Chapter 18- To The Station

Me and Eva had to help the drunken Genox over the fence. After helping him out, we ran through the trees of the ever encroaching forest.

“Where exactly are we going?” Eva asked, trying to help Genox run.

“We're getting the fuck out of here.” I answered.

“Okay... I figured that... But where are we-” she started, slowing down.

“I'll explain later. Shut up and move” I ordered. She sent me a dirty look. I ignored it. Now was not the time to stop and have a nice little discussion. We had to move. We couldn't let those hunters catch up with us.

We traversed through the darkening forest. I glanced over at Genox, who had one arm wrapped around my shoulder, and the other wrapped around Eva's. He had appeared to stop moving. At this rate, it was as if Eva and I had simply been dragging him.

“Genox?” I asked him, waiting for an answer. Instead of one, I got a tiny little snore.

“He fell ASLEEP ON US!” Evangeline yelled, obviously angry. Yes, make noise Eva, because that is what we really wanted. Give our position away to the hunters...

“Quiet. It's better if he's asleep. At least this way he won't slow us down with his drunken ramblings. Besides, he can be quite a violent person when he's drunk. He did set your entire house on fire.” I reminded her. She gave me a verminous look, not one of hatred, but sheer annoyance.

“Which way is the train station?” I asked Evangeline. There had to be a station somewhere in this this rinky-dink town. And it beats walking. Trust me, I know.

“By the town square, a few blocks from the inn. Why?” she asked. I ignored her question. This is good. All we need to do is get to the station, use some money to...

“Damn it!” I muttered under my breath.

“What? What happened?” Eva asked, confused.

“I left my money in my bag, in the house. It's probably all burned up by-” I was quickly silenced as she threw Genox off of her and pointed to her back. A familiar rucksack was on her back. She had my bag.

“What are you doing with my bag” I asked her. She stared at me, obviously confused.

“Your bag? This is my bag...?” she said as she took it off, looking down at the black rucksack. She paused as realization hit her. “Oops. I thought it was mine. Sorry...” she answered, giving it to me. She grabbed the sleeping Genox from me, and the two of us continued lugging our friend onward.

“It's fine. Where did you get it?” I asked. That's what I wanted to know. I don't even remember where I left it...

“Oh...” she paused, thinking back, as we made a turn east, walking through the forest toward the direction of town hall. She suddenly remembered. “After the fires were getting too extreme, we decided to rescue that demon hunter Bruce. Well, I was about to help you carry him, when I noticed this bag on the floor. Figuring it was mine, I scooped it up. I thought I could salvage something from my now destroyed house.” Makes sense.

“Now, I answered your question, you answer mine. Where are we taking a train to?” she questioned.

“We're getting as far away as possible. Out of Altor.” I responded. I was willing to travel to the other end of the continent or even the globe if need be.

“We're leaving Altor? I've been here all my life. Do we have to go?” she questioned. Now was not the time for questions.

“Do we have a choice? The hunters know we're here. We don't really have any other options...” She nodded.

“Where are we going, exactly?”

“Summesa. It's the farthest town away without having to take a boat.” I answered as the lights from the town square came into view.

There wasn't much to the town square. A large, rather ornate fountain, presumable made of stone stood at the center. It was caked in snow, and where it had once held cool, refreshing water, there was a thin sheet of ice. A few stores circled the fountain, their names easy to recognize. The grocer, the post office, a bank, a clothing store, a pharmacy, the list continued. Each store was made of wood, a dew of the newer ones such as the pharmacy were made in concrete. I supposed whomever decided the layout of the town square, (if you could call it that, given it's semicircular shape) decided to keep the older building in tact. In my opinion, a rather stupid move, as the older stores had big glass windows, which probably was as good as resisting the cold as the wooden walls of the house. There were two paths which led up to the square; one which led past the hardware store, the diner, inn, and Eva's now burst and crispy house. The other path, led east of the square, presumable led to the train.

My suspicions were confirmed as Eva started dragging me and Genox east, past the stores and towards the train. A large, great metal passenger train with numerous carts stood at the end of the road. Smoke billowed out from a giant stack as we advanced toward the ticket booth.

We reached the booth, where a young man was standing. He had dark brown hair, s dark brown mustache, and dark brown eyes. He was very tall, an average human male. Nothing particular was odd about him. He wore all black, and he had on his face a rather blank stare. He seemed rather bored. His face brightened up at the site of us.

“Can I help you...?” he asked, slowing down at every word as he noticed Genox's condition. Great, he's curious. Now he's going to start asking questions, the authorities might be involved, this could be a horrible fiasco.

As if on cue, he asked “Is he okay?” referring to Genox. Luckily I didn't have to drink much, and thankfully I was pretty sober. At least I could speak and walk coherently.

“Yes. He's fine. He had a bit too much to drink. We're going to take him home. So I need three tickets to Summesa, please?” I asked, trying my best to sound polite. I hated interacting with humans. They were so inquisitive, and annoying and...

I was snapped out of my thoughts as he passed three tickets to me. While Eva held Genox steady, I pulled out the money clip. I handed the clerk a few bills, received my change, and we headed off to the train. The faster we were out of here the better.

“Are you sure he's okay?” The clerk called after us. Damn, now he's worried. This might not end well.

“He'll be fine, thanks!” Eva called, as we stepped on board the train.