After a few minutes, Maisie fell asleep against the window. She awoke when it rattled her forehead. The train was slowing quite messily. Apparently, they were making a wide turn. Moonwatcher came waltzing into the cabin.
"Nothing to worry about, folks. We're just approaching a slightly more exciting part of the track. We thought we'd build anticipation before starting. And here . . . we . . . go! Oh, wait. I think they took out the pointless roller coaster section. I suppose that did violate a lot of safety policies. At least we'll make it back with more kids. But at what cost."
She sighed and disappeared once more. Maisie stood up.
"Well, it's been fun, but I think I'm about ready to leave. I'm going to have a talk with the person in charge of this train and get off at the next stop."
The Kid from Jurassic Park Three stood up.
"Wait! You can only reach the front of the train via the roof. The doors are all locked."
"How do you know?"
"I had to go to the bathroom. It's in the next car over, so I tried the door myself."
"And it was locked?"
"Yes."
"Okay. Maybe I'll talk to someone about that."
"That's okay, I don't have to go anymore."
Maisie narrowed her eyes.
"Well, all the more reason to leave. How safe is the roof?"
"Pretty safe. Nothing bad ever happens on the Polar Express."
"Right. So I'll just go up on a moving vehicle that's covered in snow in the middle of the night. What could go wrong."
"Can I come too?" Kelly asked.
Maisie was less than thrilled, but resistance caused delays, so she didn't argue.
"Sure, why not."
They snuck out the door and climbed up a ladder. The metal was cold enough to burn. Maisie balanced on the roof with her arms extended.
"Okay, obviously Moonwatcher wants me to go on an adventure, so I'll have a fun little gander across the roof and then get off at the next stop. That, or find a sleeping cabin and breeze through the night. There IS a sleeping cabin, right?"
"There's a creepy puppet cabin."
"Why."
"Dunno."
Maisie hummed.
"Well, you seem to know a lot about this train. Did Moonwatcher take you on a lot of adventures?"
"Me? No. I went on adventures with my best friend Charlie. Moonwatcher was after my time. The only narrator I knew was Elkay."
"I hate that dragon."
That was, of course, the same dragon that had made the past few months so difficult. But in all fairness, she hadn't been targeting Maisie specifically, so she could afford to lighten up a little, don't you think?
"Well, you don't have to worry about her now," Kelly asserted, "We're totally safe here. Nothing bad ever happens on the Polar Express."
"Yeah, as long as Kayla manages to keep Elkay away. I mean, it's technically not up to her entirely, but I trust her more than- Rainn! Oh, hello!"
Rainn was sitting on a cheap-looking folding chair, dressed in worn-out clothing. In front of him was a blazing fire.
"Hey, kids! I'm-"
"The benevolent ghost who lives on the train. I know. I've seen the movie. Anyway, can you get us to the front of the train?"
He pouted.
"Just like that? Don't you wanna see my shadow puppets? I can recount the gruesome tale of how I was decapitated by a poorly-maintained tunnel. They really shouldn't have spent their entire budget on roller coaster tracks and scary puppets."
Maisie grumbled to herself.
"I'd rather just get this over with."
Rainn cocked his head.
"Are you sure? It's really fun here. Nothing bad ever happens on the Polar Express."
"Except for you getting decapitated, apparently."
He snorted.
"Oh, that? I'm over it. I really have no right to complain about my circumstances. Everything bad that's ever happened to me has been entirely my fault."
Maisie blinked.
"Alright. Not to hurry things along, but can you take us to the driver? I assume it's Kayla."
"It is! How'd you know?"
"She's a pilot. Not the same as an engineer, but close enough conceptually that it fits. Moonwatcher casts you based on vibes."
"Cool. Wait, do I have homeless ghost vibes?"
"You have quirky weirdo vibes, no offence."
"None taken."
He waved them forward.
"Come on, kids. Let's go find Kayla."
