Torment

Sushi

I awoke the following morning to Curtis planting a soft kiss on my cheek. He swiftly stood and pulled on his coat before walking off in Gilliam's direction. I smiled, reminiscing last night, as I stood, pulling on my jacket and finger combing my hair. Before I had even managed to out my rucksack on my back, I was bombarded by the men I had tended to yesterday. Their wounds had wept during the night and needed urgent attention.

After finishing my duties and ignoring my hungry stomach I made my way over to the next set of locked doors. A new unease washed over me as I thought about what could await us in the carriage ahead. Tanya was fiddling with Mason's handcuffs. They had her on a sort of chained leash. Andrew hopped past me; a coat slung over his shoulders as he fumbled to get his shoe off his foot. I crossed my arms as I watched the duo, they were struggling so much without their boys. Andrew laughed as he placed the shoe on Mason's head, just as she had to him. The painter was shouting poses to the parents as he hoped to capture the almost unthinkable moment. I couldn't help but smile at the situation. We had come so far. Curtis brushed past me, with Yona and Nam at his side. They stopped at the doors control panel. This was it. The next part of our plan was coming into action.

"Now Grey, you must go with Curtis," Gilliam spoke softly to his helper, ruffling his hair. The remaining tail end passengers were standing behind us as Curtis beckoned both Grey and I to his side. Tanya and Andrew were sandwiching Mason, Curtis stood beside the father holding Mason's chains, I took my place next to him as he carefully swanned his arm around my waist. Grey stood slightly behind the two of us whilst Nam and his daughter stood at the end, beside the control panel. Painter wished to capture this moment. The seven of us beside our prisoner. The artist scribbled away at the paper in his hands as the rest of the passengers watched us.

As Nam released the doors Yano asked Curtis for more Kronole. I sighed, still upset with the girl's addiction, but it was her payment and of course, Curtis handed it over. We faced the doors as they opened, Mason before us. As they slid apart, we were greeted by the music from a Harpsichord. I was shocked. Before us was a sort of greenhouse carriage. Sprinklers showered from above and lemon trees were growing healthily. A fountain stood proudly in the middle of the room and an elderly woman was knitting, peacefully. I let out a snort, what a different life they lead. We walked through the carriage in awe. I shared a few wide-eyed glances with Curtis, this was unbelievable. Soon we passed a tomato growing station, gardeners looked to us worriedly, but Mason soon spoke up. "Don't mind me, back to work everyone, back to work." She ordered in several languages. Tanya grabbed a vegetable and took a large bite. It was the first piece of proper food she'd had in 18 years. The gardeners began to object but Mason soon cleared the air explaining everything was okay. I desperately wanted to try the vegetables, but my stomach was knotting with anxiety at the thought of what was to come.

As soon as the greenhouse started it ended, we'd made our way into another section of the train. I gasped as we walked through what seemed to be an aquarium type tunnel. A blue hue filled the air as an ocean scene surrounded us. I couldn't keep my eyes from looking up as sting rays and other marine life swum over our heads. It was incredible, I hadn't seen something so beautiful in years. I couldn't help myself from taking Curtis's hand and squeezing it with my own. He looked down to me sweetly, squeezing back in just as much amazement. The sound of bubbles and flowing water was such a comforting sound, one I hadn't realised I missed.

Yano walked through amazed, as a train baby she had never seen anything like it. Regardless of our 'mission' I couldn't help but take this breath taking moment in. We needed this, this calm before the storm. "Hey." Curtis called, pulling Mason forward, and letting go of my hand. He nodded his head, motioning for us to keep moving. "Do any of you feel like Sushi?" Mason asked pointing forward, my eyes widened as we were greeted by the sea food bar. "Hell yeah! Line that shit up. Right." Tanya chuckled as we all stopped and took a seat. The chef began preparing several dishes as Mason spoke. "You people are very lucky. This is only served twice in a year. In January and July." Mason explained as she unpacked some chopsticks. I scoffed in my seat between Grey and Curtis. "Why? Not enough fish?" I asked sarcastically. "Oh, enough is not the criteria. Balance. You see, this Aquarium is a closed ecological system. And the number of individual units must be very closely, precisely controlled in order to maintain the proper sustainable balance." She concluded with a smile. I shook my head, it was an incredible system, it couldn't be faulted, but it was unforgivable that we had to live the way we did to support it. Moments later a single piece of sushi was placed before us on decorative plates. It looked beautiful, the most delicious looking thing I'd seen in years. Tanya, Andrew, and Nam ate greedily, but I took a small bite, savouring the flavour. It almost brought tears to my eyes; it was the most exquisite thing I'd eaten in years. As I chewed, I looked out the window behind the chef. The landscape was still frozen and baron, cranes and overturned ships stood solemn amongst the white background, it looked so bleak, so depressing. Curtis took a small bite of his own food, but his eyes were on Mason. As she brought her chopsticks to her lips, he tugged at her restraints harshly, causing her to drop the sushi. "No, you eat this." He stated holding up one of the grotesque protein blocks. I grimaced at the thought of eating that thing. Mason gritted her teeth. "You know what that's made of?" I asked as I thought back to mine and Curtis's discovery. Curtis threw it at her. We all watched in glee as she gingerly brought it up to her lips. "Dig in." Curtis jeered. I pulled a face as she took a large bite, chewing it with her mouth open, the wet noises echoing around the room. Good, I thought, I hope she fucking choked.