Tattered Haven *Currently Editing*

1

"Cause if we don't leave this town we may never make it out. I was not born to drown..."- Sleep on The Floor By The Lumineers

***

The chugging of the train on its tracks caused me to stumbled forward as I turned to get into my seat. The greenery of the fields and meadows whispering away as the locomotive gained speed. I leaned my head against the cold window watching the world I once called my own despair. I shiver at the thoughts wishing to come to the forefront of my brain. I push them back into their overstuffed closet and closed my eyes as I waited for the end of the line.

About thirty minutes into the route the train stopped for the first time. A deeply handsome, tall glass of water walked over to the seat beside me. A jawline that could cut the arctic- I froze. My eyes scattering in my petrified state, taking in every detail; Brown curls framing his features , emerald eyes like something that belong in the depths of the sea, and strong broad shoulders. I let out the breath I didn't realize I was keeping in and quickly turned my gaze away from him. I could feel his eyes on me as he sat beside me, cradling his arm on the armrest, as if to grace it with the most beautiful thing to touch it. That armrest will never be this lucky again.

"Uh, I hope it's okay that I sat here. The train was pretty full," His voice was deep and smooth, like a freshly woven blanket you want to wrap yourself in on a cold winter's day.

"No worries. I don't mind," I say quietly, afraid of making full eye contact.

"Where are you headed?"

I could feel his warmth radiate onto me through his gaze, and look over to meet his emeralds with my sapphires, "To be honest, I don't really know. Probably just the end of the line. Lachlan I believe."

His eyes held my attention. Commanded it.... his entire body commanded attention.

"I'm headed to Lachlan myself." He smiled as I shifted to face him better. "I'm Henry."

"Eliza." I said as I could feel a flush reach my cheeks.

"Beautiful name." His dimples were showing to their full effect, as my insides turned into a billion butterflies on a wooden roller coaster.
We continued to chat as the greenery outside the window was replaced with concrete jungle and skyscrapers. Just as the sun began to fade over the cityscape, the train edged to its final stop.

"Lachlan! End of the line!" The railroad engineer declared over the PA system.

"It's been lovely to meet you, Eliza." Henry's eyes glittered in the fluorescent lighting of the train as he smiled, exiting the train with sudden haste.

I grabbed my brown suitcase and threw my tote bag over my shoulder and stepped off the train. A familiar frame stood by the wall, moving her head rapidly in search of something, or someone.

Kyla Hemming was the first of us Hemming sisters to escape the rundown town of Eving. She left for college, met her husband, and moved out here to Lachlan. She wanted to be a pastry chef or something. Now she was some big shot's wife, but she was still Kyla. My big sister, who was literally saving my life.

"Eliza!" She said when she finally spotted me. She wrapped me in a rather large hug. I was so happy to see her. To see a friendly face.

"Ky, I parked the car finally-" Brad Anderson was a rather tall, broadly built man who's teddy bear nature drastically contrasted his features."It's good to see you Elle."

I let go of Kyla and walked over to my brother in law, giving him a massive hug.

"Good to see you too." I say, tears pricking the edges of my eyelashes.
We let go and I take a deep breath, stuffing my emotions back into their cage- from which they continue to escape.