Life without friends is boring. Especially when doubled with writers block. Then it is just pure torture.

Whenever I try to write, the plot is all over the place, characters are bland, or I have no message I want to share.

This is usually about the time when Elizabeth gives me some random plot twist and I go off in a whole new direction.

...But she's gone now.

Ugh! I hate pity parties. I need to do something...

I get up and go for a walk. I am that desperate. Walks around here are dangerous, there is a high risk of social interaction.

But I guess defeating boredom is worth the risk.

I walk around for hours but can't find what I am looking for.

~

The next day Humphrey doesn't get on the train. Mallory says he is in Section Two now.

Oh.

~

Two weeks later Mallory and a few others I have never spoken are gone too.

Section Two the rumors say.

~

People everywhere are disappearing to Section Two. And the flow of people coming through the gates is now just a trickle.

With so many people gone, it leaves me to wonder if I'm next?

~

Enough is enough, I decide. I don't want to be left all alone in this section. I sneak onto the next train going to Section Two.

Since each Section has to house so many people, it takes weeks to get from Section to Section. I spend a week on the train riding to the next Section. I eat the meager meals I can afford.

I should've brought more money, but no one who goes onto the Section train ever comes back. How was I supposed to know about the prices?

I sleep in the seat I claimed, since it was either pay for a bed or food.

I stare out at the seemingly never ending rows of houses. Some now vacant, others teeming with life.

Will they disappear too? Do they worry about it?

When I finally arrive in Section Two, it looks the same, except less modern. Instead of the electric lampposts in Section One, they are candle lite. The house look less secure and sturdy.

How am I supposed to live here? There isn't a house waiting for me. I don't have a job lined up. I realize I didn't think my plan out very well.

No one makes a move to get off and the trains doesn't slow. I turn to talk to the man sitting next me. He looks about my age, maybe eighteen? Seventeen? "Aren't we getting off in Two?"

"They didn't tell you? Two was a rumor to keep everyone from freaking out. All the other Sections have already been emptied. We are next."

"Next for what?" I question.

"So you really don't know?" He grins wickedly, "Oh what fun, you will be surprised!"

"Will you please-"

"No, love. I'm not going to tell you."

"Fine." I say and stare out the now moving trains window. "Will you at least tell me how long it will take to get wherever we are going?"

"If I had to guess, I'd say about three years."

I choke on my spit. "Three years?!?"

"Oh darling, your face is priceless." He laughs, "It was a joke, it will not take three years, six months at most."

"Oh?" My voice is a pitch higher than usual. Is that supposed to be better?

I can't afford to have three meals a day for six months!! How am I going to survive?!?

"I feel terrible. We have been sitting next to each other for a week and I don't know your name. You must forgive me, I am William."

"Ember." I say absentmindedly, still in shock of the revelation.

"Ember? I think I am going to stick with Darling."

Rude.

The cart comes around for food, but when I decline, William doubles his order. He plops the second plate on my tray table.

"What are you doing?"

"Being polite. Mother always said not to eat in front of someone who doesn't have food."

Okay...? "That's nice of you, but I'm not hungry." I insist even though the smell of the food is enough to make my mouth water.

"Go on, eat. I can see it in your eyes you want to."

"No I'm okay, really."

"Come on."

"No thank you." I say a bit more tersely.

He drawls, "Just one little-"

"I said I'm not hungry!"

I drop the plate on his lap, not caring that the sauce splashed on his clothes. I walk down the aisle to the bathroom.

~

William wasn't exaggerating, we did spend six months on the train. Picking at scraps and drinking from the bathroom sink. Isn't my life luxurious?

When the train finally stopped, we weren't allowed off. That was except for the people that were called. Since I wasn't told to come, my name was never called.

I get up from my seat when I can't see or hear anyone else. It is completely empty. I climb off but there is just an open field.

As soon as my feet touch the ground, the train bolts away.

Great.

I walk until I run into something. It's hard and smooth like glass but I can't see anything.

Odd.

I turn around, and run into another wall just like it. I just my arms out and feel glass on either side of my. Reaching up, it is closed on the top too.

I begin to panic, I am trapped.

That's when I hear it. A faint rumbling sound, almost too quiet to hear. But it grows louder.

Everything goes dark, and the rumbling sound has gone from a whisper to a roar in seconds.

I feel it then, a cold wetness at my ankles.

Water.

Oh no. Oh goodness no. I am trapped in a box that is filling up with water.

With in moments, it is up to my knees.

I am pounding with all my might against the glass but to no avail.

"HELP! SOMEONE, HELP ME!!!" I scream as loud as I can.

It's up to my waist.

Now my elbows.

My shoulders.

My chin.

I am completely submerged in water.

I am still hurling my fist at the wall, it the water slows it.

I swallow water and then I black out.

~

I wake up only seconds later, but the walls are gone and I can see a light above me. I swim up and break the surface.

Gasping, I drag myself to shore. Once my eyes have adjusted, I see trees where the was only grass moments ago. A rock beach, and a tall bridge looming over me. After a minute I place it.

Deception Pass Bridge.

Am I back on Earth?

----------------------------------------------

Dun dun dun!! Plot twist, unless you read the blurb... You probably would've guessed...

Grazie for reading, if you liked this chapter (or didn't and just feel like making me smile) please comment and vote!