The last door clattered shut as I returned to my original car. The resonance turned some heads, but no one thought my entry was unusual enough to dwell on. My seat had been taken by a girl my age. Head in hand, face turned to the window. Hesitantly I approached her, not thrilled that my seat had been occupied in my absence. Not that I could focus on her anyway.

That person of sorts, if you could call him that, haunted me. That crimson, pliable tail, those sharp, fixed horns...and what's worse was those eyes. I couldn't see my own reflection when I stared into them, only leagues of pitch. Perhaps out of fear my image did not appear, fear of the unknown consequence for entering uncharted waters. He let me go; not off the hook, but with a warning. And warnings never go unremembered.

I found my seat across the girl and placed my bag next to me. Her eyes were glued to the imagery outside; much like mine were before I committed my sin of leaving my seat. Not wanting to seem rude by staring, I followed her gaze, watching her out of the corner of my eye. Her hair was frizzy with beads of crystalline water in generous amounts. Her skin had visible texture and two deep circles slept under her eyes. My attention focused solely on the window. She didn't seem one to be reckoned with.

"You see him?" she mumbled. Her head turned to me slowly, revealing two dice-like eyes of sky, contrasting her swarthy complexion. "No one's ever seen him. Not up close." Her voice poured out like molasses. "He's too reserved."

I shifted in my spot. "How do you know?"

"I don't. But it's kind of obvious, don't you think? He kicked you out. Ya' know he only lets you stay if he likes you." I frowned.

"Who does he like?"

"That's the trouble," she replied with a grin. "No one's been brave enough to check. We know it's not you though," she snickered. My frown advanced.

"Didn't mean to go there, just looking for a quiet spot," I mumbled crossing my arms. "Didn't mean to bother him."

"Ya' know, he's driving this train," she declared, arrogance trailing through her teeth. "It'd be best not to upset him."

"What's he gonna do? Risk hundreds of lives because of one thorn in his side?" I asked.

"For your best interest I would do as you're told. Upsetting the one responsible for your life is the stupidest thing you could do." Her answer was rough, drilling straight to the point. Whatever that was that stood in the front of the train was not responsible for my life. My safety perhaps, but as soon as my parents delivered my sentence, I took control. My life was mine. Not wanting to upset my own intruder further, I played along.

"Sorry. Won't happen again."

"Don't apologise to me, you aren't bothering me. Yet," she eyed me. I sighed and resumed looking out my own window. I could feel her stare impaling me like icicles. "This is your spot, isn't it?" I flashed a glance.

"Not anymore."

"I'll leave if you want," she said standing up. "I know you want quiet." I didn't answer. Which might seem rude to some people, but I wasn't too fond of her company. Maybe just one decline...

"It's okay, you don't have to..."

"Are you sure?" she asked. This was pushing it.

"I mean, you can leave if you want, it's up to you." There. I reopened her options. She looked around and stayed in her place.

"I'll stay here then. Got nowhere else to go." Her position was restored and my hope had fallen. Yet I kept my indifferent attitude. "Whatcha doin' here?" I frowned in confusion. "How'd you get on the train?"

"There's really no one reason," I answered. "It's a complicated story that I'd like to keep simple. I'm here and that's that." She nodded her head.

"I ran away. Ran away from home, parents, cares and concerns, all of it. Lucky enough to get on while it was stopped."

"You new?"

"Three months going on four. You?" I suddenly felt insecure.

"Uh, two-two days," I mumbled. She widened her eyes.

"You do know you're his last pickup," she stated.

"He'll get more." She shook her head.

"No you're it. He picked up his last one two days ago, same time you've been here. You're his last one, and he knows it too." I was still new here and was unaware of how the pickups and drop offs worked, if they even had those. Again the rules weren't up to us. I attempted to retain my confidence.

"Don't see what difference that makes."

"Might treat you differently," she shrugged. "Pick on the newest addition. Like the youngest sibling always gets teased. But-I wouldn't worry too much. If you don't bother him, he won't bother you."

"How do you know all this?" I inquired annoyed.

"Who's been here three months?" I closed my mouth. "You figure things out. Like you figured out not to go too far to the front."

"What do you suppose would happen if I went back up there?" I asked. "Would he still let me go?"

"I wouldn't try it if I were you," she warned. "Hell knows what he'd do if he caught you. Like I said. Don't piss him off."

I mulled over her words of wisdom. If I did return to his hideaway, he might send me away again or trap me inside. Access might not even be possible since he closed the door. I decided against it. As dreadful as the consequences were, they didn't frighten me as much as the being himself. His strength was yet to be determined and simply his image gave me chills. Something about...those eyes. Darker than night, lust, or secrets. That look he gave me was burned in my thoughts. Seeing it again or worse didn't appeal to me. I stayed put.