Marella's P.O.V

"I can't believe we're actually hitch hiking on a highway," Marella said as her and her group started to slowly move backwards along the side of the road.

"Yeah, how can we even trust whoever picks us up— that's if someone actually does," Dex added, pointing his phone up in the air to try and get some signal which didn't seem to be working.

"Guys, we have no other choice. We have to get out of here and get medical help. Just look at Edaline," Wylie said, gesturing to Edaline who was sleeping in Grady's arms.

If Marella was going to be honest, Edaline looked almost dead and she agreed with Wylie that they had to get her to help soon.

"Plus our train leaves in like five hours and we can't miss it. They're sold out for other tickets," Grady added.

Marella looked back at the highway and it was like a ghost town. Barely any cars were passing through.

They were probably there for another thirty minutes, Marella more worried as every minute passed, when a car came speeding through.

"HEY! HEY! OVER HERE!" Everyone started shouting, jumping up and down to get the car's attention as it zipped passed them.

That was the problem with being on a highway; the cars are going to fast it's hard for them to stop.

When everyone thought the car would continue down the road, it made a complete stop, creating a loud screech.

"Yes!" Marella and Dex exclaimed.

They waited and after a few seconds, a young woman walked out of the car and jogged towards them.

"Are you guys alright?" She asked, looking concerned.

"We had a bit of an incident and we really need to get to Los Angeles as fast as we can. We know it's two hours from here but—"

"It's alright," the woman said, putting her hand up, smiling. "My husband and I happen to be driving to Los Angeles so we'd be happy to take you guys."

"Thank you, we'll pay you," Grady assured.

The woman shook her head. "No worries."

She then looked at Edaline. "Um, if you guys want, we can patch you guys up. I know you don't know me but I got a medical degree in college and I'm sure I can take a look at her," she explained, pointing to Edaline.

"Are you sure?" Grady asked.

She smiled. "Yes, it's no problem for me."

Grady widened his eyes and looked at everyone else.

Marella knew they were all thinking the same thing: this was too good to be true.

"So, should we be off then?" The woman asked.

Everyone hesitated, like they were trying to see if this was a good idea or not.

Well, what other choice did they have?

Grady and Wylie eventually nodded.

The lady smiled again. "Good! Oh— and by the way, my name is Jess."

Jess then led them back to her van, having them all squeeze in the back seats.

Jess's husband was driving in the front. He didn't say much, he just smiled and sped off as Jess started to take a look at Edaline.

After a few minutes of Jess checking Edaline she said, "it seems like she has a concussion. If you guys are in a rush and can't get to a hospital right away, I suggest you make sure she rests well and doesn't do anything too active for now."

"Oh she'll get plenty of rest at where we're going," Dex said.

Jess turned to face Dex. "And where are you guys going?"

Marella pinched Dex is the arm to shut him up so he didn't give away too much information. Luckily, he got the idea and just said, "we have a long train ride to catch."

Jess nodded, "cool."

Throughout the rest of the ride, Jess checked everyone else to make sure they were safe and fine— well as fine as they could be.

Soon, two hours had already passed and they had arrived in Los Angeles.

The city was blooming with colorful lights and attractions. It really was stunning and if they didn't have a mission to complete, Marella would have wanted to check it out a bit more.

When they arrived near the train stations, Jess helped them get out and unload all of what they had— which wasn't much now because they lost it all back in the crash.

Once they were done, Grady sent his thanks to her again and started to lead them towards the train station.

Marella stayed back for a second and asked, "Jess...why did you help us?"

Jess looked confused. "What do you mean?"

Marella shrugged, now seeming dumb. "It's just...we don't get help like this often. And to come from a stranger— it's a bit weird."

Jess smiled. "Lots of people need help in this world. It's why I wanted to be a doctor...but it didn't work out so I try my best to see what I can do."

"Well thanks, you helped us a lot. If only you knew," Marella thanked.

"Really, it wasn't a big deal," Jess assured. "What's your name again?"

"Marella."

"Well, Marella, I think you have to get back with your group. I hope you guys can do what you wanted to do," Jess concluded, hopping in her car again.

"I hope so too," Marella mumbled.

For some reason, Jess somehow made Marella more determined to find Sophie.

"Marella!" Her group called from behind, waving her over.

"Coming!" Marella shouted, racing after them.

With that, they had only a couple hours left till their train came so they spent it by gathering essentials in the nearby shops and also giving Mr. Forkle's group a call using the Blackswan book he had given Marella.

Apparently, the others had tried contacting Marella's group and were worried when they didn't answer. Of course, that led to having to explain all that had happened.

The good thing was that at least everyone was safe now.

Mr. Forkle's group had already started their search but they hadn't found anything so far. Although it was only day two.

Eventually, the Amtrak train pulled up and it was time for them them to go.

They hopped on and took up two of the rooms in it. Grady, Edaline, and Wylie took the room across from the one Marella and Dex were using.

Apparently the grownups would discuss where to go after this without the need of Marella or Dex at the moment.

But honestly, Marella was so tired and she had a sickening feeling the journey ahead wouldn't be easy.

So she wanted to use this train ride as a way for her to get herself back together.

"Dex, how long is this train ride again to Tennessee?" Marella asked.

"Uh, like sixty three hours," Dex replied.

"SIXTY THREE?!" Marella shrieked.

"Yup, about a sold four and a half days," Dex said.

Wow...that was longer than Marella thought it would be.

"Do you want to play a trivia game about Tennessee?" Dex asked.

Marella snorted. "Hard pass."

"Knowing information could help us to easier locate Sophie," Dex reasoned.

"Maybe I'll try later. Right now, I just need to sleep," Marella said, laying down in her seat and closing her eyes.

***

"I think we have to head to the dining hall now for breakfast," Dex said, getting up.

Marella stood up and followed Dex down the rooms in the train.

Four long days had already passed and Marella was already sick of the train. She even felt a bit sick so knowing that the train would arrive to their destination in about an hour was a relief.

Her and Dex had chatted lots about strategic plans that they could use to find Sophie and even disguises they could use.

Grady and Wylie had also found some place they could stay in Tennessee for now and Edaline was already looking a lot better.

Anyway, they made their way to the dining area and took their seats.

Waiters brought out pancakes, waffles, buscuits— you name it.

At least there was one good thing about this train.

"No way!" Dex exclaimed, looking at his phone.

"What?" Marella asked.

"Did you know Linda's grandparents live here in Tennessee?" Dex asked.

"Um no I didn't know— wait I'm sorry. Did you say Linda?" Marella asked, nearly choking on her biscuit.

"Yeah! You remember her right?"

"Of course, how could I not," Marella replied, rolling her eyes. Dex didn't seem to notice.

"Oh! She also said she might visit them in Tennessee soon!" Dex continued.

"Visit?!" Marella asked.

"Yeah!"

Ummm...well this would most certainly not be acceptable.

Marella didn't need to have to see that girl again and get booped again!

"Wait...so did she just randomly tell you her grandparents live here?" Marella asked.

"Well no..."

"Dex, what did you say?"

"Well, I told her we were going to Tennessee—"

"I'm sorry— you TOLD her?!" Marella exclaimed, nearly shouting.

"Yeah, so?"

"Dex! We are supposed to keep a low profile!" Marella hissed, looking around to see some people looking their way.

"Look, I didn't tell her why. I just told her we were because she asked if I was busy," Dex replied, calmly.

"She asked you if you were busy?!" Marella exclaimed, now getting pissed off.

But before Dex could reply, there was a loud rumble on the train, causing everything to shake.

"Woah!" Marella gasped, trying to hold her food down.

Marella looked around to see if other people noticed when she caught a figure to her right.

Marella quickly hid her face and peaked through her arms.

It was a man sitting diagonally behind them, all alone. He had dark clothes and his face was covered with a hat.

Marella actually had seen him around on the train a few times before.

He was a bit strange...

"Dex, don't make it obvious but look diagonally behind me," Marella whispered.

Dex then pretended to casually yawn as he took a good look at who Marella was talking about.

"He's scary looking," Dex whispered.

"Um ya think? I caught him looking our way and I find him kind of suspicious," Marella whispered back.

Dex's eyes widened. "You think he's a Neverseen member?!" Dex exclaimed, his voice accidentally too loud.

"SHH!" Marella hissed.

Marella looked back to see if the man had heard and it didn't seem like it...until he smirked under his hat.

OMG! HE HEARD!

"Hey buddy, I think I forgot something in our room. Come with me!" Marella exclaimed, jumping up and pulling Dex.

Marella then pulled him to their section of the train and closed the door behind them.

"HE HEARD US!" Marella whisper-shouted at Dex, almost having a heart attack.

"He did?! How?" Dex asked.

"GEE I WONDER!" Marella exclaimed, sarcastically.

"Okay, what do we do now?!" Dex asked, now looking nervous.

"He's definitely a Neverseen member. I think we just got to act normal and tell the others. I mean, we have less than an hour left on this train. We can do it," Marella explained, however feeling nervous as well.

"Okay, let's go back and tell the others," Dex said, opening up their door to the hall.

When they started to make their way to the front, the ground rumbled again and the lights started to flicker.

"Ummm...this doesn't seem good," Marella said, almost stumbling forward.

"We have to hurry! Let's go," Dex said, helping her forward.

Of course it was a struggle for Dex to move because of his prosthetic leg.

Eventually, they made it back to the dining hall.

But when they did, everyone was ducked down and had scared looks on their faces.

Her and Dex ran to where Grady, Edaline, and Wylie were sitting and they asked, "what's going on?!"

"Apparently, no one is driving the train right now," Wylie said.

"Um, well that doesn't seem good," Marella said.

"It's okay, the conductor probably went to use the restroom or something," Wylie assured.

Marella would have agreed with him but when she looked back at where that scary man from earlier should have been sitting, he was gone.

"Okay, um so Dex and I think a Neverseen member is on this train right now," Marella said under her breath.

Edaline gasped. "How do you know?"

"We saw him and he heard us talking about it and I could tell he knew exactly what we were saying. Trust me, it's a Neverseen member," Marella explained.

Grady then mumbled a curse word under his breath.

"I'll be back," Marella said, getting up.

"Marella, get back here!" They hissed but Marella didn't listen as she made her way to the front of the train.

She walked and checked all of the doors to see if anyone was in them. She had her pocket knife out and ready in case she were to be attacked.

When she reached the bathroom near the front, she opened it up and nearly screamed when she saw the conductor of the train tied up in there.

The conductor had panic in his eyes and he seemed to be trying to tell her something but it was hard to understand because his mouth was covered by a gag.

Marella was about to rush over to help him but then he seemed to be looking at something behind Marella.

Oh no...

Marella slowly turned around and screamed her head off when the man from earlier was standing right behind her.

"AHHHHHHHH!" Marella continued to scream and before the man could lunge at her, all the lights went out and it was pitch black.

Screams and clashing could be heard from all throughout the train. Marella was absolutely terrified and tried to feel her way out of the bathroom.

But then something gripped her hand hard and started to drag her away.

"LET ME GO!" Marella yelled, trying to kick at the man who was most likely the one who grabbed her.

She then could hear the clink of metal and Marella paled when she realized the man probably just drew out a weapon.

Quickly, Marella used all her strength to jump up and used her other free arm to punch whoever was in front of her.

When Marella's fist made contact with something, the grip loosened on her arm and she took that as an advantage to break free and sprint away.

Marella started running for her life, slamming into many things because of the dark.

Eventually, she knew she was at where everyone else was.

"DEX! WYLIE! GRADY! EDALINE!" Marella shouted, trying to find where they were.

"I'M HERE!" Marella heard Dex yell.

"COME MY WAY!" Marella shouted back.

Suddenly, someone grabbed Marella and placed their soft lips on hers.

Marella froze in complete shock and confusion.

She felt a hand touch near her waist before the person pulled away.

"Dex?!" Marella called, stumbling back.

Was that him?!

Marella didn't hear a call back for a few seconds but then she heard, "right here!" Dex then grabbed her arm.

"What were you doing?!" Marella hissed, touching her lips, still not behing able to see where Dex was.

"Um, FINDING YOU!" Dex exclaimed.

"But why did you—"

Suddenly, all the lights flickered back on.

And everything...was a complete mess.

Plates and food were crushed all over the floor and everyone was fallen all over the place.

"Everyone remain calm! The conductor is back and he is calling for help," a woman called, trying to quiet everyone.

"Help?! We gotta get out of here!" Marella exclaimed to her group.

"I think we arrived anyways," Wylie said, pointing out the window.

And sure enough, Marella could see the station ahead where they would get off.

"Okay put your hoods up and grab your things right now! We have to get off immediately!" Marella ordered.

DUN DUN DUNNNNN!

LOTS OF THINGS!

WE GOT LINDA WHO APPARENTLY HAS FAMILY IN TENNESSEE! HMMM SUCH A COINCIDENCE!

THEN WE GOT A NEVERSEEN MEMBER ON BOARD CAUSING CHAOS!

THEN THE RANDOM KISS?? WHO WAS IT??

WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT?

We shall see...

Next update is Sunday!!