At the side of the tracks, the girl sat alone on a worn metal bench, waiting quietly for the train. The station around her buzzed with travelers chatting, footsteps and announcements crackling through the speakers. People were too busy with their own lives to notice her, and perhaps that was for the best.
Her face was unreadable, emotionless, like a mask beneath the mask. There was something about her, Silent yet unsettling. Her face was beautiful like a rose in full bloom, but at the same time dangerous like the thorns hidden beneath its petals.
She slowly tilted her head up, eyes landing on the old station clock ticking away the minutes.
It's almost time, she thought. The train will be here soon.
After a short wait, the sound of train wheels heared through the station. The train has finally arrived to pick up passengers. It came to a halt at its usual spot, and with a soft hiss, the doors slowly slid open. A heavy crowd of travelers poured out, some dragging luggage, others looking around for loved ones or hurrying toward exits.
Once all the passengers had stepped off, a voice echoed from the station's speakers:
"The train will depart in ten minutes. All ticket holders are requested to board before the timer ends. Thank you."
Hearing the announcement, the girl stood up, a flicker of excitement breaking through her calm expression. Her next destination was finally within reach. Without hesitation, she began walking toward the train, her footsteps steady and deliberate.
Behind her, a mysterious figure walked straight in the path, holding a ticket loosely in his hand. His movements were slow and deliberate, almost too calm for the noise and rush of the station around him. With an unreadable expression on his face, he glanced down at the ticket, then up at the train waiting at the platform.
"So… this is my train?"
Inside the train, everything was surprisingly well-decorated. The air was filled with a sweet aroma, the floors were clean, and the seats looked well-maintained and comfortable. All the other passengers were already seated in their assigned spots, quietly waiting for departure.
The girl stepped in through the door, holding her ticket, and began searching for her seat. As she walked down the aisle, she realized that the train was labeled as economic train. She felt almost luxurious compared to anything she had experienced before. A small smile formed on her face. This is the first time I've traveled on a train like this, she thought.
She checked each row carefully, weaving through the crowd. Most of the seats were already occupied, and she wandered for a minute or two before reaching the very last row. There, at the end of the carriage, she found her seat. She noticed it's a two-person bench, with no one else sitting beside it.
She sat down quietly, keeping her posture composed, and began observing her surroundings, her senses sharp and alert for any sign of approaching danger.
She found herself wondering what kind of person would sit beside her and what they might look like, how they might behave. As her thoughts drifted, her eyes suddenly caught sight of someone familiar. She couldn't quite place where she had seen him before, but something about him stood out.
It was the mysterious figure, walking calmly through the aisle, minding his own business. His appearance was unusual as he wore an old-fashioned suit and a long, worn coat that looked out of place among the other passengers.
He made his way toward the last cabin, heading straight for the back of the train. But as he reached the final seat, he noticed that someone was already sitting there.
It was the girl who was sitting in the last seat. The mysterious figure glanced at his ticket once more, just to be sure. His seat was really right beside hers. The last cabin held only two seats, positioned side by side with a small wooden table between them, likely meant for serving meals and drinks during the ride.
He took a slow step forward, his eyes locking with hers. There was a brief silence, the kind that felt heavier than words. Her expression was calm but cautious, while his carried a faint trace of curiosity.
With a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, he spoke.
"Nice to meet you, stranger."
The girl greeted him with a soft nod. "Nice to meet you too. I hope our ride will be a safe one."
As soon as she finished speaking, he quietly took his seat beside her. Without saying another word, he reached into his coat, pulled out a worn book, and began reading, not bothering her further.
The train had finally started moving toward its next destination.
The girl glanced at the man beside her, observing his behavior. He's completely different from anyone I've ever met, she thought. Is it just coincidence… or confidence, that we share the same seat and the same destination?
She shook the thought away. It's better to ignore this kind of strange person, she told herself.
Turning her head to the side, she watched calmly as the train glided along the tracks. The world outside the window slowly passed by fields of golden crops, rows of trees swaying gently in the breeze, and patches of colorful flowers scattered like brushstrokes across a canvas. It was quiet… peaceful… almost enough to forget the darkness she carried within.
As the girl watched the scenery outside, the man beside her quietly closed his book and turned his gaze to the window as well. For a while, he simply observed the passing landscape in silence.
His calm expression slowly shifted into a smile as the train rolled forward. The beauty outside kept changing ,wide fields turning into dense forests, and bursts of wildflowers appearing in every color, yet it remained beautiful in every form.
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
"Yeos… Do you really found that thing?"