Moonwatcher led Maisie through the cabin, gesturing to all of the children aboard.

"So, what do you think?"

"Well, if you're going to engage in child trafficking, at least you're doing it whimsically."

"For legal reasons, I'm going to have to push back on that joke. This train is populated with all the children of the Jurassic franchise. There's Lex, Tim, Kelly, Kid from Jurassic Park Three, and . . . I don't know. A bunch of extras."

"What about all the characters from Camp Cretaceous . . . or is that not canon? How does that work, exactly?"

"Different dimension."

"Ah, so you couldn't bring them here."

"No, I could. I just forgoraboudit. Anyway, please sit next to Kelly. Maybe strike up a conversation. See if you want to go on an adventure."

"Why?"

"We needed a substitute for Hero Girl, aka Holly if you read the official art book-"

"Nerd."

"-and, well . . . You know we have a limited cast to work with, but that's the franchise's fault, not mine. Anyway, please sign this waver stating that you witnessed no racial discrimination on the Polar Express."

"Do I have to?"

"Legally, I am not allowed to directly pressure you. Here's a pen if you need it."

She slowly pushed the paper up to the pen as Maisie held it. She frowned as she read the fine print out loud.

"We purposefully overbook the cabin in anticipation of cancellation, and that's legal somehow . . . participation in whimsical adventures barred from residents of Québec . . . Wait, what's this part at the bottom? Complete and utter forfeiture of one's earthly spirit, for purposes of-"

Moonwatcher crammed the paper in her mouth and swallowed.

"I'll just get you to sign that later. For now, why don't you enjoy some high quality snacks? We have gas station cookies and chocolate bars."

"Are those nut free?"

"They're included in the price."

Maisie rolled her eyes and sat down beside Kelly.

"So, how did Moonwatcher rope you into this? Also, aren't you from several decades ago? Why are you a kid again?"

"Magic."

She snorted.

"Yeah, don't know why I bothered asking. Anyway, I'm just hoping to get this over with."

"Oh."

"Nothing personal. I'm just tired of being strung along on adventures. And I literally JUST came back from the North Pole. Met Santa and everything. So this is all pointless."

"I see."

Maisie leaned her head back on the booth.

"I suppose I'll need to sleep in when this is over. I just hope it turns out to be a calm, uneventful night."

"Of course. Nothing bad ever happens on the Polar Express."

Maisie sighed heavily, crossing her arms.

"Well, at least Christmas is going to go by quickly."

"You don't like Christmas?"

Maisie shrugged.

"It's fine. Claire and Owen do their best. But it's not the same."

"Not the same as what?"

Maisie watched the snowflakes drift by the window. The world beyond was a veil of inky darkness.

"Nothing," she said.