The Test 11

I counted the money I had kept in my pocket before I took the test. I was happy that it was still there. Two gold coins, fifteen silver. Enough to get me a train ticket to Spring Falls town. 

I didn't know when to get there, but it'd be nearly midnight by the time the train rattled to a stop near the Spring Fall's border. 

"Money, young lady." 

I looked up, scared half to death. That's right- I was in the ticket booth, ready to get on a train to Spring Falls Town.

"Where to?" The lady asked, playing with the ticket machine and clicking on the computer.

"Spring Falls Town." I said. I gave her the money, making sure my hood was still over my head in the process.

"Spring Falls, eh?" The woman's artificially colored hair jumped in front of her eyes, "That old town is ruined now. Used to be the best town around, with nice buildings and wonderful people. Now there's trash covering the ground. The place is basically made of pollution."

I gave a slight nod as she stashed the coins in a worn-out money jar. The coins rattled inside.

"Name."

"A-" I resisted from saying my real name-"Ana Summers."

She typed on her keyboard, and the computer gave a low beep. 

"Spring Falls Town, am I right?"

"Y-yes, ma'am."

"How old?"

"Nineteen," I lied.

"Mm-hmm. Give me a moment, Ana." She clicked her mouse several places. "Spring Falls Town...name...Ana Summers....nineteen....oh, damn this machine..." I heard her murmuring under her breath.

I held a bubble of air in my lungs, hoping nothing will go wrong.

"Oh, I'm sorry for the delay, Ana. There you go. Here's your ticket. A lady will come to pick it up soon. Hope you enjoy your ride on the Quinton Express."

I gave a nod, releasing my breath as I stepped aboard the train.

I looked at my ticket. Seat number 10. 

I looked for the number and caught it at the very back. Soon, I slipped into my seat. The Quinton Express was definitely not luxury. Graffiti decorated the walls. The seats were torn and ripped open. Candy and gum wrappers layered the ground, along with piles of dirt and grease. 

I refused to lean back in my chair, convinced there might be a wad of gum or something somebody stuck there long, long ago. 

"Tickets," A grumpy lady's voice echoed.

I nodded, handing my ticket to grumpy woman.

She turned around to the next seat.

I wrapped myself in my cloak.

The train shivered intensely, before speeding forward. It was bumpy, and since I was nearly to the back, it was basically a bouncy house, except more life-threatening and crazy than fun and bouncy.

"Hot chocolate," A voice thundered above me. It was the same woman who collected the tickets, now passing out hot chocolate.

"It's free?"

"OF COURSE IT IS!" She basically screamed.

"O-okay. Sure." I said.

She handed me a hot chocolate, and I realized I was kind of scared of her now. A man strummed his guitar in the back, to a soft tune. A baby's wail could be heard softly from the front.

I took a sip of hot chocolate. I heard a commotion in the front. I could hear it. The train lurched to a stop.

"Sir," I could hear the conductor say, "This train is headed to many places-"

A gruff voice laughed. "Say one more word, we'll all arrest you."

Soldiers.

I covered my face with the hood as much as I could, I scooted to the very end of the seat.

A silhouette of a guard with armor could be seen through the window of the door that lead to the driver's room.

The soldier kicked down the door, and several other soldiers followed. They inspected everyone, and I held a breath when they came to me.

"Who are you?" The leader asked.

"Ana Summers." I said boldly, trying to hide my fear.

"Where you headed?"

"Spring Falls Town."

"Take that hood of your face and speak to me clearly."

I took off the hood.

The soldier narrowed his eyes, suspicious. I hoped my red hair and green eyes didn't give away who I was. 

"Excuse me sir, my name is Ana Summers and I'm going to Spring Falls Town. I can repeat if you didn't hear me." I said loudly.

"Hey, boss, you think she's the one?" The soldier behind him said.

"Shut up...." The soldier said.

"Sir! Sir!" A frantic voice came from the back. The soldier turned his head. There was the grumpy lady, my ticket in her hand.

"Her name is really Ana Summers. Don't suspect her...."

The soldier took the ticket from her hand. "Who are you?" The soldier asked the lady while looking at the ticket.

"Vivian Joy, sir."

The soldier huffed, giving her back the ticket.

"Let's go," The soldier said to the rest of his crew. As soon as the soldier turned his back, the grumpy lady gave me a nearly unnoticeable wink.