachers," her mother said.

"I will."

The doors to the train opened, and Melony rushed off. Looking back only once.

The children walked in with their suitcases and split into sections separated by age. Melony and the other first years, who were 12 or close to it, went into the front compartment. It was large and made to hold all the children from all 4 stops. The velvety seats that used to be a lovely purple and were now old and worn, looked surprisingly comfortable.

The children gathered into groups of friends, but some like Melony, were alone. They put their luggage into the overhead compartments and settled in.

She nibbled on a piece of sweet bread her mother made as they floated through the blue sky. The train moved smoothly as it chugged above the tracts to the ground. She didn't want her parents to know how worried she was, but now that she was alone, she had time to simmer in her fears.

The train headed for a tunnel leading to the underground. It was a tight squeeze for the train, if you open the windows you would only have to stick your arm out a little to touch the dirt walls. Melony wondered if this is how worms felt when they dug through the dirt. As the train started to slow down, the tunnel got wider and brighter.

They were now at station 2. Melony noticed how different these kids looked compared to hers. Their hair is darker, courser, and curlier. Their skin is tanner and more freckled, in general, rougher looking than her. There uniforms were a dark pin green and slightly wrinkled. Almost everyone was wearing a hat, they were long at the top and fell like a stalking cap. The hats were sun bleached and leathery. Most hats were black or a dark purple or blue color.