Chapter 4
Adora felt Glacier lead her to the front of the train and her mouth dropped open as he led her to the controls.
"Go ahead," he smiled.
"Glacier…," she said.
"What is it?" He asked.
"I-I don't know if I can do this," she said. "I mean this is the Polar Express!"
"So?" He said.
"Well there you go!" She huffed.
"Meaning?" He responded.
"Only great people can drive this thing!" She huffed.
"Well then, that means you need to come over here then," he said, now grabbing her arm gently.
"HEY!" She said.
"Come here…," he chuckled.
"Glacier, no!" She said, but he grabbed her and placed her by the controls and stood behind her. He then placed both hands on each side of her to prevent her from squirming away.
"Now drive…," he said, now in a gentle but serious tone.
"Glacier…," she protested.
"Nope…,"
"But…,"
"Quiet…,"
"Hey!"
"Adora…," he said, now bending down in her ear. "You have what it takes; believe it."
After hearing those words, it made her shudder. She knew that she had the lowest confidence in the world and Glacier was trying to lift her up.
After taking a deep breath, she placed her hands on the controls and the train began to move.
"GAH!" She said in a panic.
"Relax. I am here to help," Glacier chuckled, now helping her guide the train through the forest. She then began laughing and giggling as the large locomotive thundered faster and faster, but Glacier helped to control the speed. "See?"
The train began to thunder through the thick woods and she began to pull the string for the whistle! The snowmen began to sing along with the whistle and she and Glacier whistled with it! The Polar Express was running as smooth as silk and speeding through the trees at a beautiful but quick speed. After some twists and turns, the train began to slow down and it was heading towards some lights.
"Yeah, this isn't so bad," she said, now seeing them go faster and faster. "Where are we?"
"We are not far from New York City," he chuckled.
"That fast? How?" She asked in confusion.
"Magic, Adora; the Polar Express can go through anywhere or anything at any speed," Glacier chuckled, now seeing them head through some thick brush and into a city of bright lights! Adora watched in wonder as the train was thundering through streets, but no one saw them or heard the loud train! Even more amazing? They didn't hit one car! They were bustling through the busy streets of New York!
"This is definitely magic and a miracle," she said in shock, now seeing people looking stressed and busy due to the Christmas season. "Yeah, they definitely look like me."
"Look like what?" Glacier asked, now feeling the train coming to a stop in a side train track.
"Miserable…Christmas is still hard for me right now," she said.
"Well, we are going to help you get out of that," Glacier said, now turning to go. But before Adora could follow, she saw him put a hand out. "Wait here until I call you."
"Huh?" She said in confusion.
"Just wait here," he smirked, now turning and walking away. Adora was highly confused until she looked out the window and saw him talking to someone. It appeared to be a tall, thin young man with a staff and he had snow white hair. Beside him were two young ladies. One appeared older than the other and they looked beautiful. One had brown hair and the other had blonde curly hair. The one with blonde curly hair smiled and waved at her and she slowly waved back. The young teen with white hair gave her a wink and then leaned on his staff. After a few more moments of talking, they walked away and Glacier motioned for her to come out. Adora quickly walked outside, but when she did, they were gone!
"Where did they go?" She asked, now looking around.
"Those were some friends of mine and they wanted me to welcome you to New York City," Glacier grinned. "They would have stayed, but they had to make sure there was peace in other realms."
"Were they magic?" She asked. "They just had a happiness about them. One so bright and beautiful."
"Yes, it is safe to say that they do have magic," Glacier grinned.
"Hey…," A voice said. Both turned and the blonde-haired girl was back.
"Hi…," Adora said shyly.
"I can't stay long, but I did want to say that you have what it takes to make it. Believe," the girl said with a beautiful white smile.
"T-Thanks…," Adora said, but before she could say anything else, the girl gently touched her shoulder and then turned and ran off. "HEY, WAIT! WHAT'S YOUR NAME!"
The girl only turned and waved. "Don't worry; maybe we will see each other again soon!"
And with that, she ran off to join her friends. Adora was about to follow, but Glacier stopped her.
"Ah, ah, ah, you cannot follow her, young one. She is on her own journey with the Guardians. But perhaps one day you both can discuss more," Glacier smiled warmly.
"But who was she?" Adora asked. "She seemed so nice."
"She is. Let's just say, I can't reveal names at this time, but in time…you both may meet one day." Glacier chuckled, now leading her down the alleyway.
As they turned the corner, Adora saw a mother with tons of money and heavy fur coats. She was buying everything she could find in the store, but she looked miserable. Her makeup was dribbling down her face due to dry tears and her lipstick was somewhat smeared. Her cherry red lipstick.
"What is happening?" Adora asked in shock.
"This is what happens when people make Christmas about things, Adora…," Glacier said sadly, now pointing to the other side of the store. Over there was another man who was chewing out the clerk about not having enough toys in the store.
"Sorry, sir, we are sold out," the clerk said.
"YOU IDIOT! I NEED THOSE STUFFED BEARS NOW!" The man screeched as he banged his hand on the counter.
"I know you're upset…," the clerk started.
"Upset?! UPSET! I AM FURIOUS!" The man shouted, now grabbing the clerk by the shirt. "SO HELP ME IF YOU DON'T GET MY THOSE BEARS, I'LL BURN THIS PLACE DOWN!"
"Security!" The frightened clerk pleaded, now trying to wrestle away from the angry man. The man was taken out and arrested, but Adora just stood in shock.
"Did he really have to be so cruel over some toys?" She said in a whisper.
"Many people who only care about themselves on Christmas can be cruel. This is what happens when things and stuff become more important than people. People's feelings are treated like trash and people themselves become simply objects," Glacier said, now turning her to face him. "Adora…I know the first people we saw had little, but they loved each other. Isn't family and love more important than stuff?" He asked.
"Yes, but they had nothing to go on," she said, tears building.
"I understand, but they had each other. I am showing you these different types of people and families to get you to understand what the real meaning of Christmas is. Because there are consequences for not knowing," he said, now pointing ahead. Adora then gasped as she saw men breaking into a store and trying to steal expensive jewelry! She knew that this stuff was common on Christmas but she understood more of what Glacier meant. She was miserable on Christmas, but she needed to pull herself through. Even though she had a rough past, she needed to let the joy come through rather than just dwelling on the terrible things that happened.
"T-This isn't what Christmas is about…," she said, now looking in the distance. "We need to be loving and taking care of each other!"
Glacier smiled as he saw a warm glow beginning to climb into Adora's soul. She was changing from the bitter and frustrated teen to one that wanted to help spread cheer and joy throughout the world.
"So, what do you want to do now?" Glacier asked.
"I want to see more Glacier. I have seen those that have little and those that have too much. I want to see what else there is for me to fully understand Christmas," she said, now looking at him.
"I was hoping you would say that, Adora; there is one more type of family I want you to see. I think you will enjoy what you see," Glacier smiled, now leading her through the streets and taking her back towards the Polar Express. The snowmen were parading around and dancing, happy they were walking back. And at that moment, the snow began to fall down and touch her face.
"Magic…," she smiled to herself.
"Yes…Christmas magic…," Glacier smiled, now holding her hand and spinning her gently. As snowflakes began to kiss her face, she didn't notice that Glacier's grip was becoming somewhat slippery. For you see, the night was ending and the warm sun was starting to rise into the sky.
guestsurprise's words: Hope you all are enjoying it! The finale is up next!
To guestsurprise: I'm enjoying it! Something tells me it's Adora's foster family that they are going to see. Hmm, I wonder. :)
To everyone else: Please leave guestsurprise a review, but no flames!
GoldGuardian2418