The train glided smoothly across the rails, its gentle rhythm lulling some passengers into a daze while others talked excitedly. The seaside trip was already off to a good start fresh air, good company, and a break from the chaos of gang wars and school stress.
In one of the cars, Zack leaned back with his arms folded and eyes half-closed, seated across the girls. His presence alone was enough to ward off anyone with bad intentions.
A few seats down, two men leaned in close to whisper, occasionally glancing toward the girls. Their eyes flicked to Zack, and they hesitated. One of them clenched his jaw.
"Let's wait. That guy's not normal," one muttered.
— — —
Meanwhile, in a quieter car toward the back of the train, Vasco and Jace sat beside each other. But instead of sitting across or directly beside each other, they were put opposite window seats with an aisle between them. Vasco was humming to himself, drawing crude superheroes in his notebook with bright enthusiasm.
Jace, arms crossed and eyes closed, tried to block out the motion of the train and Vasco's soft muttering. He had picked the empty seat hoping for peace.
Then a girl walked in. She looked around briefly and sat right beside him without hesitation.
Jace opened one eye and gave a brief glance, then turned away quickly. But as the train moved and time passed, he found himself noticing small things how the girl tucked her hair behind her ear, how she was reading an old comic, and how her lips curled slightly when a funny panel came up.
He tried to stay composed, straight-faced as always. But something about her presence made the seat feel warmer. She wasn't loud or flashy. She just felt... calm.
Jace decided to ask for her name and had a short conversation with her.
The girl glanced at Jace for a second and smiled, then went back to her comic.
The train rolled on, the seaside approaching with each passing minute.
Unseen threads were already forming some dangerous, some gentle and Jalen, still seated near the back, stared out the window, unaware of how this simple trip would change more than one life.