THE FIRST INTERRUPTION

 

Kaley Bell flashed Cornelius Britley a caramel-candy smile as she boarded the train on the cusp of downtown Waterloo, nudging along a once-Patrolman on her shotgun’s nose. The train conductor offered a pleasant smile in return.

“I have a ticket!” Kaley’s high, sweet voice rang o’er the boxcar as she tugged down the collar of her shirt. A shiny, snowflake-shaped trinket glowed beneath the train’s candlelight; one she was sure Cornelius Britley would recognize as he spied on them from where he sorted blankets. The doorwoman leaned in to see through her spectacles, but Cornelius chuckled and waved them through.

“Bring them tea,” he told the doorwoman. “They’ll need it to ease that spirited chill between them.” He cast Kaley a long-lashed wink as she pushed Eliot Gray past, and Kaley thanked the train conductor with another smile.

Once the cabin doors were sealed, Kaley let out the breath she had been holding and tossed her grandmother’s coat aside to reveal the weapon underneath. The once-Patrolman looked ‘round the cabin and slumped into the seat across, settling his icy blue gaze upon his captor. “You’re naive,” he said to the Trite.

“You’re wicked,” Kaley said, with spice of her own.

“You’re small.”

“You’re going to regret the day you sent the Greed to drag my brother and I from our home.”

Eliot’s jaw shifted left, then right.

They did not speak for the rest of the ride.