The Revolt of the Star Men by Raymond Z. Gallun (best desktop ebook reader .TXT) 📕

rhythm of the train soon returned, and Agatha felt her eye lids being to lower. In her mind she pictured her parents sitting on the back veranda when the storm hit. They would have had to move inside amidst a storm of panic that was swirling within both of them. A change of routine, maybe some of the wrappers had blown away. Whatever was happening at her house, Agatha was sure checking on her was not something either of her parents would have thought of doing.

It was the sound of giggling that made Agatha open her eyes wide and turn her head.

‘Over there, sweetheart, there’s plenty of room over there.’

A tall girl, pushing a large blue and pink bike, with a pink helmet swinging from one of the handlebars, lifted her front wheel onto the train and the rest of the bike followed. She was completely soaked. Coming quickly behind her was a man, also drenched from the rain. They manoeuvred their bikes to the standing space a seat away from Agatha and held onto their bikes with one hand a pole with the other.

The man had his back to Agatha; however, the girl was facing in her direction.

‘That was so much fun, Dad! I like riding in the rain,’ she said, her body swaying with the train, use to its motions.

‘I’m glad we’re on the train though. I’m soaked,’ he responded, chuckling. ‘Great storm, even if we only managed to get half a ride in.’

The girl smiled at her father then looked towards Agatha. ‘Did you get caught in the rain too?’ It took Agatha a moment to realise that she was talking to her. She nodded her reply. The girl’s dad turned to see who his daughter was talking to. When he saw Agatha, sitting there along with her suitcase, he smiled, just like his daughter, ‘I think it caught everyone by surprise.’

Agatha gave a small nod of agreement.

The train slowed again, yet another stop. With the carriage now still, the girl stepped forward, still holding her bike. ‘Which stop are you getting off at?’ she asked Agatha.

‘Sandy Vale.’

‘That’s the same stop as us! Not many more then.’ She smiled again at Agatha, as if they knew each other and there was a pause in the conversation. Agatha had no idea what to say next.

‘I haven’t seen you around before. Do you live in Sandy Vale?’

Agatha didn’t miss the girl’s glance at her suitcase. ‘I’m meeting my aunty, to stay with her for . . . the weekend.’

‘Oh, that’ll be good. It’s fun staying with relatives, that’s if she’s anything like my aunty. What’s your name?’

‘Agatha. Agatha Grace.’

‘I’m Tully. This is my dad, Ed.’ Her dad turned and gave Agatha a small wave and another friendly smile.

‘Well you’re brave. I don’t think I’ve ever been on a train by myself, in fact I know I haven’t. Your parents must trust you.’

‘My parents took me to the station. They have done this trip with me a hundred times. My aunt will be waiting. This is my first time on my own.’ Not everything Agatha said was a lie.

‘I should do that one day, Dad,’ the Tully said to her father.

‘One day,’ he responded.

Finally, as the train started to move Agatha found herself relaxing with its motions and sounds. She felt like she could stay on it forever.

The remining train stops passed quickly and as the train began slow as it approached the next station, Tully and her dad took their helmets from the handlebars and secured them on their heads, using their bodies against the seats of the trains to balance themselves.

‘This is our stop. And yours,’ Tully said, motioning with her head to Agatha’s suitcase. Agatha stood up and stepped towards the door. A sudden jerk of the train carriage sent her toppling forward, caught just in time by Tully’s dad.

‘It’s always a rough entry to this station. You okay?’ He was looking at Agatha with concern.

‘I’m fine. Thanks.’ She pulled her arm away. Agatha’s suitcase had slid towards the door and she grabbed it just before the doors flung open. She scowled at the dirt that had gathered on it and tried without success to brush it away.

Sandy Vale train station was not very large. A platform for trains going into the city and one for those returning was all that it needed. Agatha could smell the sea air as soon as she stepped out of the carriage.

‘I don’t see your aunty here?’ Tully said, scanning up and down the platform.

‘She’ll be waiting out the front. In her car.’ Agatha said.

‘Okay. Nice to meet you, Agatha. Have a great weekend with your aunty.’

Agatha waited until Tully and her dad had wheeled their bikes out through the gates and then followed behind.

The dark clouds that still hovered above and the late hour of the day made the pending night time very real. It seemed easy to leave home in broad daylight.

Agatha walked towards the bus stop. There was no other passenger waiting there, hardly any cars left in the carpark and Agatha just caught a glimpse of Tully’s bike light blinking at her from the other side of the street as she rode off, following her father.

A few drops of rain let Agatha know that the storm had not completely finished. She wiped away the one that had landed on her cheek and looked up at the sky. The stations lights flickered on. For the first time that day, as the darkness crept in, Agatha felt very alone.

More drops fell, faster and heavier. She moved back from the bus stop to a small shelter a few metres away. It was hardly wide enough to stop the swirling raining. Another train had arrived, and this time people ran from the station to their cars. There was no opportunity to ask someone to call Katherine.

Agatha could feel the panic now sitting firmly in her throat. With each passing minute the sense of feeling trapped grew. Somehow, she would need to