Cherry Lips

She was a pretty little rich girl. And that wasn’t a joke. She was a princess. A princess in description and image. This girl turned heads no matter where she went. Today was no exception. The boys all stared at her. She smiled to herself.

“Good morning,” the conductor said. She smiled and nodded.

“Good morning,” she said. She handed him her ticket and boarded the train. Today was supposed to have been a great day.

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Anna Jane stared at Kats.

“Yeah,” she said. “Do you live on this train?” The dirty-looking man laughed.

“All my afterlife,” he said. Anna Jane’s jaw dropped.

“Wait… are you… Are you dead?” she whispered. The ghost man grinned.

“Why yes,” he said. It was then she noticed that she could see through him.

“Wow… uh… How long have you been dead?” Anna Jane asked. Kats took a moment to think.

“Years now,” he said. Kats looked at the fish swimming by.

“I can never leave this train,” he said. Anna Jane tilted her head.

“Why not?” she asked. The ghost shrugged.

“Don’t know,” he said. “I don’t remember how and when I died.”

“Why is that?”

“I have no idea.”

“Do you want to leave?”

Kat took a minute to think.

“I don’t know,” he said at last. “Where can I go?” Anna Jane shrugged and shook her head. But then, the ghost paused.

“What is it?” Anna Jane asked.

“The train,” Kats said. “It’s in trouble.”

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“Robbers,” he said.

“What? Where?” the child asked.

“You have to hurry,” he said. “They are on the move.”

“Where?” Anna Jane asked.

“Just go!” he shouted. The child nodded and hurried out of the hall.

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Anna Jane got distracted, however. On her way back to her seat, she froze when she saw a familiar face. Logan walked around the rows, looking for something or someone. Anna Jane could see stars in her eyes. Her heart pounded against her chest.

“Logan!” she said. The cowboy looked up.

“Oh, Anna Jane,” he said. “What are you doing here?” The girl stared in a daze. Logan raised his eyebrow.

“Uh… are you okay?” he asked.

“Excuse me,” a voice spoke up. Logan and Anna Jane looked up. A girl about Logan’s age stood inches away from them, blinking. Judging by her long black and purple kimono and golden geta, she was rich. Her black hair and round face were done up like a geisha. Her red purse hung by her side.

“Do you know where the…?” the girl began to ask. Her words trailed off when she saw Logan’s dreamy face.

“Hello!” she said.

“Hi…” Logan said. The princess grabbed him by the arm.

“I’m Vivian,” she said. “They call me a princess. And what’s your name?” The cowboy’s eyes darted around the room.

“Uh… Logan…” he said at last. He began to laugh nervously. Anna Jane glared before clearing her throat. Both looked up at her.

“Oh, and who are you?” Vivian asked. The younger girl snorted.

“Anna Jane!” she hissed. She grabbed Logan by his other arm. The poor cowboy looked confused.

“Uh…” he said. Suddenly, the train stopped.

“Huh?” the trio asked as the lights went out.

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“Nobody move!” the lead coyote bandit yelled. “This is a robbery!”