Chapter 2.1: Derail

I felt the tears streaming through my pale skin. My heartbeat was racing with my shallow breaths. I waited for the bullet to hit me but it had been minutes already when I heard the gunshot. I started to hear distinct sounds of katydids and crickets. I got curious so I slowly opened my eyes. Everything was dark, only the stars gave a faint light to the vast night. I tried to look carefully to see where exactly I was. When the moon showed up from hiding beneath the clouds, I was surprised to see myself standing in the middle of a railroad surrounded by bushes and gigantic trees. 

A gust of cold wind puffed through me. That’s when I came to realize that I’m only wearing a thin garment. I hugged myself scared that someone might see me just wearing a white night dress. I looked around keenly to make sure no one was around.

Hold on. Where am I? Does this place have something to do with the book?

Well… this is better than a gunshot though. Thank you father! But I hope the bookkeeper was safe. How did I end up being here? I tried to step out but my feet were stuck on something. I pulled again but something scaly was creeping tightly around my left ankle. I heard a loud honking noise from afar. A blinding light and thick smoke was approaching me, only to realize it was a train and it's coming my way! I tried to pull out my foot again but the thorns were prickling my skin. I thought I was already saved from the gunman but why a train now? I started to panic as I watched the train getting closer.

Am I going to die this time? For real?

“God, am I really destined to die today?” I sobbed. 

I decided to surrender my life to the nearing death. I closed my eyes and embraced myself with the fear creeping inside me. There are things we can’t stop from happening — and this is one of those I guess.

My heart thudded as I heard the train coming closer. I waited for the hit but it became silent all of a sudden. 

Am I already dead?

Curious of the silence, I opened my left eye to have a peek of what might have happened. My eyes almost popped out when I saw the train frozen just a few inches away from me.

What happened?!

I saw a shadow of a person standing behind me. I turned and saw a familiar yet unknown face staring blankly at me. He was wearing a linen black cloak. His height was towering me and his long dark hair was messed up by the calm blows of the wind. The headlights of the train projected a shadow of the perfect sculpt of his nose. He looked like a carved masterpiece of a cherubim and his eyes were glistening with the moonlight’s reflection. He’s prettier than me!

I tried to stand up to face him but I lost balance. I almost fell to the ground when he grabbed my right hand and helped me to stand again. Our eyes met and I felt a sudden rush of blood pushing through my veins. I remembered what I was only wearing so I pushed him away. My butt fell on the hard planks and it hit my bone. I whimpered in pain.

I saw his brows furrowed as he stared at my clothing. “Does your suicidal requires wearing a translucent fabric?” He scoffed.

I hugged myself in embarrassment and glared at him. "I’m not trying to kill myself, I didn’t even know how I get here." I corrected him. “But I don’t really understand why I am wearing this dress. As much as I could remember, I was wearing my school uniform before I opened the book.” I murmured to myself while brushing my shoulders with my freezing hands.

“Are you talking to yourself? Better get up and hurry, this train will run again after a few seconds.” He made me panic.

I tried to move my left foot but it was still stuck. I guess he noticed it so he came closer and ripped the vines chained around my ankle. I groaned in pain, I realized it was already bleeding. 

“Who are you?” I asked him while he was removing the thorns left on my wound.

He stopped and chuckled sarcastically. “So you don't even know my existence huh?” 

“But this is just the first time I saw you,” I explained calmly. I was stunned when he aggressively pinched both my cheeks with his broad hand and pulled his face closer to me. I could feel his breath fanning against my face, making my heart beat irregularly and it was audible through the silence of the night.

“Look closely, I am the great and handsome wizard in the kingdom of Mu. There’s no way you won’t recognize me.” He whispered roughly. 

I was starting to feel terrified about the way he was treating me so I pushed him away. He snickered and moved closer again to me. He was a beauty but the way he laughed was terrifying. I wanted to stand but my other foot stings in pain when I try to move.

“Stop in there!” I warned him but he continued to get closer. I was taken aback when he shoved his arms around me and lifted me up. I almost forgot to breathe when he sprung up to the tarnished top of the old train. The surface where we landed was dented due to the strong impact. 

I stared at him astoundingly and gulped. I felt my throat was dried up. I was more horrified when he smiled like it was fun. “You’re not a human.” I purred, still gaping at him.

“I am,” he nodded like he’s convincing himself of uncertainty. “But an upgraded one,” he boasted. I remained gazing at him while he was still carrying me in his arms.

"What?" He asked when he noticed I've been watching him stiffly. He finally put me down but the train suddenly ran. I clutched on his cloak unintentionally. He tried to pull the cloth out of my grip so I clung both of my hands into it.

"What are you doing?" He asked irritatedly. 

“I’m scared.” I sobbed. He sighed and took off his cloak and threw it to my face. 

“Wear that. I can see everything under that garment.” 

It was like a slap on my face. I forgot how flaunty my dress was. I wrapped the coat around me and hugged my knees. I feel the embarrassment draining the blood inside my body. I knocked on my head to punish myself but I guess I looked stupid doing that. When I peeked at him, I caught him staring at me. A sudden chill squeezed me. He swiftly averted his eyes and turned his back and he was ready to jump off the train.

“Wait!” I stopped him, “don’t leave me up here. I don’t know how to get down.” I whimpered. 

And I also don’t know where I should go. How will I get back home?

He put his hands on his waist and shook his head like he’s already out of patience. He turned and stepped closer to me. He bent his knee and ducked to meet my eyes. “Look. I’m already disappointed in myself for helping you. I should’ve left you there to die,” he took a deep breath and continued, “but your presence is bothering me.” 

“What’s so disappointing about helping someone? You seem to be a good person, so what’s wrong with that?” I said unconsciously. Everything just came out of my mouth without even considering how scary he was earlier.

He looked down and sneered, then he raised his head. His cold gaze was intimidating. “You must know what horrible things I am capable of doing. Don’t you dare ask for help from me again if you still value your life. I don’t care even if my mother favors you.”

“Nemiah?” 

An unfamiliar voice caught our attention. We both looked in the direction of the small balcony a few meters away from us. That was the only time I noticed there was a balcony sitting in there. This train is weird. I squinted my eyes to make my vision clearer. I saw a man wearing an olive cloak glistening under the moonlight. Why does he know my name?

"Hah," the man beside me smirked and stood. "So here comes your knight in shining armor,” he scoffed. He turned to the edge of the roof and glanced at him, “I’m not gonna fight you now. Let’s finish our battle next time,” then he turned to me, “And I might take this lassie as a reward because I’ll be winning for sure." Then he jumped off and vanished to the darkness of the night.

“Wait — !” I called, anticipating he might be just clinging on the side of the train but I guess he was totally gone.