The Next Adventure

Travelling in that old car to the train station was a dream come true for John and Maria, they were finally married and about to start their new life together; just one obstacle to pass first, their honeymoon to Brighton. Lemon had always hated the idea of honeymoons; a week alone seemed blissful for them, but like many stories and cases Lemon had been on, honeymoons often spelt disaster. Arriving at the train station and looking out at the platform in front, shocked them both; in front of them stood the train, it was vast and grand, large enough to hold hundreds of civilians with ease. As the pair continued walking down the platform, they passed the cargo bays, which were filled to burst with valuable good that were also on their way to Brighton. The atmosphere hit Lemon, the hustle and bustle, men in uniform running around loading various weapons, it all brought him back to his days in the army; that silent train ride to the place he almost met his end. 'John, come, the train is leaving soon, we should find our compartment' quietly murmured Maria, waking Lemon from his thoughts as she took his hand, the two briskly walked down the platform with Lemon still reflecting over his time in the army.

It took some time and the advice of many attendants before the newly married couple found their compartment, 13B. Inside they found old décor furnishings with posh lace curtains and velvet seats. In the centre of the compartment lay a small table topped with a silver platter of small snacks. Next to it stood a bucket filled with ice, assumingly for wine that was not included. 'This is nice,' stated Lemon 'We will have to order some wine though, shame it was not included,' he moaned whilst slowly lowering himself into a seat. 'Yes it is, very modern' eagerly replied Maria while helping herself to some of the small snacks. It would be a short journey of about two hours until they reached their destination; in Brighton they hoped to get away from the crowded streets and polluted air, to swim in the sea and walk along the pier. It would be two weeks of utter pleasure and blissful silence, just the two of them.

Half an hour later and the couple were still talking about memories they shared like it was the first time they had seen each other in years, as well as eating the snacks fiendishly and generally having a good time. 'I believe we need more wine my dear' Lemon muttered while staring at the empty bottle and wobbling to his feet due to the motion of the train and the effect of the acute amount of alcohol. As he pulled the heavy door open he glanced out into the corridor, it was empty and still with only a marble bouncing from side to side along the corridor; there was no talking, no laughing, there was simply nothing. Well not until from one of the compartments a strange lady appeared, she was wearing a knee length green skirt with a flamboyant purple top. The outfit was accompanied with bright green eye shadow, truly a ghastly sight for anyone who even catches the smallest of glimpse. However there was something about this woman that Lemon recognised, something unusual, but before Lemon could think of whom she was, the unusual lady had already walked past his compartment, heading towards the back of the train. As Lemon turned his head once more to look down the corridor he saw a short, weak looking train attendant all smartly dressed in the appropriate uniform. 'Hello there my man, can you please fetch me another bottle of your finest wine,' shouted Lemon, eager with excitement at the thought of another bottle of wine needing to be drunk, before disappearing back into the compartment to his wife.

A few moments later the attendant slowly opened the door, he raised his hand and in it was the bottle of wine as requested. The man came further into the compartment and laid the bottle of wine in the bucket. As he turned around Lemon could sense something was not quite right about him, the harsh look on his face, his worn cracked skin, he appeared to be more than just a train attendant. As Lemon began figuring out this stranger, he was almost oblivious to the speed of the train which had slowed down dramatically. That momentary lack of concentration was all the attendant needed as he swung full force to punch Lemon. Taking the hit Lemon climbed back up from the floor, easing himself up with the aid of the table before finding enough strength to retaliate with an equally as strong hit. Even with the occasional plea and scream of Maria the two men continued to throw punch after punch, each one growing in strength and causing even more damage than the last. With neither possessing a weapon this was a battle of determination and one which drew the attention of another, however, neither noticed the strangely familiar women now armed with a gun enter the compartment. Without a second thought a shot was fired; missed, then another; missed, the shots didn't startle the boys but it terrified Maria for she was not used to the violent misconduct of her husband's work. Eventually, this time with considerably more accuracy a third shot was made; it was a hit, straight into the chest of the train attendant. As blood seeped through his shirt Lemon made sure he would not survive by taking the wine bottle and forcefully smashing it over his head, knocking him out instantly.

Once the intruder was dealt with Lemon was quick to take his wife by the hand and push her behind himself, using his own body to protect her from the peculiar woman with the gun. 'Do I know you?' bravely questioned the Doctor before picking up one of the remaining snacks on the platter. Without feeling the need to directly answer, the woman removed her wig, to leave the powdered face of Leaves. 'What are you doing, I'm on my honey moon?' questioned Lemon, while shifting his gaze from Leaves in the feminine outfit to his shocked wife who appeared washed out in colour due to the recent shock. 'You see I am going to save your life', proudly proclaimed Leaves while brushing a few crumbs from his blouse, 'Now, take this gun and don't miss', commanded Leaves as he pulled a small service revolver from down his blouse and a few roles of ammunition from either sock. 'And if I do?' wondered Lemon who was busy loading the gun and peering down the carriage, no one was there. 'If you miss you would be screwing up my well thought out plan, and your title of a mediocre marksman would well, be a total lie', At that comment Maria, who was still pale with shock stood up quick, 'Wait a minute why don't you shoot them' demanded Maria as she tugged on Lemons suit jacket in an attempt to get him to sit down. 'Ah see I thought you would say that and I will answer with nothing but the simplest reply, I am not a very good marksman compared to your marvellous husband'. 'There's no one there Leaves, why I am stood here' interrupted Lemon while still glaring down the corridor. 'Patience my friend they will come, our enemy has sent many soldiers, well assassins, to kill us both', informed Leaves as he darted around the compartment, 'I don't believe I have an enemy, you have many haters however' questioned Lemon, 'I will explain the case and our enemy when we get out this … slightly tricky and unappealing situation'. Silence then fell in the compartment as they began to wait, Lemon by the door, armed with his gun, Leaves stood beside him and Maria sat on one of the seats desperately trying to figure out the current situation.

The sounds of shots were heard through the train carriage, leading all heads to turn to Leaves automatically who was stood staring down at the small hole that had entered and left the fabric of his skirt. 'Well, I really liked that skirt, silk, very nice, flattering on the curves', stated Leaves in disappointment as he was pulled from the doorway by Lemon. 'I guess this is my cue' retorted Lemon and without waiting for an answer he ran to the door and started firing shots at the soldiers running to kill them. He fired one shot and hit his target, one down. He fired a second shot which also hit its target, another one down. For the time being, no more appeared to be coming. 'How many are you expecting' stated Lemon with a slightly concerned tone in his voice, after a short pause and many taps on the table Leaves finally answered, 'about thirty or maybe forty'. The concern then hit Lemons face 'I only have fourteen shots left, that's not enough, please say you have another role of ammunition', there was no answer as it was evident that there was no more guns and no more ammunition.

Just as they thought, you could hear the men loading their guns preparing to kill Lemon and Leaves, they had enough ammunition but Lemon and Leaves did not. 'What are we going to do John?' asked Maria, as she paced the compartment worried about the fate she was about to walk into. 'I don't know darling, I honestly don't know' quietly whispered Lemon. All faces turned to Leaves; he is always the man with a plan when the situation seems impossible, but this time he was silent. Time was quickly ticking by and running out, 'Lemon do you remember that day when we defeated all of those men with just two guns' chirped Leaves, 'No, I don't believe we have had a single mission like that, in fact I don't actually recall having a case where our lives were at risk' retorted Lemon slightly sceptically, 'Ahh that day clearly hasn't happened yet, but I'm sure it will … anyway, for now grab that gun and get ready, I have a plan', Lemon did as he was asked, despite having more experience in life threatening situations than the slightly mad detective. You could hear the voices and footsteps of the soldiers as they slowly walked towards them, knowing they had the upper hand they were laughing with every step. Without waiting any longer Leaves and Lemon charged out of the compartment with Maria behind them, as soon as they stepped out, the soldiers began running towards them firing at their target. Lemon and Leaves were not going to stand there and be a target as they fired their guns at the soldiers with Maria leading they ran towards the back of the train, firing at as many of the soldiers as they could. Maria screamed, she had been taken captive by one of the soldiers that was hiding in another compartment. Her screams were deafening as she feared for her life. As soon as they heard the screams the troublesome combo turned their guns and shot the man, once, twice and three times. As he fell to the floor he dragged Maria with him crushing her under the weight of his body. Lemon once noticing that his wife was lying helpless indicated the issue to Leaves, 'I'll deal with her, you deal with them', he commanded, trying hard to shove the man from Maria, 'Fine, I will take the easy job', answered Lemon. After a short while the three were all back onto their feet but with no bullets and several more men still chasing them, they needed a new plan. Lemons gaze quickly searched his environment, they were only a few feet from the cargo carriages at the back of the train, but once there, there would be nowhere out. After several quick examinations of the environment his gaze fell to the dead man which lay by their feet. Lemon searched the soldier, one gun – no ammunition, one tub of gun powder, but no suitable gun; everything was starting to appear a little hopeless until Lemon searched his final pocket, one grenade. 'I have an idea but I need you to run into that compartment', he nodded in the direction of the cargo carriage, 'and hide somewhere, I will join you in a minute' as Lemon finished Leaves began to walk in the direction indicated as he knew fine well to follow the advice of his good friend, 'I will not leave you John, not on your own tha' she didn't even finish her word before Lemon picked up his wife and handed her to a shocked Leaves, 'Go' he demanded. Lemon, once the other two had gone, took out the pin to the grenade and threw it right into the middle of the men. The grenade exploded killing most of the soldiers, leaving a blood filled trail of destruction. Lemon walked to the end carriage, where there would be a door to the outside, their chance to escape.

Lemon quickly opened the door to the outside, as he searched his surroundings trying desperately to find a way out. There was no way out, they were currently driving across a large wooden railway bridge, over the vast river beneath them, and with men still trying to kill them, they would have to act fast. 'It's a good job I have thought of every scenario my dear friend, oh and don't worry Maria this is all part of the plan', positively stated Leaves as if he has planned it all out in his mixed up head. 'Oh good please say you have planned a way out of here, preferably where no one dies', demanded Lemon while re-loading the hand gun and two others also in the compartment, with a few bullets in one box. Lemon then set off barricading the door the best he could to try and buy Leaves a few extra minutes to think and perfect his plan. 'I can assure you my friend there will be no fatalities today', to conclude his talk he swung his arm back with such force it could knock a person straight of his feet. Lemons hands flew out almost automatically, as if he could prevent the events that were passing by. Leaves drew his arms out around Lemon, holding him back from the edge of the open door to the cargo carriage. The doctor could no longer hear the screams and shouting around him, only his own voice calling Marias name with such urgency and desperation. His eyes searched the fast moving river that was soon becoming part of the distance, leaving Marias state completely unknown. With Leaves' rapid hand movements, he had blindly knocked his wife, his only true love from the train carriage. Lemon still couldn't focus, everything felt numb, was his Maria really gone?

As Leaves slowly unwrapped his arms from around Lemon, the message still hadn't sunk in, and it appeared as though the message would never sink in. 'You killed my wife', shouted Lemon so loud the whole train could have easily heard of the death. 'My one true love, the only woman I ever cared about' 'That's a little harsh on your mother' replied Leaves rather sarcastically. 'You have not met my mother … how could you?', the only sound was the heavy breathing of Lemon as he fell against the wall, head in hands. 'Don't worry John' Leaves whispered reassuringly, 'Don't call me John, you never call me John, you have no right', yelled Lemon still full with anger. 'I was sure I timed it perfectly, I thought I timed it perfectly', Leaves said regretfully. 'So you meant to push my wife from a train, oh this day just gets better and better'.

At this point, the few remaining soldiers where fiercely braking down the door, pulling each piece of wood from its place, they had no time. The barricaded door however had done its job, but Leaves still had no plan and no way out. 'Ahh I finally know what we are to do my friend we shall escape' pompously stated Leaves hoping for bucket loads of praise from Lemon, 'Wait, are we also going to jump out of the train as well, at least then I will be able to join my wife again'. 'That my friend would be a good idea, but the angle we are at...' 'That was a joke Leaves, sarcasm, and boy if that was your plan, I will use this final bullet to kill you'.

The men entered the back carriage, smug as they knew their target was hiding somewhere, waiting to be killed. The men looked around for their target they were nowhere to be seen. One man looked out of the train 'They're not out there, they're not in here, ha, they must have jumped' concluded one soldier. The chase was over.

'What a marvellous idea Lemon, truly fabulous, the view is also something from a picture', shouted Leaves from over the sound of the wind, 'Well the idea mostly goes to Kennedy, we did this once a few years ago, when I was training to be a doctor', retorted Lemon, 'all we need now is a few beers', 'Well we don't have any and I ain't planning to go back to get any either' finished Lemon. As the train drove on, Lemon still seemed mad at the events but he was not angry at Leaves, more forgiving. He will always love Maria but he couldn't lose them both, not his wife and best friend. 'Lemon since we are on the top of the train now … what happens if it rains', 'Well, then we get wet'. The two chuckled and of to Brighton they went, laughter may have saved Lemon reflecting on the very recent events for the moment and to be truthful, it seemed as though the message hadn't really clicked in his brain, it was almost as if he expected to see Maria tomorrow, but it would, and times were going to get a lot worse.