I carefully walked onto the train knowing that what I was doing was crazy. You know how you feel that emotion of anger and nothing matters in that second and then once the emotion passes you realize how stupid you acted? Yea I kinda felt like that except now I just felt sad.

There were no seats on the train. I guess everyone was running away. I moved to the very last car and took a seat in an empty row.

Sucks being the middle child.

I heard the whistle for the train and just as the doors closed a rich looking kid got on. He peered over the seat and made eye contact with me.

I looked away. But it was too late he came and sat next to me. I tried not to make eye contact but he started talking to me anyway.

“So where you headed?”

“Where do you think” I replied not wanting to have a conversation when I felt like this.

“HA. Well I’m headed to the same place” He seemed sarcastic and I didn’t like this kid’s attitude. I felt my anger level rise. I didn’t answer him.

“You look pissed” He just kept talking. “What happened did your girlfriend dump you?”

I had to laugh at that one. “No actually just going on a long journey. I’m tired”

“Oh yea. Are you going home or to stay with friends?”

“Well, I’m going to start a new life for myself. To be independent. Live by myself. Make my own way.”

“Is that so kid? Well I’ve been on my own since I can remember and let me tell you- it sucks!”

“Does it? Well it’s better than not being noticed in your own family” I felt a tear threatening to come down the side of my face. The guy just laughed at this. That **** LAUGHED!

“I’m an orphan and so no one has noticed me my whole life. I’ve been independent all my life and let me just say. I hate it. I’d love to have a family. Mom’s home cooked meal. People to spend Thanksgiving, July 4^th, and Christmas with. My parents where killed because of their addiction. They were junkies and they owed some dealer a lot of money. He came in one night and popped ‘em. I don’t remember I was too young. But anyway I ran away from foster care and I’ve been surviving for 17 years.”

“HEY BUDDY!” I snapped. “If you’re an orphan and you had all this tragic stuff happen why are you wearing such nice clothes? Why do you look fed and well rested? Why are you so happy?” I yelled at him. Who did this kid think he was?

“ Ha son! Chill. My name is Vic.”

“I’m Alex."

“I will tell you that you stick with me you can definitely make it on your own. I don’t offer this to just anyone. But your different I can tell you can survive. I’m going to get some sleep. I suggest you do the same. When we get off this train…” He laughed “…o boy. When we get to work!”

My stomach turned itself in knots. What was this kid talking about?