Hope

TWO: An Alien World

A distant train whistle blows, causing me to jump, my hand clutching tighter to Miss Hallow's. She laughs as she pulls me closer as we walk along the station's platform, her skirt swishing softly.

"Come now, Emery. It's just the train whistle. It's to let everyone know to get on board."

I look up at her, bottom lip between my teeth as I trot alongside, my legs struggling with the fast pace. "Are we going to catch this train?" I ask.

She smiles down at me, curly hair bouncing. "No. Remember? Mrs. Colt said the family would meet us here at the train station, and if you turn out to be a good fit for their family, they'll take you back to their home in the city."

I nod, a small frown forming on my face. I really hope this family will take me. I'd very much like to take a trip on the train, but I'd be sad having to leave Miss Hallow and all my friends behind. Maybe I could come back and visit? Surely Mrs Colt would let me come back for a sleepover.

 ~~~

I never did get to catch a train, but now that I'm stuck inside this glowing shoebox, I'm glad I missed the opportunity. Trains had windows, from what I remember, but maybe they were just as horrible to ride in as a voomer.

My stomach twists once again as the vehicle moves. I'm guessing it's picking up speed. I shudder as I'm overwhelmed with the feeling of falling, my hands bracing against the hard plastic seat. I hunch over as the voomer causes another wave of sickness to pass over me, a ball of spit lodging itself in my throat. 

I suppose when you're travelling to places in only minutes, there's bound to be some side effects.

Swallowing, I watch as the voomer door hisses open once again, finally allowing me to exit. I stand, hands grasping the walls as I make my way to the door on wobbly feet, praying that I somehow don't miss the tiny floating step. Making sure I still have my backpack, I can't help it as I blink at the loss of light once I'm plunged into a dark tunnel yet again. Dull violet lights run along the sides towards the exit, and another officer stands at the already open gate. 

"Uh-"

"Emery Lowence?" The officer booms, hands folded behind his back.

"Yes?" I shuffle towards him, eyeing the hulk of a man.

He's dressed in a dark green uniform and a slouched hat. Badges adorn both his jacket sleeves and chest, and there's something far more intimidating about him that the last officer. He stands at a few heads taller than myself, broad shoulders causing his uniform to strain at his shoulders.

"I will escort you to your host." He turns swiftly on his heel, walking away without waiting to see if I'm following.

I guess I don't have a choice, unless I want to be stuck in this tunnel all alone. 

The lights slowly begin to get brighter, the purple hue turning white as we get closer to the exit. Noise from the building ahead echoes down the hallway and I can't help it as my nerves once again begin to spike.

The man before me doesn't change his pace, but as the tunnel begins to lighten, I notice something a little different about him. His spine juts out in his uniform jacket, making it look as if small spikes run down the length of his back. Now that I can have a proper look at him, his frame does look a little too broad for a human. Peering a little closer, I swear I can see small red scales poking out from the top of his uniform collar. 

Feeling myself sweat a little with this newfound discovery, I decide to catch up to him, keeping in time with his long strides. 

"Um, e-excuse me, but would you perhaps know if my, uh, host, is here yet?" I ask.