by Dan McNeill
“Maybe you're right,” Raymond said as he put on his clothes.
Salome let out a long drawn out sigh and leaned back as the train continued to rumble through the darkness. It seemed like it was starting to slow.
"Right about what?"
"About having hope," he replied, kissing her on the back of the neck. He knew how this would eventually all play out. How it had to play out, once he got Po back. Even still, he felt he owed her. Something. "I'm glad I didn't jump off the train."
“Heh,” she laughed, slapping Raymond on the behind. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that. Where we're going now…maybe the best thing you could have done was to jump off this beast.” Shaking her head, she moved towards the freight car door. Opening it slightly, she peeked outside.
Raymond looked over Salome's shoulder. About a mile ahead, he could see lights from two guard towers ominously crossing the night sky. The towers appeared to rise from a small island just past a bridge. As the train began to slow, Raymond could make out a bare flagpole covered with vines and a small building on the land adjacent to the island. A rusty green sign half covered with weeds revealed the words, Illinois National Guard Armory.
"The island's Camp Glory," Salome said without emotion. She tightened the straps on her backpack, pulled down the sleeves of her camouflage hoody and kissed Raymond on the cheek. "Time to fly!”
“What?” Raymond shouted.
Salome turned to him with a mad grin, whipping open the doors fully. Kissing Raymond fully on the lips she crouched. And jumped.