Chapter 7 - The Midnight Train
The rusted corrugated iron of the Raven’s Creek railway station loomed like a jagged skeleton against the moonlight. The old industrial freight line hadn't carried passengers in decades, but once a week, a heavy coal-and-ore carrier rumbled down from the northern mines straight toward the capital district.
And tonight was the night.
Clara and Roman crouched behind a stack of rotting wooden pallets just as the deep, mournful groan of a steam engine echoed down the tracks. A massive, black locomotive huffed into the station, spraying plumes of white steam into the freezing air as it ground to a halt to take on water.
"This is our chance," Clara whispered, scanning the platform. "The caboose is locked, but the flatbed carrying timber has a tarp we can slip under."
They darted forward from the shadows, moving with silent, desperate precision. Clara scrambled up the metal ladder of the flatbed first, holding out a hand to help Roman up. Despite his strength, the bitter cold had stiffened his muscles, and he climbed aboard with a sharp hiss of pain.
They tucked themselves tightly beneath a heavy canvas tarp stacked between two massive bundles of raw pine lumber just as the engine gave a sharp jolt.
Clank-clink.
The train lurched forward, slowly gaining momentum as it rattled out of the station and headed south toward the heart of the empire.
Lying side by side beneath the canvas, hidden from the biting wind, Clara finally allowed herself to exhale. Her body ached with exhaustion, every muscle screaming for rest.
"You're shaking," Roman said quietly in the dark.
Before she could answer, Roman shifted closer, sliding his heavy wool blanket over her shoulders, sharing his body heat. Despite the freezing air around them, his skin radiated a deep, natural warmth that chased the chill away.
"Why didn't you run away?" Clara asked softly, staring into the darkness toward where his face was silhouetted. "When you broke free... you could have just vanished into the wilderness. Why risk everything to go back and fight Victor?"
Roman was quiet for a long moment. Then, his hand reached out, gently brushing a stray lock of hair from her cheek. His thumb traced her jawline with incredible tenderness.
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"Because for six months, in the dark, chained to that tree, I only had one thought keeping me alive," Roman whispered, his crystalline eyes shining in the dim light. "Finding the person who was destined
to break my chains. I didn't survive just to run, Clara. I survived to take back what’s mine."
