My luck couldn't get any worse. The clouds were darkening as I pushed myself toward the second compartment. It wasn't exactly permitted, but who cares? I could always bribe the ticket inspector, though it would cost me more.
Corridor coaches had recently replaced the old contained compartments, making movement between coaches much easier and more feasible. However, getting caught meant a fine or even being thrown out at the next station, along with the shame of public humiliation.
I should've leeched more off Ash; humiliation wouldn't kill me. If the inspector spurned my bribe, though, he'd toss me out without a second thought.
As I navigated my way through the crowded corridor, I discreetly pickpocketed a few individuals. Back home, I was an escapist and had picked up some magician's tricks during my time with the circus.
The little I'd scraped together fell short of the true fare; all I had was barely enough to slip the inspector a quiet bribe.
In the third-class coaches, where folk were poorer, vigilance ran high. They lived as though pickpockets were a daily plague, eyes sharp and hands guarding every pocket. Only a handful seemed dulled by fatigue or drink, easy prey, if one dared.
I stepped into the second-class compartment, where all the seats were taken. It seemed even those who usually opted for first class had settled for second class today.
I was the only one standing, and soon the ticket inspector would notice me as different from the others, perhaps realizing it at first glance.
A man in uniform approached through the corridor, it was the ticket inspector. But this time, he wasn't alone. Walking beside him was a guard, not just any guard, but one from the noble household.
They were talking, and the ticket inspector seemed to sweat as their conversation went on, he instinctively checked for the tickets while also conversing with the guard.
Soon, his eyes fell on me. I was standing alone near the corridor, looking out of place. He sighed as he approached.
"Ticket, please!"
Trying to bribe him in front of the noble house might be the dumbest decision anyone could make. It was clear he wouldn't accept a bribe, but he could also use this opportunity to make an example of me, showing how committed he was to upholding the rules.
With a smile, I reached into my purse, trying to gather as much money as possible while keeping my gaze fixed on the ticket inspector. But no matter how long I took, there was no way I could afford the fare. I kept searching for a way out, but there was none.
Suddenly, the guard spoke sharply between us, "We need to inform everyone else and alert them. Now is not the time for this."
His voice was stern and firm.
I quickly interjected, "What? What's happening?"
The guard turned to me, his gaze steady and unchanging.
"There is a pirate on the train."
A hijacking. Just my luck, first, the third-class compartment I booked lacked a roof, then it started raining, and now I was about to be taken hostage by some bandits.
Wait... he said pirate.
I blurted out, "A pirate...isn't that supposed to be at sea?"
The guard didn't seem to mind the question as he explained further, "He's trying to escape prosecution. He fled from the court today."
After a brief pause, he glanced around and spoke in a low voice.
"His name is Edward Hikarus, Raven-eye. He's the boatswain of the Admiral, Jack Harro, the Serpent of the Saw-Heads."
I honestly had no idea about that, especially that this world still has pirates roaming the seas. I lowered my head in confusion as the inspector, clearly fed up, left without even checking my ticket.
Muttering to himself as he moved to the next compartment, he said, "There will be checking at the next station. There's no need to worry, people can travel unknowingly. A single pirate can't do anything."
The guard quickly followed them, figuring he could eventually catch the pirate by checking for tickets. I sighed in relief, knowing the problem wasn't truly dreadful, and I had also been spared the humiliation.
After a few moments of waiting, a lady approached me and kindly offered a seat beside her. I gratefully thanked her before sitting down.
---
The guard stood beside the inspector as people constantly shifted to make room for him while he hurriedly checked their tickets.
A man in a hat, seizing the opportunity, slipped through the corridor toward the second-class compartment. Whoever he was, it was foolish to leave the dense crowd that offered cover and move to a more open area where his ragged attire would not only draw unwanted attention but also raise suspicion among the other passengers.
He was finally confronted by one of the passengers from the second-class compartment. It was a man, nearly bald, wearing a long coat that flapped in the wind. His black attire perfectly matched the dark and minimal atmosphere of the era. With his mustache raised, he stopped in front of the ragged man, questioning him.
The ragged man tried desperately to avoid him, attempting to move past, but he couldn't as more men began to corner him.
He stepped back, then turned to head toward the third-class compartment. Just then, the corridor door swung open again, revealing the inspector and a guard, still arguing, now standing directly in his path.
The inspector stared directly at him as the guard raised his hand. The ragged man turned toward the group of civilians, shoving them aside as he rushed into the next compartment.
The civilians, however, were alert, leaving him no path to escape. Just as he realized his chances of fleeing were slim, he grabbed a passenger, a scrawny girl in a veiled hat, her dark clothing concealing her skin in even darker shades.
It was me, unlucky enough to be caught in this mess. He pulled out a knife and pressed it against my throat.
He yelled at the crowd surrounding him, "Step aside, or I'll kill this wretch!"