Along the Tracks

By Joseph Rogers

Finn Valdez had one hope in his life- to be able to live normally with his friends and family.

Of course, life didn't let this happen. Upon the death of his father, he became unable to move on and, in the pursuit of what happened of him, became wrapped up in a game hosted by a mysterious figure known as The Mistress.

Now, it's up to him and his friends to get out of the game alive... if 'alive' is a state they want to be in by the end of it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Apr 19, 2022
• ISBN: 9781664117310

Joseph Rogers

Joseph Rogers is a Jr. born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. Winning one his first writing contest while in the first grade. Ever since he knew he was destined for success. Joseph started Writing rap songs, poems, and journals after years of searching for his true passion. Joseph decided to work on his first novel about love, trust, and dishonor. This is just the first of many diverse novels and topics.

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Copyright © 2022 by Joseph Rogers.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 02/17/2022

Xlibris

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CONTENTS

Prologue: Imprisonment

Chapter 1     A Travesty in Blackport

Chapter 2     Where the Flowers Grew

Chapter 3     The Mistress Wants to Play

Chapter 4     Lives laid to Rest

Chapter 5     Trouble in Blackport Park

Chapter 6     The Game Officially Begins

Chapter 7     From a Rodent’s Perspective

Chapter 8     Like a Salmon Upstream

Chapter 9     Black with White Stripes

Chapter 10   Tale of Two Orphans

Chapter 11   Wick at Both Ends

Chapter 12   When Answers Give More Questions

Chapter 13   What Haunts the Trainline

Chapter 14   Revolutionise the Other Side

Chapter 15   Wings of a Dragonfly

Chapter 16   Bark Worse than Bite

Chapter 17   Beast and the Harlot

Chapter 18   Red Thread of Fate

Chapter 19   The Only Other Stranger

Chapter 20   It all Falls Apart

Chapter 21   Of Blood and Wine

Chapter 22   Below the Inky Sea

Chapter 23   Suficiente Conversación, Acción Requerida

Chapter 24    Two against The Porcupines

Chapter 25   Well, Doesn’t It End?

Chapter 26   The Results of a Month

Chapter 27   Blood, Sweat, Tears, Betrayal

Chapter 28   Intersection, Correction and Detainment

Chapter 29   Seven Birds, One Stone

Chapter 30   For an Hour Straight

Chapter 31   The Bigger They Are…

Chapter 32   … The Harder They Fall

Chapter 33   The Letter, The Result

Chapter 34   For the Final Time

Chapter 35   Hold onto Your Heart

Chapter 36   When Right Faces Correct

Chapter 37   Out of Sight and Mind

Chapter 38   What Lays Along the Tracks

Epilogue: Freedom

PROLOGUE

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Imprisonment

THE FOLLOWING IS AN AUDIO LOG FOUND AT

THE SCENE OF THE CRIME. LISTENING TO THIS

WITHOUT WARRANTED APPROVAL BY THE

BLACKPORT COMMISSION IS ILLEGAL, AND MAY

RESULT IN PROSECUTION BY THE STATE.

CAMERAMAN NAME: Officer Elwood, Blackport Division Alpha

OTHER NAMES OF NOTE: Officer Valdez, Commander Rea (Both Blackport Division Alpha)

TIME OF RECORDING START: 02:24am

TIME OF RECORDING END: 04:11am

DATE OF RECORDING: 3rd March, 20XX

---

[Beginning of Footage. As per protocol, a heavy-duty flashlight has been provided for the investigation. ELWOOD and VALDEZ are paired together at the entrance of the location, while REA is speaking over the comand radio.]

ELWOOD: Oh, God, this place reeks.

VALDEZ: It’s an abandoned train line. It’s going to smell.

REA: We have an anonymous noise complaint. They claimed they heard… ‘chanting, ominous screaming and a sound like paint splattering.’

ELWOOD: Are you sure? It might be a cult.

REA: You’re not to make a full report until you’re absolutely sure of the source.

VALDEZ: Understood, ma’am. We’ll deal with it.

[Silence for 11 seconds as the pair continue down the stairs to the train line.]

ELWOOD: It certainly smells like there’s something fishy going on down here.

VALDEZ: Have you ever been on one of these jobs before?

ELWOOD: Ah, maybe once or twice? I was told to keep it to myself though. Something about ‘protecting the innocence of Blackport’ or something like that. I’m an officer of the law, not a reporter.

VALDEZ: You don’t sound too broken up about it.

ELWOOD: Ah, not really… nothing really happens on these night trips.

[A reported 32 minutes of audio and video are cut from this point. ELWOOD and VALDEZ walk down the trainline.]

VALDEZ: Do we really need to explore this entire train line, Rea?

REA: It’s advised. Just make sure you make sure there’s no one down there and you’ll be fine.

VALDEZ: It’s… really dark down here. These flashlights aren’t really doing anything--

[As this sentence was spoken, a rat scurries across the train track in the light. ELWOOD screams.]

ELWOOD: Oh for- it was just a rat. God damn it…

VALDEZ: Thought nothing happened on these ‘night trips’.

[The pair laugh. REA can be heard rustling papers. On the provided recording, the rat proceeds to run towards the pair, from the direction that they’re heading.]

ELWOOD: Alright, let’s keep going. This line’s closed at each end, but there’s still a mile in between them. Let’s not dawdle.

[Silence for 89 seconds. Except for the report that a second rat can be seen running the opposite direction that ELWOOD and VALDEZ are walking.]

ELWOOD: Hey so… what’s that saying, about trains?

VALDEZ: You can’t outrun them?

ELWOOD: No, no, the other thing. Something about… it being brighter on the other side?

VALDEZ: I… think you’re thinking of ‘the grass is greener on the other side’, Elwood. It’s a saying for when someone is not satisfied with their own life and assumes there’s a better place for them.

ELWOOD: Really?

VALDEZ: Yeah!

[Silence for 2 minutes as the pair reach the other end of the line, blocked due to maintenance.]

VALDEZ: And here we are. [Off screen] Yeah, there’s nothing here. Just the old subway station.

ELWOOD: Eh, might still be worth checking it for anything left over, no?

[12 minutes of silence follow. During it, the camera attached to ELWOOD picks up no activity, though around 8 minutes in VALDEZ complains that he could see something. Further investigation proved no results.]

ELWOOD: Alright, I think if there was something here, it’s already gone.

REA: Alright, that’ll conclude the investigation. If you would--

[During this sentence, VALDEZ points to something off screen.]

VALDEZ: Hey, who’s there?!

[The camera turns to face the direction they pointed, revealing the completely dark entrance to the station.]

REA: Valdez, the camera isn’t picking up anything. What’s going on?

ELWOOD: Ah, no… I see them too. Can you not see this, Rea?

REA: The camera’s not picking up anything. Could you point your flashlight that way?

VALDEZ: Yeah, yeah-- [Pointing Flashlight] --Uh, there. Can you see them?

REA: … Camera continues to show nothing.

ELWOOD: You serious?! There’s a person right there!

REA: I’m sorry, but I can’t see anything.

ELWOOD: Do I need to turn on the Thermal Vision or something? Here.

[2 seconds of silence as the camera is switched to Thermal. On the camera, it is now revealed that a human shape is standing in the way of the pair.]

REA: Ah, we see it now. Apologies.

ELWOOD: What’s going on, buddy? You lost or something?

VALDEZ: There’s only way down here, Elwood. They might’ve followed us.

ELWOOD: Keep your distance!

[On the camera, it’s shown that the person took a single step forward, forcing the officers to draw their firearms.]

REA: Keep the subject in sight. Are they armed?

ELWOOD: No, I don’t think so… They do have their fists clenched though--

[During the conversation, the figure has taken another two steps towards the pair of officers. REA has noted that the steps seemed ‘unnatural, like they had moved before taking a step.’]

VALDEZ: That’s far enough!

ELWOOD: Alright, put your hands up! Put them where I can see them!

[The figure does not move.]

ELWOOD: I said put your hands up!

REA: I’ve called for backup. Two more officers are moving to reinforce you.

ELWOOD: You hear that, Valdez?

VALDEZ: Yeah, I heard.

[The figure takes another step.]

ELWOOD: Move again and you’re getting tasered!

VALDEZ: Wait… Elwood, he’s trying to say something.

[Three minutes of silence pass as the pair seem to listen in on a very, very hushed conversation.]

REA: What are they saying?

ELWOOD: I think they might be on something. ‘Salt of the Earth’, ‘Take back the Myre of opportunity’- what on God’s name are they talking about?

VALDEZ: You think this is the one the caller was talking about?

ELWOOD: Yeah, no, this has to be them. Alright, listen here, junkie- Keep back or we’re going to have to do something drastic, alright?

REA: Wait… You heard all of that?

ELWOOD: Yeah. Why?

REA: … Get out of there. Now!

ELWOOD: What? What do you mean?

REA: Guys, you’re not safe down there! If the caller heard THAT, then they’re-

VALDEZ: Wait, what’s-

REA: They’re in the tunnel with you!

[Suddenly, the entire tunnel erupts into loud screams as about fifty different thermal readings appear out of seemingly nowhere. They all immediately move in on the pair, the camera glitching as several blunt weapons begin trying to strike the pair.]

[3 minutes of pure screaming echoes the trainline as ELWOOD and VALDEZ are beaten. However, ELWOOD finds a break and begins sprinting out. The camera’s audio is now janky and broken due to this fact.]

ELWOOD: [EXPLETIVE REMOVED]! They- they got [EXPLETIVE REMOVED] Valdez! They [EXPLETIVE REMOVED] killed him! They-

[The audio completely cuts out as, suddenly, a bright light at the end of the tunnel screeches loudly at him, leading ELWOOD to scream in reply. By that point, something larger than a human strikes him, and drops them to the floor in silence.]

REA: Elwood?! Valdez?! Report in! Come on, guys, say something!

[The remaining footage is set in complete silence. The camera, looking down the train tracks, has been bathed in the flashlight’s glow, showing what remains of ELWOOD being torn apart by the thermal figures, now flickering in and out of camera view.]

[END OF FOOTAGE]

CHAPTER 1

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A Travesty in Blackport

Four months later, all the news had left was the events that happened that day.

It was considered the most heinous thing that had ever been done in Blackport. The usually quiet town in the middle of nowhere had been ravaged by a ‘Cult-Minded attack’ on two of the most trusted officers in the division, killing them in such a horrific way that the paper wasn’t legally allowed to publish most of the details.

Of the attack, it was the families of the men that suffered the most; If not from the grief of losing them in the attack, from the relentless media attention that soon followed them. The Elwood family moved cross-country to get away from it all- the Valdez family went into hiding, eventually doing the same.

Unfortunately, the latter didn’t seem to remember that they were leaving behind someone as they did.

Finn Valdez, the so-called ‘legacy son’ of the family, had been rather frugal with his attitude recently. Others had to appreciate the patience it took to stop himself from lashing out at the media for their constant hounding of the story, many of which thinking he didn’t care at all, while also having to balance a group of friends, schoolwork, part-time work and a girlfriend on top of that.

This was more obvious as he sat in front of the TV of his two-story home, watching another broadcast about the attacks and how the cult was ‘clearly from a different country’ due to their inability to answer the call to put their hands up and ‘had planned it for a while’.

He was sick of it. Truly, he was. But, then again, how could he fight it? There was no way he could get involved in any of this. He’d already turned down three interviews due to lack of evidence (Though it was more due to lack of interest).

Nevertheless, time moved on with little care for anyone, so now it was time to become a slave to it once more. Grabbing his hat, he pushed it down onto his head, shaking himself off as he opened the door to his home in Southern Blackport. Walking outside, he found the atmosphere of Blackport was exactly the same as always- moody, muggy, sun nowhere to be seen.

At least something stayed the same.

It was time to begin the day.

As he walked to Blackport University, taking in the early summer air, his usual route was nothing but the same. Shops of the local town were opening up for business, ready to accept their local customers; street lights turned off as the sun of a familiar 7am deactivated their Solar Lights. As he walked by, he stopped in the local cafe he visited daily, picking up his usual order of a coffee and a bagel.

It was like the world was trapped in a time loop, as per usual. Even the death of his father couldn’t stop that. Finn was already starting to get used to it, as hard as it felt.

Paying for his order and eating his breakfast, Finn headed out with the travel cup of coffee. He usually liked it regular, but occasionally he’d go for Decaf if he wasn’t feeling lethargic that morning- today, being that kind of day.

In fact, it’d been a while since Finn had actually felt tired. Back when the deaths first happened, the place he worked at willingly gave him a month off to recover, and he spent almost all of that time sleeping. He had an excess of energy to waste.

He’d never admit it, but he did genuinely love the place he worked. Being a crossing guard wasn’t something he was too fond of, but the people there were definitely good enough to make him stay.

Walking past the elementary school, he tossed his empty cup into the bin and took a second to take a break. Sitting down on the bench, he made sure he was still on schedule- he was- and waited for the bus to come pick him up.

His route cost £13. He wasn’t exactly going to look a gift horse in the mouth, especially when that horse gave him an hour to do whatever he wanted when he got to university.

When the bus did arrive, he hopped on, looking up the row to see no one he knew, then looked back to the bus driver who he knew quite well.

Heya, Finn. The man was older, heavyset, with a long beard and thick eyebrows. In the three years he’d been riding the 11 Bus, Finn had never learnt his name. Guessing the usual?

Finn replied with a small grunt and a nod, putting the £5 bill onto the tray and walking up to the middle row, slipping into it with no words spoken. On a usual day, he could get as far as the gates to the university without even having to say anything, as the baristas all knew him personally- and by extension, so did the bus driver- but the guy out front of the university was always a chatty guy, even when it was clear Finn wasn’t in the best of moods.

Finn wasn’t one for conversation, preferring one-word answers if he didn’t have to talk at all. His girlfriend usually did most of the conversation for him.

Speaking of, he checked his phone, seeing he had several notifications from different people- two from his work, three from one of his best friends, one from his girlfriend. He decided to start with the one he knew he actually wanted to read.

CHRISSY: Hey sweetheart! Good morning <3

Finn wasn’t made of stone. His face cracked into a smile as he replied with his usual one- a smiling face with three hearts coming off of it- which for some reason was more than enough to let her know he appreciated her.

It’d only been six months, and yet Finn thought that Chrissy was the one. Some would call that foolhardy; he just called it the truth.

Then, onto his work.

WORK: Hey we’re gonna need you to work overtime tonight

WORK: Ron got really sick, he’s in hospital

Finn replied with another familiar reply- a thumbs up. Work replied fast.

WORK: We’ll talk about it when you get here

Finn nodded to his phone, then paused as he realised how stupid that might’ve looked if anyone else had gotten onto the bus. He finally ended off his screen time by checking why the hell his friend would be texting him at 4am in the morning.

VINNY: yoooooooo dood XD

VINNY: I’m fucking BLASTED my guy

VINNY: Goodnight homie

Finn rolled his eyes.

And that was enough phone for today.

The bus pulled up at the university three minutes later, opening the doors for Finn to hop out. He did so with an acknowledging nod, walking out to face the large open gates of the university.

Hey hey, Finn! As per usual, the guard noticed him immediately. Coming in for another round, I see!

Finn shrugged, walking past him as he put his head down. No people to see him do it, after all- If they were here, they were either in their dorms or in the school, or at least in the school grounds far enough that it wouldn’t be seen. The guard didn’t seem to mind, at least.

He’d gotten further than his average, at least.

Walking towards the entrance of the school, he looked left and right as he noticed everyone doing their usual things- the botanic students watering the plants out in front of the dorms, the couples sitting in the picnic area chatting about their futures, the teachers making sure everything was in order.

It’d be nice to watch if Finn hadn’t seen it all before.

Heading into the school, he walked into the lobby and sat at the waiting area to make sure he was on time. Once again, he was- 7:53, which when factoring in the journey, the breakfast, the bus ride… it was all about that time.

If he could make it before 8 every day, he would be on track.

Uuuuuugh…

And then began the second roadblock of his day.

In came Vinny, holding his head and drinking a bottle of what appeared to be Seltzer water. He was clearly hungover, something his texts alluded to be true, and as he flopped down next to Finn he smiled with half-lidded eyes.

Fiiiiinn. He held out his fist, which Finn bumped. How’s it going, man?

Finn shrugged back.

You non-vocal today, bud? Vinny sat up, knowing that this was something Finn just… did, sometimes. That’s cool. Weird time to be living in recently, can’t blame you for that one.

Finn had always had that. Ever since he was a kid, he had spells of time where he just didn’t want to speak to anyone. Apparently, it was natural in kids who weren’t taught social cues early.

Hey so- bro. Suddenly, Finn’s shoulder was being patted. I need to talk to you about something important. I… I think that my girl might be cheating on me.

Finn flinched, looking at him and shaking his head.

No, no- look. He got his phone out. I got wasted last night, right? And I came home, passed out on the couch. When I woke up? Eve’s missing in action, and she texted me saying that she’s out with her friends.

Finn tutted. Seemed kind of like a double standard.

Like- yeah, I know I was out with MY friends, but she didn’t tell me she was going to be, like I did. He showed the messages, confirming to Finn that she was out that night. And, she hasn’t texted me since I woke up, so… I dunno, it seems a little sketch, right?

Finn didn’t know how to respond, which really helped with the conversation at hand. Luckily, he didn’t need to as the girl in question- Eve- walked through the entrance, and Vinny immediately sprung up, holding their hands out.

Eve! he walked over, giving her two kisses on either cheek. There’s my beautiful angel. Where have you been?

I went out with friends, Eve told him bluntly. Same as you.

Well, yeah, but you didn’t text me about it! Vinny basically just said what he’d said to Finn, but without the other bits. I was worried!

About what? Eve crossed her arms. I wasn’t doing anything.

Ah, no worries. As long as you’re okay. He chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. Eh, whatever! Come on, there are seats open.

Eve sat down next to Finn. They shared a look of mutual acceptance, which was pretty much all they needed to do. Eve was currently going through her quarter-life crisis; she’d reverted into a goth phase that she’d apparently gone through in comprehensive, but with a lot more of a painful kick.

Eventually, people would be coming in droves to their classes, meaning Finn and the others would be subject to the mass of crowds coming in. With them, the arrival of the fourth and fifth members of the friend group- Jack and Winslow- who were always pleasant to be around.

Hey, guys. Jack sat down next to Vinny. How’s it going?

It’s going good! Vinny replied. Another day in the rest of our lives, eh?

God, I hear that. With a short cackle, Jack and Vinny clinked a pair of cans together, clearly intending to imitate a toast.

However, the conversation was cut all but short by Winslow looking over at Finn, taking a small breath before speaking. Hey, uh… Finn… you got a moment?

Jack heard him say it, replying softly. Winslow… We said we’d wait.

Winslow replied softly in return. I know… but he doesn’t deserve to wait.

Finn wondered what they were talking about, standing up to follow Winslow over to the other side of the lobby, where Winslow took a moment to make sure they weren’t followed.

Hey… He pulled out what appeared to be a small leather box. My dad… found this. I thought you might want to have it.

Finn took the box from them, opening it up to see what was inside.

What was inside, however, made his heart both drop and skip a beat.

Inside was a police badge, one shined to complete reflection to let Finn see his reaction of surprise at the sight of it. On it was the name ‘Henry Valdez’, ranked as a third-level officer in Blackport’s Alpha Division.

Finn felt a tear run down his cheek as a thankful smile began to extend over his face.

Winslow seemed to recover with relief. I’m… glad you’re okay with it.

Finn, as true proof of that fact, actually managed to muster words up for it. T-Thank you.

And then, suddenly, he was caught in a massive hug from behind. Heeeeey!

The day was slowly shaping up to begin getting better as Finn turned into the hug by his girlfriend, Chrissy. He was almost a head taller than her, making him able to bury his face into the top of her hair, letting him really appreciate her.

Winslow, in return, just smiled.

With that arrival, the bell to the school rang, letting students know it was time for class. Finn pocketed the box with the badge in it, giving Chrissy on the forehead as he headed in the opposite direction to 60% of his friends. Following him was Vinny and Jack, the two who had the same homeroom as him- meanwhile, Eve actually studied in a specialised homeroom for women only and Winslow and Chrissy were in a higher class.

… it was only when he was sitting alone, looking at the badge his father gave him, that Finn was left thinking about what Vinny had said.

‘Another day in the Rest of our Lives’.

It… almost sounded like an insult, it a way. Like telling someone that you were happy just to keep on keeping on with no change in the life you were given. It was awful to think that Finn would just keep doing this, over and over- denying interviews about his father’s passing, going to school, going to work, going out with his friends and SO. He could do it.

But… Why would he?

His thoughts were interrupted by a clearing of the throat, and he looked up to see that his homeroom professor was standing with his arms crossed. Boring you, Finn?

Finn blinked, just- staring back.

I would’ve thought you’d pay more attention to my lecture, but I suppose I can’t exactly ask for full concentration from you, Mr. Phish slighted. But I can at least remind you that your exams are coming up in three weeks. Don’t be tardy.

Finn felt his teeth involuntarily grate at the teacher’s words. Even in the most relaxed of educational buildings, there was always someone taking their job a little too seriously.

... And what do you have there? Mr. Phish motioned to be given something. Come on. Take it out, show the class.

In a moment of clarity that hit Finn like a sledgehammer, he realised that he was being asked for his father’s badge.

Well? I don’t have all day.

Finn took out the leather box, opening it to show the badge to Mr. Phish. When he did, the look on the professor’s face was something of a cross between shock and guilt.

... A-Ah, well… Mr. Phish seemed torn. Clearly, his attitude had led him to remove anything like it due to the rules- but at the same time, it was a pretty important memento that could genuinely do some serious damage if it was stripped. ... I’m… I’m going to have to… confiscate it.

Finn replied with one of the most firm answers he’d ever given the professor. No.

Mr. Phish actually shrunk back at it, the classroom going completely silent. Sure, it had been quiet before- not everyone was involved in the conversation, but wanted to at least hear what was being said- but now, it was so quiet you could’ve heard a pin drop.

For the briefest of moments, it looked like Mr. Phish was going to respond snarkily as always...

... Right. Sorry, I’ll- Just- Pay attention, okay?

Finn nodded as the teacher hurriedly walked back to the desk, turning his back to continue the lecture. As he did, Vinny turned back to Finn, pumping his fist and giving him a congratulatory, toothy grin.

Finn couldn’t help but beam back. After all, it was definitely one of the first times he’d talked back to any sort of authoritative figure.

His father… God, Finn could write a novel about the things they did for him. After raising him basically alone for six years, Henry Valdez got remarried to a woman who actually respected and cared for them. Finn was raised to respect, but not fear, the law, and taught that upholding it was never necessarily the best thing that you could do.

There was a difference between what was ‘right’ and what was ‘correct’. For Finn, it was one of the best life lessons he’d ever learnt, and had gotten him out of a lot of bad moments had he just gone with one or the other.

Finn realised he was daydreaming again, looking up to see that nobody had noticed. He still felt slightly guilty about it, though.

… Well.

It was time to run the gauntlet once again.

[...]

The next four hours were as uneventful as usual. Even in exam season, the routine was pretty much unchanged- a good amount of work was put in, a small amount of disruption between a teacher and their student, and soon after Finn was out of his classes and heading into the courtyard, where he and Chrissy were quick to share a kiss and a story.

Chrissy, luckily, kept the conversation going. So, Winslow told me about you getting your father’s badge back?

Finn nodded, pulling it out of his pocket to show her.

Chrissy gasped, excited for him. Aww, babe! That’s great!

Finn smiled. It is.

Chrissy giggled. She’d complimented his voice a bunch- to the point where Finn did get a little uncomfortable with it- but it was nice to know she got pleasure out of the rare treat.

So, what are you doing tonight? Chrissy asked, her mind wandering elsewhere.

I have work. Finn replied with as little wording as he could. Overtime. Ron is sick.

Oh, I’m… sorry to hear that. She seemed disappointed, but supportive. Well, maybe when you get off work I could come over tonight? I wouldn’t mind spending some time with you today.

I’ll see when I get off, Finn mentioned.

I’ll hold you to it, She joked, looking over to the entrance of the school. Vinny and Winslow should be getting out soon. Do you want to go meet them in the lobby?

Finn shook his head.

Ah, okay. Despite her lacklustre reply, Chrissy definitely seemed happy that he wanted to stay with her. Are you alright? You don’t look well…

Finn rubbed the back of his neck. Something got said today. Don’t worry, it’s already solved.

Who said it? Chrissy mocked anger. I’ll beat them up for you.

Finn, for the first time today, chuckled. With your twig arms?

Chrissy feigned offence. "You said you loved my twig arms."

I do, Finn felt himself slowly beginning to crack his shell. I’m just saying, they’re not really made for beating people up.

I’ll beat YOU up.

Sure. Finn grinned, then heard the sound of Vinny coming out. Here they come…

Vinny walked over, arms behind his head. Lovebirds! What’re you two tweetin’ about, then?

Winslow waved. Hello.

Chrissy spoke for both of them, much to Finn’s relief. We’re just waiting for everyone to finish up today. Did you guys have a good lesson?

Vinny groaned. Ugh, no. It was boring as hell.

Higher education Mathematics are not exactly Vinny’s strong suit, Winslow added.

Ain’t for me! Really ain’t. Vinny slid onto the bench, next to Finn. What about you guys?

Finn squared his shoulders, looking at the bench as he opened the box with the badge in it once again. Winslow sat across from Finn, looking slightly concerned as Finn took it out of the box for the first time, looking it over properly, running his finger along one of the edges.

Eventually, out came Jack, followed soon after by Eve. The group of six sat at the bench, sharing a box of store-bought fudge as they discussed the day and how hard or boring it had been. Eve seemed the most frustrated at the day, mentioning that she was sick of being in a girl’s only class; Jack, too, seemed a bit angry due to a massive interruption in his class that wasted 15 minutes.

As it was happening, though, Finn was thinking about something else. He was too lost in looking at the badge to notice that he had begun crying; something no one else seemed to pick up on as he got lost in his own mind.

And then, suddenly, he stood up.

Oop- heading off, Finn? Vinny looked over, taking a quick look at him before his smile fell. ... Finn? What’s wrong?

Finn didn’t respond, simply beginning to walk away as his friends watched him go. He walked down the street, using the paving stones as a guide as he kept looking at the badge, a destination in his mind that he wasn’t quite sure of yet. It was like his father’s soul was sending him on some sort of unknown quest.

He wasn’t that far into the city that surrounded the university when he heard someone yelling his name. Finn!

Finn looked over his shoulder, seeing that everyone else had chased him. Vinny led the pack, stopping in front of him before doubling over to take deep breaths.

Sweetie, where are you going…? Chrissy took the front stage. We’re worried.

Finn simply stared, his hand shaking as he held onto the badge with a tight grip. All it took was a single look for at least Jack to realise what was going on.

... Yeah, I… had a feeling, Jack glumly stated. Finn… I’m… guessing you want to go… there.

Finn didn’t need to ask for what he meant, simply nodding as a reply.

Vinny, on the other hand, did. What do you mean?

Eve summed it up quickly. He wants to go to where his father died.

Vinny flinched at the words. O-Oh… uh… are you sure, dude?

Finn nodded again, putting the badge away in his pocket. As he did, Winslow straightened up, motioning for everyone to follow.

Come on, I can drive us there.

Finn felt his smile return slightly.

It paid to have good friends.

CHAPTER 2

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Where the Flowers Grew

Locking the car into park, Winslow hopped out of his car and looked at the entrance to the old railroad with a sense of dread.

Finn followed him out, looking at the mouth as if it was awaiting fresh meat. Police tape, dirtied and tattered, was stripped away, fluttering in the wind as it marked where no entry once laid. Darkness descended into it, and even as Finn stood a few feet from it, he could smell something awful coming from inside.

That wasn’t the thing he was interested in looking at, however.

Finn felt himself move, almost like a ghost, towards what was left over of the shrine that had been set up next to the entrance. His father’s picture was placed next to the other officer’s, both decorated in a golden frame which had dulled to a brown sheen due to lack of maintenance. The flowers that had once wreathed the golden-laced white sheet covering the oak table had rotted away, staining the tablecloth in blacks and greys and mold that looked dangerous to even approach.

Despite all of that, Finn took the frame from the table, using his sleeve to rub away the grime from the plastic covering the photo. His head buzzed with a little bit of static as he stared into the eyes of that photo, a grimace emerging on his face.

He felt an arm wrap around his waist. On instinct, he put an arm around Chrissy, pulling her into a side hug as he let himself finally feel emotions he’d forgotten he could for the first time in a few months. As tears began pouring, the others slowly began to pull him into a comforting aura, even after dropping to his knees.

They must’ve stayed there for… what felt like hours, but in reality, might’ve only been about ten minutes. Not once did anyone speak, simply letting Finn get everything out that he didn’t even know he was bottling.

And yet… something was still off.

Finn wiped his eyes with the cleaner of his two sleeves, putting the frame back onto the table and standing. Sucking up what little of his humility that he had left, he looked back to the entrance of the railroad, feeling almost compelled to speak aloud.

... Winslow?

Winslow, clearly not having expected him to speak, snapped to attention- Ah- y-yeah?

Do you have flashlights in your car?

It was Jack that picked up on the tone. ... Finn… look, I know that you’re hurting, but-

Jack, don’t. Eve shushed him with her own quiet tone. ... Let him. He needs this more than I think any of us can understand.

Chrissy swallowed, but steeled herself. H-Honey… are you sure…?

Finn nodded, looking to Winslow with a hopeful gaze.

Winslow, with a small look to the entrance, took a second to compose himself as well. He had been crying, too- possibly to share grief. I mean… I’ve got a camping supply kit. Probably has something we can use for light…

Vinny, too, seemed to want to help. Our phones have flashlights on them. We could use those.

Finn said nothing else, walking back over to the entrance of the cave, looking down into the abyss that swallowed anything beyond it. Finn was almost expecting a pair of eyes to loom out of the darkness, or jagged teeth to whisper some sort of awful string of words at him.

When a pocket flashlight was shone into that dark, however, all Finn recognised was a staircase going down into the station below.

Vinny, as always, tried to lighten the mood. Heh… don’t think we’ll- like- find a power box or something down there, huh?

Only Jack laughed. It was clearly fake.

Finn took the flashlight he was given and began to descend. However, it was only two steps down that his arm was lightly grabbed. He looked over his shoulder again, seeing that Vinny- despite his unusually positive attitude in situations like that- had a dead serious look on his face.

Hey, look, dude… Know you don’t have to do this. He gulped, glancing back and forth from Finn and the way down. I’m behind you 100% with whatever choice you make, but… Don’t force yourself.

Finn didn’t even hazard a thought about it. Turning back, he continued walking out of the grip of Vinny, who took a mighty deep sigh for someone who was ‘behind him 100%’ and followed, soon to be accompanied by the other four.

Down onto the abandoned station, Finn recognised the layout. Not that he’d ever been to that specific underground railway; it was just because it, much like every underground railway, was built almost identical to ones he’d been in before. Back before… Well, all of the things that had already happened.

The others seemed at least curious, if not unnerved. As Finn looked around with his flashlight, he noticed something else; that being, besides one of the railways, the ways that the trains would’ve once travelled were blocked over by cement or at least something that looked like it. The one that wasn’t blocked over- the one that Finn was about to call attention to- was instead covered in police tape, all bright yellow and shiny, as though it was new.

Different elements had clearly treated this set differently, and Finn clicked to make everyone look in the direction he pointed.

Through there? Jack asked, leaving Finn to respond with a nod. A-Are… Are you sure, Finn? This could be bad…

Chrissy, on the other hand, was ready to support him. Lead the way, Finn… we’re right behind you.

Finn hopped down, landing slightly awkwardly on the rusted bars that ran the tracks’ vertical plain. It had only occurred to him that, as he dusted away some of the tape to