Giants of Viridity

Sunlight rays pooled and flashed through the train car: a movie reel of all the living that dared to venture out of the caves. Scene after scene played out in each and every cabin. Condensation in Cabin 18 was collecting and forming droplets that raced down the glass, leaving frozen trails behind. Aida traced one of the paths with her fingernail, making swirls and zig zags against the glass as far as she could reach while remaining on her perch. She began to create skeleton trees and cobblestone paths on the fogged glass. The shifting of the vapor made new droplets, and the constellations fell and smeared the water mural the same as the others. For a moment she was captivated, but reality rushed back when she looked at the bleached spot of skin on her ring finger. The varying tint was a reminder that she was going home alone. She sat back and pulled her jacket around her tighter; attempting to hold the chill of solitude within her bones. She allowed her mind to wander through the trees in some subcategory of meditation. She laid her head back in a peace that can only be achieved through hard work.

The constant clicking of the train pushing down the track silenced the opening of the door. A tall man stepped in and let the door slide gently shut behind him. He wasn’t sure if the woman didn’t hear him, or if she just didn’t care for his presence. For a moment, he stared. He took in her high cheek bone that pulled the porcelain skin taught over her jaw and up from her lips. Above her left eyebrow were two small freckles that aligned perfectly with two below her eye. He thought of how it was either a remarkable, and beautiful coincidence of nature, or a mere attempt of symmetry with charcoal. Either way, it seemed to suit her well. At least from the side. Her brown hair was pinned up as if she was just at a private party, only her black dress indicated another social event all together.

Evander walked silently without meaning to. It was easy to do in a train car with the constant movement and sounds. He made it all the way to the center of the bench before Aida moved her eyes to take in her new company. After a few moments, she pulled her attention back to the window. The air tensed with disapproval of the intrusion but Aida figured it was a long ride and perhaps someone new was just what she needed to break up her monotonous thoughts.

The cabin was comfortable, but not truly practical. Two swivel seats aligned the right side of the space and sat directly in front of the sliding door. Aida took the swivel chair closest to the window. The other side, a long-cushioned bench with a storage compartment overhead. The tiny bathroom was connected to the same wall that allowed the entry to the cozy little den. The fabric of choice was a burgundy red and at some point, in the longevity of its placement in the cabin, it may have been velvet smooth. But now, from continuous use and exposure to the filth of passengers, the compacted fibers were stained in spots with various browns, and even the occasional black. It wasn't entirely uncommon for it to be blood as the train in Enmity was known to harbor fugitives or those looking to disappear. The walls and carpet were already a tint like that of espresso, and gold filigree traced the borders of the connecting joints. A singular light was recessed and centered in the room. Its amber glow left a comfortable tone, but not one bright enough for reading.

The two remained silent for what felt like endless minutes. It was clear that Aida did not have a problem with the empty boundary. However, Evander was anxious. He adjusted his briefcase and brought it to his side. He pressed the leather case to his leg, ensuring its stability. He ran his finger over the fingerprint embossment on the bottom corner of the leather. The trademark for who the case belonged to. The motion did not go unnoticed.

“Must be valuable.” Aida calmly said in a tone just high enough to be heard over the tracks. Her gaze continued to focus out of the window. The misty vapors still fogged the glass so the sunlight peaking in made Aida glow in intermittent spurts. Though Enmity had the most beautiful forest, it was far from a holiday spot. But Aida had to admit that something about the primal nature of the land had its appealing points.

Evander was unprepared and was not sure if it was rhetorical, or if she was posing a question. He shrugged. “Just don’t want it to drop.” He shrugged his shoulders, “The code doesn’t work so I can’t even open it.” His voice shook slightly with his last statement.

With that she turned her head towards Evander. “No? One would think it carried something fragile with the way you are protecting it.”

His breath caught in his throat when he had the chance to see her full face. Perhaps the freckles truly were natural. “I suppose so,” stumbled out of his mouth before he could even think of anything else to say.

The traveling companions stared at each other. The strobe of sunlight was fading, and the once bright blue tint was turning to an orange laced with pink. Both passenger’s appearances were washed on one side by a cool blue from the cabin light, and the sun flared orange on the other.

Evander was feeling anxious again by the silence. “What’s a woman like you doing traveling through Enmity?” he vaguely asked.

Aida sat frozen another moment longer, then seemed to snap out of a train of thought. She adjusted herself. “I suppose that would be a matter of perspective. I am merely traveling. So, what does it matter?”

Her cryptic response sat uneven in his ears as he tried to remain calm. “Alright. Travel this way often?”

“Why are you so curious about my travels? Is peace and quiet something that we are not allowed amongst new acquaintances? If you are going to be a chatter box then you might have to find another cabin.” The tone of her voice suggested she was being playful, but her stern and vacant expression contradicted it.

Evander sat straighter and smoothed his sleeves, “Very well then.”

Aida held back a giggle, she was enjoying the man looking so uneasy. His facial hair was maintained and a smell of cedar and cinnamon emanated off his person. His hair was manicured in a similar fashion to his beard and was the color of obsidian. From what Aida could tell, his eyes and suit were both the same gray. She could only imagine that his eyes possessed some form of blue when the sunlight peaked in just right. “My name is Aida. I am coming from a funeral; a funeral for my husband. This is my second time on this particular route.”

The air tensed with decision. He nodded his head lightly at her, “Evander.” He shifted in his seat. “I am sorry for your loss, but aren't all funerals supposed to be held on Divit? Or at least in Yuda? Kind of on the wrong continent aren't you?”

Aidas face firmed with annoyance as the breath exited her lungs audibly.

Evander took the hint. “I'm sorry for your loss.”

“I appreciate the sentiment. Unfortunately, it was bound to happen sooner or later. He was a horrible person and he didn’t have a talent for making good decisions. But such is my doom as well as I am prone to make poor decisions too.” She softly cleared her throat and adjusted the skirt that was beginning to bunch up beneath her thighs. “Evander huh? As in East or West? I could ask you the same question. What brings you to the deadly playground?” Around her wrist was a small velvet bag. The onyx material hung heavy and the contents inside clinked lightly as if it were coins or some form of thin metal.

Evander caught himself staring and diverted his attention to the graffitied glass. “Classified.” he said with a laugh. “I am from the West, actually in the Sawbones, my mother just liked the name. SHe named all of her children after odd things. We even had a dog named after the old monarchy in Arram.” He mentally cursed himself and felt slightly embarrassed by his oversharing with a stranger. In an attempt to change the subject, he motioned to the glass. “Your vapor work, what a road map.”

The tinted seams drawn by Aida’s fingernails and the collected water were beginning to fade, but Evander knew the stains would be there even after all the condensation evaporated. “More like game trails. If there was any sort of direction or method behind the madness it would be more appealing.” Aida had shifted again and now was fully facing her new train companion.

The continuous shifting done by Aida made Evander feel more at ease. Maybe he wasn’t alone in the anxiety of the day. He resisted the urge to grab his briefcase tighter as it would have potentially made Aida aware that its contents should be examined by someone, especially the authorities. Evander shuddered thinking of how he ended up in this position.

“So, what about you? Going to or coming from?” she asked.

Evander half smiled at her mimicking him. “Technically both. I have an errand, and then I don’t plan on going back.”

Aida looked intrigued by the answer. “Oh? And what is it that makes you run to ironic freedom in Prison country?”

“It’s complicated.”

Aida stood up and stretched. “I like complicated. Besides, what else are we to talk about on this trip?” She removed her jacket from her shoulders and placed it on her lap as she sat back down. Once she was comfortable, she waited patiently for him to be ready for conversation.

A smile inched its way to his face. “I wouldn’t want to make you uncomfortable. So, I will have to think of some topics.”

“Why? There is honor and honesty amongst strangers, right? This could be the only time you see me in life, so what’s the harm in telling me anything on your mind.” Her eyes were sage green with gold flakes. They shimmered and glowed with the pulsating light just like the first leaves of spring.

Confidence surged. “Alright, that's fair. Then you start.” Evander nodded towards Aida and hugged his body. His increased sense of self made him do a little head bob. “Tell me one of your deep dark secrets.”

Aida stared and remained stoic for a moment longer than she should have. The rigidity of her position made her look and feel robotic. With a sharp inhale, she replied “No. I think we can share secrets at an equal pace.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I propose a simple game of truths or potential lies. There is no harm in leaving such ambiguity for each other to let ruminate.”

Evander mulled it over in his mind. No harm, right? He thought to himself. Then extended his hand to show agreement. The gesture was returned, and Evander swore that as they touched, the smallest spark of electricity jumped between their palms. Though he wanted to believe the zap was a good sign, a feeling at the base of his ribs promised otherwise.

The soft velvet pouch that hung from Aida’s wrist softly clinked as her hand moved away from his. “Let’s lay some ground rules, shall we? No prying information out, everything must be shared willingly and without pressure. Two or three full truths with as many or little details as necessary. However, it all varies on time.” She paused, “And of course, one lie.”

“That is fair, but what if I want to know which is your lie and what your truths are before we part? Will you tell me?” Evander questioned.

The side of Aida’s mouth raised lightly to a smirk. “I guess that will depend on how honest you are with me. If I feel like you are being truthful, and you pose no threat to me, then I suppose I could tell you which is which. Does that satisfy you?”

Some deep seeded satisfaction began to swell somewhere in Evander’s chest. “So, are you going to start us off?”

Aida pinched the corner of the velvet pouch; her eyes still fixated on him for a moment. A slight lurch from the train broke her numbed expression. “What do you want to know?”

A quiet pause hung in the train car. “Everything.”

Aida took a deep breath and dropped her eyes to the floor, then back to the window. There was a soft blue glow now from the dying light reflecting off the snow. Her cheeks stiffened and she momentarily pursed her lips. Then her face relaxed when she tilted her head back and let her eyes bound from tree to tree as they rushed by. For a few moments, Evander thought she was going to lapse into another one of her silences.

Her voice was smooth and calm. “I grew up in a small town at the foot of a big mountain range. A river ran through the outskirts, and it was the watering hole that bred stupidity. People would congregate all over the banks in the summer. It was like an infestation at times, only there was no remedy to drive everyone away. My friends were no different than the rest. They would often go to the river in the summers at all hours. We all knew how bad it could be and there was constant suspicion of crime families intervening in local affairs or having their own agendas in our town. By the time I was 17, I had lost two friends to the river, or so the deaths were listed as. One day in late summer, there was an afternoon get together. There were probably 25 people that showed up. They all gathered and socialized too close to the banks and it began to rain. SOme left, but many people started acting foolish. Some were jumping into the river, and trying to swim against the current. That day, everyone ended up in the water whether they liked it or not. The rain got harder, and it flooded from the top canyons. Amber was pulled into the water by the eroding bank. Her body was found a week later. The town crumbled for a couple weeks, but then everyone continued on as they were before and forgot. By fall, Rachel began smearing the names of some of the people who died; some people she called friends. She vanished and it was suspected that she too ended up in the river by someone else’s hand. Not many grieved her.”

A rolling cart pushed past the door of the cabin. Evander prayed that no one came to the door, and he looked to see the shadow slowly pushing past the textured glass. Aida was now looking at him.

She continued. “One year later, almost to the date, I lost my boyfriend. He got up extra early, made a cup of coffee, and left a note saying he was going to meet someone for ice fishing. I remember the feeling that morning. I was so sore I could barely move. When I was told he was gone I slept for two days straight. When they recovered the body, they said his family crest band was gone but no evidence of foul play.”

Her thumb curled into her palm and reached the base of her ring finger. The bleached spot of skin was smoothed down and almost polished. Evander could barely see the difference in the tinted skin, but it was noticeable enough if you focused on it. A pit formed in his throat and stopped him from blurting out he was sorry for her loss. He was thankful for the delay in his response, as when he thought it, it felt dumb enough.

“Do you think it was foul play?” Evander asked not realizing how absorbed in her story he was.

“Ah ah ah.” Aida waved a finger at him. “That was one truth. It’s your turn now.” She smiled encouragingly for him to share one of his own tales from the past. Her eyes traced him eagerly.

Evander half laughed, half coughed as a smile splayed up one side of his face. As his lips rested and returned to their neutral place, he began chewing on the inside of his cheek. Aida thought of how the dimple was cute.

He began, “I also grew up in a little town at the base of some mountain range. But that is where our similarities stop. It never snowed, and I didn’t experience true winter until I was almost 18. Up to that point I only ever experienced rain, gray skies, and fog for winter. We used to have this long valley that split two hills that would flood and would make small fairy pools and creeks. My friends and I would do the polar plunges there. The grasses there weren’t very tall, but they were sharp. If you were ever caught there with your legs exposed, you wouldn’t leave that valley without blood trailing behind you. We also had immense gardens that I used to love to work in. My family was a bunch of farmers, and there were times I would ditch school to go help my father and older brothers. Those are some of my fondest memories.” Evander reminisced for a moment, then continued. “Instead of a river, we had the ocean, but we could never touch it. The waves would crash into the large cliffs and at times it felt like it was shaking the whole land. Those cliffs were hundreds of feet when I was younger, but they couldn’t have been more than 50 feet to get to the water. Who knows how deep those mountain roots went. The water was almost black and had to have been infested with sharks. Anyone or anything that went into the water never came back. And if the sharks and other water dwelling creatures didn’t get you, then I suspect a heavy down current would have shown you just how deep those cliffs were.”

A rickety wagon now came squeaking down the narrow walk next to the cabin doors. An older woman would weakly holler to people in the cabins, inviting them to stretch their legs and get something to eat or drink from the trolley.

Aida was still looking at Evander, clearly interested in his story, but had a look on her face of desire. Without blinking she asked, “Would you like a cup of coffee? Or something else? I would hate to let that woman pass and not have a customer in this car.”

The squeaking got louder, and the woman’s voice seemed to echo against the neighboring cabin's door. “I would love some coffee,” he responded.

Aida stood up and placed her coat on the chair where she was sitting. She then rummaged through her pockets and pulled out some paper money, a few coins and met the older woman at the door. After placing her order, Aida turned to see Evander was staring the opposite way of her. For a moment Aida was almost sad he wasn’t looking at her, but then she noticed that he was fixated on her reflection in the now darkened glass. A small giggle escaped her chest. “Need anything else?” Aida asked him, trying to bring his attention back to the real her.

He snapped his head to attend to her question. “No, thank you very much though.”

Aida took the two small paper cups from the trolley and asked the woman to close the door. She was happy to oblige. Just before the woman was out of the line of sight, she pushed it open again with a message, “Don’t forget, in about ten minutes we will be going into the darkest point of the forest. Sorry the lamps are so dim, but if you don’t want to sit in the dark, I can leave a candle for you.” The woman held out a small and clearly used candle stick as an offering.

Aida while still holding the cups turned to Evander who clearly didn’t know how to answer the question. Turning back over her shoulder she responded to the woman, “No I think we will be fine. I have a candle of my own if it's needed. Thank you.”

Evander took in the shape of Aida, and how her dress seemed to glisten in the dark. Her silky form reminded him of a raven of sorts. One who would fly through the night to relay messages. He swallowed hard as he took the cup of coffee from Aida, “You’re not afraid of me huh? Don’t mind being in the dark with me?”

Aida sat back in her chair and crossed her legs. She straightened her dress over her crossed leg and sat back relaxed. “No,” she said smiling. “Now, you were talking about the cliffs and emanate death of the waters around your childhood home. I do enjoy a good, grimm fairy tale.”

Evander took a deep breath from his cup and cleared his head. The smell was always a comfort to him, and the musky scent of coffee brought up thoughts of leather saddles, seeking shelter in caves from the rain, and trenches. He shuddered. “Oh yeah, the cliffs. I had a friend who had this carved out route to get to a cave he dug into the softer parts of the cliff face. It was a place we would go hang out, hide stuff from our parents, and even sometimes bring girls there.” Evander grew self-conscious about his comment because Aida’s eyebrow raised.

She smiled as if trying to stifle a giggle. “You mean you took young women to a hole in the ground? One that was carved by hand? I guess that is impressive. And quite private.”

“I didn’t say we were smart. Just a couple of young boys, exploring so to speak. It was a cool spot but, we all know good things don’t last forever. One day my friend took the wrong people there and they threw him off the cliff. I don’t know what happened or why, but there were some horrible rumors that drifted through our town about how he died; how long it took. A month after that, my family moved and that is how I learned what snow was.”

The train car clicked along the track and began descending a steep mountainside. The whole car shifted slightly and the two of them had to lean to feel more stable. Even though the train was heading down, it rose above the treetops long enough for Aida and Evander to soak up the last bits of sunlight. The heavily wooded mountain range glowed orange as if the treetops were lit on fire. The light snow blowing off the tops of the pines flared like vibrant rooster tales. The tunnel at the bottom of the pass is where the cabins would go dark. They were almost there and the train sunk back down within the thick pine branches. Aida imagined them like hands reaching out to stop them from the tunnel.

“I’m sorry,” Aida said to break the silence. “I know what it feels like to lose someone you are close to. I know the feeling all too well actually. With that being said, I know no manner of words can ease the hollow weight of loss in any form, much less a violent and heinous way.”

The cabin remained silent for another moment longer. Evander stared blankly at the floor by Aida’s boots. The intercom broke the silence. The crackle and static voice purred in the old speakers. The dented and rusted metal had been painted to try and go unnoticed in the top left corner of the space. “Ladies and gentlemen, we are getting closer to Petra tunnels. All guests who are uncomfortable with the dark are invited to move to the center cabins for security reasons. Once the train enters the tunnel, all doors will be locked and movement through the cabins is not permitted.”

Evander looked puzzled. “I thought the tunnels were lit. Do they really go completely dark?”

Aida relaxed her head. His tension seemed to be calming to her at this point over an annoyance. He was cute, in a puppy sort of way. “There are some lanterns but they are so dim that they don’t provide anything over a glow. Besides, the train is traveling so fast that it wouldn’t matter. It is like running down a hallway with a single candle suspended at the ceiling.”

The speaker crackled again. “Last call. Entering the tunnel in 60 seconds.”

Aida finished her coffee and set down the paper cup next to her foot. Upon her sitting up again, she noticed Evander was beginning to tremble. “Are you afraid of the dark?” she asked.

Evander’s heart sunk in his chest. The train had picked up speed. “Spending time in tunnels and small caves will do that to you. Aren’t you nervous about being here with me?” he asked.

The expression that seemed permanently settled on Aida’s face was difficult to gauge. Her eyes were hollow, as if any emotion that was present would slip down the dark well of her iris’ and be lost forever. Her eyelids slowly closed and seemed to push her focus to the floor momentarily. When her eyes met his again before they were thrown into the darkness, she gave a simple reply, “No.”

The original click of the tracks was now louder and resembled a clap. The hollowed-out hillside vibrated and the pulse of the metal vein carrying the train flexed and swayed with the incoming weight. The sounds of the tunnel echoed in Evander’s head, and he realized he had no idea how long the tunnel went on for. He found himself holding his breath unconsciously. Evander found his heart was beginning to race and he confused the clap of the tracks with the pounding in his chest. His palms began to sweat. He was losing control over his mind. Sweat beaded and collected on his hairline and neck. The thunder of the train hurling through the mountain vibrated Evander at his core and he thought for certain he was beginning to suffocate. He leaned forward and squeezed his eyes shut and covered his ears tightly with his hands.

Every few moments, the cabin would strobe a dim red from the passing lanterns in the tunnel and sparks kicking up the side of the cars. The grind of metal on metal was not a favored part by Aida either, but generally she could block it out. However, upon one of the flashes of light, Aida saw Evander seemingly collapsing into his own trauma. Electric constellations danced beneath her ribs and the feeling of empathy overtook her. She wanted to help.

Evander felt her stand in front of him and froze. He realized how brazen he was with his initial approach to her, and now he felt intimidated and embarrassed with himself. The dim lighting only made it more difficult, and he found himself staring at her. She was a mere two paces away, and she floated over the space and extended her hand. It cupped his cheek, her fingertips grazing his jawline and the dip beneath his ear. He let his head lean lightly into her hand and felt his heart begin to calm and return to a more comfortable pace. She smelled like a library. The sweet grass, vanilla and almond that seemed to permeate her pores was now flooding his senses. Evander found himself closing his eyes and imagining sitting in his own library, perhaps with a cup of coffee. The clashing of scents of Aida and the train car kept him grounded. He removed one of his hands from his ears and placed it on the back of hers. Though neither said it, both Aida and Evander found a moment of comfort in the dark. Aida shifted and sat on the bench next to Evander. No longer touching his face, she lightly grabbed his other hand from his ear, and placed them neatly on his lap with hers on top. They sat quietly and still. His trembling ceased and he became more firm in his presence.

Scraping against the top of the train car snapped both their attention to the roof. Usually the creatures of Enmity are not in the tunnels, but there is always an exception to the rule. The scraping continued a few moments, but then was followed by a shrill scream and a few thuds. Whoever was outside the train car had met their demise. A red smear began to drip down their window, and the rushing air pushed the stain to the side of the pane where it began to freeze.

Aida stood as soon as they exited the tunnel and returned to her seat in front of him. She avoided his eyes for a while. The original sounds of the train returned along with the crackle of the speakers. “Any passengers that congregated in the public areas are free to return to their cabins and seats. Next stop: Roya-5 minutes.”

Evander moved his suitcase to the other side and made sure it was secure before returning his attention to Aida. “That’s not your stop, is it?” he asked with a little too much hope in his voice.

Aida took a moment and fiddled with the velvet bag that was still hanging on her wrist. “No, Roya is not my stop. And you?”

Evander felt relieved. “No. Mine is either the one after Roya, or even two stops away. I am here for a bit longer.”

Aida still wasn’t looking at Evander. “So, what’s your next tale? I am curious where you went after you learned what snow was.” She gestured to the window and finally looked at him.

Evander laughed. His throat seemed to echo his thankfulness for Aida to pick something to break the awkward tension with. “Well, we can’t go out of order now. So, it’s your turn again. Or, since the next stop is only a couple minutes away, maybe we should stall so you don’t have to stop mid-story? We will get out and stretch our legs for a moment?”

“That sounds lovely, but I think I will wait here.”

“Alright. Are you sure? You’re not going to run from me, are you?” Evander asked, partially joking, and partially serious.

A stifled giggle escaped her minimal smile. “No, I will stay here. You can even leave your briefcase if you like.”

Evander turned and looked at the leather case with the combination lock. He couldn’t even open it, so it’s unlikely she could. He reminded himself that even if she did take it, his part of the job was to merely leave it on the train and disappear himself for a few days. So even if she did, it would just be helping him out. “Alright,” he said. “I will leave it. I trust you.” The final words slipped out before he even knew what he was saying, but it caught Aida’s attention.

The usual blank expression that was so stuck to her face was gone. The empty pools that were her eyes seemed to glow with a form of gratitude, or even compassion. Evander was unsure, but for a moment he felt comfortable in truly trusting her.

The train rolled into the station and the whole cabin lit up with a pale blue light. People through the train began to collect their things and waddle their way off the howling locomotive. Evander took another good look at Aida and then stood. He put his jacket on while still looking at her. “I will be back in a moment.” He felt cold saying it, but for some reason, he wasn’t sure how to act. He wasn’t sure if he should have rejected her help in the tunnel or shown her more acceptance. Either way, he wasn't satisfied with his reaction, and he wanted to make some kind of gesture back.

As Evander walked down the aisle, bordered by windows, he saw a flower stand. The vibrant petals of tulips, lilies, and even roses broke up the monotonous color pallet that surrounded the platform. He couldn’t get her just any flowers, they had to be the right flowers.

After waiting for what felt like countless minutes, Evander dropped a few coins into the florist’s hand and headed back to the train. The ticket master and what he could imagine was the conductor were arguing over the next two stops and how there were no more people boarding the train. Whatever their argument was, it seemed like they were both in a losing battle for quantity of passengers. Evander thought to himself how he was tired of big crowds of people and welcomed the quiet of small groups.

By the time he had returned to the cabin, Aida had folded her jacket neatly and was sitting next to it on the bench seat. For a moment Evander debated coming in and taking the swivel chair seat that she was in before, but something told him not to. The latch of the door clicked and alerted Aida. Her head snapped to attention and a moment of fear flashed across her face. When she saw that it was Evander, she immediately softened her expression with a light smile that barely creased her cheek.

He fully entered the car and kept one hand behind his back. He let the door slide shut and it gave a reassuring snap that the lock had engaged. He unbuttoned his jacket with his free hand, and then brought out the small arrangement of flowers from behind his back. He gestured them to Aida, who took the pleasant surprise with a look of utter appreciation.

Tartan dahlias and black calla lilies were wrapped in a crimson tissue paper. The black ribbon that tied the stems together was frayed, but the unintentional flaw made the unraveling string a confetti garland that hung lightly down the front. The arrangement was perfect.

“I hope you don’t mind. I wanted a proper thank you for helping me in the tunnel. I was clearly not prepared for it.” Evander took his jacket off and laid it over the seat so he could sit on it. As he lowered himself to the bench, he extended his left arm over the back and slid it behind Aida, allowing him to be closer to her.

Even though she was absorbed in the flowers, she was aware of him getting closer to her. She leaned away from Evander, and he recoiled his arm back to his side. “Of course. You’re not the only one who gets claustrophobia in tunnels. I knew someone else that would happen to as well. I panicked and just wanted to help. That was the only way I knew how.”

Evander crossed his right ankle over his left knee and positioned himself to be facing Aida. “Either way, I appreciate it. And I am glad you like the flowers.”

Aida had the flowers so close to her face that she could feel the soft petals graze her lips and cheeks as she gently and slowly touched the petals to her skin. “They are perfect. Lucky guess on the Dahlias. They are in fact my favorite. There has only been one other person who has ever given me flowers.”

Evander felt a swell of pride. “Someone should buy you flowers every day.”

Aida looked over the top of the tissue paper and chaotic petals. “I don’t want flowers unless it means something. Men always assume women want everything. Though there are plenty of people in the world who do want everything, the good ones only want things that are truly intended for them. Save a moment in something. That’s what we want.”

The train roared and the whistle sounded. People on the platform waved goodbye to their friends, families and potential colleagues as the train pulled away from the lights. Within three minutes, the train was pushed back into a velvet pool of ebony with dimly lit cabins.

Evander looked out the window, but the complete lack of light made him only see a fragment of his reflection. “Who was the other one who got you flowers then? Well, flowers that mattered.”

Aida leaned forward. She gave the flowers one last smell and then placed them on the seat in front of her. “He was the only man I ever loved. All the priceless moments I had with him are but a smear on the timeline. He has been gone for so long now, but I still will wake up at night and look for him. Those endless conversations in the dark somehow come back to life, but then reality sets in and he’s gone all over again.” She clasped her hands and gently placed them on her lap. “One day we were hiking. The hills looked like they were on fire with how brilliant the fall colors were. Almost like when we were heading into the tunnels, but it was the leaves that were those colors. The vibrancy was breathtaking and the aroma of the hills preparing to hibernate was intoxicating. It was simply bliss. He was a photographer, and finding those precious gems coating the tops of the trees was always the autumn goal. On this particular morning though, we saw heavy clouds looming over the distant mountain tops, and even though we knew it was going to shift and come our way, we decided to go anyway. The hike was well worth the risk and I think he had the chance to capture memories instead of just pictures. On our way back, it started to rain. Before too long, the rain turned to large flakes of snow, and the brilliant highlight of white amongst the trees is a memory that is ingrained in my mind with the most delicate of details. Within minutes we were soaked. His shoulders steamed slightly and I swore some of the flakes turned to rain droplets right before they landed on him. We had walked on the slick and rugged terrain for probably ten minutes. The dried grass and sodden bark pieces absorbed all sounds along with the snow. The fog was beginning to roll in, so we decided to take cover for a while and then hike back to the car once we gathered ourselves.”

Aida grew quiet for a moment and glanced at Evander. It was clear she still had his attention so she continued. “We took shelter in one of the old stone ruins that we saw just off the trail. The large smooth stones were riddled with holes, but this was a blessing as the walls wouldn’t sweat. In the back corner of the small space laid dried wood and some bark chips. It was clear we weren’t the only ones who had been forced to take refuge there. So we made a fire and sat back while the world was blanketed in a quieting layer of snow. I watched it lightly fall until my cheekbones and nose were numb and reddened from the cold. He walked almost silently and wrapped his hand around the back of my neck. The calluses that lined the creases in his hands scraped at my skin and grabbed hairs as he pushed up the back of my head. He turned me around and pressed to me as his hand curved down the small of my back. His firm chest and stable hands laid me down by the fire. Loving him was easy. Probably the easiest thing I had done, like falling asleep. The way his hair felt when I would run my hands through it. Or the light scruff of a beard on my cheek, or collarbone. Somehow, his hands always felt warm against my skin. They balanced perfectly between strong and gentle. I had seen him use this strength on occasion, but not once was his force ever used against me. That was what made him so beautiful and a true good man. He was capable of great destruction. As if a monster of immense power lingered in the sandcastles of his mind. But he never acted on it in front of me. I was always shielded from that dark side of life. His fingertips would drag over me and it was as if wishes from dandelion seeds wisped over my skin. He would run the side of his thumb over my lips anytime he wanted to tell me he loved me without saying it. Sometimes with a new company or even when he didn’t want to break the silence.”

The temperature in the cabin was dropping, and all the condensation, the road map or game trail design that coated the window was now frozen fully, and the other structures of Aidas doodle were replaced with actual ice crystals. The feathered water danced more beautifully than anything Aida could have drawn with water.

“Was he the funeral you just came from?” Evander posed the question but he knew from Aidas expression that it was not.

Without bothering to answer his question, she pressed on. “About 32 weeks after the day in the snow, everything changed. We had gone out on another venture, but the weather was drastically different and it was ruthlessly hot on the alpine cliffs. We had been hiking for a few hours when I took a break in some raspberry bushes. My husband said he would be right back so I took a nap. I didn't wake up until it was nearly dusk, but my husband was nowhere to be seen. I started walking down the trail when I saw him being beaten and then pushed over the cliff by a group of men.” Aida grew silent for a moment and flexed her hands. She tightly closed her eyes for a moment, and then her expression softened all together as she placed one hand on her lower belly. She continued. “I hid until the men had gone. I ran back to the car, but one of them saw me, and followed. When he caught up to me, he kicked me in the stomach. He told me that I should be grateful I wouldn’t join my husband with being thrown down the cliffs. I of course miscarried and I found myself slipping deeper and deeper into the darker side of my mind. One day I just decided that is where I will stay.” A smile snapped to her face, and whatever tears lightly formed from her sharing her story pulled back into her eyes. Whatever pain she had briefly let forward quickly recoiled and withdrew back.

Evanders heart began to race and for the first time since he left the war he felt fear. He was afraid of Aida. He couldn’t imagine what kind of a person who can lose not only her husband, but also her unborn child all in the span of a few hours, can handle such weight. He thought he saw a glimmer of her soul, but the fact that her eyes now turned back to the dark and hollow frightened him. He wasn't sure if he could live up to the same honesty that she just provided.

Aida noticed the shift in his mood and seemingly was satisfied with the reaction. Everyone who gets close ends up running away, and she could only anticipate he was no different. “Your turn.” She stood and went back to the swivel chair. Once she was comfortable she perched herself up on her left elbow and waited in anticipation.

Evander sat motionless for a moment, then gestured to the empty seat that was next to him. “Was there a draft there?”

Aida gave a genuine smile, “I just like sitting in front of you; I like to look at you. Makes the conversation flow easier.”

“Very well then,” Evander responded while sitting back on the bench and crossing his arms. “I was 25 when I enlisted to help secure Arram from Yuda. I was angry at the world and wanted to either fight until I had nothing left, or die with the rage that pulsed through me. I sometimes didnt know why I was so angry, so I thought that it meant my purpose was to fight and kill. But even that didn’t help. It only made it worse.”

Evander coughed and wished there was something to drink for him. Since there was nothing to quench the dry that seemed to permeate his mouth, he just swallowed hard and continued on. “Everyone says Yuda is a calm group of people. Somehow that has been the rumor that gets associated with them. But they found ways to attack from not only above but from below. They developed a complex set of tunnels that somehow went unnoticed on most battlefields. It was like they had already been there for years preparing for the war before it happened. I think that they used to control Enmity, and that is why this continent is nothing but caves. The honeycomb of the land but there is nothing here except iron and flammable gasses. It was my job to find the new tunnels and detonate the bombs to collapse them.”

The comment brought clarity to Aida and she now fully understood why Evander was such a wreck when they went through the tunnels. She didn’t want to interrupt his story, but she wanted him to somehow know that she understood and was happy to help. Perhaps it was a conversion that she could have before the end of their trip. She felt a moment of hope, but then reminded herself that there was still a lie hidden in their glistening valley of honesty. That was the rule. So she kept quiet while he continued.

His eyes looked everywhere in the cabin except at her. “It was an orange morning. I was barely awake when they loaded my pack with explosives and sent me below. The only problem was, the Yuda troops were already there. They didn't harm me and later in life I found out why, but I was a prisoner of War for weeks. They were living in the tunnels. My entire battalion was massacred and after that the War was considered a loss by Arram. I don’t even know what we were fighting for and no one would ever talk about it. I just knew it was called a loss one day, and everyone went home. Back to their lives, just like that,” he snapped his fingers and closed his eyes simultaneously. “Once the war was over, I didn’t know what to do with myself. I drank, fought, whored, anything I could find to try and forget what I had to do and what I had seen. When I realized it was all making it worse, I tried to get better. But made another poor choice of who I sought help from. From a powerful family. They have casinos and businesses, Mira or something like that. They agreed to help me so called, but I ended up running drugs and being a bulldog for them. I told them I wanted out, and this is my last task to them. I know they are going to kill me if I go back at all. They want me gone and this is how they will do it im sure.” Evander paused for a few moments and turned his expression to the window. Little to no light could be seen outside, except the dark blue behind the black smudges of giant trees that covered the whole continent. “I know this is the end if I want it to be. I can follow their orders and ride this train all the way to the end. I could see who was supposed to get the briefcase. But I also have thought about just tossing it out the window and getting off at one of these stops. They wouldn't know unless they went to Divit and tried to find my name in the record.”

Aida’s ears perked up when he said the family name. She had her suspicions, especially about the signature print, but now she knew exactly what was in the briefcase but didn't want to alarm him. Maybe he did just need help. What was the true possibility that he was merely in the wrong place at the wrong time? Might be worth the risk she thought. Before she could second guess herself she spoke up. “Not necessarily. Yes the main death record is in Divit, but there is a secondary one. One that few know about.” She hesitated, “it’s in Arram.”

Both passengers seemed to be mulling over the information. Evander more than Aida, because now he understood why Yuda and Arram were at war. They must have been seeking the records that were in Arram. “How is that possible? I thought there could only be one.”

Aida pinched the bag hanging on her wrist. “It is complicated.”

She tried to change the subject back to earlier in his story. “You said you thought Yuda had tunnels everywhere?”

He finally looked at her, “I think so. I think they have tunnels on every continent and that is why they don't attack because they know they will win. Think of all the tunnel systems here in Enmity. How did they get here? I saw the tunnels here two weeks ago. They were the exact same and had the same dig marks. Like some machine carved it all out.”

The conversation was interrupted by the cracking of the announcement. “Deep End in less than 10 minutes. Rapid departure.”

Aida and Evander looked at each other with a shared expression of disappointment but also excitement. The end of the game was fast approaching. “We won’t have time for both stories. So you will have to settle with mine.”

Evanders eyes seemed to lighten and the despair that was once in them was minimal or even gone. She tried to hold on to that moment because she knew it would be fleeting.

She sighed and began, “My late husband's name was Ivan. It was not a marriage for love. At least it never was for me. I had an agenda for the past three years. I wanted to eliminate as many as I could. I only missed one.”

Evanders excitement vanished and was replaced by a look of shock and a heartbeat that began to quicken. His palms began to sweat.

Aida continued, “You see, the night that I lost my husband and baby, I decided that some people didn’t deserve the comforts and security that was so readily provided to them. So I found my way in. I used some of the things I know many men fawn over in women. Looks, charm, a hidden and vicious nature. Finding him was easy, I couldn’t forget his face even if I wanted to. The night they killed Vincent I memorized his face and vowed that their lives would not be snuffed out in vain. I spent my time learning about them, following them and seeing where they put the most risk. Turns out a girl anywhere she wants to go with the right kind of tools.”

The intercom crackled to life, “Deep End: three minutes!”

Evander swallowed down the metallic taste in his mouth while Aida removed the small velvet pouch from her wrist and dumped the contents out in her palm. The rings varied in size and thickness. She moved them around with her index finger and Evander saw they all had family crests etched into the metal and stone. There were about 15 rings in her hand, and at least half of them Evander knew he had seen before. The black metal encased a white filigree with various colors of gems embedded. The print that swirled through the rings resembled the aurora borealis. He didn't understand how the design had such an appearance, but then again he thought he would never see one up close, yet alone so many. They were rings from the highborn sons of the Mira family. Evander looked at his case and felt all color drain from his face.

“Yes. That case was meant to find me. I suspected it when you first came into the train car, but from our interaction I have come to believe that you are merely in the wrong place at the wrong time. However, a mishap like that carries no weight to answer if you are a true threat or not. The truth is you were sent to kill me, and conveniently die in the process. It's strange, every man has a different face when they realize that I am the one who could be with them in their final moments. Ivan had a look of horror. I told him that I had planned it since the moment he pushed Vincent from the cliffs. Vincent was innocent and so was my child. The man that took my son was just as satisfying to end.”

Evander wanted to panic. “So you believe in innocence?”

A smile creased Aida’s face but her eyes were empty. The train was slowing down, so she poured the rings back in the velvet pouch and stood to put her jacket on. “I believe in honesty. My lie was that my first boyfriend went missing.” She lightly clinked her nails on the small bag, holding it up to her cheek. “I hope for the same honesty but I may never know. That case will unlock in the next few minutes. When it does, the glass vials inside the case will crack and begin to emit a noxious and very flammable gas. It is the same gas that is produced by the Hell’s Gate mines that are deep under our feet right now. If you try to click the lock back down, it will ignite the case and turn into a bomb roughly twice the size of a grenade. If you don't, the gas will seep out and you will suffocate to death.”

The train came to a stop and the intercom crackled once more, “Deep End. Train departs in 2 minutes.”

As she walked to the door, Aida grazed her fingers lightly under Evanders chin. “This could be your chance, you know. Start over and maybe they will never find you. Or, if death is what you seek, it awaits you.” Without turning back, Aida walked out of the cabin, leaving the latch door partly open.

Five miles down the track, the briefcase exploded and separated the train. Casualties counted were over 50 from the bomb and the creatures of Enmity.

Deep End Passenger log- Two passengers deboarded the train.