The Children’s Train

Inside the apartment, Eddie hid in a dumbwaiter, wrapping his small uncoordinated body into the small space. Scrunched up like an accordion, he rocked his head back and forth. “Scared. Scared. Scared,” he muttered to himself.

Footsteps entered the apartment. Eddie whispered almost breathlessly. “Dead. Dead. Dead.”

It was Michael, the guard who resembled a complaining rodent. He stomped around, searching the apartment, his mouth twitching.

Eddie held his breath, and his face turned red. His head still bobbed. He strained, listening for Michael’s footsteps, his eyes opening wide.

Michael looked in every room. He stopped.

Eddie grabbed his head, forcing it to stop moving. All was quiet.

Michael took one last look around the small apartment and left.

Outside, the trucks were opened, ready to be loaded. Jacob helped Nora and Anna climb into the truck.

Suddenly, Eddie ran out of the apartment building and into the street toward them, his arms and legs flapping. “Wait for me! I changed my mind. I want to go!”