~1~

Promise me you won't get into any trouble. And promise me you won't talk to any strangers. Oh! And promise me-"

"Mom" Elle interrupted before her mom made her miss her train. "I'm not twelve anymore, I'll be fine...But if it make's you feel any better, I promise"

Her mother sighed with relief, "Thank you" She smiled.

Elle laughed and pulled her mother into a bare hug.

"I'll miss you" Elle sighed.

Her mom held Elle at arms length and looked her over one last time.

"Not as much as I'll miss you"

Elle glanced over her shoulder at the train as the whistle blew. When she turned back to her mom her eyes were wet with tears.

"You promised you wouldn't cry" Elle laughed. "I'll be back in a few weeks"

"I know know" her mom said swiping at her tears. "I'm sorry"

"It's fine" Elle assured her.

"You'd better go" Her mom sniffed pushing her onto the train.

"I'll be back in a few weeks" Elle smiled down to her mother. Then she turned and made her way to her assigned compartment.

It was a small box like room that only had a bed, a small TV and a small dresser. Elle tossed her bags on the bed and glanced out the window to try and spot her mother before the train began to leave. But she wasn't there. Elle sighed and sat down on the bed beside her bags.

She glanced at the TV, but even that didn't interest her. She sighed again. But this time it was of boredom.

Suddenly the train began to move, and pick up speed fast. And before she knew it, they were out of the station.

The silence was unhinging. So she began putting her things in a safe place, then decided she'd just walk around for a bit.

Outside people crowded the small isles, but most moved aside whenever Elle tried to squeeze by.

She walked for what felt like ever until she finally made it to the dinning car at the other end of the train.

"Ah! Mademoiselle, how may I assist you?" One of the servers asked when she stepped inside. He was French, she could tell from his thick ascent.

"Table for one, please"

The waiter nodded and showed her to one of the smaller booths.

"Thank you" She said as she settled herself into the booth.

The waiter smiled, nodded and handed her a menu.

"Please wait just a moment, Someone will be right with you"

Elle nodded and the waiter took his leave to greet someone else.

Elle looked over the menu but wasn't that hungry, she decided she'd just order a soda or something.

When Elle looked up from the menu she notice a boy staring in her direction.

She turned to see if anyone was behind her, but the booth behind her was empty, and when she turned back he was gone.

"Ma'am..?"

When Elle looked up a woman, {American) Was standing in front of her.

"Forgive me" Elle quickly said shaking her head confusedly.

"There is nothing to forgive ma'am. May I start you off with some drinks?"

"Um, yes thank you. I'll just have a...Uh, water is all"

The waitress gave her a curious look then scratched something down in her tiny note pad and walked away.

When Elle looked back to where she thought she saw that boy there was still nothing there.

"Just my imagination" She whispered to herself. But was it really? Because it sure didn't feel like it. He seemed so real. But people don't disappear.

But then again, everything about him seemed so real...

Elle let out a long breath in attempt to clear her thoughts. It helped, but only a little.

Soon enough the waitress was back with her water and she downed it in one breath. She payed, then she left. Maybe she was just tired. Yeah, that's probably it.

She noticed even more people were outside of their compartments and crowding the isle. And this time no one bothered moving aside.

"Excuse me" Elle said to the man who was blocking the path to her compartment.

"Hey," He said in a low gruff voice. "Can't you see that we've all got little room to work with?"

"Yes but-"

"You are being terribly rude little girl" Said the woman beside him.

"But, I need to-" Elle froze when she felt fingers gripping her shoulder.

"Elle, I lost you for a second back there...Who's this? Excuse me sir, would you mind moving aside?"

"And why would I do that?"

Suddenly the voice behind her grew slightly darker. You wouldn't be able to notice unless you were really listening. "Because I asked you politely"

The man's face suddenly fell into a blank stare as he stepped aside for the her and the person behind her.

"Thank you kindly" said the person behind her as they steered Elle through the crowd.

Everything inside her wanted her to turn around or run for help. But something was stopping her. Fear maybe? Her own curiosity? She'll probably never know.