Just Like Old Times

Across the Sea

This chapter is rated M for drug use and sexual content.

The rest of the train ride to New York City was uneventful. Lilly and Arthur did not speak much to one another during that time. Occasionally the train would stop to let passengers on, to switch conductors, and for people to get out and stretch their legs, so to speak. When Lilly stepped off the train at Grand Central Station, memories of her time here flooded her mind. Not a lot of them were happy ones, so she decided not to dwell on them. Doc and Liath were taken from the train first, then Rose and Ennis. Lilly decided to let Karen ride Liath around since her iron gray Ardennes was the less tempermental one.

Her wolves, however, were not taking the big city too well. Luckily, Hosea had given her herbs to help keep Brian and James calm and sleepy in a big cage. And luckily, Lilly would not be separated from her wolves during the trip either, despite the reactions of some of the passengers heading toward the ship. It was called the S.S. Pearly Gates. It was not a very good name, Lilly thought, until she actually saw the ship. It was beautiful and had a pearl like gloss over part of it to help give merit to its name. As they were being boarded, Lilly had to pause and take some deep breaths. She was on the verge of a panic attack.

"Lilly, what's wrong?" Sean asked. "Is it because it's, you know...a ship?"

Lilly nodded. "I don't think I can do it, deartháir. I don't think I can get on that thing."

"Is this about the ship or goin' back to Ireland, deirfiúr?"

"Both."

"Arthur!" Sean yelled.

"No, do not call for him!" Lilly demanded. "We're not talking just now."

Arthur was watching the wolves get loaded when he spotted the two Irish folks. "Yeah?"

"Lilly's havin' an issue."

Arthur came over but Lilly backed away from him. "Lilly, what is it?"

"She's panicking about the ship and goin' home."

Arthur frowned. "Lillian, everythin' will be fine. I understand why you're nervous, but..." Arthur approached and raised her face to meet his eyes. "Nothin' bad will happen to you while I'm around, okay?"

Lilly wanted to believe him, but she couldn't. "Don't make me get on that thing, please."

"Mr. and Mrs. Morgan?" someone said. "I'm with Mr. Cornwall." It was a man in a black suit, a grey vest, and a black top hat. "I'm here to help make arrangements for your trip."

Lilly stared at the man. "I, um...I..."

"Sean, Karen, try to get Lilly to relax," Arthur said. "I'm gonna try to go find somethin' to calm her down. Her chamomile tea is all packed away."

"Oh, Mr. Cornwall thought this might happen." The man pulled out a purple velvet bag and handed it to Arthur. "He mentioned she is prone to night terrors?"

Lilly blinked. "Oh...right, yes. He would know that."

Arthur looked at Lilly. "You had night terrors before you came here?"

"Yes."

"Ah, shit." Arthur looked back to the man. "What is this?"