The Final Destination

"Ticket please," Stopping at each passenger, the worker punched holes into each card. Voices of joy erupted from the children. Excitement enlightened their eyes as they stared at their punched ticket. Adults conversed of their destinations, reminding their kids to stay seated as the train roared to life.

Hazel whined with each jolt of the train but soon learned to ignore the pain bubbling in her abdomen.

She enjoyed listening to the bustle of the crowed train. It brought back memories of her childhood when she, along with her family, would take the train to the city. The people's outspoken conversations mirrored some of the ones she used to have. Closing her eyes, she basked in remembrance.

Not long after the train reached its cruising speed, a young boy slide into the seat beside Hazel. A brown curly head of hair decorated his skull. His eyes were alight as he introduced himself. His name, Peter, was the same as her own. He too resembled her son quite remarkably.

The boy was quick to begin sharing his imaginative scenes with his super hero toy. He explained how he was on the way to go meet the hero himself. Hazel shared the joy for the child with him.

Iron man's red suit caused Hazel to glance down at her hand. She had it pressed tightly against her lower stomach. The same deep color slowly seeped out from behind her hand.

A tapping on her shoulder drew Hazel's attention back to the confident boy but it was short-lived. His mother came shouting for the curly haired boy who waved his toy about. A string of apologies left the woman's mouth but Hazel was quick to turn them down. She exampled she had a son of her own and completely understood. That didn't stop the lady from giving her one last sorry before walking off with her son.

A soft chuckle left Hazel as she watched the young boy get scolded despite the throbbing in her belly. She hadn't minded the extra company but understood the mother's concern. Pain gripped at her heart, she would miss her son. Jaxon would take good care of him, she knew.

Hunching over, she rested her head against the table. Her hand pressed harder against her clothed stomach. The train was moving slower than the liquid coming out.

The train slowly cleared as time passed. Trees and buildings blurred together with each passing second. A screeching sound filled Hazel's ear as the train slowed to its final stop. The jolt of the train sent a shock through her.

Hazel lifted her hand, looking down at the red that stained it. She was numb to the pain. Placing the hand back on her stomach, she looked outside.

Planks covered the near ground before expanding out into a field of wild flowers. A small wooden box rose from the center, ticket booth printed across the top. The faded red paint only succeeded to make the nostalgic woman smile. Hazel watched as the first snow of the year began to fall outside her frosty window.

Feeling faint, she rested her head against the cold surface. The glass fogged at her close proximity. Across the meadow she could see him. He ran for her. The wind blowing his charcoal colored hair back. Blue, entrapping eyes caught her gaze in the window. A wide smile blossomed on her lovers face.

Hazel's shoulders shook. She didn't realize she was crying until the tears washed away the fog her breath caused. Clenching her teeth, she tried to stand but only fell back down.

Jaxon's smile faltered as he watched the act. Worry clouded his thoughts. He didn't know what to think of her fall.

"Excuse me miss," She heard voices entering the train compartment. They were going to tell to exit, but she couldn't. Her hands shook.

Hazel took a wary glance over her shoulder. She could clearly hear the steps growing nearer. Her heart rate spiked. Placing her cheek back on the window, she stared at her lover. A choked sob escaped her. She couldn't feel her legs anymore nor the blood that slipped out her abdomen.

When Hazel lifted her hand against the chilly window, Jaxon's legs pushed him faster. Fear stuck ever fiber in his body when he saw the red print.

What was on her hand?

The train hand finally reached Hazel's seat. "Miss, it's your- oh my gosh! Is that blood?! Hold on-" The lady took off running, yelling out for help from anyone nearby.

Hazel could imagine she looked just as frantic as Jaxon. His mouth moved wildly as he called out to her, but she couldn't hear.

She looked back over the colorful meadow once more. Her childhood flashed before he eyes. She could remember how she would always play hide and seek there when her cousins came to town. Often times their game turned into one of chasing lighting bugs as the sun began to fade. They competed to see who could catch the most until their parents called them in for dinner.

Sliding doors awoke Hazel from her daydream. The dark haired man she loved came crashing toward her. He stumbled over his feet before kneeling in front of her. His eyes waved between her own and the wound on her stomach.

"Hazel," Jaxon looked over the bleeding girl. His hands roamed her; unsure of whether to pick her up and run, or try to stop the constant flow. Hazel simply caught his hands in hers. "Baby please, we need to go. We'll get you some help."

"Take care of Peter for me. Tell him I love him."

"Baby no," The frazzled man's lip quivered. He placed his hands on his fiancee's pale cheeks. He brushed her tears while his began to fall. "No, he needs you. I need you. I can't- not without you. Please sweetheart, baby I can't. We're going to get you help. You're going to make it. You'll make it. You have to. Peter's game is this weekend. You'll be there and you'll give him that good luck kiss you always give him. He'll win and we'll go celebrate at the local diner. We'll treat him to his favorite ice cream and you will yell at me for stealing some but it'll be okay because you will be there. Then we'll go home and watch a movie. And-"

Hazel shushed the rambling man. "You'll be okay, I promise."

A knot formed in Jaxon's throat. He couldn't speak even after the train workers came barreling in through the door. A first-aid kit sat in the hand of one, but they all knew what was to come. They didn't need a doctor to tell them she had already lost too much blood. The large puddle that spread across the floor was all they needed to see. A few couldn't take the sight, walking out on the weeping couple.

A soft whisper was the last thing that left the faint girl. She stared into the fearful eyes of her lover. The stunning sea blue eyes of his were her favorite sight. They reminded her of the vast frozen sea she used to visit as a child. A content smile allowed her to finally relax, giving into the light.

"I love you."