Epilogue
Four students sit in a train carriage laughing and talking. There is an element on uncertainty about them as they head off in directions that are so different to what they were when these four were last all on the train at the same time.
A new family for two of them, a new alliance and new loyalties for another and a different perspective on life for the fourth.
The carriage door slides open many times, the amount of people who enter and leave show just how popular this quartet is.
Towards the end of the day the train pulls into the station and the four jump out. At the barrier they separate.
One, to weave a web of lies and deceit to protect himself and his friends.
The second is returning home, but with an attitude that is less superficial. This one has learnt that the value of friendship is more important than materialistic things.
The third, is also returning home, but she has a new addition to her, until now, steady environment. Happiness and joy radiate from her and people turn to stare at her. Her charisma makes it impossible for them not too.
The fourth is the most unsure. The burden laid upon the thin shoulders is heavy and arduous. The nervousness in this one is concealed by mask of indifference, but is revealed by the relief and joy that spread unchecked as he is pulled into a hug by the pair who wait for him and his companion just beyond the barrier.
But, where they have left, they leave behind grief and loneliness.
This man, who knows that he should be feeling relieved that he has avoided his responsibility, can only feel the hurt and loss that he has fought not to feel.
He clutches a picture to his chest, a look of utter loneliness and agony upon his face as he gulps from the amber liquid in the crystal glass in his other hand.
He knows that he has lost the last link to the only happiness he has ever experienced, however briefly in former days.
A solitary tear is allowed to trickle down his face before a contortion of pain sweeps across it and he clutches his left arm in an uncontrollable spasm.
He finishes the dregs in his glass, places the picture in a drawer, before donning a cloak of black and picking up a mask. He throws some powder into the fire and after speaking a few words into it, he sweeps from the room, his face now devoid of emotion. He knows that life must go on. He has experienced hurt and pain before, and has learnt not to give in to it.
He pushes the last of his emotions away, with practiced ease. He will not let himself fall into the trap of drowning in them. He will not let himself feel anything again for a long time.
Four students sit in a train carriage laughing and talking. There is an element on uncertainty about them as they head off in directions that are so different to what they were when these four were last all on the train at the same time.
A new family for two of them, a new alliance and new loyalties for another and a different perspective on life for the fourth.
The carriage door slides open many times, the amount of people who enter and leave show just how popular this quartet is.
Towards the end of the day the train pulls into the station and the four jump out. At the barrier they separate.
One, to weave a web of lies and deceit to protect himself and his friends.
The second is returning home, but with an attitude that is less superficial. This one has learnt that the value of friendship is more important than materialistic things.
The third, is also returning home, but she has a new addition to her, until now, steady environment. Happiness and joy radiate from her and people turn to stare at her. Her charisma makes it impossible for them not too.
The fourth is the most unsure. The burden laid upon the thin shoulders is heavy and arduous. The nervousness in this one is concealed by mask of indifference, but is revealed by the relief and joy that spread unchecked as he is pulled into a hug by the pair who wait for him and his companion just beyond the barrier.
But, where they have left, they leave behind grief and loneliness.
This man, who knows that he should be feeling relieved that he has avoided his responsibility, can only feel the hurt and loss that he has fought not to feel.
He clutches a picture to his chest, a look of utter loneliness and agony upon his face as he gulps from the amber liquid in the crystal glass in his other hand.
He knows that he has lost the last link to the only happiness he has ever experienced, however briefly in former days.
A solitary tear is allowed to trickle down his face before a contortion of pain sweeps across it and he clutches his left arm in an uncontrollable spasm.
He finishes the dregs in his glass, places the picture in a drawer, before donning a cloak of black and picking up a mask. He throws some powder into the fire and after speaking a few words into it, he sweeps from the room, his face now devoid of emotion. He knows that life must go on. He has experienced hurt and pain before, and has learnt not to give in to it.
He pushes the last of his emotions away, with practiced ease. He will not let himself fall into the trap of drowning in them. He will not let himself feel anything again for a long time.