• I stared out the window of the train. Every little bump made my stomache jump with it, as if the rails controlled my body. I winced as lightning scattered across the dark sky. The stars were hidden. Gone. My eyes stared at the sky, maybe as if that would make them come back.
    "Miss?"
    A young boy blinked at me, staring. It made me feel a bit self consious. "Yessir?"
    He smiled warmly. "Uhm. My name is Thomas- I used to go to school with you."
    I squinted at him- The dim lighting didn't help my already horrible vision. "Thomas Patterson?"
    "At your Service,Miss Grace." He grinned and sat down in the seat across from me. Though the table in between the seats seperated us, I could feel his body heat radiate from him. I studied his clothing-- Fine and clean, unlike his childish clothing, which had been dirty and grubby. His angry eyes had smoothed to a kind gaze. They reminded me of an ocean--They seemed to go on forever.
    He cleared his throat and raised an eyebrow. I realized I had been staring. My face reddend. "S-S-Sorry."
    "It's fine." He chuckled. "It's been a long time. Haven't seen you since,what, 8th year?"
    "Yessir,I guess."
    His eyes wandered toward the window as another strike of lightning ripped through the night. A few seconds later, Thinder shook the train. I gripped the table and stared at the table.
    "How old are you,Now,Miss Grace?
    "You can call me Susan,Thomas." I said, then answered, "19. Nearly 20."
    He nodded his head. "Do you have a boyfriend? A Lover? Ect?"
    I jerked my head up. A smirk played upon his pale lips. I blinked,a bit taken back. "Well,No. I'm not like the other girls- I doubt I'm that pretty,to get a guy so soon out of school--"
    He frowned. "Your beautiful,Susan. Don't say that."
    I nodded and look toward the window. "Sorry. I'm tired. My mood isn't too well."
    "It's fine. Go ahead and get some sleep...It's late."
    I nodded again and let my eyes drift shut.
    Ahhhh. Sweet peace.....

    Morning light peeped through my closed eyelids. My slid my eyes opened and attempted to sit up from my leaning position against the window only to realize Thomas sat on the other side of me,his arms wrapped around my eyes. My eyes widend as I glanced about. Several of the othyer passengers were looking over and smiling warmly. My face flushed as I shook Thomas awake.
    "You were whimpering in your sleep everytime it thundered. So I sat by you and tried to comfort you. It's no big deal,Susan." He smiled, his cheeks flushing a bit as he spoke. "Our stops up ahead."
    "How do you--?"
    "Er,I saw your ticket."
    I sighed. The train lurched to a stop moments later,and Thomas and I climbed off the vessel. The countryside lulled out infront of us, like a vast green ocean. I turned to Thomas. "So,What brings you here?"
    "I saw you buy a ticket,and so I bought one too. I know that sounds creepy,but,That's what I do. I travel with interesting people. I see the places they see- It's good for photography." He pulled out a cmaera as he said so. I smiled and nodded.
    "And what brings you here?"
    "Peace and quiet...I got a few weeks off my job."
    "Which is..." He inquired.
    "Police officer."
    He looked suprised. "Oh,Really?"
    I shrugged. "It's a good paying job."
    He smiled. "Are your nerves a bit frayed?"
    "Mhm."
    His face brightend up a bit. "Hey,I know this great hotel around here. Me and you can check in, they have a pool and everything." He grabbed my hand and pulled me with him as we walked a few miles into the town.
    The hotel there was pretty neat. We swam in the pool before me and him decided to go to sleep,both worn from our long trip here. I lay awake in my bed,yawning. I couldn't sleep. I tossed and turned multiple times before finally getting up. I got dressed again at about 12 am and went to stroll through the halls. Downstairs there was a bar, which I went to, asking for a cheap beer. I sipped it quickly. The News played quietly as two other men were discussing Baseball. I squeezed my eyes shut,trying to tune them out.
    Lately,I'd been so stressed. I'd been called to about 4 robberies and shootings in the last two months. I'd seen children and adults alike be injured and killed,right before my eyes. Silent tears streamed down my face,unnoticed. I got up then and walked down several hallways til I got to the Swimming Pool.
    I sat by the waters edge,slipping my feet into the cool water. It felt good. Maybe this would be a good time. I could relax. I had Thomas,My old friend,with me. His laid-back attitude would calm me, I knew it. And he was just so...I don't know. He gave me reassurance,I guess. I leaned forward, staring into the waters. It was so wonderful...
    Gun shots rang in my ears. Instictively, I reached for my gun-Which I obviously didn't have. I growled, then stood and turned. The lobby was visable from where I was at. Several masked men were there--Others were running into unlocked doors. My eyes widend as one ran toward me. I kicked forward--It landed in his gut. He fell over,hitting his head on the edge of the pool. I ran forward, glancing back at him over my shoulder--And ran right into the arms of another. He gripped me harshly,and I let out a yelp. He turned and grinned. "I got one hostage."
    I struggled. "Let me go!" I screamed.
    He laughed and lead me back to the lobby, throwing me down while another quickly tied up my limbs. Several others were brought there and tied up as well. I sobbed in my corner. We were hostages. Trapped.We'd be killed like all those others I saw. Dead. Bloodied.
    What if Thomas came and saved me,I thought...
    The chances of him survivng were very little. I began to cry more,my shoulder heaving up and down. One of the Men came over and thunked me in the head.

    I didn't wake up again til it was all over. My eyes opened. I was in a hospital bed. I stayed there,nibbling on my lip. What had happend? Why was I here?
    I looked up to the figure besides my bed. "Thomas?"
    My father looked suprised. "No,It's Daddy,babe...Are you O.K?"
    I nodded slowly. "Where's he at?"
    Daddy smiled. "He's a hero. When he heard the gunshots, he locked his door. Tied some sheets together and climbed out his window,Ran to a payphone and called the police. The guys were too distracted to shoot at the police since they were trying to gather money. Stupid teenagers on drugs,apparently. The police asked Thomas if he was O.K. He just kept asking about you..." He turned,then,to reveal Thomas,slumped over,asleep. Daddy grinned. "I'll tell the nurse your alright." He left the room.
    "Thomas...?"
    "Mngh?" He woke up. A smile spread across his face. He ran over and hugged me tightly. "I was so scared....I thought I'd never get to tell you this,Susan,But I love you. Your beautiful and brave and smart and just wonderful,O.k? I want to be your guy- I wanna help you when your stressed and be there with you. I love you...And I paniced,when I heard those gun shots. I thought I'd never see you again. I was terrified that I'd lose you!"
    My eyes widend.I stretched my arms around him in an awkward hug,then overcame my shyness and kissed him.
    Thunder rolled outside my room. I wasn't afraid,though...No,Never again. He loved me--That was all I needed. And I loved him back. heart