Luna Raine

XVII. VIP

Raine's POV:

I stick the candy bar between my lips and zip up the bag. I grunt when I heard the car horn from outside. Swinging the bag over my shoulder, I grab Mister Oink and rush out the front door.

I threw on my shoes and entered the pin number to activate the security. Once I close the door, I lock the top and bottom then jiggle it multiple times. I don't have anything valuable inside the apartment, but the last thing I want is to see a trashed place when I return.

I wobble down the stairs, still with the candy bar inside my mouth, and made my way towards Helen's car. She popped the trunk for me and I threw my bag inside. I looked at Mister Oink and shook my head. I shouldn't even think about throwing him in there. He peed on the mat this morning because he couldn't hold it in. I'm still upset.

I open the front door and put him on the seat. Mister Oink squeals and leaps into the backseat. He knows he is in trouble, so he's avoiding me. There's a part of me that believes he thinks I'm taking him to the bacon farm. I pull the seat belt over my shoulder.

"Ready?" Helen asks.

I nod and exhale before patting my thighs a few times. "As ready as I could be."

Once we dropped Mister Oink off at Helen's house, we made our way to the train station. I didn't feel anything in particular, that is until we reached the train station.

While Helen paid for the overnight parking ticket, all the reasons not to do what I'm about to do come flooding in. I stood there, with the old duffle bag hung over my shoulder while my eyes intake everything. My feet refused to halt in his bounces and the forefinger tapping against the retro cell phone didn't help either.

I inhale a sharp breath and look around again to find something that can calm down the soft panic. The train station isn't exactly popular with all the technological advances. Nowadays, most would take their car or an airplane. Helen suggested the train ride so we can witness the scenery outside without actually wasting our energy with the drive.

I tilt my head to notice how there are surprisingly little litters. It's quite clean.

But, the longer I stood there, the more my brain worked its magic. The background looks like the perfect place for a murder scene. Barely anyone is around to prevent what happened. I lift my hand to feel the whistle, then it lowers towards the pepper spray around my waist. I grip onto the side of my bag for the taser dangling on the side before it smooths towards a small pocket for the gun.

I exhale softly when I feel everything that can protect me.

For the past year, I had never once used any of them but having them gives me peace.

A soft hand placed on top of my shoulder and I leap back. Helen smiled, "Dang. You're really jumpy."

"Sorry. Can you not sneak up on me like that?"

"I called your name a few times," Helen said. She leans in closer, "Are you okay?"

I grip the bag with both hands. "Yeah. I'm just a bit anxious."

Helen smiles, one of those reassuring ones. "Don't worry. I'm here. It will be a quick trip. We will only leave the train once for half a day and then we'll be back."

I nod, "I'm sorry. I'm not the best tripping partner. Am I?" I know I'm not. It's written all over my face.

Helen exhales softly, "You're going out your ways for my vanity. That makes you a great friend and an amazing trip partner." She held my hand, "I'll be here with you the whole time and if something happens, I'll go dark for you."

When Helen said going dark, she meant she will use dark magic for me. Dark magic is highly frowned upon outside and inside of the magical community. Most witches who used dark magic are imprisoned due to the consequences of the spell expressed.

When we got inside, I fell head over heels for the inner decor. The first thing I saw was a straight wine red hallway with soft lighting. Despite the lack of people outside, there was a good amount inside. Some were reading books while others were consuming a late-night meal.

A man appears and checks our ticket before leading us to another portion of the train. He opens the door that leads us into a private room. I look at Helen who grins, "VIP baby." She waves the gold card in the air.

We got inside and stuff our baggage underneath the seat. I bounced on the seat and smiled before I held the small pillow beside me. I can tell, it's going to be better than sleeping on my couch.

Not too soon after, someone knocks on the door and a man-made his appearance. "Your meal is ready," he said.

"Fantastic," Helen responded.

He took a step inside and pulled out a table from the side of the train. One by one the dishes were set on the surface. He bowed once and left us. I look at Helen, "What's this?"

Helen grabs the knife and fork, "Dinner of appreciation. Dig in."

I sigh softly at her actions. She's really trying her best to make me feel comfortable. Without a second thought, I dug right into the food. With each bite, I nod in approval of the taste. Helen pulls down a white screen, grabs the remote attached to the handle, and turns on the projector.

I assume this is what royalty feels.

With the movie played in the darkness and the heavy meal, I fell asleep on the seats.

I admit, I barely slept last night due to the anxiety and the short conflict with Wolfie. I couldn't stop thinking about either situation, so I ended up not sleeping.

The raddle of the train caused me to wake up. I clear my throat and grab the water bottle beside me to eliminate the thirst. Screwing on the cap, I look forward to seeing Helen fast asleep on the other side.

Withdrawing the white screen and spreading the curtains open, darkness made its appearance. My eyes squinted attempting to find some sort of figure but it was pointless. I lowered the curtain and made myself comfortable beside the window. The train continues to plunge, inching forward at an excruciating pace. Surprisingly, there wasn't much rocking. Not that I'm complaining.

I grab my cell phone and lower the light only to notice a few messages and a single missed call. I stared at the number, debating whether or not I should return the call. Green. Red. Green. Red. It's difficult to choose.

In the end, I closed my eyes and shut the phone. I need some time to think about what I'm going to do with Wolfie.

Then, the train stops, and I can hear footsteps scattering against the carpet. We're probably at our first stop. People out. People in. It was a simple process.

Out of curiosity, I spread the curtains once more, expecting the fog. There wasn't any; rather an array of people walking back and forth. My eyes widen at the sight of a man with instruments playing around him. It wouldn't have been a surprise to witness a man beside the train station play instruments, but for the instruments to play themselves. Now that was mind-blowing.

I continue to stare at the man until the train resumes its course. It ran straight through a city. And with a single blink, we went higher. I attempted to look down, but the glass window blocked me. I look at Helen then towards the door. My curiosity was getting the best of me.

I made my way towards the exit and into the hallway. It was still dimmed, except with a new wave of people. I grabbed an empty seat and opened the window.

Trumpets blare into the silence, and crowds of people yell enthusiastically. The buildings were passing by us one by one, so close that I could jump out of the window and land on it. Probably fall and die afterward. There was a soft breeze that settled in the air. Not too cold and not too warm as if the temperature was made just for me.

"Mind closing the window?" Someone said.

I turn back to see an elder woman with glasses on the other side. I closed the window, "Sorry. I just wanted to know what's outside."

She smiles, "First time leaving your hometown?"

I sat down, "First time."

"Scared?"

"Frighten."

"You'll get used to it. Takes time."

My fingers play with each other. "I hope so." My eyes drop towards the lower half of her body and my smile drops. There it is, in front of me is a giant tail immersed in water. I look back up and notice how she was staring at me.