By the looks of things, more people want a Doctor Who/Celtic Thunder crossover than just me. Eh. I might try that, someday. : )
But for now, more Train to Eden!! : D
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"What are you doing?" Cameron asked, looking over my shoulder at the sheet of paper I was writing on.
"Planning," I answered simply, scribbling down a few more words.
"Planning
what, I mean," Cameron clarified.
I looked up at him from my position on the floor. "I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to learn that man's name."
"The one from this morning? What's there to figure out? Can't you just ask him?" Cameron sat down next to me.
I shook my head. "I don't feel like he'd tell me. He seems nervous about it. About everything, actually."
"Then get a telepath to find out for you," Cameron suggested.
"I did. Paul, one of the guys I eat with, he tried," I said. "But he didn't get anything. Just static."
"Static?" Cameron raised an eyebrow. "That can happen?"
I shrugged. "Apparently."
"Wow," Cameron said. "Hey, wait. I've got an idea."
"Do you?" I asked.
"Yeah! I know a guy- I met him the other day. He's an omniscient," Cameron replied.
"An omniscient?" I repeated.
"Yup," Cameron nodded. "He knows everything. Like, literally everything. He'd know your blood type if you asked him. It's some crazy stuff."
"Can you introduce me?"
"'Course I can!" Cameron got to his feet, helping me up as well. "Right this way, sir!"
With that, he lead me out of the room.
"...And
that's why we need to know his name."
Cameron had taken me to one of the several coach cars, where he'd introduced me to George, a middle-aged man who happened to be an omniscient.
I'd explained our predicament to George, who in turn gave us an expression that was somehow a combination of both amusement, and disapproval.
"That's a bit of an invasion of privacy, innit lads?"
"It's just a name, though," Cameron said. "We don't need a life story, just- Just a name."
"Please, sir," I begged. "It's all we want to know. Just a name, and that'll be it. We swear."
"Well, I suppose a name is just a name," George thought for a moment. "He's called Neil. But that's all I'm sayin'. No surnames for ye."
Cameron and I smiled at each other, and high-fived. We thanked George before waving 'goodbye', and heading back to our room.
"That was surprisingly easy," I said as Cameron and I entered our room, sliding the door shut behind us. "Easy, and a bit anti-climactic."
"Meh. I mean, you got what you were looking for," Cameron replied.
"True, but I was hoping it would be an adventure," I sighed. "My own little story to tell, you know?
"I get what you're saying, yeah," Cameron nodded. "But still, I-"
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in," I called.
The door slid open, and a man walked in. Much to my disappointment, it wasn't Neil.
It was, however, a friend of his; Keith.
"Can I talk to you two?" He asked.
"Sure," I said. "What about?"
"A friend of mine. Lives in the next room with me," Keith replied.
"Neil?" Cameron asked.
Keith paused, eying Cameron.
"Yeah," He said. "Him."
Cameron and I glanced at each other, unsure of how the conversation would pan out.
"Evidently, you know his name. How?" Keith asked.
"We were told," I answered. "Why?"
"He doesn't want people knowing his name," Keith said. "He doesn't tell people his own name if he doesn't trust them, and it takes
years to gain that man's trust."
"How come?" Cameron asked.
"I don't know," Keith sighed. "I just know he's not happy. He's aware that someone told you his name. Don't ask me how, 'cos I haven't the faintest idea. He just knows those kinds of things. He's not gonna leave it alone, either."
"What d'you mean?" Cameron gulped.
All went sullen.
"Bad things happen when strangers learn his name," Keith said. "It's like a curse."
"What, you mean all the lights turn off, and suddenly there's a murderer on the train? Something like that?" I asked.
Keith rolled his eyes.
"No, it's not horror film stuff! Just- Just watch yourself, all right?"
Keith had disappeared out the door before either of us could respond.
"Where's Paul?" Daniel asked at dinner.
"He's back in our room," Ryan replied. "Said he had a headache. Which is understandable, as much as he's been trying to read that nameless fellow's thoughts all day. Speaking of, Damian, did you get a name, yet?"
"I did," I nodded. "But- But I don't think I'm at liberty to tell you what it is."
"Why not?" Ryan asked.
I recalled the conversation between Keith, Cameron and I- making sure not to let Neil's name slip.
"Ooh," Ryan said. "Cryptic."
"But what did he mean by 'curse'?" Daniel was audibly frightened.
"I don't know," I bit my lip. "To be honest, I'm a bit worried, too. It could be
anything. I mean, there weren't any specifications."
This only seemed to scare Daniel more.
"What if the train breaks down, or something? Or what if someone
dies? Or what if-!"
"'Ey, shush," Ryan hissed. "Nothing's gonna happen. Relax. 'Sides, even if we
were in danger, you can't stop a
curse. Might as well face death, right?" He shrugged.
Daniel's eyes widened.
"Ryan, you're not helping," I glared at him. He brought his hands up in defense.
"I'm just sayin'. If anyone dies, they've still got me to talk to."
"And if
you die...?" I raised an eyebrow.
Ryan remained silent.
"Right," I said. "Now, the best we can do is just... Just forget, I suppose. We won't speak
his name. We ignore that anything ever happened, and move on. Hopefully, that'll help. Deal?"
Daniel nodded.
"Deal!"
"A'right. Deal," Ryan shrugged.
I can't say I'm any less frightened that Daniel is. I don't know what's coming. I'm completely oblivious as to what's coming, and the way things sound, I don't think even a clairvoyant would know.
All in all, we're going to have to face the future blindly.
We're on our own.
Damian McGinty