[ABC ficlet] Cross-Country

[babygray]

An Alphabetized Noisefic: Gundam Wing entry.

Title: Cross-country
Author: babygray
Pairing: None
Warnings: Typos. No beta.
Disclaimer: This is just fanfiction, non-profit and just for fun.
Notes: This is obviously torn out of one of the most unpleasant events of my life that year. It was really bad, but at least I paid for my ticket. Who rides Amtrak anyway...
Word Count: 350
Summary: Quatre 'relaxes' in the lounge car and sees someone there.

This is the last time he’s gonna hitch a free ride with Amtrak. The bastards just love throwing people off their trains. It also didn’t help that he’s been on board almost every single train going down his way, but he’s gonna do it.

He already made it to Albuquerque. Just a few more states to go.

It was hot in Albuquerque. It wasn’t like the heat of New York and Philadelphia. It’s oppressive up in the Northeast, with heavy heat and heavier air. The humidity is so terrible.

It had to be close to 100 degrees on the platform, but it’s nothing like a Northeast heatwave. Up there, it’s muggy. Down here, it’s pure heat.

It’s the feeling one gets when one feels the warmth of an iron raising to one’s fingers. In the case of Albuquerque, the heat falls over the entire body. It reminded him of the deserts of home.

He waited in the shadow of the half-finished station and waited. It may be a few minutes, or a few hours, before the western-bound Chief came, but he’s patient.

As a few peddlers began to show up on the platform, he knew it was almost time.

The train slowly pulled up and the doors opened up for the people. They came from the sleeper cars, the coach cars, the lounge car.

He floated casually out into the crowd, allowing himself to be moved by those around him. He looked at the Indian blankets on sale. He examined the turquoise and silver on display.

He walked into the sightseer car and climbed up into the lounge.

There was only one person in the lounge: a girl with her long hair in a braid. She was paying more attention to the Gameboy in her hand then her fellow tourists outside.

He ran a hand through his blond hair and sat down in a chair some distance from the girl. The lounge car was so cold. If he wasn’t careful, he could fall asleep in there.

Hopefully, he’ll make it as far as Arizona tonight.