Chapter Three
Haley
I had been stuffing myself with chocolates and decided to stop. I wiped my mouth with a handkerchief and looked out the window. The trip had been boring – except the part where I fell asleep. It felt wonderful just to close my eyes and do nothing.
The door opened to reveal Hazelina. She stepped in and closed the door behind her. She had been acting strange ever since after a trip to the restroom. But she didn't go to the restroom. What was she doing? Where had she been? She's never really secretive. I guess the feeling of going to school made her change.
I looked over at Hadley and Lana. They were really enjoying themselves with the magazine. I just remembered that I had brought a book myself. I stood up and opened my bag. I took out a 'Herbology' book that was written by Professor Exalmar. I love to read books.
I settled myself down and opened the book. Usually, I would get lost in the words written in the book. But now, it feels as though reading will not be enough to satisfy me. I sighed at that thought.
I closed the book and placed it back in my bag. The dullness was growing and I couldn't take it anymore. "I have had it!" I suddenly shouted.
Lana, who was shocked of my sudden outburst, dropped her magazine. "Is any everything alright, Haley?" Hazelina asked.
"I can't stand to be in this train any longer!"
"Why don't you go to sleep?" Hadley suggested.
I shook my head. The dullness in the train was unbearable. I kept squirming in my seat. Hazelina had already fallen asleep while Lana took out another magazine.
I was praying that something – anything would happen in this god forsaken train. GAH! I kept snapping my fingers and tapping my feet while waiting.
"AAAHH!!"
Hazelina awoken from her sleep and Lana dropped her magazine again. I smirked and quickly stood up.
"What was that?" Hadley asked.
"It was a scream" Lana replied.
"I know that!"
I opened the door to see many children in the hallway wondering what happened. A girl with deep brown curly hair ran pass me with tearful eyes. She stopped in the middle of the hallway as tears rolled down her cheeks. She looked lost and confused. She looked around as if looking for someone or something.
I went to her and asked what was wrong. "M-m-m-my cousin i-is coughing out b-b-blood!" she said.
I felt guilty. It was my fault that it happened. I thought it had been a rat or a cockroach problem.
"Oy! What's goin' on 'ere?"
A man wearing a blue shirt came running down the hallway. He was probably the driver. "Are you alright?" he asked the crying.
"M-m-m-my cousin i-is coughing out b-b-blood!" she said again.
"Um…" I tapped the man's shoulder "If you're here, sir. Then who is driving the train?"
"Magic" he said "Take me to yer cousin"
The girl nodded and led the man to her compartment. Everyone else went back into their compartments but I followed the girl.
She opened the compartment door and there I saw the most horrifying sight. A short boy was covered with blood. He, too, was crying like his cousin. The man crouched down so his face was leveled with the boy's face.
I leaned against the door just watching. The girl stood next to me wiping her tears. "M-my name is Moira" she said.
"I'm Haley"
"This is my third year going to Feraid. This is my cousin's first year. M-my aunt and mother told me to take care of him. But it all happened so fast. He was eating muffins that my aunt b-baked and the next thing I knew he was coughing blood"
"So, you're the one that screamed?"
Moira nodded silently.
"I'm sure he'll be alright"
"It's my entire fault!"
"No, it isn't" I tried.
"How would you know!" she said coldly.
I fell silent. I didn't want to tell it's my fault; that I wished anything would happen. But I didn't want to lie either. I felt really, really terrible.
Moira looked at me. "I'm sorry. I'm just worried about Timmy"
"Of course"
The man stood up. "He'll be alright. Take good care of him" He nodded his head and left.
"Well, goodbye Haley. I'll see you at school" said Moira as she went in her compartment.
"Goodbye"
With that, she closed the door and I went back to my compartment feeling less guilty.
