"It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power." - Alan Cohen
My eyes jolted open as the train stopped at yet another train station. I looked around the compartment and realized the three strangers who used to occupy the seats in front of me had now disappeared. I slid left towards the foggy window. To my surprise, it was raining. I traced a zigzag line on the window focusing my eyes on the scenery outside. I could see doors being closed on the train and the last remaining children exiting. There was a small jolt and the train started to move once again. I looked down and picked up a book I brought along from home. I suspected I wouldn't find much to do were I was staying. I read over the title reading Brilliant Mixes of Love. For some reason, this book's title seemed more interesting back home then at the moment. I opened my bag and slid the thick book back into its place. I looked down at the large tag attached to my sweater and examined it. I sighed letting the tag fall back to its place on my sweater. I was lost in thought once more. I wondered if I would ever see my family or home again. Even though I was being sent out of town for only temporarily I hoped I wouldn't have to return home. I sighed, laid my head against the back of the burgundy seat and closed my eyes.
Two and a half hours later.I was awoken to the loud intercom calling my stop. I stood up from my place and stretched my stiff legs. I picked up my piece of luggage and walked out of the compartmenttowards a man who was standing next to the exit. He examined my ticket and nodded his head, motioning for me to exit.
"Good day," the man said to me once I was on the platform of my exit. I politely smiled as I heard the train make one more whistle before starting to move again. I took one last look at the racing train enhancing speed as it departed my platform.
I walked across the platform and down a shallow flight of stairs. I noticed a wet note pinned to a wooden post and walked to the post tearing it off. I unfolded it and read :
Ms. Emielia Notinson,
I will be here to pick you up at the time of 6:00pm. Please wait.
Mrs. McGready
I laid the note next to me and sat on the wet stairs looking around.e. Everything was green and in place, unlike the city. The sky was still cloudy and I feared I would get poured on before being picked up. I took a deep breath of the cold air and exhaled watching my warm smoke-like breath, disappear. I smiled remembering how as a child I was foolish enough to pretend it was cigarette smoke.
"Ahem," an unfamiliar famine voice said. I stood up, unaware of her approach.
"I'm sorry" I apologized.
"I assume you are Emielia Notinson…" She responded.
"Yes." I answered picking up my luggage. I walked as fast as I could towards the back of the wagon she arrived in and lifted myself in.
As we started off, neither of us said anything. About ten minutes into the drive, I caught glimpse of one of the most beautiful homes I'd ever seen. It was large, like a castle, and there were trees surrounding it.
"Is this where we are staying?" I asked the woman.
"Yes it is." She replied shortly after.
"It's beautiful."
"Yes it is, and very large, so expect rules."
I tried my hardest not to roll my eyes, but I found it a difficult task.
We slowly pulled up to the front of the beautiful house. I climbed down from the wagon and collected my luggage. As I looked up at the entrance I found myself dumfounded by the greatness of the home. Never in my life had I even been in a house so large. I followed Mrs. McGready inside, interested in the many statues and paintings scattered around the large entrance room. Every little detail about the house was amazing.
"There will be no runnin', no use of the dumb waiter-,"the woman began saying as if she had it well rehearsed.
"Excuse me, but…the dumb waiter, I'm not sure I've heard that term before."
"Don't be smart with me young lady! There will be no back talking. And no disturbing the professor, he is a very busy man, and he does not need children lollygagin' around and interruptin' him," She snapped, "Now You will be sharin' a room with two other girls, I hope that will not be a problem."
"That's fine may' am." I nodded my head and looked up the stairs.
"Your room is up the stairs to the left, it's the last room," the woman continued, "The others will tell you the rest you need to know."
And with that the woman walked away. I started walking up the stairs. The thought of other children being here with me never even flew across my mind, although maybe being here won't be as bad as I thought.
Mrs. McGready left to another room once I was at the top of the stairs. I was confused when I entered another room with even more stairs. I continued to step up them finally reaching a hallway. I lifted my luggage higher off the ground and made my way down the long hallway. I made it to the last door and took a deep breath. What if the girls won't like me? What if I won't like them?
I opened the door silently, and peeped into the room. The room was empty and chilly. Relieved, I slipped inside and noticed it was more like two very large rooms combined. I looked around and noticed other people's belongings on the dressers and beds. I walked over to the empty bed, laying out my belongings.