Ch3

"And that's the statue of the town's founder, Israedi Coralatna." Cork looked in awe at the female statuette Chip described.

We had gone almost all around the small town when we made it to Isra Park—named after Israedi herself. I decided to stop at the park and let Shelly introduce her friends to Cork, since they were about the same age. Cork told us he was only nine, but he looked like he should be twelve. Chip even said that he looked thirteen. I elbowed him for it. Chip just chuckled and suggested we show the newbie the park.

"Alright, let's go." I rolled my eyes as I spoke. "And don't, call any, new neighbors, newbies."

I clicked my tongue and tilted my head as I walked away. I fought to hold in a laugh when I heard Chip cough as if trying to catch my attention. I turned back to see him rubbing his neck and trying to hide a blush. I continued walking to the city play set to find Shelly and Cork racing each other on the monkey bars.

"I'm gonna win!" Shelly shouted as she jumped down and ran to the ladder.

"Oh no you're not!" Cork replied as he chased her.

"Easy guys. I don't want to take more than one piece of either of you two home." I laughed as I watched them play.

It reminded me of when my dad used to bring me to the park.

~ "Ready to go Ari?" Rock asked as he stood at the foot of the stairs.

"Coming daddy!" a little girl answered from the second floor.

Seven year old Ariella ran down the stairs and into her father's arms. Rock picked up his daughter and spun her around as his wife, Mira walked to the stairs.

"You two better get moving if you're going to meet up with the Maklee's."

"Alright, alright Mira." Rock set his daughter on the ground and knelt next to her. "So Ari, are you ready to have fun today?" Ariella nodded anxiously. "Well then," he said as he stood up. "Let's get moving!"

He took her hand and walked out to the car.

"Daddy?"

"Yes sweetie?"

"Can we ride your bike to the park?" Ariella looked at him with pleading eyes.

"Of course we can Ari."

Both father and daughter rode Rock's bike to Isra Park to have fun. ~

"Ariella look over there!"

Shelly's voice brought me out of my flashback to see a train head straight toward the playground.

"Shelly! Cork! Get out of the way!" I shouted as I began running in their direction.

I saw Cork grab Shelly's arm and run toward me. I grabbed them both, lifting Shelly in my arms, and ran for the trees as the train crashed into the play set. The three of us ducked behind a wall just before an explosion went off. Shelly was still huddled in my arm and Cork was staring wide-eyed at me. I could see the terror in the nine year old's eyes.

I could hear the metal grinding against dirt as I hugged my sister, not daring to let her go. But my mind was on Chip. He was in the path of the train. I felt tears trail down my cheek as I thought about him making it to safety, not hurt.

Please be alright Chip. Please be safe. I thought as I cried softly, holding Shelly close and sitting with Cork.

After about twenty minutes or so, I motioned for both to stay in their place until I called them. I peered around the corner to see smoke, spots of fires and the playground destroyed. I scanned the area, remembering Chip was out here.

"Chip!" I called out, hoping for a response. "Chip!"

I kept walking through the wreckage and heard sirens in the distance.

This never happens in Coralatna, I thought to myself as I searched more debris for a hint of my friend. I've never heard any stories of disaster here.

"CHIP! Please answer me!" I called out, hearing the sirens getting closer.

A cough caught my attention and I turned to see Chip walk out from behind a big tree. He was holding a hand to his head. I ran to him and hugged him immediately. He wrapped his free arm around my back.

"I'm so glad my best friend is alive." I felt tears threaten my eyes.

"I'm glad you're safe too." He smiled caringly at me as we parted.

I smiled back until I saw his hand still on his head. "How bad?"

"I felt something hit my head while I ran for cover," he answered as the deafening sirens and flashing lights arrived. "I think I might have a concussion or a cracked head."

I sighed. "At least you're moving."

I gave him a small smile as the paramedic took him to check his system. I turned and walked back toward the wall. Once there, Cork and Shelly asked if it was safe. I nodded and walked them out. I led them to a black Ford, knowing who it was right away.

"Hi dad," I said almost quietly.

"Ariella, Shelly." He smiled with relief. "I'm so glad both of you are safe," he said as he hugged us both.

"Hiya daddy," Shelly said, still a little shaken. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. How about you two?" he answered with a hint of concern in his tone.

"We're alright." I smiled at my father. "Do you know how that happened?"

"No sweetie, I wish I did." Worry edged his face when he looked at me. "Don't worry though, we'll figure it out."

I smiled. "Thanks. Oh, and we won't tell mom." He raised an eyebrow. "You can tell her tonight." He sighed at me in frustration. I already knew what he was thinking.

"Ariella, I need to speak with you." He gave me a look and I knew what it was about.

"Sure thing dad," I said, even though I didn't need to answer.

"Ari, I need to know all the details of today. From when you got out of school to this point." He was very specific when it came to details, especially since he became Chief of Police back when I started seventh grade.

"Well," I said, making sure I wouldn't leave out anything from the past hour. "Chip, Daph and I were walking home together…"

I told him everything, from walking home to meeting Cork and his parents to when the train hit the playground. He considered all that I said and then nodded in acknowledgment.

"I will speak with mayor about this and we will discuss the rest when I return home tonight. Is that understood?" He raised an eyebrow and grinned.

"Aye, aye captain!" I beamed with a salute and turned to see Shelly with Cork.

"Why did that happen?" Shelly cried.

"Come here Shelly," I said as I knelt next to her held out my arms.

I sat down and held my little sister close to me as she shook almost uncontrollably. I hugged her even more as Chip walked over. I glanced up to see his head in a bandage wrap.

"Turns out I got a gash on the head," he explained. "Other than that, doc said I'm good. And also no soccer for a while." He grinned shamefully and then slumped his shoulders and put his hands in his pockets.

"It's not your fault." I looked sweetly at him as I spoke.

It's not easy to lighten the mood when you're holding a sobbing eight year old and looking at your friend who nearly got killed by a freight train that just crashed into the city park when you were showing a new neighbor around town, believe me.

I jumped when a hand fell on my shoulder. I turned around to see my dad looking at me with an expression of concern and worry. That was never a good sign.

"It's not good." He kept his hand on my shoulder as I held Shelly close. "The team discovered that there was no engineer inside."

I gawked at him. My mind immediately went blank.

"Please tell me I'm hearing things," Chip said as my mind started racing over what I just heard.

"I'm not joking, son. This is very serious," dad said, becoming frustrated with the situation. "I don't know what to tell the mayor." He ran a hand through his hair.

Shelly looked up at me, tears trailing down her face. I gave the best reassuring grin I could manage at the moment. She was still scared as I pulled her close again. I turned to Cork, who was sitting on the ground and looking down. I could tell he was scared. The kid just moved here for crying out loud! This was something unexpected—guarantee it. Cork turned to see me looking at him.

"You okay?" I asked. He could barely nod in response because he was shaking so badly. "Come here." I motioned to him to come closer as I held out an arm. He slowly came closer but settled next to me.

"I know that this is a new town for you," I tried to say. He didn't look up. "This kind of thing has never happened before. But I promise, the mayor, the police, everyone will figure out what happened." I gave him a sideways hug. He still didn't move. I knew he was pretty shaken. I would be too if I was in his shoes.