***All of the characters in this story are over the age of 18, unless otherwise stated.***
Still trying to catch my breath from the battle and our escape, I lean heavily against a window, the vibration of the train sending tremors through my body. The sound is almost deafening, the metallic roar as the train hums along the track, whizzing through tunnels and across overpasses seems to reflect the feeling of adrenaline and blood pumping through my veins. The others are excited too, but they don't hide it as well as I do. Barret's loud, but then again based on what I've seen so far, he's always loud; celebrating success one minute, shouting his frustration at the world the next. The guy's clearly got issues. The others are talking a mile a minute. They're proud of themselves. It's okay, I guess they earned it.
I slip past a well dressed couple, trying my best to look inconspicuous, which isn't easy when you've got a giant sword strapped to your back. Barret gives me a look as I move past him. I ignore it. I just want to be left alone. I make my way to the back of the train car and find a seat by myself. The blue lights inside the train cast an eerie glow across the faces of the passengers, punctuated by the bright red and yellow lights that stream past the windows in a garish dance of color. It reminds me of something, something at the back of my mind but I can't put my finger on it. I close my eyes and try to shut it all out, try to ignore the worried looks of the other passengers, the scowls from Barret, the lights, the sounds, everything.
After a moment I feel someone sit down beside me. I crack one eyelid open just enough to see that it's the red head, Jessie. She's sitting close, her eyes down. I can tell she's trying to work up the nerve to say something. I close my eyes again and wait. She'll spit it out eventually.
After a minute, I hear her clear her throat, "Cloud, are you-are you awake?"
I consider not answering at first, but she seems like a good kid. "What's up, kid?"
"Hey, I'm not a kid," she said a little too quickly, "I'm nineteen...only a year younger than you."
"Two," I reply matter-of-factly.
At the sound of my voice she shifts in her seat to face me, looking me in the eyes for a brief moment, "I...I just wanted to tell you," she pauses, nervous, "well, it's just that...you were amazing back there." Her eyes are twinkling with the same excitement I can hear trembling in her voice. "I've never see anyone fight like that and the way you jumped onto the train," the hesitation was gone from her voice now. As she talks I study her. She's cute, young but cute. Beneath the layers of patchwork clothes she's petite and slender hipped. Her smile is infectious, though this is the first time I can recall seeing it.
"God, the whole thing was just so daring...I just feel so alive, so on edge," she says touching my leg as if to ask if I understand.
"It's the adrenaline still rushing through your body," I respond casually, noticing that her hand is still on my knee.
"It's so incredible. It makes me want to do something...something dangerous...something..." she's searching for the right word, "something wild." She looks at me again and I can see it in her eyes now, not just the excitement, not just the awe, no... now I can also see the lust. She knows what she wants, even if she's too shy to ask for it.
"It's normal to be excited," I say reassuringly. "It's okay to want to feel alive, to let loose once in awhile. Especially after what we just went through."
She smiles, realizing that I understand. I stand up and nod toward the restroom just past the last row of seats. I can see the nervous anticipation in her eyes before I turn and head away from her. The restroom isn't big but it will do. At least it's clean. Jessie slips in behind me locking the door, her back to me.
I don't hesitate, moving close I press my body against hers forcing her against the door. I hear her gasp, surprised by my aggressiveness, surprised but happy. I lean down and kiss her on the side of her neck, one hand holding her long reddish brown hair aside. I start to un-strap my sword but Jessie stops me, "Leave it on...please." Whatever turns her on, I guess.