At the train station, their was chilling bite to the air. My cheeks felt cool to the touch. Autumn here in O'Khasis is definitely more intense then other areas. It gets cool at end of August then, snows in November. Even October if Mother Nature is in a bad mood. Then, the air starts to get warm in April. It's just shocking for people who are first time visitors at my home town as to why it's so cold here. I mean, I would be shocked too. My luggage was a tad too heavy then it needed to be. My Mother forced me to wear nice clothes. As if anyone would recognize me. Which I highly doubted but, I followed her wishes since I was already doing something that she didn't like.
My family and I were at the stop that I needed to be. Train 4B. My mother was fidgeting with my bow tie and hair, insisting that I look nice for a two hour long train ride.

"My son is not looking like a hoodlum the last time I see him!" She exclaimed.

"Zianna!", My father shouted.

"Right. Sorry, sorry," My mother sighed. "I'm just..."

"Mom, I'm going to be fine," I assured her. "I'll be back before you even know I'm gone."

"Oh Gar~Gar..."

I wrapped my arms around her tightly, trying not to show her my worry. The previous, I thought to myself...I really might not ever be home again. I might not ever sleep in my childhood room or eat breakfast at my family's table. The last thing I'll ever see of my family is them waving goodbye as the train rides off.  Once I pull away from my mother, I hug my brothers and shake my father's hand.

"Good luck my boy," He says. Then, he hugged me as well, which is something he doesn't often do. My mother placed a hand on my shoulder and said; "Remember, no matter how far away you are, some place out there in the great big world is home where people love you."

I smiled softly and kissed her on the top of her head.

"I love you all as well."

Just then, the steam engine roared to signal it was ready for it's passengers. I looked to my family and smiled. I grabbed my stuff and headed towards the train.

"Garroth wait."

I looked back to see Vylad and Zane.

"Next autumn. Correct?" Zane asked. I looked at Vylad who just looked at me for confirmation. I nodded. I gave them both one last hug while the conductor shouted;

"All aboard on Train 4B! All aboard!"

"I gotta go. I love you both."

With that I rushed onto the train. Two lovely ladies greeted me as I showed them my ticket. They told me it was six rows down. I thanked them and got to my seat. They were made of oak with pine green padding on them with gold embellishments. It was a beautiful train. I looked to my left to see my family waving at me. I waved back, trying not to look nervous or upset. As the train pushed forward, I watched as my family disappeared in the steam that followed behind me.

As we made it out of the station, I took a deep breath and got out my notebook from my bag. I decided that on this journey, I would jot down notes. First things first, the train and passengers themselves. As I looked up, I realized that there was only three other people besides me.

"Okay then," I mumbled to myself.

September 18th, 1864

The train is black as coal and has a elegant look inside and out. The employees on the train are friendly and going on their everyday business. Smiling, asking if people need anything once you enter. I've realized, though, that people know the same thing I do. Only idiots like me are on the train. Three people, excluding me to be precise.

I decided to ask them a few questions. If I was going to get to the bottom of this, I need every piece of information necessary. I decided to go to a lady that was four rows behind me. I walked over to her row with a smile to which she smiled back to.

"Excuse me miss," I say politely. "Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?"

"I don't mind at all," She says, smirking. "Especially from a handsome mans like yourself."

I blushed a bit from the comment but carried on. I sat next to her and asked;

"What's your name miss?"

"Lucinda Jewels. Your's?"

"Garroth Ro'Meave of the O'Khasis Gazette."

"Ah, official business I see. Well, ask away."

"Do you know of the disappearances of the past few decades on these trains?"

She smiled.

"Why yes I do."

"Then, why are you on here?" I asked. "If you don't mind me asking."

"To answer your question, I'm here on business as well," She says, crossing her arms. A smirk was still crossing her arms. "I'm a business woman who owns a series of bars in Scaleswind. I'm taking connected train rides to lower my costs. I am a cheap lady after all."

"Interesting." I wrote down that as well as her name and description. "Why did you decide this day to travel?"

"Eh, I was free."

Lucinda had a relaxed tone in her voice. Her orange hair and red eyes were piercing. Anyone can tell that she isn't the introverted type of girl that does your dishes, I should say. She wore a tight dress with accessories on her neck, wrists, and hair even.

"Well, it was nice to speaking you miss."

"As to you as well," She smiled, waving goodbye as I left.

Next, I decided to ask questions to a man who was sitting on the right side of the train five rows up from Lucinda's seat. He had blue hair and, again, a more casual look to him. He had a suit similar to mine but, had a ruby red vest under his black jacket.

"Sir," I say, getting his attention. "I'm Garroth Ro'Meave of the O'Khasis Gazette. I was wondering if you'd mind if I ask you some questions."

He hesitated a bit. Now, he was shy. He just simply nodded and I sat done taking the invitation.

"What's your name sir?"

"Dante. Dante Rogers," He answered.

"Well, Dante why are you on this train on this lovely day?"

"I'm heading home to my wife and son after a business trip," He answered with a smile. Polite man. "I've been gone for a few days."

"Have you've heard about the disappearances of passengers on trains around this time?"

He was silent for a moment but, shook his head.

"No, actually. Should I be worried?"

"I think you'll be okay. But, let's say you were to be taken, what would you do?"

"I'd find a way out," He says, like I was crazy to ask that question. "I have a life outside of this mess and I wouldn't want to have it be taken away."

"Perfect. Thank you so much sir."

"Of course. You know...you're calming for a reporter."

"Doing my job sir."

He nodded and I walked off to the last person. She was sitting in the front. She looked nervous...

"Hello ma'am?" I asked, after trying to figure out what to say without frightening her.

She still jumped a bit.

"I'm Garroth Ro'Meave of the O'Khasis Gazette. Mind if I ask you a few questions?"

She bit her lip but agreed.

"What's your name?" I asked.

"Kimberly Waters."

"Why are you-"

"Look, if you're going to ask me why I'm on this train, the only answer I have for you is that I'm here for the same reason. You're just braver than me," She interrupted. "I know about the disappearances and I want some answers as well."

I just blinked. It was sudden alright.

"I apologize for my spontaneous tone but, I'm just a bit nervous."

"Why should I be nervous?"

She was quiet for a few moments and fidgeted with her hands.

"My family all disappeared one by one. This year, I'm going to figure out where they went. Why you should worry Mr. Ro'Meave..." She looked at me dead in the eyes. "...is that no one will ever find out where or why you're gone."

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