The Prophet's Daughter

  “Where you headed, anyway? People don’t risk their lives jumpin’ on a movin’ train if they can help it, most days.” I popped another pineapple chunk in my mouth, chewing it as I mulled over his question.

  “We’re headed up to Cobalt,” I answered, avoiding the idea to lie. It wouldn’t work out in my favor if I did. “Where are you going?”

  “I’m heading to nowhere land, kid. Staying here until I croak.” Andy laughed again, patting the wall behind him, his answer coming quicker than expected. “She moves, gives me new sights to see every couple of days and Petey boy has a bunch of food we share when this beast stops every few hours to refuel or haul a few people from here to Timbuctoo, I don’t see no reason not to stay with ‘er.”

  “Oh,” I murmured, mouth open as I scanned the boxcar. “How long have you ridden here?”

  “I’d have to say about a year or so now, she’s only been up and runnin’ for a few months now. Not many people know how to drive these things, I sure as hell don’t.” Andy sighed. “Why you headin’ to Cobalt, kid? Nasty group of people up there, people you don’t wanna mess with. Heads filled with some psycho’s words and all that.”

  “There’s a community not too far from there that’s been going strong for a while, or so I was told.” I watched Andy, curious about the people he was talking about. “How do you know about the people in there?”

  “Well, I was up there a few years ago and I knew a lot of ‘m. They’re nothing but a nasty cult, they are. Lead by some fool named

  Lovelock claims to be a prophet of the lord or some bull like that.

  Ain’t one word ah truth that comes outta that man’s mouth – ain’t no God, at least not anymore,” Andy responded, his tone full of amusement as he snorted.

  “I have to agree with you on the front,” I said, shaking my head. “Unless he’s a cruel God, then he’s just an ass.” He snorted at my comment.

  “What happened to your parents, kid? I don’t see a lot of kids these days and the ones I do are always with their Ma or Pa, or both if they’re lucky.” Andy opened both of his eyes and leaned forwards, looking at me with interest.

  “The same thing that happens to most people at some point or another, they’re dead.”

  “Ah, my folks are dead too, you’ll get used to it. Everyone does at some point. Not much choice.” He leaned back again, settling himself against the wall and grabbing a piece of paper from beside him, petting Jumper. “Take a look at this; you might need it if you’re headed to Cobalt.” He chucked it at me and I leaned forwards, grabbing it mid-air.

  “What is it?” I said unfolding the paper, finding it had been folded into eight sections – it was almost a perfect fold, too. I couldn’t help but admire the handiwork.

  “Map of this here province, this train is headed to Ottawa, stopping in Toronto in less than an hour now, but she isn’t going up to Cobalt. That part you’ll have to walk or summin’.” I glanced at the paper, noticing crude, hand-drawn lines going through different dots and darting in varying directions. I stared at the one heading to Ottawa, but there was no lines heading anywhere near our destination – after Ottawa, the line went off to the edge of the paper, to another province I assumed.

  I peered up from the map, folding it and setting it by my bag. I rose an eyebrow, opened my mouth to speak, but he held up his hand and waved me off.

  “A while still, five hours maybe,” he said, shrugging. “Give or take.”

  “Five hours? Damn,” I sighed, leaning back against the pillows.

  “It’s not too bad. I mean, if you entertain yourself that is,” Andy said, yawning. “Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to take a quick nap before we get to where we’re goin’.”

  “I’ll be here,” I breathed, closing my eyes. One hour until I know if Isaac is alive, making that six hours until we get to Ottawa, and then who knows how long of a walk until we get to Cobalt. I thought my brow furrowing. I hope Isaac is right – I hope this trip won’t wind up screwing us over. It’s not like we have much more to lose.

  Jolted awake by the violent shake of the train, I inhaled a sharp breath of surprise, sitting up as fast as I could. Andy, eyes blinking open, had his mouth open in a wide yawn, stretching his arms and looked across at me, grinning. I stared, wide eyed with shock at his calm composure – the train rocked and swayed as if it was about to tip over, and he didn’t seem to care even as it squealed – Jumper was buried into his jacket, his fur bristling and ears pressed to his skull. Andy stared at me for a moment, his face screwing up as if he was thinking for a moment, before he nodded.

  “Right, Arin,” he murmured to himself, pushing off the wall and standing up. “This here is the first stop before Ottawa, kid.” “Already?” I breathed, stretching my arms.

  “Yeah, goes by fast if you sleep through the ride. Anyway, you can get off and go to the other car with your friend or he can come here, I’m headin’ over to see Petey anyway, get some more lanterns to light up this dark place – smashed the other one tryin’ to get you in here,” he muttered, kicking something that was out of my sight line, but it sounded like broken glass. I had noticed the darkness, but I hadn’t questioned it.

  “One step closer,” I whispered, inhaling a deep breath and closing my eyes, exhaling at a slow pace. We’re going to be to Ottawa soon, and then it’s only a few days until we make it to

  Cobalt…

  “Tally ho,” chuckled Andy, pulling open the door to the box car. It groaned and squealed, but with a few sharp tugs it opened and a burst of light shone through. I narrowed my eyes, leaning away from the opening and covered place my arm over my eyes, watching as he bounded off the train.

  “Mind if I hop in this car, old man?” said a familiar, raucous voice. I glanced up, squinting at the bright light as my eyes began to adjust to the change, and smiled, relief flushing through me. I heaved a deep sigh and crawled to my feet, watching as Jumper scooted past me out of the train, disappearing from my sight. I turned away, too focused on the boy before me, leaned against the side of the train.

  “Isaac! You’re okay!” I said, running over to him, grabbing his arm, shuffling backwards to help drag him up into the boxcar.

  “This here’s your friend, I take it?” Andy questioned, eyes narrowed as he eyed Isaac with a cool glare.

  “Yeah, this is him,” I responded, glancing over at Andy.

  “Coolio, we got about ten or so minutes before we head out. Maybe in that time the kid will learn not to call me an old man, hm?” Andy snorted, turning away from us and heading out of sight.

  “I doubt that,” I murmured, sitting down and flinging my legs outside of the opening and taking a deep breath. “Ah, fresh air.”

  “Old man, that’s his name to me, and I don’t care what he wants,” grumbled Isaac, leaning up against the door.

  “Oh, try and be nice, Isaac, he’s helping us out,” I insisted.

  “Please?”

  “People don’t just help others anymore, there’s always something to get from it, or they ain’t gonna do it. When are you gonna learn that?” Isaac said, narrowing his eyes at me. I stared at him and pressed my lips together, chewing on the inside of my lip.

  “You’re helping me out and you’re not getting anything out of it,” I said, crossing my arms. What’s wrong with you, anyway?

  “Point made,” he said, looking around the room. “I talked to the guy in the other car, Patrick I think it was, and he said this beast is on her way to Ottawa. We’ll get off there, okay? Try and find a working car or something, or even just go on foot if we can.”

  “We’ll see,” I murmured. “What do you know about Ottawa?”

  “It was the capital city, big place. Most big cities aren’t the best anymore, though; I wouldn’t doubt that it’s gone straight to hell. We’ll stick to the main roads, stay away from all alley ways and anything that seems even just a little suspicious... And avoid anyone in the cities if we meet them, okay?” Isaac stared over at me, eyes locked on
mine. He was dead serious about staying away from other people, and I wondered why, but I just nodded in agreement.

  “Okay.” I nodded, searching his expression for any hints as to why he seemed so off, but I came up blank with nothing to show what was wrong with him. I bit down hard on my lip in frustration, cringing at the acrid taste of blood.

  “Okay.” He turned his gaze away, puffing out his lips and sighing. “Might be a miracle to find a working car that hasn’t been salvaged for parts, finding gas won’t be easy, either…” He trailed off, shaking his head and sighing.

  “It’ll be a fast way to get up north, though, and if not, then we’ll walk. It’s not like we haven’t walked anywhere before,” I murmured, heaving a sigh.

  “There’s an old impound lot, I think, not too far from where we’ll be getting you off. Might be some old cars there you can see about getting up and running, if you’re lucky,” Andy started, walking up to me and holding up an unlit lantern. “Sorry, overheard you’re conversation and thought I would pitch in. Got a replacement, ready to go?”

  “I am, are you ready to go, Isaac?” I looked up at Isaac and he lifted his head as if my voice had taken him out of thought.

  “Yeah, yeah I’m ready.” He moved away from the door, walking over to one of the piles of boxes – he pressed hard on them, testing them, before climbing up onto the lot of them and leaning against the corner, tilting his head back and closing his eyes. Andy and I followed suit, and I dragged the pillows and supplies over to the lantern, sitting closer to the two.

  “Where’s your little cat friend, little miss?” Andy asked, looking around for Jumper with a slight disappointed look in his gaze.

  “Took off, I guess.” I shrugged, feeling my own sense of disappointment. I’d liked the little guy, but he wasn’t mine – he’d just hung around for the ride. It was as I spoke that the little kitten poked his head out from behind a box, scuttling over to Andy and crawling into his lap, purring. He laughed his face lighting up as he began to run his fingers through the kittens’ fur.

  “Isaac?” I said, turning to look up at Isaac.

  “Hum?” He grunted, opening a green eye to look down at me.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  “Nothing, just thinking about some things Pete and I talked about.” He shrugged in response, his gesture trying to brush me off – it wasn’t going to be that easy. He didn’t know me very well yet, that was obvious.

  “What did you talk about?” I persisted.

  “Nothing much, to be honest,” he lied, closing his eyes and turning his head away, rolling his shoulders.

  “Oh, okay,” I whispered then, looking down at me feet, unsure of where else to look. If he didn’t want to talk, fine, but I didn’t want to have to deal with him being upset the entire ride.

  The light streaming in from the open door disappeared inch by inch as Andy tugged the door closed, grunting with the effort.

  “You should leave it open, leave the lanterns for late at night,” I suggested, tapping the unlit lantern sitting in front of me. He paused and stared at me for a moment before he nodded, an impressed look crossing his face as he dawdled back over to his.

  “Well,” Andy began, patting the metal wall behind him as the train roared to life. “Looks like I just made it back here in time, eh?” He chuckled, heading over to the lantern and tucking them both inside of a box. “Hey, either of you played Go Fish or Hearts before?” Andy asked, his gaze shifting between the two of us, dangling his hand in front of Jumper’s face to let the kitten bat at it for entertainment. I raised an eyebrow, waiting to see if Isaac would respond, but he didn’t even acknowledge being spoken to.

  “No, what is it?” I responded after a moment, narrowing my eyes at the sullen boy, a bolt of anger shooting through me. Why was he being so rude all of a sudden?

  “By God, you ain’t played Go Fish or Hearts? Have you played any card games?” Andy said, putting a hand across his heart and shaking his head, eyes wide, appearing to be taken aback by my words.

  “I haven’t,” I said, forcing back a smile at his expression.

  “That is an abomination! We must change that within the next five hours – who knows, you might even beat me once by the time we finish!” He jumped up and scuttled off into the darkness, followed by a curious Jumper, the sound of boxes being shuffled around and rifled through echoing around the car. Andy returned with a sly grin on his face and a small box in his hands.

  “It’ll pass the time.” I shrugged, turning my gaze from Isaac and watching as Andy set down a small plastic box with red designs, pulling out a large deck of thick papers, placing them on the ground.

  “So are you ready to rumble, newbie?” He said, clapping his hands together.

  “Let’s do this.” I laughed, pushing Isaac out of my mind; he could sit and be miserable. I was going to enjoy at least some part of my life, even if it was a few hours with a bunch of flimsy paper cards and a small kitten causing a disturbance.

  Chapter 7

  Time seemed to speed by as the train rumbled along the track, taking us to our destination faster than we could ever have hoped for. Isaac remained in his corner, but Andy and I had enjoyed a few games of Hearts before the first three hours had chugged by, and he had even managed to teach me how to play Go Fish, which was my favorite of the two. It was simple, competitive and fun, more than could be said for Hearts, with its rules and regulations that had to be followed.

  I leaned back and pumped my fists into the air, a smug expression on my face. I threw my cards at the game, swaying side to side and mimicking a fake cheer.

  “Well I’ll be, girlie.” Andy gave a breathy chuckle, shaking his head in disbelief. “Only took you a few rounds and you managed to beat me, and I’m one of the best players there is!” Andy said grinning and tapping his fingers on his knee cap, creating a slow rhythmic beat.

  “Who’s the woman?” I chanted, laughing, picking up my cards and shoving them into the deck.

  “You’re the woman, but don’t get too cocky. How ‘bout we raise these stakes?” He raised an eyebrow. I crossed my arms and mimicked his expression. It was at his words that Isaac stirred, rolling over to face us for a moment.

  “What do you mean?” He asked, and I jumped in surprise at his voice.

  “Arin here wins and I give her this deck of cards,” he began, glancing up at Isaac and then back at me. “However, if I win, she’ll have to give me some kind of food or something that isn’t jerky.”

  “I think you’re on,” I said, reaching my hand to his. He grabbed it and shook, smiling. Isaac rolled back over.

  “Hey, boy, you should join in,” Andy mentioned, settling back in his seat.

  “You should,” I lifted my gaze to Isaac, smiling up at him. “It’s fun, I think you might smile if you play it.”

  “I’m good,” he grunted in return, shifting where he lay so that his back was to us and the light didn’t shine on his face.

  “Lighten up, boy! Have some fun before you get out there and have to deal with the real world again,” Andy sighed, moving to pat Isaac on the back.

  “I said I’m good, now screw off,” Isaac snapped, lifting his head and glowering at Andy for a moment, grabbing his hand in midair.

  “You’ll watch your tone on my train boy; I ain’t against throwing you off,” Andy spat, narrowing his eyes, yanking his hand free from the boy, moving to stand up.

  “Do it, then. Throw me out and kill me, then I won’t have to do it myself!” Isaac responded, his voice raising as he leaped off the box, hands balled into fists.

  “Pardon me?” I gasped, shaking my head and raising my eyebrows. I looked between the two, feeling my gut twist at his words. “Pardon me?” I repeated my voice like air.

  “Are you deaf?” Isaac spat. “I told him to kill me, I don’t care.”

  “Isaac!” I yelled, slamming my fists against the floor, all signs of excitement and happiness in the area long gone and replaced with the feeling
of shock, rage and sadness.

  “Arin, why even bother? There’s no point to living. We die in the end anyway and with the way this hell of a world is? We will never live a happy life,” Isaac began, throwing his hands up.

  “Bu-”

  “No buts, ifs, ands, ors, or whatever you can think of. We’re living for no reason,” the boy interrupted, his voice suddenly soft.

  “Isaac, that’s not true. We’re living for the sake of living,” I began, frowning with my arms crossed. “I was taught that life is a gift and yeah, the world may suck at the moment, but that doesn’t mean you can just jump ship because it's not all sunshine and roses! There are so many small things worth living for even if the big picture isn’t enough.” I stood up and seized Isaac’s arm, squeezing it in my grip, digging my nails into the flesh of his forearm. I stared deep into his eyes, noticing the golden flecks around his pupils that I had never noticed before and the thick, dark circles beneath his eyes that had always seemed to be less severe than they were up close.

  “What are those small things, Arin?” Isaac grunted, narrowing his eyes at me and struggling to free himself from my grip.

  “Card games and adrenaline rushes,” I began.

  “The taste o’ peaches, helping others when they need it,” Andy chimed in, “this little guy,” he gestured to the slumbering ball of fur that was Jumper.

  “That too,” I said. “All the little things like that bird, remember? That bird is living because he has a chance at life. He is alive to keep his race alive, for survival, Isaac, like us. Maybe one day the world won’t suck so much, maybe it’ll be better; and when it is.. when all of us are old and we have families or other friends, they will have those chances that we never got, because we kept surviving and we gave ourselves a chance and gave them a chance,” I breathed, squeezing Isaac’s arm tighter and blinking back the tears that began to line my eyes, grinding my teeth.

  “No one needs me now, no one ever will,” Isaac mumbled.