Coreopsis

first insert, part 3

The train gave a jerk. A voice came through the object the guard was holding, “obstruction ahead.” It announced. 

The guard started walking fast. Sarah glanced at Orion, as they instantly followed his pace. 

The three of them approached the conductor, “obstruction?” They asked simultaneously. 

The conductor looked up and saw Orion. His demeanor instantly changed. “It looks like a snow bank covering the tracks.”

“Doesn’t this train have a cowcatcher?” Orion asked. 

“We do but there may be boulders in the snow bank that could damage the train. We need to test the bank before we plow through it.”

The four of them walked into another car. The guard and conductor started putting on snow gear. Sarah became putting on the same gear. “Where do you think you’re going?” The conductor snapped. 

“I will not let you hurt them.” She snapped right back. 

Orion was now putting on snow gear. 

Was the conductor started to open the door, he paused looking at Sarah and Orion, “I guess it’s pointless to ask either of you to take a gun?”

“It is for me.” Sarah answered. Orion nodded in agreement. 

Sarah felt like she was in a snow globe as they stepped outside. The flood light from the train caused the snow to sparkle like millions of firefly’s. Never in her life had she seen this much snow. The sudden cock of the guards gun brought her out of her childhood trance. 

There in front of them, as if they had materialized out of the snow, was a hand full of these animal skin clad people. 

“Motieto,” Sarah whispered. 

The one in front started speaking. When the guard raised his gun, Sarah pushed it down. “Let her speak.”

The more the lady spoke, the more Sarah’s head hurt. It felt like someone was beating a drum between her ears. This language was familiar but she didn’t speak it. And how did she know they were Motieto? College maybe? From a lecture? 

The lady motioned for them to follow here. 

The guard and conductor whispered together for a moment. Finally, the guard stepped forward as the conductor went back inside the train.