The train stopped only after what seemed like a few minutes. I sat up in my chair and looked around. Spotting the conductor, I motioned for him, confused.

"Sir, where are we?" I asked quietly. "We're just taking a stop, that's all. It's a chance to stretch your legs. There's about half an hour before we take off again, and then we'll be in Paris." He answered, walking away.

How long had I been reminiscing? I jumped out of my seat, eager to take my first few steps in France. The train station was filled with travelers, vendors, and shops. Reaching into my wallet, I pulled out a few francs and headed for the stores. A dimly lit, antique shop beckoned to me. The gas lamps were burning low and the walls were covered in oil landscapes and delicate, feminine portraits.

"May I help you monsieur?" a gentleman asked. It was presumably the shopkeeper. The voice started me, and I turned around to see a middle-aged man with a moustache and a pipe in his mouth. I nervously gulped, "These are some lovely paintings you have. Who are the artists?" "All of the works here are from local artists. There are a few from Paris though that just arrived last week. Come, let me show you." The man said, walking into the back room. I followed him and the shopkeeper unveiled two amazing paintings. "These are wonderful, what are they called?" I asked, admiring the artist's work. The shopkeeper pointed to the painting of a woman sitting down with her bare back to the viewer and said, "This one is called 'La Toilette'." "What's this other one?" "This is called 'At the Moulin de la Galette', monsieur." "Who is the artist?" "His name is Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. He lives in a tiny town called Monmartre, near Paris." "That's where I'm going!" "Really? What are you going to do there?" "I'm going to write about truth, beauty, freedom, and love."

The shopkeeper chuckled, shook hands with me, and walked back to the front of the shop. He smiled and stated, "Keep your eyes open and you'll learn a lot." Puzzled, I thanked the man and walked back to the train. Sleep hit me and soon I began to dream about my trip to Scotland.

[FLASHBACK]

I followed my uncle into the town of Perth, Scotland, located in the central Highlands. Carriages and a little bit of walking allowed me to find him strolling around town, minding his own business. "Rupert James!" I shouted, running towards him. "Christian?" he said, looking shocked. We embraced and he grabbed my shoulders, "Let me take a look at you. It's been so long since I've seen you and you're growing up so fast!" "I'm nearly twenty-one, Uncle." "Don't I know it! My boy, why are you here? Did something happen at home?" I explained the situation to my uncle. He nodded and laughed occasionally. "I can remember your grandfather, may he rest in peace, telling me the exact same things. He always wanted me to be just like your father. I wanted to see the world before I settled down, but then I discovered that there was so much to see that I didn't want to get married." He said with a smirk on his face. "I just don't know what to do. Can I travel with you for a little bit?" I asked quietly. "Christian, I know that you would love to come running to me with every problem you have, but it's time that you learned how to face your fears. You need to tell your father how you feel. You have to go back." "I don't want to go back! Can't I write him a letter or something?"

The argument stopped there. The next day, my uncle put me on a train back to London. My father was waiting for me, an angry scowl upon his withered, old face. "Christian James, I am very disappointed in you. How dare you leave in the middle of the night without leaving me any warning! What do you have to say for yourself?" he shouted once we were inside. I hesitated, unsure of what to say. Yes, I was scared. This man was the only parent I had left, and I didn't want to abandon him and my sister just yet. "I'm sorry, sir." I replied weakly, and retired to my room.

[PRESENT DAY]

I woke up, a cold sweat running down my face. The train rushed by the French countryside, next to fields of yellow and green. I remembered the look on my father's face as I was leaving only a few days earlier. My sister, who was to be a bride in a loveless marriage, was dabbing her eyes with a lace handkerchief while my father rubbed at his beard and stared at me. "Monmartre is a village of sin!" he warned me, "Why on Earth do you want to go there?" "I want to be a writer, father. I'm going to write about truth, beauty, freedom, and love!" I responded. "Always this ridiculous obsession with love!" he said with an agitated sigh. As I picked up my bags and headed out the door, I turned around to see my father's face soften, as if he was going to cry. "Good luck. Lord knows you'll need it there." He said, closing the door.

I gazed at the passing landscape, the images of my family running through my mind. The lyrics came out softly, as I almost whispered them to myself. Remember me for what I was, not as I am now I'll merge into the shadows, I'll disappear into the rain Remember me for what I was, not as you see me now I'll walk out into tomorrow, I'll melt into the sun

I could see my sister, walking down the aisle, hiding her tears under a downy veil. Everyone would be thinking they were tears of happiness, but in reality, they were tears of pain.

Remember me for what I was, a glance in your direction at the right time A smile breaking into a crescent moon, a word of reassurance I'll protect myself against the cold last of tongues and lies I'll blend in with the crowd I'll disperse into a stream I'll fade into the darkness, I'll turn and walk away

My mother's face, that angelic image of porcelain skin, emerald eyes, and soft brown hair, filled my head. I loved her.

Remember me for what I was, as one world breaks in two I'll follow my own stricts, I'll forge another path Remember me for what I was, no, what I couldn't be Remember me for what I was And shall never be again

The train clacked away, bringing me back to my senses. I fell asleep once again, remembering my last years in London.

To Be Continued.

Song Used: "Leaving" by Anne Clark