Hold On--Chapter 2

I’m panting. I’m running a fast as my legs can carry me. I don’t dare look back at the inferno waiting to engulf me in its hot flames. Where am I? Before I can find an answer, I feel scorching heat surrounding me.

I sit up finding myself on the train, sweat rolling down my face. I breathe a sigh of relief and head to the bathroom for a drink. As I shut my cabin door, I feel a light touch on my shoulder.

“Oh, it’s you,” I whisper as I turn to see Dillon’s face.

“I heard you scream and just wanted to make sure you were okay,” he says. “You know, that you weren’t hurt,” he adds.

“Yeah, nightmare, that’s all,” I say feeling like a five year-old.

“Well I’m glad you’re okay. See you tomorrow.” I nod and Dillon gives me a smile as he heads down the hall.

As I reach for the bathroom doorknob, I hear someone sobbing inside.

“Hello?” I call. No response. “Can I come in?” I try. The doorknob turns and I see Olivia’s auburn hair concealing her puffy eyes. “What’s wrong Olivia?” I ask with a hint of urgency.

“I…I can’t do it,” she stutters between sobs. “I can’t go back to my house. Not without my parents!” My face softens.

“Olivia, what were your parents like?” This was a question none of us had dared to ask. To my surprise, she gave a weak smile and dried the tears that were rolling down her cheeks.

“Me and Marcus spent a lot of time with them,” she said happily.

“You and Marcus?” I question.

“Yeah we’re brother and sister,” she replies.

“Oh,” I say suddenly realizing they both shared unmistakable emerald green eyes.

“Anyway,” she continued, “I used to spend hours in the kitchen with mom learning all of her recipes. She also taught me with plants and berries were safe to eat. We gardened together too.” I smile at the thought. “Marcus would hunt with dad. Shoot game with spears and arrows, set traps,” she explained, “and sometimes I’d go out and shoot a few arrows. Hunting isn’t my strong suit though.”

“Well cooking isn’t mine,” I say smiling. She gives a stifled laugh.

“My dad always told us to stick together if anything was to happen to him and mom,” she says, tears welling up in her eyes. I look at the clock and see that it’s almost three a.m.

“We’d better get back to bed,” I say, pointing at the clock.

“Yeah,” she says, standing up. We step out into the hall and make our way back to our cabins. Once we reach hers, she opens the door then stops.

“Skye?” she asks.

“Yeah?” I reply.

“Thanks,” she says smiling.

“No problem,” I say as we reach out our arms and hug.

While I’m listening to the click-clack of the train on the tracks back in my cabin, I realize that I forgot to get a drink.