I take advantage of a break from work to go on an outing. Not one to run errands, but an actual outing for pleasure. I haven't had one in months. Work has kept me busy for a long time. This is why I'm grateful to Mr. Frye for letting me out of the office for a change.

I decide to take a trip to Middlehurst. I've heard there's a book fair today, so I don't want to miss this opportunity. Since I only plan to stay there for the day and return home later, I just bring my regular bag with me, along with my earphones to listen to music and a book to read when I want to.

The best way to reach the town is by train, so be it. I have to get the bus on time if I want to be at the station at a reasonable time. Even though there are trains for Middlehurst every half an hour, delays can potentially ruin my plan.

I arrive early, which allows me to buy a ticket without running into the usual long queue at the booth. The next train comes and leaves in five minutes. I've got lucky! No wasting time waiting here, no hassles, no delays caused by poor strategy or unfortunate coincidences.

When the train arrives, I take my seat and prepare to show the train inspectors my ticket. The moment the check is over and the inspectors move on with other passengers, I can start enjoying my trip. I turn the music on and read a few chapters of the book I've brought with me.

By the next station, the train starts filling up. In particular, a young woman sits opposite me. Like me, she only carries a backpack, which she places underneath her seat instead of the luggage rack above her. I don't mind, as long as it doesn't cause major disturbance.

She extracts a book from her backpack and starts reading the exact moment I stop mine. I take a quick look at the title. Rebel Without Hope. Oh, that's the first novel I've ever published. It's been two years since it was on the market. I can't believe there's someone who's still into it.

By the time it came out, it sold poorly, so I moved on straight to the next project in order to leave that failure behind. Despite that, it haunted me for a while, making me question my credentials as an author.

I had even considered scrapping the project in its entirety, but Frye convinced me to publish it regardless of the doubt. At the time, I thought he was wrong—sales proved both of us had an incorrect intuition.

What I thought would be a forgotten project may get a second life through a random train passenger sitting opposite me. Since I don't want to disturb her, I focus on my stuff. However, she notices my gaze is fix on the book cover.

This prompts her to ask me, "You've been staring at the volume for at least two minutes. Do you know it, or its author?"

I consider lying to maintain somehow a mysterious aura around me. However, that's be completely pointless. I'll have to come clean somehow. I prefer being honest and confessing I'm indeed the author of that book.

"Yeah, I'm the original author indeed. Braverly Lane. Before you ask, yes, it's my real name." I realize I'm rambling when the girl in front of me starts laughing loud, only to stop before anyone calls her out over it.

Therefore, I apologize for triggering that reaction in her. "Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to be funny. I'm serious indeed."

"No, I am the one who should be sorry. I should've realized this isn't a pen name way earlier. By the way, nice to meet you, Braverly. I started reading your book and fell in love with it. I think I'll buy your other works if I find them." She's as nervous as me, given the way she talks fast, barely allowing herself time to breathe.

I offer her a sip of water, but she politely declines. "I'm fine, thanks. You don't need to worry for me. By the way, I'm Alice Pitts. If you haven't realized yet, I'm a great fan of yours." At this point, it has become so obvious. I'm not gonna ask where her obsession for me comes from.

What I do ask, on the other had, is far more interesting to her. "How did you find my book? I mean, how did it draw your attention?"

She throws a glance at the rest of the wagon to see if anyone's eavesdropping, then leans close to me, as if she were to reveal a damning secret. "Well, I found it at a flea market." Oh, I thought it'd be something more ominous.

However, to be fair, the fact that she found it at a second hand market isn't as bad as one may think it is. It's an opportunity, as well. She had the great chance to catch it and caught it when she was supposed to.

The conversation shifts to our next destinations. Alice asks, "Where are you headed to?"

"Middlehurst. I'm just taking a trip there for the day. What about you?"

"Wareburn." That name's familiar. I must've heard it in the past; however, I'm not exactly sure. I think I'll do some research when I go back home.

"Oh, nice. Are you in for an outing, as well?"

"Actually, no. I'm returning home. I've been away for a couple of days to take care of my grandfather. He has been unwell for a while-" She cuts herself off, believing she has revealed too much of her personal life.

"Did I bother you?" she asks out of concern. I shake my head. She takes it as a sign that she can continue talking. "Anyway, now that I've got some relieving news about his health, I can go back home without that heavy burden."

I comment. "Oh, it must've been quite the package. I mean, it's never easy when you're close to losing a loving one." I don't know why I find myself relating to Alice, this girl I barely met on this train less than an hour ago. I can say I dealt with loss in another way, a more painful one.

However, I don't think I can share such sensitive information with her yet. Plus, my stop is coming soon, which means I'm running out of time. I do want to keep in touch with Alice, though.

"I'll start following you on social media!" she states enthusiastically. "So that I won't miss any updates on your next projects." Wow. Who am I to restrain her excitement for being in touch with me, her idol?

Therefore, I just smile at her. "Looking forward to it." I pick up my backpack and stand up. "Now, I really have to go. It's been a pleasure to meet you."

"Same. Have fun!" The next stop, Middlehurst, has just been announced, which means it's time for me to get off this train.

***

After an hour and a quarter, I reach my destination. It's exactly as I expected it to be. A lively and rustling town, larger than Baindale for sure. Definitely not hollow like Waterbridge, where painful memories settle to the point that they haunt you.

Why my past still resurfaces is not my main interest now. All I want is to enjoy this trip and make the most of it. There's a lot to visit... I don't think one day is enough to appreciate all the marvels awaiting here. I'll definitely come back when I have more free time on my hand.

For now, I'll make do with the book fair. I'm sure Alice would've appreciated it. If only I'd had the courage to ask her to take a little detour with me... Never mind. Her appreciation of Rebel Without Hope is more than enough for me.