The Empty, Crowded Train

In the middle of the Great Depression, teenagers everywhere were running away from home to travel the country illegally by train looking for work, food, and opportunities.

Among these freight hoppers were Miyoko Darrow, Freddie Hellickson, James Cuadro, and Theo Mercy, four interesting teens who were among the millions who couldn't catch a break in 1930s America.

Miyoko Darrow ran away from her home in Arlington, Virginia the day her mother died, but being a Japanese runaway constantly looking over her shoulder for her father was not her ideal life. She adopts the name Mia to fit in, fearing that she can't hide forever.

Freddie Hellickson has one problem too many. Freddie is really Winifred, and no one can find out. When she first got on the tracks she made an enemy of one sick son of a bitch and now he's looking for her. With no family that cares, she has no choice but to keep up her facade.

James Cuadro needs to get back home. Collecting money from every job he could find, he was making his way back to his home in Southern Texas only to find his family gone. Now chasing dead ends, James just wants to see his sister, mother, and father again.

Theo Mercy is black, homeless, and jobless in a time where that is not what you wanted to be. He's just trying to make money to send back to his family in Colorado, but he is faced with brutal racism everywhere he goes.

© 2017 - Eliza Dulay