Owen walked down the train aisles, closely followed by Magic and their newfound travel companion. He was still rather wary of Austin or whatever his name was, but Magic trusted them. And Magic was rarely wrong.

That doesn't mean he had to like him though.

As they passed through the compartments, His companions footsteps not far behind him, Owen's knuckles turned white from gripping his bag so tightly. It was silent all around, every new area the same as the last. The only difference was the scenery outside the window. The train never moved, but whenever they opened a new door there was something. There could be a dark forest, other times it was pitch black with only faint wisps of shadows. It was dark, the silence deafening in his ears.

 Which is why when he opened a door and a purple-haired girl ran out, he totally didn't scream at the top of his lungs.

The girl glanced between the three of them, backed into a corner as Owen held out his bag. She sighed. "Shit."

A loud roar came from the other side of the door. "Ok, time to go!" The stranger grabbed Apo by the hand, dragging them behind her. Owen grabbed Magic, running after the two. Magic shrieked. "What the fuck is that?!" They pointed behind them, where on the floor a shadow slithered after them. "I really don't want to find out!"

Owen slammed the door behind them, shoving an empty snack cart in front of it. Apo trembled as the girl fiddled with a lantern in her hands. "That won't hold for long." "What the hell was that?" Owen's voice quivered. "Who even are you?" The wings above her head fluttered around in a panic. "I'll explain later- do you trust me?" She glanced up. "No!" "Well you're gonna have to!" The angel hybrid lit a match, pouring a bit of oil from the lamp by the door.

"Uh, I don't think that's a good idea!" Apo called as the girl watched the door shake as the creature banged against it. "Will you shut up?" She snapped.

The door finally bursted open. The shadow creature slithered in, creeping up the walls and ceiling until half the room was filled with shadows.

The stranger threw her match in the oil, causing flames to sprout right in front of the door. The creature shrieked, crawling back to wherever it came. It was silent momentarily, the only noise being Magic's panicked breathing. 

Owen turned to them. "Are you okay?" "Yeah, totally. We almost just died to one of those weird kiss things from Harry Potter, and I'm fine! So great!" She said, slightly hysterical. "Who?" Apo frowned.

"It's not safe here. Come on." The girl adjusted her neon yellow backpack, turning on her heel and leaving the trio to reluctantly follow her.

"Are you ever going to explain what the hell just happened back there?" The purple-haired stranger didn't look back. "All you need to know is that you're not safe here. My job is to find people like you." "Us?" "The Outsiders." She glanced back. "And before you comment, I did not pick that name. That was entirely against my will."

They walked in silence for a while before Apo finally spoke up. "So... do you have a name, or should I just call you train girl?" She sighed. "You really don't know when to shut up, do you?" "Not at all, train girl." She rolled her eyes.

"Ayngel."

"Huh?"

"That's my name. Ayngel."

"Huh... Your parents are not very creative, are they?"

Ayngel glared. "I answered your question. Now be quiet. You'll attract more monsters if you keep it up."

It was quiet now, the train back to its calm and peaceful facade. Owen was still on edge, glancing at every single movement he caught in the corner of his eye.

Eventually, the group arrived at a side door. Owen gave Ayngel a weird look, but she ignored him, throwing the door open and gesturing for them to walk inside.

The inside was a slightly bigger compartment, bunk beds built into the walls. There were a few different coloured sleeping bags scattered across the floor, as if there were more people there that just... vanished.

Ayngel walked over to a purple bed, throwing down her bag and grabbing a hair tie. "Welcome," She made a gesture with one hand as she used the other to pull her hair up. "To the refugee."

A door across the room slammed open, and two people ran in. The young boy had sandy brown hair, his almost black eyes a stark contrast to his extremely pale skin. The woman had dark brown hair, her hair pulled up in an updo and the skirt of their dress torn and bloody. 

"Get the fuck out- Ayngel!" The boy practically pounced on her. "Graecie was on the verge of an anxiety attack, we were so worried!" "Oeca, I'm fine." Ayngel smiled, glancing back at the door where they came. "Where's Will?" Owen didn't miss how Apo stiffened next to him. "He's right behind us. Now please explain why three random people are standing behind you." The woman- Graecie, Owen assumed, gestured to them.

Ayngel turned to them. "Well?" "I'm Magic!" Magic said, after realizing neither of their companions had manners. "This is my brother Owen, and this is Apo. We're-" "From different times, huh?" Magic blinked in surprise. "Yes... how did you know that?"

Ayngel sighed. "We all are. So far no one has been from the same year, let alone the same month. Oeca here," She gestured to the boy now fiddling with a dagger. "Came from 2000. Graecie is from 1900, and Aimsey-" Someone burst through the door. They wore a red bandanna over their head, and a green blouse with the top buttons unbuttoned. "What? Where are the monsters?!" Graecie sighed. "Aimee, you're fine. There's just a couple new people." "Really?" Aimsey glanced around them, their face brightening. "I thought there wasn't anyone else!" "Yeah, well apparently not. Aimsey, you see," Ayngel continued. "Is from 1676. So they're super old." "That's hurtful."

Aimsey walked over to a bunk with the curtains drawn. They yanked them back, and Owen caught a glimpse of withered claws, rings decorating its fingers and a tail similar to Apo's wrapped around its upper arms. "Bitch, wake up." Aimsey tried to shake the figure awake. It groaned, rolling over and turning its back to them. "Fuck off." "Krow, there's more people now! We're not alone!" "Cool. now shut the fuck up." Aimsey sighed, grabbing its arm and yanking it out of bed. The halfing shrieked, falling out of bed. Oeca stifled a laugh as it glared at Aimsey. Owen caught a glimpse of scarlet eyes. "Screw you." "Love ya too, Kid." 

Aimsey helped Krow off the ground, still grumbling and cursing under its breath. "This little shit here is Krow. Don't worry, it just pretends it hates us all." "I do." "Sure you do bud."

The door behind them opened. "Oh my gods, who is next-" Apo turned on their heel, freezing in place. Owen turned too, finally noticing the new boy staring at them in disbelief. "What in all that is holy is happening?" "Will! This is Owen, and Magic, and Apo-"

Apo pushed past them, running for the door and slamming it behind him. "Apo!" Magic ran after them, but Owen grabbed her before they could. "Magic, you can't go after him." "Let me go Owen, I need to help them! There are creatures out there-" "Which is why you can't go! Magic, if we go out there, we're dead. We'll never get out." "Then why are we not going after them?" Magic spat.

Aimsey grabbed a bow, slinging a quiver over their shoulder. "I'll get him. Stay here, I promise I'll bring them back." They gave Magic a once over. "Listen to your brother. You just got here, you don't have experience. I can do this." "But-" "Krow, you're in charge of watching my things." "Sir!" Krow gave a mock salute. Aimsey took one last look behind them before running past Will, still standing there confused, and sneaking out the door. Will glanced back at the door before turning to Graecie.

"What the fuck is happening?"

- - -

For the record, when I wrote Krow's sir at the end I picture it being said like Hooty from the Owl House says maam.

Shout out to stacy's brother for being the best song in existence and my will to live.