Luna Raine

XVIII. Rattus

Raine's POV:

"First time seeing a mermaid?"

I nod, "First time."

"Scared?"

"A bit weirded out."

She laughs, "I can tell you're a sheltered child. Where are your parents?"

"My guardian is inside the room." Helen isn't my guardian but I don't want to tell a stranger that only another teenager is traveling with me.

"VIP. Definitely sheltered."

"It's not bad to be sheltered," I admit, in a way, I am sheltered. Even in my old world, I rarely go out. The only places I've been to is my hometown and the town of my boarding school. I never had any interest in any other place.

She smiles, "Exploring the world is not necessarily a bad thing either child." Her tail flicker slightly causing water to spread all over the floor. My eyes widen even more when small looking rats rush towards her and clean up the spill then return to the seat under her. I looked down at my seat but didn't see anything. Now, I'm even more weirded out. "The world is a magical place after all and to live inside your shell instead of experiencing it is a waste of life.

I clear my throat, "May I ask a question?"

"Go for it."

"What are those things that appeared?"

"Rattus."

"Rattus?" What in the world are we talking about?

"They're cleaning rats."

I nod, "Oh-" Not at all disgusting. Rats in my world live in sewers and not clean a train. "May I ask another question?"

"Certainly child."

"Why aren't there any legs?" I hope I didn't offend her somehow.

She exhales softly, "Sometimes, we get tired in our human form so we would rest during long rides by returning to our natural state."

I nod, "Understandable." My legs would get tired too if I walked everywhere.

She puts on her glasses and reads her book once more.

"Thank you," I said.

She glances at me, "For what?"

"For answering my question."

She smiles softly, and instead of responding she went back to her book. I pat my thighs once and stood up, making my way back into the room. Helen was still asleep.

I laid down on the seat and pulled the blanket up, then cuddled deeper into the comfort. Then, it happened. The thought of rattus around me. They don't look like rats, rather small gerbils in suits but it still freaks me out to know they're between the walls. I exhale a sharp breath.

Helen yawns, "What's wrong?"

"Did you know there are rattus here?"

She exhales, "Yeah. They're the ones who cleaned our dishes earlier."

"And that's not weird?"

Helen giggled, "Oh right. You never saw a rattus before. They're not used in the human community." I wonder why. She removes the blanket, "Come here. Let me protect you from those frisky cleaning animals."

I grab the pillow and rush towards her. She scoots back until there's enough room for both of us. I wish I could say I fell asleep, but I didn't.

Helen cut the bagel in half. "I cannot believe you stayed awake the whole night."

I yawn, "The rattus. I can't stop thinking about them."

She shook her head and poured some orange juice into my cup. "Get used to them because, outside the human community, a lot of creatures use them."

"Really?"

"Well, they're mainly used by the magic community. You know, witches and warlocks and all." She waves the silver knife stick with butter around.

"Why?"

"They're easily taken care of and great cleaners." She shrugs, "I don't understand why humans won't use them." She bit her bagel, "Something about it being disgusting for rattus to clean. Like rattus aren't rats. They're different."

I exhale softly, before taking a bit off of the strawberry. I cannot believe I'm going to spend the next two or so days inside a train filled with cleaning rats.

Near evening the train came to stop. I look out the window to see more people parading outside. Everyone speeds in and out of several trains, minding their own business. It doesn't surprise me to see someone using magic to play the instruments. I took a bit off the chip and the crumbs fell onto the floor. Rattus came and cleaned it up. I'm slightly proud that I didn't flinch this time.

Then, it appears.

A flying dog.

I lower the curtain.

I'm done for the day.

The train ride went faster than anticipated and soon, we arrived at our destination. Hectic was not the word used to describe my surroundings. It's crazy as fuck. I grabbed onto Helen's arm and held firmly onto my bag. The last thing I need is for someone to steal it. This isn't a familiar place. I can't simply chase after the culprit, beat them up with a few other locals, and then go home and consume cheese.

I'm still thinking about the rattus. I wonder if they eat cheese. If they do, should I purchase some cheese to express my gratitude for their hard work?

Helen's hand tangled around mine and led us out of the train station, then towards the bus. I thought the station was nuts until I saw the city we entered. It's quite obvious that the city accumulated more than a single species with witches flying on brooms, werewolves howling in the streets in small packs, and fairies drifting in the air. There were wide avenues and areas for everyone to interact and consume dishes.

I poke my head out to see the towers above us, with prestigious designs - a mixture of new and old groom into a single neutral ground. Then, there it was a river flowing through buildings and mermaids leaping out of it.

"Moments like this, I'm grateful I'm born after the war," Helen said. She meant the great war before different species find some sort of neutral grounds. I wouldn't say right now is all rainbows and cupcakes, but it sounds better then it was back then.

We made a stop and Helen checked us into a hotel. It's located on a street far from the hustling of other creatures. I spread the curtains inside our room open to see multiple buildings in the distance. A giggle caught my attention and I tilt my head out to the left to witness a beautiful fairy watering her flowers in the building next door. She notices me and smiles, her wings spread widely in the small balcony.

"Ready to go?" Helen asks.

I look back, "Yeah." I wave at the fairy before closing the curtains. I lock it. A force of habit.

Helen called us a cab and we made our way towards the shopping center. It's supposed to be a one-day shopping trip and we're back on the rattus train.

Now, allow me to enunciate, it was supposed to be a one-day shopping trip then back to the rattus train.