Chapter 1 - It Takes a Train to Cry
“Well, I've been up all night, leaning on the windowsill. Well, if I die on top of the hill...”
- It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry, Bob Dylan
Amethyst stared out the window of the train, out into the night. The train was coming around the side of the hill, and he could see the lights of the city far below, gleaming up at them like a landing strip of sorts. The trees on the hillside whipped by. Amethyst looked back and saw them sway quickly from the wind created by the fast-moving train.
Turning away from the window, he saw his mother and father asleep to his left. They had their heads together, and they breathed in and out peacefully. Amethyst smiled. Adults never seem to be able to stay awake at night...I'm glad I'm still young, he thought to himself, I love to experience the night. He turned and looked back out the window. The train was a lot closer to the city now, and the buildings were close enough to make out, illuminated by the city lights. A few minutes more and they would be there.
He adjusted the focus of his eyes and looked at his faint reflection in the window. His shoulder-length black hair seemed to blend in with the night. His face, thin and vibrant, looked quizzically back at him. His reflection always seemed to have a mind of its own. He reached out towards his reflection, and it reached out to him. He noticed that the train was slowing down. They were coming into the station. Amethyst turned and prodded his mother and father.
“Come on you two. Time to wake up. We're here.” he said. They both yawned and shook their heads sleepily. “Come on!” nudged Amethyst. Reluctantly, they opened their eyes.
“Okay, Amethyst, calm down. No need to hurry.” said his mother.
“We know you're both anxious and excited about this new town.” said his father. “But let's try to keep ourselves subdued, okay?”
“Just get up. Everyone else has their luggage already in hand.” commanded Amethyst, pushing a bang out of his eyes. His mother and father stood up and reached up to grab their bags from the overhead storage. Each of them had their own luggage bag which had most of their essentials. The rest of their stuff would be shipped to them later. Amethyst grabbed his bag from his father. He had gone through his clothing and personal items and chosen things that were relatively light, which made his luggage bag quite easy to carry.
“You wanna switch bags?” asked his father. Amethyst just laughed and shook his head.
“Nice try, pops. You said everyone carries their own bag. This one is mine, and I'm carrying it.”
“I wish I knew how you made it so light.”
“What can I say? I know the way of the luggage. I am one with packing, I am one with the bag.” said Amethyst with a wry grin. His father chuckled. His mother just shook her head. They were at the back of the train, and so they had to wait for those in front of them to move out. They walked to the front, bidding farewell to the conductor who stood by the door. They stepped off the train and into the train station.
It was quite busy, despite the time of night. Must because the train just came in, thought Amethyst. He stood with his parents, turning this way and that. As he gazed about, Amethyst finally saw a dark-skinned man standing holding a sign. It said: Morrison + Crane.
“There he is!” shouted Amethyst, pointing towards the man. They walked towards the man. He saw them and smiled warmly. He put his sign away as they approached. When they stood before him, he stuck out his hand and shook hands with each of them.
“The Morrison's, I presume.” he said to them.
“And Crane.” added Amethyst.
“Ah yes, my mistake. And Crane. The sign did say that.” he said, rather embarrassed. He composed himself and continued. “My name is Nigel Putnam. Welcome to India.” He said with a smile.
“Thank you. It's nice to be here.” said Daniel Morrison.
“It's nice and hot.” commented Amethyst.
“Rather muggy.” commented Sheila Morrison.
“Well, that's the way it is here in India, ma'am.” replied Nigel. “You'll get used to it soon enough.”
“I sure hope so.” she commented. “Lead on, Nigel, we're tired and eager to get to our new residence.”
“Right, come this way.” Nigel motioned them to follow him. He lead them through the turnstiles and out towards the station's entrance. He summoned the valet and gave him the ticket. The valet quickly ran off. He returned a minute later with a black BMW. The valet opened the trunk and they put their luggage in the back. He stepped out and opened the car doors for them. Nigel handed the boy a nice tip. The valet smiled and nodded appreciatively at him. Nigel left the station, driving onto the on-ramp.
Amethyst was again confronted by his reflection, this time in the car window. It winked at him. He looked past it at the skyscrapers and business buildings that they drove by. It was late, and there was no traffic to be seen. Don't let it fool you, thought Amethyst, every highway is bad for traffic. Nigel talked to them as he drove, but Amethyst wasn't paying attention. The words drifted aimlessly in the vehicle, not entering his ears. One part of the highway went by the marshland. He looked out at it.
Standing there, flapping their great white wings, were a few Sarus cranes. Amethyst was awed by the sight of it. He made out the red spot on their foreheads that gave them their distinctive look. As he saw them frolic in the water, he felt a tug on his heart. They were so beautiful, so enchanting, that he felt a connection to them. They soon faded away as they drove on
“I'll shall see you soon.” he said out loud. His mom, sitting beside him, turned to him.
“Who are you talking to?” she asked.
“Uh, the Sarus cranes I saw back there, in the marshland.” he replied sheepishly.
“Ah, you saw them then?” asked Nigel. “Yes, they are a wonderful bird, a pride of India. We do our best to protect them. Occasionally some stupid people try to hurt them, though. Thoughtless hunters, often foolish teenagers, go out with guns to shoot them for fun. Most of them don't get a chance, since they are caught by the conservation officers, who guard the Sarus cranes fiercely.” Nigel got onto the off-ramp. “But they get a crane now and then.” he said sadly. Amethyst stiffened uncomfortably at the thought. He pictured a crane getting shot. The mental picture made him hurt inside.
“I'd love to teach those idiots a thing or to myself.” said Amethyst, filled with rage. “Amethyst Crane, protector of the cranes. A funny coincidence, isn't it?”
“Now that you mention it, it is.” laughed Nigel. He pulled up out front of a tall apartment building. “Here we are, folks, your new residence.” As they stepped out of the BMW, Nigel popped the trunk, and they each grabbed their bags.
“Hey, you've got my bag!” said Amethyst to his father. His father just laughed and ran on ahead. Amethyst chased after him, hauling his father's heavy bag. Sheila and Nigel stood there laughing before following them inside.
Amethyst and Daniel stood in the lobby, talking to the lady at the desk. They shook hands with her. Sheila went over and met her as well. The lady and her husband ran the apartment building. The landlady, Sukhminder, handed them each an apartment key. Nigel walked up to them.
“Well, it was nice meeting you, Morrison's and Crane.” he said, remembering Amethyst. “I guess I shall see you at work tomorrow, Mr. Morrison.”
“Yes, you shall. Now, my family and I are going to get some serious sleep. We've got work tomorrow, and Amethyst has his first day at a new school.” replied Daniel. He shook hands with Nigel. “Have a good evening.”
“You too, sir.” said Nigel. With that, he was off.
Sheila, Daniel, and Amethyst went over to the elevator. Their apartment was on the 8th floor. Daniel pressed the button and the door opened. He pressed the button for the 8th floor and the elevator zoomed up the seven floors. They stepped out into the hallway, carrying their bags with them.
Daniel stopped in front of apartment 809. He turned his key in the lock, and the door unlocked with an audible click. He opened the door and stepped wearily inside. Sheila and Amethyst followed. They looked around the apartment at all the different rooms. It didn't take them long to decide who got which bedroom. Sheila and Daniel took the room that had the King Size bed, which was obviously the master bedroom. Amethyst stepped into his room and fell back onto his Double mattress. Despite his teenage energy and nighthawk ways, he grew tired almost instantly. He heard no sounds of unpacking from the other room. His parents weren't going to unpack tonight, and neither was he. He lifted his head and glanced over at his luggage bag.
“I'll see you in the morning.” he said, and then he lay his head back down on the bed. He fell asleep rather quickly and had wonderful dreams about flying and frolicking with the Sarus cranes.
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Submission Name: Story of Amethyst, Ch.1
