Have you ever seen a floor covered in blood? At first glance, there is a simple beauty to it and how the red contrasts with the flooring of the room. It doesn't immediately register to you that what you're looking at is actually blood. Slowly, a stiffness builds up in your body as your mind begins to realize that the beauty is actually the sight of death. Then, what was a simple beauty becomes revolting. Seeing Avery laid out with a meter-wide red splotch under her wasn't beautiful. It was downright sickening. I remember glancing at Marcus who was staring at the dead body laying a few feet ahead of us, with shock in his expression. The train car jolted, and sent blood splashing up and spattering our feet. Must’ve been a rock on the railroad. I knew the waiter would be here soon to check on Avery and take her order for dinner, and I knew they’d accuse us once they found her dead. I looked back at Marcus. He looked sick. With a gentle touch I shook him back to reality. “We have to go.” I whispered, meeting his nervous green eyes. He paused, before nodding and letting me pull him away to our train car. Marcus is a tall 19 year old boy with messy brown hair and green eyes. I’ve known him since second grade, and because he lives close, we practically grew up together. Most people think he’s my boyfriend, but he’s not. There is nothing romantic between Marcus and I. And he agrees with that. “Why did she do it, Rain?” He asked, speaking for the first time since the discovery. Marcus’s voice is quiet but rough. He is a calm natured person, which is good for me because I often need him to restrain me from making rash decisions. “I think we both know, Marcus.” I replied at a whisper. I planned to keep my voice straight and clear and my emotions hidden, but the thought that Avery was gone hit me like a tsunami and I had to grit my teeth to keep the tears from pouring out. He must’ve seen my struggle and he put a hand on my shoulder. I hate crying. It’s something for the weak, and I, Rain Tavani, am not weak. I am strong, I am brave, and I will stay level minded. The speakers crackle and we hear the conductor inform the passengers that they should pack up to leave at the next stop, for a woman has been reported dead and it is against the state laws to continue the trip. I look back at Marcus. “Now we really have to leave. And we aren’t waiting for the next stop.”


The wind rushed past us with furious speed. We each only had a small bag of belongings we could bring, so we had left the rest in our room. Marcus and I snuck through the security and found ourselves standing on the edge of an open train car. We were going to jump, but who knows if we’d stick the landing.