“Priority boarding.” A woman said through a microphone. “Passengers with priority boarding may now board the train.”

Avery jumped to her feet. “That’s us.” She took Noah’s hand and headed to where the woman was standing beside a door. Shane was right behind them.

She hardly even noticed that they were the only passengers with priority status. She was too busy looking out for threats. Two days ago, ‘threats’ had meant police officers who would send them back to their mom. Now she had to worry about monsters on top of that.

When they got on the train, Avery insisted that Noah take the window seat. Despite how strange it would look to the other passengers, it was the best way for her to keep him safe while keeping an eye on the aisle. Protecting him from threats had officially taken priority over keeping a low profile.

“You look tense.” Shane commented when the train started to move. He slid from the other window seat to the seat in front of her so that they were facing each other. “I’ve got anyone coming from the back.”

Avery frowned, but she had to appreciate the gesture. It would be easier to monitor just one direction. She also wouldn’t hurt her neck looking back every other moment.

They sat in silence. After two hours, Avery stopped flinching every time the train clattered across a road. She didn’t think monsters out this far would know they were on the train.

The train made a few stops at smaller stations, but Shane had bought them tickets that were good for the whole trip. All Avery had to do when the train stopped was watch for threats through the crowds of people leaving and then boarding. Shane had even made that job easier for her.

Maybe Shane wasn’t so bad.

They were pulling up to the fourth stop and Avery took a moment to look past Noah out the window. They were at a small, rural station that looked like it had been built in the 1800s. Avery thought it looked peaceful, albeit a little flammable.

“Avery.” Shane hissed, pulling her attention from the platform. He jerked his chin up the aisle. Avery turned to look, and her heart thudded in panic.

Three police officers were coming down the aisle. They weren’t checking tickets. They had a piece of paper with them, which they were showing to the passengers that they passed. Avery couldn’t see what was on the paper, but she could guess that it was a photo, and she feared it was of her and Noah.

She tapped Noah’s arm. “We have to go.”

He started to get up, but they were too late. Down the aisle, someone pointed at them. The officers looked, saw Noah half risen, and started toward them.

“Go.” Shane pulled Avery out of her seat. He pushed her and Noah toward the exit at the front of the car, away from the officers.

Noah stumbled, but Avery caught his shoulders. “What’s happening?” He asked her. “Another monster?”

“Police.” She glanced up at the approaching threat.

“Hold it right there.” The forward most officer ordered. The aisle was narrow, and they had to advance in single file.

Avery’s breath caught in her throat. The officer didn’t look human. Or, rather, they looked like two people split down the middle and sewn together. The right half had a woman’s breast, while the left had a thick mustache on its face.

“What are you waiting for?” Shane yelled at her. He put a hand on the hilt of his sword. The weapon appeared to be invisible to regular people, but Avery was sure the police officers could see it.

“I’m going to need you to come with us.” The officer was almost on top of them. Avery wanted to run, but she was afraid it would launch some sort of weapon the moment her back was turned.

Shane grunted, taking a step forward and driving the hilt of his sword into the officer’s abdomen. He must have gotten its diaphragm, because it gasped and doubled over. The two officers behind it shouted at Shane, but their advance had been stopped.

Shane turned and gave Avery a shove. “Move!”

With a final look at the police officers, Avery ran for the exit. The officers shouted, but no attacks were launched at them.