I blink open my eyes and am instantly blinded by the white light shining down upon me. I abruptly shut them again and once again open them. Slowly, this time.

Where...am I?..

I look around frantically. There are seats lined up all around me in two two-seater rows. Going down the corridor, in between each row, is a walking area for passengers. There are also two four-seater areas in each row's center however, one of which is where I'm sitting. Everything feels shaky.

This place...it looks like...some sort of train compartment...

I look out the window to the right of me, and my suspicions are confirmed. I can see the train is zooming past in a blur...

So, I'm on a train...but how did I get here in the first place?

Just as I'm debating with myself about whether or not I should get off and look for help, a blue and white bipedal cat wearing a primarily red, black-diamond-checked sweater vest walks in.

I simply stare at the cat in complete and utter shock and bewilderment. Unable to think, not even sure how to think.

''It's not polite to stare, you know,'' the cat says with a smug look.

I force myself to snap out of it, looking away quickly, realizing I was just caught staring. This is just a dream... I guess there's no harm in playing along... So, I shouldn't be rude...

''Sorry...'' I mutter, apologizing quietly, while still looking away, out the window.

He laughs, ''It's fine. Sooo, mind if I sit here?''

''Um...no not all all,'' I reply shyly.

He sits down across from me in the four-seater and the train continues to move forward.

''The name's Rover. Can I ask your name?'' He asks.

I sneak a glance at the cat, he's smiling widely, not looking at all mad that I had just been staring.

I feel slightly braver now, but still not brave enough to look at him directly.

''My name is...'' It takes a few moments for me to recall in my dream-like haze. ''It's Reina.''

''Oh, Reina? Well, that's a fantastically great name!'' Rover says overly enthusiastically.

''Thanks.'' I say, not sure if he's being sarcastic, while still looking away, out the window.

An awkward silence ensues for a few minutes with me just staring out the window, avoiding eye contact. That is, until Rover breaks the silence, obviously wanting to keep the conversation going,

''So, I assume you're headed to Pig Pen?'' He asks.

''What?..A pig pen?'' I ask, incredulous.

''No, no, it's a town!'' He says, handing me a brochure, with a map inside, which after glancing at, I stuff in my pocket. ''I actually met the mayor when she first went there...'' He says thoughtfully, before continuing,

''It's the next stop, so I assumed you were headed there.''

There's another awkward silence, (but only briefly this time) until Rover asks, ''So Reina, if you're not going there, where are you going?''

I have no answer to that, so I just sit there in silence and think...

Shouldn't I have woken up by now? I think nervously. Can this really be a dream?

I guess there's only one way to find out...

I pinch myself, hard. Nothing changes, except for me feeling a sharp pain in my arm. I pinch myself again, but still, nothing changes.

I feel tears start to well up in my eyes, as I try my best to remain calm.

Suddenly I hear a voice and it snaps me out of my state of panic.

''Is something wrong?''

Something in his voice...makes me look at him and when I do, it's the worst sight imaginable.

Rover looks me straight in the eyes, not a hint of concern visible in his expression. That same wide smile that I thought was so friendly at first, still etched on his face.

And those red slit eyes...they are devoid of any emotion.

I look away and am unable to think straight as I begin to panic and tears start to flow freely down my face. At that moment, the train slows to a stop, and a voice, not Rover's says, ''Now arriving in Pig Pen, Pig Pen station!''

I get up quickly, without a thought except to get away from Rover as fast as I can.

I start to run towards the only exit, following the signs. I cringe when Rover calls after me, ''I hope you have a wonderful time in Pig Pen!''

I keep running until I'm out of the station. I slow down slightly to catch my breath, but then I keep running.

I try not to think about what might happen next, I just know that I need to get away...