Chapter 1: The Boy at the Train Station
"Why not farther away?"
"They won't find us...I promise"
...
"But don't you want to see the world."
"I do...but right now...just trust me."
"but-"
"I know some people that can hide us, at least for a while then we can go anywhere."
...
The train rumbled to a stop, the long rhythmic pattern slowed, waking Oskar from what was a short nap. It was about 6 oclock, and his first thought concerned his stomach. He had not stopped for anything to eat, and right now his mom was surely making meatloaf with potatoes and would be expecting him home with his dad any moment. He could smell the beef and spices, even the little onions that he usually hated would be delicious. Instead he pulled the small candy bar from his pocket...the one he had stolen randomly at the station, and bit into it. He savored the chocolate as an announcement was heard over a muffled loud speaker.
'Now arriving train 1132 from Blackeburg Vallingby and Angby!'
The trip had been uneventful except for a nosy kid in the next car who kept running back and forth and picking his nose. Oskar had never been by himself this far, and was enjoying himself as if it was like a great adventure. Bigger and better then the ones in 'Goosebumps', it almost felt like he was King Artur or Hjalmar. The only difference being that he didn't have a sword...and he doubted that either Artur or Hjalmar were ever in so much trouble as he was going to be when his mom found he was missing.
His small backpack fit on his shoulders easily enough and the small bag that held Eli's belongings wasn't too large either. The box that held Eli however, that was a different story.
How can someone who eats blood be so heavy...
As he exited the train an attendant spotted him, Oskar worried for an instant that the man knew who he was, so purposeful was his gate. Fortunately the man simply approached and tried to help Oskar with his baggage.
"No thank you..."
The attendant shrugged, and turned his attention to an old woman who was in need of more help.
The air was still in the terminal, as the 5 pm train wasn't exactly packed. Here and there a single passenger or couple hung close to the benches waiting on trains that were yet to come, or talking in one of the phone booths. Oskar didn't take up much space in all that, and so he breathed a small sigh, the smaller he was the less chance he could be found...if anyone had noticed he was gone yet. Maybe they wouldn't notice? Maybe Mr. Avila would conclude that he'd been eaten by what ever killed the three boys. He could imagine Mr. Avila in a news report...going on about how a werewolf had broken in. 'Oskar must have fought the monster' he would say. 'How heroic...like Hjalmar...like Beowolf' his mother would swoon and his father would beam with pride about his sons heroic death. Maybe they'd even start talking again, maybe now that he was gone they could be friendly again. He imagined Johan at the funeral crying about how he would have anyone to play with...
"It's done now you know"
"Yeah"
"They cant bother you anymore, I told you I could do that"
"But wont they come after you...us?"
"No...but we have to leave now if you're sure"
"Yes, I'm coming with you."
The great big empty space was filled with a sort of heaviness as if important things were always happening, just not that anyone could see or hear. Oskar moved methodically, doing his best to act normal. He was a businessman. That what he was, an important man with a meeting, and he couldn't be late. He exited the station carefully looking for what Eli had told him would be there. A bright white cab approached him as he stood on the snowy curb, and inside a scruffy looking man looked out silently sizing up the boy as if he were just another businessman on a trip.
"Im...Edward."
"Figured as much, that all you got?" The cabbie said roughly.
"Y-yes"
"Well kid I don't have all day are you getting in or out?"
"In..."
The cab hopped out and took the box on rollers away from Oskar's hands.
"No!" He said stopping himself when the cabbie looked back annoyed.
"Easy kid, I wasn't going to hurt your stuff. Whats in there trinkets from your trip or something?"
The cabbie didn't wait for a reply he simply lifted the box and placed it somewhat gently in the trunk.
Oskar stared for a moment. That wasn't right, here he got to ride in a nice warm cab while Eli went in the back with no more care then an old sweater or gym socks. What if she woke up while they were driving? What if she got scared and tried to get out? He gulped trying to keep the fear he felt in his stomach.
He got into the cab, quickly smelling the cleaning fluid smell and a hint of throwup. It was a different type then the ones in Blackeburg, these were for important people. People like his dad maybe when he went to work.
Suddenly the cab pulled off, with no warning. Whisking Oskar away to some place new and exciting he was sure.
...
Well you miserable oaf...is she coming or not.
A quiet nod
Excellent. It's been such a long time...
A look down at the ground
There are so very few of us...so very few. This calls for a celebration. I need two clients brought up instead of one Orevor.
A nod.
No junkies this time...proper clients. See if you can't find someone healthy for a change.
Silence and a nod then stifled words.
A boy? Her helper obviously...
Orevor just stared straight ahead. and mentioned a word