Rusty train to Auntie San

Holding onto the gift that I held so dearly took a price. The only way to reach auntie San was to board the train. There were bad reviews about the train,but she insisted I go on. With every movement of the train you can hear how old and rusty it was. My mother and father would have never let me on this train if they knew where I was going. I stood up not wanting to sit in the avaliable set across me it had a wet news paper on it. Decorated with gum underneath. The train was crowded, too crowded. The train stopped and some got on the train while others left. Just then someone caught my eye. He looked like a nice gentleman very tall. He wore a mask and all you could see was his piercing green eyes. There was nothing special about my eyes. No, mine were a brown color much like dirt you find outside. Of course this boy did not pay no mind to me he was simply boarding a train like I did. I was knocked out of thought when a little girl came up to me. She tugged at my coat. With an adorable shy, voice she told me "excuse me miss I really think that you are pretty. So I asked my mom if I can tell you!" With a greeting smile I thanked her for her compliment. She ran back to her mum with her sweet smile. My legs were weary from standing so long. I felt as if I was going to collapse on the floor. Just then I got a tap on my shoulder. "Excuse me miss if your tired of standing, there is a nice clean seat here for you." The young man I saw with the mask gave up his seat for me. Thanking the lord I sat down in the seat. I gently placed the gift in my lap and hugged it tight. I did however feel guilty that he had to give up his seat for me. So I spoke out to him "hey, sir my stop is almost arriving. When I leave you can have your seat back." He nodded his head and thanked me for consideration. Abruptly he told me "Markus! My name is Markus. You don't have to be so formal. Calling me 'sir." Responding back I said, "Markus. Thats a fine name. You don't really hear it too often." He glanced at the floor of the train while saying, "well what is your name?" Looking shyly at the gift in my lap I say "Rochee. My name is Rochee." My mother picked that name for me before I was born. To this day I still do not know what it means. The person sitting in the seat next to me got up and chosen to stand. Markus sat in the seat next to me. It was suddenly awkward and all I could think of doing was to just sit there until one of us spark another conversation. Starting off the conversation Markus says, "So Rochee where are you headed?" It wasn't a complicated question so there wasn't too much thought onto my words. "I am headed to my aunts house. I haven't been there in quite some time." With curiosity Markus pointed to my gift for Auntie San. "So what is in your lap?" In my head I debated weather I should tell Markus what is in the box. "Its something special for my Aunt. Thats all." I too had a question for Markus that has been weighing on my mind. "Markus why is it that you where a mask?" He ran his hand through his hair and looked away. "Well I have scars on my face and im insecure about them." Now interested in what his scars look like I politely ask if I may see them. He was very hesitant about taking off the mask. He sighed as if he were in pain. Grabbing one strap of the mask he takes it off. In shock I take a small gasp. He quickly put the mask back on. He might have token my gasp the wrong way. I did gasp because I did not expect all those little scars on his face. He seemed really embarrassed by the scars. "Thats exactly why I wear a mask." We sat there for a moment not talking to each other. Cutting off the tension I talk about how late its getting. "Yeah." Was all his response was. Reassuring him I placed one hand on his hand and the other on the gift to ensure it didn't drop. "Markus please don't be ashamed of your scars. Please forgive my gasp it was rude of me. I do not think your scars are bad. There is no need in hiding them." He turned to me and looked into my eyes. It was an intimidating stare his green eyes glowing." "Are you lying to me? Are you even sure they don't look bad?" I nodded my head yes and he looked the other direction. Pulling out my phone and headphones i try putting music on to pass the time. Even through the music I could hear a child crying. I could hear the trains screeching. I held onto the gift and closed my eyes. There was a slight pat on my head that felt like a small hand. Opening my eyes I saw the little girl that called me pretty. I paused my music so I could hear what she wanted to tell me. Again with that adorable shy voice she told me, "here miss I drew this picture for you. The paper is from my drawing book!" In the drawing it was her giving me a flower. Everything was drawn with crayons. "Thank you so much I love it! Maybe in the future you'll be a famous artist."

She looked even more happy and thanked me repeatedly. She then ran to her mom with her sweet smile. Markus takes a peek at the drawing. "Thats really sweet of her." He says still looking at the picture. Agreeing i folded the picture and placed it in my coat.

Markus opened his mouth to say something but,

Suddenly the train went under a tunnel and everything went black.

Suddenly a burst of light came through the window of the train. A beautiful sunset came from behind the mountains. I looked at Markus and asked "have you seen anything more beautiful then this sunset?" " yes I have. You plus this beautiful sunset." Blushing at his comment I look back out at the sun.

Even though this is an old dirty train there's always something new, to learn, to see, and new people to meet.