As I was walking down the stairs to meet my mom and the rest of my family, a huge wave of mixed feelings washed over me. Excitement, happiness, fear, worry, nervousness. As I walked through the hallway I could see the family portraits all along the walls, each one depicting a different time, a different memory. The last one was a photo taken during my 5th birthday. A few moments passed as I was in a trance reminiscing all the great memories I had here. Outside was filled with a calm breeze. the sun was nowhere near set to rise but its orange hue was prevalent amidst the dark grey hue of the sky. My dad loaded the few bits of my luggage before we set off to the train station. Everview is my hometown and it’s 134 miles away from the nearest train station. The town isn’t that big nor is it the most popular, you can’t even correctly pinpoint where it is on a map of Maryland. It is a town of 2,000 residents and a population of 5,000. The town is filled with dark green gradsyt hills that stretch for long distances, towering wind turbines that generates the town’s supply of energy. Lights of the town are shutoff every night due to “not wanting to waste energy” but it’s mainly to see the clutter of stars that clutter the sky with a beautiful view of a distant galaxy, one that is a perfect distance from earth to not have its heat affect us and yet to also have a good view of its beauty. I don’t wanna leave but a part of me wants to see the rest of the world.

My family and I have arrived at the train station, the place was mostly empty, only a handful of people are scattered around the platform. Some are sleeping while the others are sitting on the ground or on benches, patiently waiting for the train. It was an hour before my flight arrives, so we decided to wait at a nearby café. The aroma of coffee and pastries was very enticing, it made me want to go there every day. As soon as we sat, the waiter came by to take our orders. My order was a black coffee and a piece of blueberry pie, it was the best I have ever tasted, not too sweet nor was it bitter. My mom had ordered a mocha and a chocolate muffin while my dad had ordered an Americano and a slice of red velvet cake. My brother had a hot chocolate and a slice of lemon meringue pie. After that, we decided to take a look around the station.

The station had an odd feeling to it, a feeling of melancholy, as if someone was saying goodbye and was not returning, and as I walked, that feeling felt stronger. The station was built in 1954 and since then it hasn't been upgraded nor fixed. The lights were flickering, the floors were creaking, and the walls were crumbling. In the corner, there was a broken down vending machine, some of its contents spilled onto the floor. On the wall, there were faded posters that had advertisements about events, concerts, and shows that happened years ago, their corners curled up and some were ripped off. The ceiling was covered in graffiti, ranging from the word "Fuck" to art that had the signature of the artist. Suddenly, a loud horn sound came from behind me. I turn around and a large cloud of steam comes from the engine, a long series of lights lit up and the horn sounded off once more. This was the train. It was a massive beast, towering 30 meters high, the length was about 250 meters. The body was a sleek, black coat with silver accents. On the roof was a series of windows, the middle being the largest. The middle carriage had a sign hanging from the side of it, with the words "First-class" printed on it. My family and I headed towards the first-class carriage, a man wearing a white button up shirt, black pants, and a black jacket was waiting for us. He welcomed us and escorted us into the carriage. The first-class cabin was the epitome of luxury. Each compartment had its own private bathroom, a flat screen tv, a personal kitchen, and a queen size bed. I was amazed at the quality and design of the cabin. After we were done checking out the cabins, we proceeded to ours, number 115, and we began saying our goodbyes.

"Promise me that you'll call when you arrive", said my mother, tears forming at the corners of her eyes.

"I promise, mom, and don't worry, I'll be fine"

"Oh, I know, it's just that... I'm gonna miss you"

"Me too, mom, but don't worry, I'll visit you whenever I can"

"And don't forget to take care of yourself, okay?"

"Yes, dad"

"And remember to enjoy yourself, especially your work”

"Yes, dad"

After the many reminders and warnings that my family had given me, I said my last goodbye and went inside my cabin. I was alone, and I was scared. The train slowly began moving, and I looked out the window and saw my family waving goodbye, their silhouettes getting smaller and smaller as the train went further and further. The journey was going to be a long one, so I decided to rest.

The train ride was peaceful, the view was breathtaking. We were surrounded by green hills and forests. The air was fresh and crisp. There was a cool breeze that came through the open window. I sat there and watched as the trees passed by. After a few hours, I felt a slight bump on the train, the wheels hitting a rock. It was a nice, little nudge that woke me up. The sun was starting to rise and the sky was painted with vibrant oranges, pinks, and purples. The train began slowing down and the brakes were being applied. I could see a station in the distance and a small crowd of people waiting on the platform. I stood up and walked to the window and watched as the train stopped. There were a few people waiting on the platform. I could see a tall man in a brown suit and a hat, a short woman in a blue dress, and a young boy with a backpack. The train doors opened and the crowd got on the train. They were all chatting and talking about their journeys and destinations. I noticed that the cabin across from mine was occupied, the door closed and the light was turned off. The train began moving and we were off again. I laid back down and fell asleep.

The train ride was long and uneventful, the scenery was beautiful, but there wasn't much to see. The sun was shining and the sky was clear. The wind was blowing and the trees were swaying. The train ride was peaceful and serene. After a while, the train started slowing down, and the brakes were being applied. I could hear the conductor's voice announce the arrival to a city called, "Elysium" and the train was coming to a stop.

"This is the end of the line. Thank you for riding the Elysian Express and we hope you have a pleasant stay."

The train came to a halt and the passengers began to disembark. I got up from my seat and stretched. I grabbed my luggage and headed out.

The city of Elysium was bustling and lively. People were walking and talking. Cars were honking and the streets were busy. I walked through the streets, admiring the sights. There was a tall, glass building that towered over the city. Elysium is one of 3 cities that make up Neo-Lumière, and is the central hub of the country. It is known for its art and culture. I continued to walk through the city, taking in the sights.

I found myself at a park. There was a pond and a playground. Children were running around and playing. Adults were sitting on benches, enjoying the day. I sat down and enjoyed the view. Times like these make me appreciate the liveliness that fills this place. There’s a sinking feeling in my gut when I oversee people enjoying there time, I don’t let it bother me but it sounds…aware. It almost feels as though that small little pit that nagged at me ever since I left home is..crying out??