"Oh, I just love the smell of the airport!" Emma said while taking a deep breath as soon as she entered the airport. She looked around her, taking in the atmosphere with a smile. She had always loved airports and traveling. Maybe because this was the only time her parents would really pay her attention. No business calls or other socialites coming in her way. That's why Emma always made sure to savor each and every moment of travel with her parents. After all, they were so rare.

"Airport has a smell?" Carter whispered to Anthony.

"Apparently."

"Let's go check-in quickly and then we can go buy food!" Emma squealed in Scarlett's ear.

"I love you Ems, but you have GOT to stop doing that." Scarlett winced, but everybody could clearly see the smile on her face.

They all made their way to the check-in counter, excitedly talking about their upcoming journey. Once they were done, they all advanced towards the lounge, with Emma asking all of them what she should get to eat. More like pestered everyone. This tempted others to get some food, even though they had no plans whatsoever. Emma just laughed evilly in response while rubbing her hands together. Eric reminded her that Halloween season has long passed. This earned him a swat from Emma before she good-naturedly joined in on the laughter.

"So, what's our schedule again?" Eric asked to no one in particular.

"If everything goes well, then we'll be reaching Geneva at 9:30 am. From there we have to board the train to Schilthorn which will leave at 11 am. We'll reach there by 3 ish hopefully. And then we'll have to take the cable car which is going to give us a ride to the Schilthorn hill station. And then, finally, a car will be waiting which will drop us off at the hotel." Carter said and then leaned back in his chair with a sigh.

"I don't think I've ever heard you speak so much at once," Eric replied, quite stunned. "Whose genius idea was it to land in Geneva rather than as close as possible to Schilthorn," Eric continued with a frown.

"That would be Emma and Scarlett," Anthony said. He cleared his throat and proceeded to do a very bad impression of them, "Oh, wouldn't it be such fun traveling on the train too. Anthony, traveling on the train is an absolute must. Make it happen!" He looked at the accused and gave them an innocent smile.

"Oh please," Emma said while rolling her eyes, "Just wait till you sit in the train and look out the window."

The group continued with their mindless conversation until it was finally announced that the flight from New York to Geneva was ready for boarding. Minutes later, all of them were in their seats settling in for the long and tiresome journey that awaited them.

Scarlett and Emma argued about who would get the window seat, but Scarlett won, in the end, saying she needed it as the view would help her stay calm. Besides she was sure Emma would be fast asleep as soon as the plane will take off. Emma begrudgingly agreed to this and finally gave in. The boys had already occupied one whole row of the middle aisle, looking at the girls while shaking their heads with mock disappointment as they argued about their seat, blocking the path of the other passengers.

As soon as they all got comfortable, the plane took off, officially starting their trip. Scarlett leaned forward to say something to Anthony when she noticed Eric taking a pill. As soon as he did so, he looked at her, opening his mouth as if to say something but stopped. Scarlett noticed his expression. It only lasted a couple of seconds but she caught it anyway. He had panic in his eyes, and worry etched into his other features before composing himself and smiling at her.

Scarlett stopped what she was saying to Anthony and turned to face Emma who had sleep written all over her. Her seat was reclined all the way and she was wrapped snugly in her blanket, ready to sleep any moment.

"Hey Ems," Scarlett said as she was shaking Emma, "Is Eric on some type of medication?"

"Not that I know of, why?"

"I saw him take something a few moments ago."

"Oh, it's probably just something for the plane," Emma said as she shrugged.

Scarlett was looking at Eric as Emma replied to her. She was not convinced it was something to make the trip easier. Her view was blocked as Emma waved her hand in front of Scarlett's face, demanding her attention.

"I asked you something," Emma said.

"Sorry, I didn't hear."

"I asked what happened to the boy you were seeing?" Emma asked softly, toning down her voice."You never introduced us to him."

"I... I don't see him anymore." Scarlett averted her eyes.

Emma's heart dropped as she saw Scarlett's features twist into grief. "I'm so sorry," said an embarrassed Emma, "I shouldn't have asked."

Emma wondered what could have gone wrong. As far as she could tell, Scarlett was extremely involved with the mystery boy, given she barely had time for her friends as soon as she had started seeing him. She looked at Scarlett, properly looked at her. She was looking out the window, gazing at the stars with unshed tears in her eyes. Emma didn't think it was that serious, regardless, she felt like the worst person right now, tainting Scarlett's trip with unpleasant memories.

Emma left her friend alone with her thoughts, for now. She snuggled into her blanket and tried to sleep. It wouldn't come. Needles to say, it was a long and tiresome 8-hour plane ride.

***

"Carter, Carter! Wake up!" Anthony was shaking him violently. "God, you sleep like the dead! We're here."

Carter opened his eyes slowly and looked around, his face conveying how confused he was. As soon as he realized he was on a plane, all of his senses rushed back to him and he sat up straight. Somebody, probably Anthony, threw a jacket on his face.

"Get up already, we have to rush to the train station. We're a little behind schedule."

Oh right, he was in Switzerland. How did he agree to this trip again? Then he remembered how Emma had practically bullied him into coming, not to forget emotional blackmail. It was a huge pain getting his leave approved on such short notice, but he couldn't say no to Emma. He looked to his right, where she was sitting.

Her hair looked like it had gone through some things, her blue eyes looked extremely tired and her face wasn't glowing like it usually did. However, she still managed to look beautiful. How she was capable of doing that, he would never know. 

Just then, Emma looked at him and said something, but he couldn't make it out as she was yawning as she was speaking. He smiled at that. Perhaps he had been staring too long, or maybe his gaze was too intense, he didn't know, didn't care, but Emma seemed to have noticed and looked a little uncomfortable.

She raised her eyebrows in question, and just as Carter was about to speak, Emma's attention shifted to Eric, and just like that, Carter was forgotten, as usual. He sighed and looked at Eric, thinking how lucky he was. He had everything, his life was perfect. He looked back at Emma again. If only...

After two long and grueling hours, the group of friends found themselves sitting in a cafe, sipping some much-needed caffeine.

"Wow, this swiss coffee just hits different," Eric sighed and leaned back, closing his eyes. "Never thought I'd crave coffee so much."

The next few minutes were spent in silence, the only sound being appreciative sighs and munching of the mouth-watering delicacies. The food was gone in record time and they all sat back in content.

"I don't think I've ever eaten that fast," Scarlett said.

"I don't think I can move," Emma groaned.

"Too bad, everybody up! We have to catch the train," Anthony said, looking completely fine.

As everybody got up to leave, Scarlett called out to Eric. She had a burning question that needed to be answered. Eric gathered his stuff and walked with Scarlett, matching her pace. The others were a few steps ahead of them.

"Eric, I saw you take something on the plane, are you okay?" Scarlett asked him with a concerned expression.

Before Eric answered her question, Anthony turned and called out to them, telling them to come quickly, but stopped as he saw Eric's expression. Anthony looked at Scarlett first and then at Eric. They made uncomfortable eye contact or was it a worried one? She couldn't tell. But she watched the exchange with extreme curiosity.

"What's up with them?" She thought with a frown. Just then, Eric answered her question with an uncomfortable smile.

"I'm fine Scarlett, it was just something to help me sleep for the plane."

"Oh alright," Scarlett said, not at all believing him. Nonetheless, she and Eric joined the others just as they were getting into the cab.

Running on minimal sleep, the others had a hard time functioning as they got comfortable in the car. But even in their exhausted and groggy states, nobody could deny the excitement that ran through their veins and the sheer bliss they felt as they looked outside the car window, taking in the new surroundings. as the car weaved through the traffic, inching closer and closer to their destination.

"We have to spend at least a couple of days here on the way back," Eric said. The others agreed in unison.

They caught the train just in the nick of time and a few minutes later all of them were settled inside their separate cabins. Emma could barely function as she dumped her luggage in her cabin and faceplanted in the bed which was positioned against one wall of the small cabin. It was only a matter of a few seconds before she was out cold, slumbering peacefully.

The others followed suit as well, except for Scarlett and Carter. Scarlett had a hard time sleeping and Carter was already caught up on his sleep. He chose to spend his time on the train by reading a book with the scenery accompanying him. Each turn of the train brought forth a new view which made him appreciate the breathtaking landscape that lay before him.

He tried to remember the last time he felt so peaceful. Never, he thought sadly. He was always stressed about one thing or another. But, the thing he was most stressed about was being extremely successful. Having spent the last couple of years with Eric, Anthony, and Emma, his determination only grew as he saw their lifestyle. How he wished there was a shortcut to an extravagant life as they were living, but unfortunately, there wasn't. Unless...

Shrugging the melancholy thoughts from his mind, he allowed himself the luxury of this trip. He wouldn't stress about anything, Carter promised to himself. He settled back in his bed, starting the book from where he left off.

Scarlett was on her bed, resting with her eyes closed. It was 6 pm, only a couple hours since boarding this train and sleep just wouldn't come to her. There were so many things that were running through her mind, making her toss and turn in the bed. Her conversation with Emma on the plane, Eric, and the fact that she was finally in Switzerland.

Scarlett had no idea how she kept her tears at bay when Emma mentioned him, but she did. She never cried in front of anybody, that wasn't going to change anytime soon. But there was nobody here now, she was alone, confined in her cabin. And right now, she wanted to cry. So she did, letting her tears flow freely down her cheeks.

Carter checked the time, 1:45 pm, his watch said. He looked outside, then realized he forgot to set his watch to local time.

"So dumb..." Carter muttered to himself as he adjusted the time.

7:45 pm, the watch read, correctly, this time. He looked outside, it was completely dark now. Only one more hour to go before they reach their destination. He picked up his book again but stopped as he heard shuffling noises coming from next door. It was Eric's cabin.

"Is Eric up already?" Carter thought.

He was about to get up and go to him when suddenly there were shouting noises coming from his cabin.