Teaching Jeff

by Voyager Tip

Brindle and Kane arrange for Jeff's formal education to start immediately, but fail to realize just how much he is learning from Bogg while in the field and how much their separation will impact him. Minor character deaths are explored. I hope it's okay.

12. The Train Wreck

Chapter 12 The Train Wreck

They sat in silence together, until suddenly the entire train shook. Bogg reached out for Jeffrey's arm and grabbed the bar above his seat at the same time.

Too many things happened at once for Jeff to keep track of. The car continued to shudder and then shook violently. He was thrown to the side but Bogg had a tight reassuring hold on his arm. The severe shaking seemed to go on forever as the car plowed down an embankment, breaking in two.

Both halves finally it came to a stop and Jeff could hear screaming as the car began to fill with thick black smoke. The stove where he'd gotten the coffee was broken in half, the fire had spilled out onto the floor and the nearby upholstery had caught fire.

Phineas stood up, "we've gotta find Pierce and then get out of here," he told Jeff as he pulled him to his feet. He was glad to see that the kid seemed unharmed.

Phineas was afraid to leave Jeffrey alone as the interior of the car erupted in chaos. People were screaming as he climbed over the seats toward the front half, helping Jeff to follow him. Finally, he saw a man kneeling beside a small body, crushed under debris. The smoke was thick and he coughed deeply, covering his mouth with the collar of his shirt. He saw that the side of the car was ripped open, and keeping one hand on Jeffrey, he grabbed the man around the waste and dragged him toward the gaping hole. He resisted at first, but then became limp in Bogg's arm as he was dragged outside. His cries of grief filled the air as they all collapsed a few feet from the car. Phineas released his grip as he fell to his knees, coughing deeply and vomiting on the ground. The soot in his eyes made it hard to see, but he felt small arms trying to pull him forward and he moved in that direction, dragging the sobbing man. When they had moved a few feet farther away, he could finally see and his eyes fell on Jeffrey, covered in soot, coughing a little, but otherwise safe and sound.

Bogg lay down on his back resting and continuing to cough deeply and Jeff lay beside him, his arms around him, holding him close.

Author's Note: This is all true Presidential trivia, a real train wreck, and Franklin Pierce lived (though he was initially assumed to be dead), his 11-year old son died, and the inaugural ball was cancelled.