The sounds of a warbled announcer sang it overhead when I stood before a large poster of us that was glued to a brick wall in the station. An exhausted woman had set up a little barrier around it so she and her equally exhausted colleague could position themselves on either side of the large roll at their feet.
People bustled around in the early hours for their transport.
The large station had platforms already speckled with people on the other side of ticket tolls. Seats displaying the name of Burrside were obscured or empty. Nooks in the walls that were lined with metal seats looked mostly vacant.
In the same dark blue shirt I slept in, but back in the same hoodie to keep my face and hair concealed, I smirked up at the massive poster calling for people to come and visit us at Paragon.
Someone had graffitied the advert with childishly funny drawings.
Avery had a moustache and glasses. A cock was cumming down onto his face from his forehead.
Tawn had the word 'wanker' across his forehead. He had a forked tongue wrapped around a hairy cock.
I had buck teeth and wild open eyes. I was given a crown of cocks and tits that squirted upwards.
There was an 't' added over the 'n' of Paragon, and 'fag' covering up the Para. The info before the number to call for tickets had been sprayed over with 'for a quick fuck, call..."
I laughed at how absurd it all was. Quickly snapping a photo, I messaged it to Lumi without first considering how early it was.
She'd probably be up at six. It was too good to keep this to myself.
Should I send it to the other two? Would they find the funny side of it that I did? Or would it be offensive, like it was aiming to be?
Either way, I'd send it. They might not have come to help me last night, but I could still try and engage them in something interesting from the world outside our little rooms.
It was rude and unfiltered out here. I loved it already.
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Watching the women push up the new advert over the top of our old one, their dripping bristle mops glued up along the silhouettes of three figures. Alowyn was in the middle of them, staring seriously over a shoulder while gleaming in a black and red outfit adorned with chains.
"Could you be the new Star?" I read in disbelief "casting happening now?"
Already? After one night?
Didn't they want to catch us and bring us back? Wasn't that the point of getting everyone from Paragon to break several laws in trying to do that?
Was Bruce already assuming we were all gone and was jumping onto his next way to make money? At least I knew none of us had been caught by seeing this going up before me.
The ad did look rushed. I don't even know how they got a photo of Alowyn in costume up here overnight. It looked like the three of us had been cut out around him, but I knew full well we had never been called in to take any shots with him in the first place.
It had to be some sort of photo manipulation. Just toss his head over and older ad that hadn't circulated in a while.
Eh. Props to Bruce in trying to cover his arse. I doubt anyone would show up now that so much information was out there saying how horrible the place was to work at.
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Smiling smugly as I snapped another photo, I wandered past the poster to head to the end of the station where a cafe was nestled into the corner. A little sign hung from a fake pole bolted to the wall showing me that this place was called Autumn's Nook. Basic wooden tables with chained weights at the bases were spread outside the front to offer more seating outside the cozy window seats.
Beside the cafe was a tiny Fasties. People lined up for the coffee squealing away. The aroma of the warm beans being ground up loudly spilled into the air alongside the sweet pastries from next door.
Down from Fasties was another fast food called Acai Bowl. Boasting a healthier option, this shop was large enough to have seats pressed along one wall. A counter ran opposite where people could pick their own ingredients to make a bowl with.
There was a newsagency crammed into the wall beside Acai Bowl that was so crowded with magazines and newspapers that the hybrid snuggled up inside could barely be seen.
I almost missed the sign displaying the name 'Quill and Co.' above the smiling face serving someone wanting a paper.
Down from there were entrances to the toilets. Just on the other side of those was the new poster still being plastered up.
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Advertising was everywhere here.
Large signs were bolted to the floor that scrolled through many businesses, lingering for a few seconds on each one. Fasties printed blurbs on the cups I saw being carried around. Even the wrappers around breakfast burgers people eagerly opened had stickers for other shops also selling them.
The newspaper that was purchased even had adverts slapped across the headline in the form of stickers. People wore their favourite brands. Jingles sang out over the speakers used to announce the arrival and departure of trains.
It was such a strange thing to see. In Paragon, everything was so controlled and concealed behind the dark veil beyond the bright lights of the stage. A glimpse of the outside was allowed when we drank with guests and saw whatever they wore. Because of the smart casual code, branding was usually not encouraged.
It screamed for business out here. There was no escaping consumerism. Every aspect of life was branded and trademarked.
Moving through it all, I approached the manned booth planted in the middle of the ticket tolls.
A man within grinned up at me from a seat. Dressed in a neat blue and black uniform with golden buttons, he reminded me of the attire Melissa had at the hotel.
His green eyes were unusual. I noticed pointed teeth when he grinned again.
From the badge, his name was Wallace.
Such an old name for someone who looked so young.
"Good morning" he greeted me "what can I do for you?"
"I'd like to get through to the trains" I replied in embarrassment.
"Have you got your Sprint Card?" Wallace grinned "is it not working on the readers? Need a top up?"
"I, uh, don't have one of those" I mumbled back.
He peered up at me. Lingering, I saw him studying my face.
Did he recognize me as well?
"You'll need a Sprint Card for all forms of travel around here" he started to file through a drawer of green cards "are you applying for concession?"
"Uh, no?"
"Ok" he tilted to the computer nestled in the corner "name?"
Real one? Or fake? Either way, there was something about the way he studied my face that told me he had put one and one together by linking it to that massive poster he probably saw every day.
"Nisha."
"Funny" he instantly chuckled "same name as that, uh...."
His brow furrowed and he snapped his fingers while pointing to the wall in the direction of the new poster.
"Acrobat?" I offered.
"Nuh, nuh, there's a specific name for it" he groaned "ah well, i'll figure it out. Surname?"
"Smith" I decided on the false one immediately.
"Such a difference for those two" Wallace commented, tapping away after swirling a finger.
I just grinned back, unsure of what to do or say.
"Address?" he asked now.
Paragon's wouldn't work here. If he was signing me up for something, I didn't want Bruce knowing I had been at this station.
I had Lumi's address. I could use that.
"Number fifteen, City Spark Hotel" I recited as I remembered Tawn's name reading it to me "fifty eight Main Street."
On the corner. Four seven one hash. Her car park was six down.
Sadness filled my heart. I wouldn't have to remember that anymore. All these little details were still clinging on tightly.
"Phone number?" Wallace prompted.
"Uh, it's zero five five five thr....."
He gasped, clicking his fingers.
"Chandelier aerialist!" he cut me off, realising quickly "sorry, that was really getting to me. What was the rest?"
Quickly giving him the remaining numbers, he smiled meekly.
"Sorry, you wouldn't be the guy from the poster would you?" Wallace spoke up "same name, same hair?"
I realized my hood wasn't covering as much as I wanted and just sighed up at it.
"Look..." he stood up to open the side of his door, pointing "it's yo...oh."
Alowyn was pushed across us fully now. More glue was being applied to give it a protective coating.
Wallace's face dropped in disappointment and he quickly locked himself back in.
"I swear, of all days..."
I just forced another smile, watching him return to the computer.
"A coincidence" I smiled "I get it all the time."
"I bet you do."
Typing in a few more things, including a false birthday he remarked about being on New Year's, as I was slid across a bright green card.
It was too easy. All this time and I was just being handed my freedom, like that?
"That's everything?" I picked it up and glanced at the legal blurb on the back.
"That'll get you through the gates" Wallace pointed "it won't get you on a train. I can do your ticket here, or you can pay with a card through the machine further down."
He pointed again and I leant across to see the very machine he was referencing sitting at the side of the entrance of the station. Down a little dip was the main road I had disembarked from earlier.
Security was walking around there. Three patrolled together, talking. Looking up at the food shops, I saw another two entering from the other side, talking amongst themselves.
"Can I book here?"
"Of course!" Wallace lightened up again "where are you going?"
I hadn't given it much thought since last night. I was limited on funds. That would be my deciding factor.
"Can I get to Mistigo Forest for two ninety?"
"I'm sure you could go anywhere on that sort of cash" Wallace commented as he typed again "you'll need to catch a train to Gumbay, then get on the linking buses from there to Short's Point dropoff. There's a bunch of them there since the Point is where everyone rides out from" he told me like I'd know.
"Oh, thanks."
At least it was a short trip. That sounded doable.
"From the point, you'll need to get the three fifty numbered bus to Dorringo South, where you'll tram it on the Five S seventy three to Banilba" he continued "then, finally, from Banilba, you'll bus it again on the X twelve to Forest's Edge; name of a town, not a location. That place is a twenty minutes walk to the Mistigo Forest where you can take the track to the info desk where the guides will be for tours."
It was all so overwhelming. So many links and times I had to study and bend to. I couldn't miss a single one or my whole plan would be ruined.
"Did you want me to start booking you for those?" Wallace asked "it's going to take a good..." he leant forward and squinted "ten hours and thirty nine minutes to get there."
"Ten hours?!" I gasped out.
"It's a long way you want to go to see some waterfalls and birds" Wallace commented "it's going to be two hundred and eleven dollars to get all that sorted for you."
Most of my money gone. Maybe if I hadn't of said anything, the price would have been cheaper? He was only pricing it high because I revealed what I was carrying.
"When does the train leave from here?" I accepted my stupidly high price and started to rummage through my hoodie pocket where I kept my cash rolled within my old clothing.
"I've got the next one in half an hour" he grinned "gives you time to grab some brekky and look around."
I don't think I'd venture far from here in case I ran the risk of missing the train.
"I'll take it" I shrugged "not much choice."
"You got family up that way?" he questioned while tapping and clicking "it's a long trip."
"My home is there" I started feeding notes across to him "it's a wonderful area."
"I've heard Forest's Edge is quite beautiful" he agreed "got all sorts of old houses and those nice stone roads. Really set in its time. Great for tourists. You'd get tonnes of them coming through your way then."
I blew out a breath, agreeing.
"Oh, heaps" I laid it on thick "can't escape them on the holidays."
"I bet!" Wallace laughed "so, what brings you all the way out here? Not any jobs going in Gumbay or Dorringo?"
"Well, it was kind of my dream to make it big in a big city like Burrside" I shrugged "and it worked there for a bit."
It wasn't exactly all lies. I had been quite comfortable roaming with the Dane all those years. When I outgrew wild needs, the shine and sounds of the city lured me to where I thought I'd be taken care of until I could rejoin him. Becoming a Star was just a bonus.
"Ah, I get you" Wallace nodded and smiled "my dream was to be a steward there for a bit. See the world; travel overseas."
This genuinely amused me. I looked around to make sure I wasn't holding anyone up.
"It's early" he waved a hand "not many people come by here anyway."
"Ah."
"I get to see the world from here instead" he shrugged "it's fascinating seeing where people come and go. At least i'm in a big station, so I have that cut out for me."
The poor guy. He tried to sound hopeful but I could tell he had given up on being in the skies a long time ago.
"I guess the same thing that got me got you too?" he questioned "the impossible rent for a shoebox out there?"
"Oh" I blinked back, softening "yeah. It's impossible."
"Right? Bleeding us dry!" Wallace chuckled as he processed my money and pushed across a five dollar note and two two-dollar coins.
I pushed them into my pouch, feeling the pinch already. I was down to seventy-nine dollars. That had to last me until I could sustain myself off the land.
"I do hope you have a good time seeing your family again" Wallace slid the paper ticket across with all sorts of arrows and destinations shortened onto abbreviations across it "and don't miss your connections, otherwise it'll be an even longer and expensive trip!"
"Thanks" I laughed with him as I pushed it into the growing pocket as well.
"Take this too" he turned to slap down a pamphlet for Paragon "if you see the other Nisha there, you can both get a photo together."
He gave a wink and I knew he was just pulling my leg. He was fully aware of who I was but wasn't overreacting to draw attention.
"If you head out the station and go left, you can find a convenience store not far down the path. Get yourself a secure bag so you don't lose that ticket. It's going to be costly to replace it."
That was a good tip. An actual bag would be helpful for whatever I wanted to take with me to my new home. It made me paranoid knowing that my money and costly ticket was now just sitting within an pouch at the front that was open on both sides. A bag would solve that. I could also use it as a pillow until I outgrew the need for human things.
"The BeiniMart sells the best iced drinks too for a buck" Wallace added " chilli rockmelon is the one I recommend. Take this and get a bottle for half price."
He pulled up another glossy advert on the wall behind him to give me. Colourful plastic bottles lined the bottom, announcing half off a ten dollar sipper when purchasing a fill.
"Thank you for the help" I smiled as it went in with the others.
My hood was growing heavy from the overload of items. I could feel it tugging across my head.
"Hey, maybe we'll bump into each other again one day?" he shrugged "I'm from Stagaulk, not too far from you."
"Maybe" I smiled, not knowing anything about the name I was supposed to "I'd better go get that bag."
"And be back before seven thirty!" he warned me as I started to walk away "ten minutes before!"
"Ok!" I grinned, hurrying for the other side of the station.
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The bright BeiniMart was only a few meters down from the massive station that loomed over the pathway. Busses raced around traffic on the road while trams took it at a slower pace.
Stepping inside the air conditioned shop was a nice relief from the humidity outside.
There were already a group of school kids at the frozen drink machines, filling up on a cheap fix to have enough energy for their walk. Their bags hung low from the weight of the books inside. Two had matching colourful cords hanging from the top zipper.
I avoided the machines and went for the wall opposite me where hot and cold food was displayed. Being early, there were only a few pies and sausage rolls left. It seemed nobody liked the spinach and ricotta rolls that had the most left.
The fridge held a few premade sandwiches and salads. There was flavoured yogurt and sushi here too. Up beside both fridges was a cabinet of branded doughnuts in all sorts of flavours.
Walking past the food, I saw the two half-sized aisles that contained various stationary items. The first aisle was blue and black school bags, plain lunchboxes, empty books, white socks, and a few cute keychains.
Opposite me were car fresheners, car sprays, bags of occy straps, thick and thin cable ties, car chargers, small portable chargers, charging cables, and silly dash board characters that danced in the sun.
Surprisingly, the aisles were well managed and structured. A few items had been misplaced, but overall, it was very tidy.
Peering over the bags like I had any choice between the two dull colours, I saw that each one was twenty-two dollars.
If I added the bottle onto it, it was twenty-seven. I'd had fifty two dollars left.
Should I get food? A charger? I'd have to recharge the charger, but I'd be on busses and trains for a while. Maybe they had ports I could use?
Grabbing the blue bag, I turned for the chargers. A mini one of 5,000 mah, whatever that was, was twenty-nine fifty. It was the cheapest of the lot.
I'd round it up to thirty. Minus that from fifty-two left me with twenty two.
Did I need the charger? Or was food more important? I'm sure I could grab some cheap shit here for twenty-two. I wanted to keep in contact with Barley and Lumi to make it a little easier.
The charger joined the bag. I looked over to see the school kids laughing about overflowing their drinks they quickly drank so they could hurry to the front counter to pay.
Darting around for the bottles lined up beside the machines, I saw that the chilli rockmelon was still setting. The bright green syrup sloshed as the white arms beat through it.
Looking across, I had white fairy bread, purple taro pandan, and red salted watermelon available. The most popular was the watermelon, which was half full.
I guess I'd go for that one then then. I wasn't brave enough to mix it up with the other flavours. If it was horrible, I'd tough it out and wait until I could refill with water later.
I quickly rummaged through my hoodie and took a photo of the flavours for Lumi. At least I'd have something to talk about later.
Filling up a clear bottle printed with green lettering stating that this was 'my party drink', alongside a few wacky party hats and streamers.
Whatever worked, I guess. The other two options were 'don't hate, hydrate' and 'sip and slide summer'.
With my freezing bottle hooked in one finger, I saw muffins lined up beside the doughnuts. For three dollars each, there was a variety of chocolate, orange poppyseed, blueberry, banana, and pear.
I could get a few of those too. They were quite large and looked like they'd fill me around the frozen drink. It'd probably be cheaper than whatever the train was offering.
Four would be twelve. I'd have an even ten after that, give or take a few cents I knew were sprinkled in my clothing.
This could work. I smiled at how smart I was being as I added two white chocolate raspberry muffins and two banana ones to the bundle in my arms.
I was ready. I still had sixteen minutes to the train and nobody was after me.
Pouring it all out onto the counter and quickly parting with my cash, I dumped everything inside the bag happily, feeling my hoodie loosen instantly.
The literal weight was off my shoulders. This was much easier already! I was doing so well by myself on what cash I had left. I'd have to tell Lumi all about it when I rang her.
With a pang in my gut of remembrance, I plunged my hand into the mess in the bag to pull out the beloved keychain Lydia had given me. Giggling at the altered face, I used my nails to open the ring so I could loop it through the zipper.
It looked better already. Beaming at it, I snapped a quick shot and texted it to Barley before dawdling back up to the station, breathing in the aromas of the city and the nestled shops with a smile on my face.
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Giggling with glee as the gates lit up green and let me through, I settled on the named seat in the right destination so I could sort my belongings.
The loose change, phone, and my ticket went into the front zipper. The drink bottle was pushed into the mesh pouch on the side. The muffins were lined up beside the charger and my cord on the bottom, on top of my crushed shirt. Alligator Barley hung over it all.
That was it. I really wasn't carrying much at all.
Room for more, I guess. If I ever got more money to afford anything else.
For now, I was happy. I had my destination and was safe. If anyone wanted to get me here, they'd have to deal with the gates and the present security lingering. In a few minutes, my train would be here and I would be gone.
It all felt too good to be true. I felt happiness bubble up inside and I snuggled down into the chair and the warm patch I had created sitting here.
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The speaker overhead blared with a warning for the approaching train and location. I checked my ticket to make sure I was in the right place, even though I had already done that previously. I knew I was, but I couldn't leave anything up to chance if they somehow switched tracks or turned up at a different time.
Turning my head, I watched as the magnificent train began it's crawl into the station. The white and black front gleamed from polish and a light mist of rain from beyond. Checkerboard logos sailed down the sides in a wonderful rainbow. The windows were all clear, showing off the spacious cabin inside that was lined with one long row of dark blue seats on each side.
Some seats were positioned to face each other. People crowded the doors that glowed and beeped as they pushed outwards and slid across.
I got up from the seat to approach the closest door. Others gathered here too with their luggage, eager to board and get comfortable.
The speaker babbled again, announcing the train. As others hurried for the gates, there were a few pushing through to run for the train I was being filtered into.
The change in temperature hit me as soon as I stepped over the yellow line and gap between the train and concrete platform. It was cooler inside from the air conditioner. It also smelled strongly of dark coffee and the bitter ink on the newspapers sold nearby.
Following the aisle and checking the numbers glowing from the side of the seats, I found my seat was one of the few that had been turned to face the one before me.
Quickly getting comfortable in the padded seat, I put my bag on the one next to me. Between my seat and the next was an outline of something rectangular laid down the wall.
Speakers set into the roof above me. The air conditioner blasted down to keep me cool. There was even a button to call for help between them both.
This was nice. Even facing the right way, the seats opposite me offered enough leg room to rest on the retractable footrests. My knees would have touched the seat in front of me if I was turned the right way.
Getting in a quick selfie, I grinned as I messaged it to both Lumi and Barley. I saw that my other messages hadn't been read by Lumi, but had by Barley.
What was going on?
My phone vibrated with a laughing face from Barley. He sent across a thumbs up soon after.
Was he ok? He didn't usually speak through icons. Had he been hurt in the raid on his house? Had Lumi?
I had to ring him to make sure they were both ok. He'd be with the others anyway.
Quickly dialing his number, I waited for the whirring of the tone to cut through. After a few seconds of ringing, there was silence.
"Hello?" I spoke up, confused.
"Holy shit" Barley breathed "Chalky! Am I glad to hear from you! I was just looking at your stupid face, you idiot!"
I smiled back, hearing his excitement. He laughed with me.
"Are you guys ok?" I asked now "after last night?"
Barley drew in a breath, dragging out an unsure noise.
"Welllll" he pitched up in his voice "I kinda...spent the night at the station?"
"What?!"
"Now, I know you said 'don't do anything illegal' and all that.... and I really didn't! I don't think biting a few people would be classified as.... illegal."
I groaned back. He already knew he was in deep shit, hence the guilty voice.
"Why?" I whined "you can't do things like this, Bar!"
"Jeez, you sound like Mum" he mumbled back "I've already copped an earful from them too, don't you worry. They let me go not long ago. We're still heading home."
So he was in the car. Was Lumi there too?
"How is everyone else?"
"Dad's kinda mad" he dropped his voice again "and Mum was upset. She's at home with the girls."
"Was anyone hurt?" I pushed.
"Oh, other than the ones who barged in, no. I did a good job!" Barley beamed, instantly being shut down by the voice of his father telling him otherwise.
"How is Lumi?"
Barley groaned, huffing.
"She's fine" he brushed aside with a flat tone "she won't stop listening to those dumb songs from the Paragon playlist and crying."
"Songs?" I frowned now.
We had a playlist? Since when?
"Oh, you are so glad you don't need to listen to that shit" Barley sighed back as I watched someone approach the other seat, checking their ticket and smiling nervously at me "it's just shit, I tell you. I swear I know all the words off by heart now, and that's just sad."
The person with patched brown and white skin sat at the window opposite me, glancing and smiling again. They quickly placed their bag on their lap, hugging it.
I saw they had a fine net shirt that was embroidered with flowers obscuring their patches arms crossing their front.
"Lumi is dealing with her emotions in her own way, as you should be" I heard Faris speak up in the background "in a less destructive way."
"Daaad" Barley grumbled back "she's carrying on like they've broken up! They weren't even dating!"
"Up pa" Faris tutted back "I don't want to hear it."
Their brown eyes were trying not to look at me for too long. They must had seen familiarity, like others had, but didn't want to seem rude.
"And I don't care what you say, you've got to be thankful none of them wanted to press charges. You never know if the parents will change their minds" Faris continued sternly.
"Dad, I'm trying to talk to Nisha here" Barley whined back "it was self defence."
Their dark face was speckled with patches of white. They dipped it down to a pastel green and blue handheld console they pulled out, quickly turning down the volume when it momentarily chimed loudly, causing us to both smile.
The little dangling charm was shaped like a fish and filled halfway with some sort of glittery liquid that looked like a swishing galaxy. There were little boats bobbing on top.
"Be thankful you are even allowed to have that phone" Faris bit back "you need to learn from last time. We don't want to repeat that, do we?"
Barley was quiet. I saw the young woman opposite me quickly glance to my phone that was obviously a little loud, smiling sympathetically.
"Well?"
"No dad" Barley moaned back "can I talk to my brother now?"
She smiled to herself, playing her game in silence. She pushed brown hair from her face that was twisted into a braided bun on top of her head.
"Until we get home, then your phone is mine."
"That's not fair! I warned them! It's not my fault they're too stupid to keep coming in!"
"Hey" I spoke now, giggling "I can leave you guys be. Sounds like you've got a lot to sort out."
"Nah, I've got nothing else" Barley replied "I'm just happy to hear from someone who isn't judging me for doing the right thing."
He aimed the last part at his father who snapped his fingers.
"Give me the phone" he demanded.
"No! I'm talking to Nisha!"
The young woman snorted, trying to hide it.
"Give it to me" he growled "Barley Tjindu Orinchus, you will listen to your father!"
"Not the middle name!" he groaned back, deeply embarrassed "Dad, that's embarrassing!"
"It means sunshine, and at the moment, you are being anything but, Barley" Faris snapped back "phone."
"I got to go" Barley almost whispered in shame "can you ring Lumi and get her to stop playing that shit?"
"Barley!"
He grumbled again, whining.
"Bye."
"Bye" I laughed back, holding it in when I heard him cut out before I lowered the phone back down.
"I'm sorry" the woman giggled "I was trying not to listen, but it was a little loud."
"Sorry about that" I giggled "it's just my friend."
"Barley Jindoo?" she smirked.
I nodded, snorting.
"I'm Tenley" she smiled.
"Nisha" I grinned back.
"See, I thought so" she wagged a finger at me "you're the one with the headband of dicks and tits on the wall."
She poked her fingers up from her forehead, wiggling them. We both laughed.
"Yeah, that's me" I shook my head in amusement at her.
There was no point keeping the hood up then. It seemed like everyone knew who I was. I was already out of the danger zone.
"Wow, they really do darken your hair for the ads" Tenley commented when I pushed it back "that's really cool. Albino?"
"Leucism."
"Vitiligo" she gestured to herself.
"It's really pretty" I spoke, before realising "ah, sorry."
"That's ok" she blushed, grinning "better than 'cow patches'."
"Ah, I get you" I nodded "I think 'whitey' and 'loushie' is the most creative people come up for me."
"They try so hard" she smirked.
I agreed.
"Do you mind if I actually sit here?" she patted her seat "I'm not actually in this seat. I just made it look like I was because I saw you and wanted to chat."
My mood dampened a little. Of course she was just another person wanting to get close to me for some bragging rights.
I couldn't exactly get her to move. The train was already closing it's doors and screaming out a whistle to alert everyone else.
"It's yours" I flicked a hand.
"Thank you" Tenley beamed "I saw you when I was in Autumn's Nook and thought that it'd be cool."
Not really, but what else was I going to do for hours?
"I don't exactly see a lot of, you know....."
She paused, trying not to say it.
"Monkeys?" I offered, a little annoyed.
Why did everyone dart around the word? It was obvious I wasn't human.
The train lurched as it began to move. Rocking in our seats, we were soon stabiliser as we picked up speed.
The station was rolling past. People on the platform waved to their loved ones. Others raced the length to try and beat the train. Grey walls replaced the station, tangled with power lines and all sorts of zigzagging wires overhead.
I let out a breath. Finally, nothing could get me.
Tenley saw my relief, smiling at it.
"I'm glad I finally met someone like me."
I pulled my gaze from the window, confused.
"Spider monkey?" she fed the answer to my confusion.
"Oh.... Oh!"
"Yeah" she smiled "hard to find someone like you out there. I'm a Wooly."
We weren't identical, but Tenley was in the same sub species there somewhere. It was in her name, after all.
"I've never heard of a wooly monkey" I admitted, grabbing my phone to search.
"There's not many left" she spoke as she watched me "you'll want to type 'hybrid' after it, otherwise you'll just get the normal ones."
I added the extra word, being instantly met with pictures of gigantic silvery monkeys with brown heads. Their fur was so soft and fluffy that it added density to their bodies. Most were planted down on all fours, showing off massive teeth and wide, dark eyes.
"What are you doing out here then?" I asked when I pressed on an article to scroll down through it "it says you guys are endangered."
"Ah, well, its embarrassing" Tenley mumbled back.
Silence fell between us as I waited for her to answer me.
"I want a baby."
"Ah" I breathed out, unsure of what to say "ok."
"But it's kinda hard when you're endangered" she forced a laugh, turning to the window instead.
I could see she was hurt about the topic.
"There's plenty of apes at Paragon" I piped up to try and lighten her mood "and I'm sure there's heaps out there! Oh, Burrside would have quite a few!"
"That's why I was there" she lifted a hand to flop it down "they're all wrong. Chimps, gorillas, and orangutans. There was even a gibbon. No Spiders."
My enthusiasm fell with her. Tenley shuffled uncomfortably, looking down at her console.
"Well...." I began, laughing nervously as I tried to steer from the topic "what about home? Do you have family there?"
"Oh..." she smiled, blinking back her sadness "I'm from Tennembee. I help with the sheep there; kind of like a guardian."
"For the sheep?" I smirked now, fascinated "I've never heard of that."
She smiled, wiping her eyes quickly. The topic of home was bringing joy back to her face.
"They're wonderful. When you sleep next to them, they are so soft and warm. Better than any blanket."
It did sound good. I grinned with her, envisioning being amongst such comfort.
"Hybrids are quite popular in jobs like that" she spoke up, nodding "they think we are smarter than average animals."
"I would hope so!" I laughed.
She joined me, cheering up again.
"I'm sorry for dumping everything on you. I'm just happy to finally meet you."
"Or someone similar?" I giggled "I get it. I'm kind of happy you are here too. I've met a bunch of different people but none like me. Kinda hard for that."
"Smuggle baby?" she guessed.
"Yes!"
"Fur trade" she boasted "then black market pet trade."
"I was a pet too!" I gasped, leaning close.
"Oh my God, what was your pet name?" she breathed excitedly "get this, I was Fluffy."
"Fluffy!" I choked out "no!"
"Totally not the most used name ever" she rolled her eyes, hiding laughter.
"I was Milk Biscuits" I revealed, seeing her eyes light up immediately.
"Like the show?!"
Wait, she actually knew it?
I started the hum the tune and she joined in. We laughed as we trailed off, wildly amused.
"How on earth do you know that?" I questioned.
"Oh, there's not much to do in a small town" she played it cool "old DVDs are always in the op shop there. The woman i live with got the whole series for ten bucks a few years back."
Ten dollars? There was actually copies still out there today that people wanted to watch?
"Where are you heading?" Tenley asked now "you can stop by mine on the way through if it's nearby and we can watch it. I'll show you around the place and get Mama Jude to make her pumpkin risotto. It's to die for."
I felt my gut clench when I grimaced back at her.
"I've already got everything paid up for Mistigo Forest."
"Ah, shit" she deflated "that's about two hours from us."
She sighed and looked down at her console again. I felt bad for killing her cheerfulness so quickly.
"Do you have a place to stay there?" she pried.
I shrugged.
"I'm just going to wing it."
Why was she so intrigued in where I was going? We may have shared similarities, but we were strangers to each other.
"Out there?" her voice gasped back "with the weather and the insects? And you didn't organize somewhere to stay?"
I shrugged again, trying to not let her know I hadn't thought that far.
To me, returning to my wild state was almost instant. Obviously not from her reaction.
"You can't just wing it in a place like that" she sighed at me "look, I'm getting off at the Tennembee stop if you change your mind. I'm sure Mama Jude would be happy to take you to the forest when you want to. It's no place for a hybrid still in human skin. You'll have a bed and food with us. I could even ask around for a cash in hand job if you need money. I doubt it from where you've just come from."
She snickered and I just smiled back, my gut churning at how wrong she was.
A place to sleep and food guaranteed? Why was she offering me all of this? Simply because she knew me from the adverts and wanted to be kind to someone popular? It didn't seem like she was a fan of the show. She didn't have that same breathless, almost rabid-like, movement about her the others usually had.
"You're not just saying all the right things so you can lure me out to the middle of nowhere and kill me, are you?" I joked.
Tenley laughed.
My face fell when I saw she didn't deny it.
"Of course not!" she scoffed at my expression that loosened up "we are alike! I, uh, think we can help each other out."
Her voice changed and she peered down at her lap, looking up at me through her lashes.
Was she flirting with me?
"Oh? What can I do?"
"Well..." she moved her console off her lap and placed it with her bag beside her so she could sit beside me "I'm looking for someone like me and you are looking for the same thing, surely?"
A partner like me? She was getting the wrong idea.
"Oh, no" I chuckled back "I've already got someone I love."
Tenley's face fell. She looked me over in worry.
"You have a girlfriend?"
"I wouldn't call her that" I giggled nervously "Lumi is very dear to me, but we aren't quite there yet. We didn't have the time."
"So, it's a new love?" she sounded hopeful.
I nodded, blushing. Talking about Lumi made my heart flutter. I felt horrible for leaving her the way I did, knowing she was hurting so horribly right now.
I should ring her and make sure she was ok. From what Barley said, she could use a familiar voice to help her.
"I've been looking for a long time" she peered down at my hands in my lap "it's so good you have someone you can turn to like her. Aren't you lonely, leaving her?"
"A little" I admitted "but I can ring her any time. Lumi understands why I had to go. This wasn't something I wanted to do without her."
If I could go wild with her, I would. We'd make our own little home and raise many children together. It'd be just us, as it should be.
My heart fluttered thinking about it. I felt burning across my cheeks that ran down beneath my hands.
I missed her already.
"I'm lonely too" Tenley lowered her voice as she dropped her eyes.
I saw them glimmer with tears again. Instantly, I felt sorry for her.
It must have been hard for her to try and search for someone to share a life with, only to come up short. The city held opportunity but was also so cruel in what it handed out.
"I'm sure you'll find someone" I tried to remain optimistic for her.
It was highly unlikely though. I was facing the same situation when I eventually went wild. I would have no-one to share my new home with. It would be a very lonely existence.
Tenley was obviously suggesting something more. She was returning to her home without a partner or a hope of having a child of her own after possibly years of searching. I was her solution. She made that obvious when she hunted me down and came to sit opposite me.
I could bat away her hints and dart around the signals, but I knew deep down that this was possibly my only chance as well. It was a desperate desire, based purely on survival. We were the same. We were both never going to get this opportunity again in our lives.
I couldn't do that to Lumi. My heart belonged to her.
But I didn't need to give it to this woman. Tenley wasn't looking for the same vision of partnership I was. In all the ways she spoke, it sounded like she wanted to raise her baby alone amongst the protection of the timid sheep herd.
This could be a shot at my vision. I'd either live in Mistigo Forest with this stranger, fulfilling my dreams that were supposed to be with an imaginary Lumi, or I could give into that dark primal desire to carry on my blood through any way possible, living elsewhere from whatever I helped create.
I still loved Lumi, but I was facing a horribly lonely existence without her here. Truthfully, she'd never be able to live in the forest with me. She had her family and had no desire to run wild. Her life was better without me in it.
I'd hold her in my heart as long as I still remembered her. Hopefully as I slipped into the wild state, I'd have something of her left.
Fuck. I really wished this woman was Lumi. If she suggested anything like this....
My gut dropped. The night I had gone to hers for the first time, she had been adamant on me sharing her room. She became irritated when I went to Barley's instead.
She wanted to take a chance and have sex with me that night. The flirting leading up to it when I was tugged from Paragon only confirmed it.
She was so upset when Barley told me about what happened with the last one she trusted. She was really opening her heart to me, and I was too dense to see it.
Fuck!
"I can't" I groaned, leaning away from Tenley "I'm sorry."
Her eyes dropped and her lip quivered. She nodded, sniffling as she gathered her bag and console so she could rush down the aisle without a word.
I felt my own tears prickling. Wiping them away, I turned my attention outside where green grass was whipping by. Homes curved along roads that dipped and weaved around beside us. The grass was momentarily replaced with concrete pathways where people walked with their families and loved ones.
I squeezed my phone, looking down at it sadly.
As much as my heart ached for Lumi, i'd be alone. I had done the right thing.
I had, hadn't I?
The train kept powering through the land, speeding away from the homes and back into countryside again that was brightly basking in the sun washing over the trees and swaying grass. Ponds flooded the grass momentarily. Rivers carved into the earth and slithered beneath bridges obscuring the view with metal beams crossing each other.
I had until Tennembee to settle on my decision. Until then, I would turn to Lumi's comforting voice to help squash down the questions still floating in my troubled mind.
ns3.15.1.201da2
