The Midnight Train

A Big Turn

A Spin-Off

~The Midnight Train~

*Warning: Characters May Be Completely Different*

“Hey, Deontay! Don’t forget the one in the corner, alright!” a man called as he walked into the restaurants kitchen.

Deontay looked over his shoulder as he cleaned the surface of a round table, “Sure thing, Jeremiah!”

The smell of pizza dough and tomato sauce permeated through the entire restaurant. Flour lightly powdered the wooden floor. At the front of the restaurant were large windows. Four booths were arranged in front accordingly. It was dark outside and the lights of the city in the distance were a sight to look at. In the center of the restaurant were round tables that Deontay was cleaning now. It was closing time and a few of the other boys were doing a few cleaning duties before they left home for the night.

His white shirt had miraculously survived the day. The white apron that he wore had actually done its job today.  However, his black pants had seen better days. An unfortunate accident with a bag of flour saw to that.

Deontay finished his work and headed to the kitchen. He was fifteen years old, just starting high school and already had very good grades. His employer, Jeremiah, was busy cleaning down his cooking equipment. He looked up and smiled at Deontay as he came in.

“Jamal should be coming back soon from taking out the garbage,” Jeremiah pointed to the back door, “When he comes back in, y’all can clock out for the night.”

“Thanks, Jer,” Deontay nodded.

Jeremiah laughed, “Why? You tired?”

Deontay shrugged, “Little, I guess.”

“By the way, you know what college you want to go to yet?” Jeremiah asked.

“How am I supposed to know?” Deontay responded, “I just started high school.”

“You got to think about these things though,” Jeremiah shook a fingered.

The back door opened and Jeremiah turned to see who it was. He smiled as Jamal walked into the kitchen.

“That all you need, Jer?” Jamal asked.

“Naw, ya’ll can get outta here,” Jeremiah shooed them away.

The two friends ran out the back, repeatedly thanking their friend and mentor on the way out. They walked out into the alley. Police sirens filled the air daily in this part of Chicago. The nights always seemed darker and the days weren’t so much better. Gangs ran most of the neighborhood causing trouble for anyone nearby. There were two ways to survive; join a gang or get out of the neighborhood entirely.

Jeremiah’s Pizza Restaurant was the beacon of light for kids in the area. It gave them something to do and put some honest money in their pockets. Jeremiah was a pillar in the community and cared very much for the wellbeing of the kids in the neighborhood. He would help get kids out of these dangerous streets so they would have a better chance at life.

A rumble of thunder, echoed in the night sky. A storm was coming soon as the wind started to pick up.

Both boys, Deontay and Jamal walked side by side down the streets. Jamal, a lighter skinned boy with a buzz cut punched Deontay’s arm lightly.

“Man! Jeremiah worked us to the bone tonight!” he laughed.

Deontay nodded, “You got that right. He always seems to find something else for us to do.”

“Did you see Prudence behind the counter to day?” Jamal asked.

“Yeah, what about her?”

“She is so fine, man! She even said ‘Hi’ to me today! I think she likes me,” Jamal walked with his chest out and proud.

Deontay raised an eyebrow at his friend, “Really? She could be just being nice, man.”

“Naw! She never talks to me, dude! This was the first time she actually noticed me!”

“She noticed you when you slipped on the wet floor three weeks ago,” Deontay smiled, “As I recall, she rolled her eyes at you and walked away.”

“I told you we were going to forget that,” Jamal gave Deontay a serious look.

Deontay raised his hands in retreat from the topic, “Not another word.”

They reached Jamal’s home. Jamal and Deontay went their separate ways. Deontay’s apartment was just a block away. Either way, Deontay jogged the rest of the way home. Rain started falling as he reached the gated door that protected the building of apartments. Deontay brought out his key and opened the door. He made sure to lock it again before walking up the stairs.

Deontay reached his apartment and opened the door with his house key. His sister was crying in her room as he walked in. His mother exited his sister’s room. The woman sighed out of exhaustion and looked back in the room.

“You have a good day, Deontay?” his mother asked.

Deontay nodded and glanced in his sister’s room, “Is she alright?”

“I think she got an ear infection,” his mother sighed. She walked down the short hallway to the bathroom, “What can you use for an ear infection?”

Deontay shrugged, “Decongestant? It could help get some of the fluids out.”

His mother rummaged through the medicine cabinet. She shrugged her shoulders and sighed.

“We don’t have anything like that.”

Deontay pointed to the door, “I could go get something at the corner store.”

His mother looked at him, “Could you? That would save me the trouble. Make sure you bring something to cover your head. It’s raining outside. There’s twenty dollars in my purse.”

Deontay nodded and found the money. He threw on a hooded sweat shirt and walked out of the apartment. The rain was coming down now as Deontay ran to the corner gas station. He entered just as a clap thunder rocked through the sky.

The store was empty for the most part. There were one or two other shoppers in the store and one cashier that probably lost a bet. Deontay walked around the isles looking for the medicine he needed.

He was browsing the isle when a group of teens walked in. Deontay looked up from a box he was reading and froze. The boy that led his group of friends pulled out a gun on the cashier. He demanded that the cashier empty the cash register. The others ran around the store, sweeping items in the bags they brought with them. All the teens wore masks. Once they got what they wanted they started to get out of the store.

“Hey,” Deontay called before he could stop himself.

“Don’t be a hero, man!” the boy called as he ran out.

Deontay ran after the group. He ran down the street in the pouring rain and darted down an alley. There was a loud pop. Confused, Deontay looked down at his chest. He suddenly felt lightheaded and fell against the alley wall. Deontay found it hard to breathe, quickly noticing it was getting harder and harder to take in air. He faded into darkness listening to the patter of the rain.

IOIOIOIOI

Deontay sat on the back steps behind Jeremiah’s Pizza Restaurant. He was on his break and had chosen to spend it alone. The door behind him opened and Jamal came out onto the steps and sat beside him.

“Where you been, man?” Jamal asked.

Deontay looked at him, “I’ve been out here.”

“I know, but you haven’t been here. Know what I mean? Is this about you being different and all? Cause I think what you can do is pretty awesome.”

“Kind of,” Deontay shrugged, “I got this letter in the mail a few days ago from this guy named Sirius inviting me to some place.”

“That’s not at all creepy…” Jamal raised an eyebrow.

“No, it’s not like that!” Deontay shoved Jamal. Still unknowing of his strength, Jamal was pushed off the steps.

“Ow!” Jamal rubbed his shoulder.

“Sorry,” Deontay smiled, “Still getting the hang of it.”

“So is this guy going to help you control this new thing you got here?” Jamal asked.

“I guess,” Deontay tried to think a moment, “It looked more like an invitation. It said that if I did consider going, all I would need to do is bring the invitation to any subway or train station by midnight.”

“You have the letter?”

Deontay reached into his pocket. The letter was a little bent but the gold lettering was still brilliantly clear. Jamal read the note and nodded.

“I think you should do it. What does you mom think?”

“She’s all for it if I want to.”

“Then what’s holding you back, man?! You should get outta here! There are more opportunities for you there than here.”

“What about you?”

“What about me? I’ll be alright. I’ll get outta here my own way. You don’t gotta worry about me.”

IOIOIOIOI

Jamal smiled at Deontay as he walked out of the apartment. Deontay had a single suitcase that carried his necessities.

“They aren’t coming?” Jamal asked as Deontay locked the apartment door.

“I spoke to mom before I left. My sister was sleeping and I didn’t want to wake her up.”

“Shall we go?”

Deontay nodded. It was around eleven-thirty as the boys ran to the nearest subway. Together they walked down the stairs and purchased tickets. Upon looking at the schedule, Deontay noticed that there were no midnight trains. Still, they sat and waited.

“I’ll keep an eye on your sister, kay?” Jamal stated, “She needs to get outta here too.”

“Thanks,” Deontay smiled, “You be sure to tell me how she doing.”

“How?”

“I don’t know,” Deontay shrugged, “I’ll figure it out when I get there.”

It was nearing midnight and the boys stood up and waited tor the train that was supposedly supposed to come. The last train left nearly thirty minutes ago. It was strangely quiet. Jamal tapped his shoulder and pointed at the clock. The clock was frozen at midnight. Looking around it looked as if time had stopped. The few people that were there were didn’t move at all.

Down in the tunnel was a bright light and a train horn sounded the arrival of the subway. The train sped past but was slowing down. Sand scattered from the top of the train followed by blocks of snow. Tropical leaves slid off onto the ground. It was as if the train had been through all the corners of the earth in an hour. Deontay stepped back in order to avoid being hit by the flying debris. For brief moments he saw labels over the cars showing different countries flags.

The train slowed to a stop. Three cars lined the platform all labeled with the American flag and one of the doors opened. A man in a blue uniform stepped out. He looked down at a clip board and flipped through a few pages.

“Deontay Walsh, I assume?” the man said looking up, “Your letter please.”

Deontay reached into his pocket for the letter. He looked at it for a few moments then looked up at Jamal.

“If I’m getting outta here, you got to promise me that you will get out to, alright,” Deontay said to his friend with all seriousness.

Jamal nodded, “I will, man. Promise.”

Deontay hugged his friend before walking toward the subway train. He handed his letter out to the man who looked it over. Deontay looked over his shoulder at his friend and nodded.

“Promise is a promise,” Deontay smiled, “Keep me posted.”

The man stamped the letter and handed it back to Deontay. He walked across the threshold and the doors closed after him. The train started its departure. The man announced that their next destination was New York. Deontay looked out the door. Jamal ran across the platform waving his arms like crazy with a big goofy smile on his face. Deontay couldn’t help but smile. For a moment, he thought he saw his mother carrying his sister in her arms. Then they were all lost from his sight.

The train was engulfed in a flash of light. Outside the windows was a strange nebulous atmosphere. Deontay took a startled step back.

“It’s alright,” the man stated with a smile, “We’re just passing through a portal through space and time. We’ll be in New York at midnight. We have a few more stops before our final destination.”

Deontay didn’t understand completely but the past few weeks had thought him that there were things completely out of his control. He looked around for a seat and saw a girl of African American descent sitting alone in a booth. He sat across from her. The girl didn’t give him as much as a glance. She just stared out the window, her arms crossed across her chest.

“Hey,” Deontay tried to appear friendly, “Names Deontay.”

“I didn’t ask,” the girl responded.

“Just thought—”

“You thought wrong.”

“Where you from?”

“None of your business.”

“You like chocolate chip cookies?”

The girl looked at him. Deontay reached into his bag and brought out a container of cookies. He took a bite in one and offered her one from the box. She took one and nibbled on it.

“Zara,” she muttered.

“Nice to meet you,” Deontay offered his hand for Zara to shake. She simply glared at him and he put down his hand.

The train came out of the dimension and into another subway station. The people outside were frozen except for a few nervous looking kids carrying their letters. The train stopped at their cabin door opened. The man walked out and called their names.

“He’s an android,” the girl stated.

Deontay looked at her, “Really, like a robot? How can you tell?”

The girl rolled her eyes, “How does he know our names?”

“Lucky guesses?” Deontay shrugged.

The girl sighed and looked out the window again. Deontay had the feeling that she was losing interest. He had to say something smart soon or even chocolate cookies weren’t going to fix it.

“Where do you think we’re going?” Deontay asked.

She gave him a side glance, “How am I supposed to know?”

“Just thought you have some thoughts.”

She shrugged, “A place that doesn’t exist.”

The man announced that they were now going to a place called the Island. The train went through a dimension and exited again. They were high above an enormous city. The rail curved passed an enormous tower, the tallest structure for miles. It was enormous, unlike anything Deontay had ever seen. It light up like a Christmas tree. The offices light were on and bright. Everyone in the car stood up and gathered by the windows.

Their view was cut off as they entered a tunnel. The train came to a full stop and the doors opened. The man instructed them to continue directly forward. A woman would direct them with what to do if we formed a single file line. Just follow the American flags if they were to ever get lost. At first no one moved. Then after sighing loudly and rolling her eyes, Zara stood up and walked off the train. Deontay hurriedly followed her.

She spoke with the lady behind the desk under a large American flag. As she did, Deontay looked around. He heard all sorts of languages being spoken and saw all sorts of flags that he had never saw or heard of before. Soon it was his turn.

“Name please,” the woman said with a smile on her face.

“Deontay Walsh,” Deontay said.

“Welcome to the Island, Deontay,” she said as she typed on the keyboard while looking at him, “We hope you enjoy your time here whether you decide to stay or visit! Either way, it looks like here you will be learning to control your new abilities!”

“I guess.”

“That sounds great! We have great schools here to help you with just that! The Tower, I’m sure you saw it coming in, has provided an apartment for you free of charge! Isn’t that great! Here you go!”

She handed him a set of keys and a credit card, “You can spend $5,000 a month from that card, okay? That should keep you comfortable during your stay here!”

“Who’s money is this?” Deontay was shocked that, by the sheer number of people here, someone could afford to hand out $5,000 dollars a month.

“The Towers, but don’t worry about it, okay! Do you have any other questions?”

“Can I write my family?” Deontay asked.

“Of course! Silly me,” she handed him an envelope, “this is the Islands address! Simply put that and your name and apartment address on the return address!”

The address wasn’t like anything Deontay had seen on and envelope before. It was just a string of numbers and letters.

“Why is the address like that?”

“Oh, don’t worry about it!” was the response, “I assure you the letter will get to where it needs to go and back! Any other questions?”

“No,” truth was that he had about a zillion more.

“Okay! Then just go down those stairs and a Taxi will get you to your new home away from home!”

Deontay did as he was instructed. He walked down the stairs and walked out into the cold open air. A driver opened the door for him and he sat inside. Beside him was the girl he had met on the train. The driver asked for his name and he gave it. His new address popped up on the screen. Once the Taxi was full, they were off. Deontay never took his eyes off the tower as they drove all over the Island. Whoever the Tower was, they had given him a way out of a bad situation. He was in a way indebted to them, even if it was mostly a personal sense. There had to be a way to repay them in the future.