Chapter 4
Missing Children
The train travelled through another dark portal as we approached the Independence holiday world.
The darkness of the tunnel soon faded away and the new light revealed a new world.
When the train left the tunnel it began to gradually come to a stop.
Jack gazed out of the left cabin window.
“Amazing.” He gasped.
“It’s the London Tube!” Said Benjamin.
“Well, if it’s an American holiday then it’s not a tube, Benjamin. It’s a Subway.” Said Benny Bear.
I secured the brakes of the train and switched off the engine. To switch off the power we needed to go to the outside of the train.
I reached for the door release and triggered the door system. Every door on the left side of the train opened simultaneously.
“Wheeeee!” Benjamin ran outside.
“Benjamin!” Jack snatched hold of his hand. “Benjamin, don’t go running off. This is a new place and it could be dangerous.”
“But I’m inwincible.” Benjamin replied.
“You still need to learn how to behave.” Said Benny Bear. “And the only way to do that is to listen to your friends.”
“Ok,” Said Benjamin. “I’ll wisten.”
“Hey, Jack.” I began as I stepped out of the train. “Don’t you think this place looks like it’s in a little state of disrepair?”
Upon hearing my words, Jack began to stare around the subway station as I was doing.
The plaster on the walls were peeling off, and so was the paint. The exits that led to the stairs were boarded up. The seats were rusty and some were broken. The over head monitors that should tell you what trains were due were smashed. And most significantly, the place was deserted.
“Hello?” Jack called out. “Hello?!”
“What do you think we should do? Or where we should go?” Asked Benny Bear.
“Well, the sign above that hallway says ‘exit’. But that hallway is full of wreckage.” Said Sarmoo.
“Then well just have to make our way through it.” I suggested.
“But just to make sure we’re safe, could someone taller than Benjamin carry me? Just so I don’t get scratched or torn.” Asked Benny Bear. “I don’t want Benjamin to get hurt if I do.”
“I’ll do it.” Said Jack, as he lifted Benny Bear off the floor.
“Whoa…!” Benny Bear cried.
“Whee!” Benjamin felt the same thing that Benny Bear did.
So, Jack led the way through the wreckage while carrying Benny Bear and myself and Sarmoo helped Benjamin climb over the obstacles that blocked our path.
As we left the platform with the train the light grew dimmer. The light was only on in the platform area. There wasn’t one where we were heading.
“Hey, is it just me or is it getting dark in here?” Said Benny Bear.
“No, it’s getting darker, alright.” Said Jack. “I think the lights might have been smashed.”
“Then how are we going to see?” Said Benjamin.
But then, the lights suddenly snapped on.
#SHWAM!!!# (The light’s snapped on).
But as soon as they did, the room revealed and what was in it stunned us all. (Not in a good way or a bad way).
“OOOOOOOooooooh…” Benjamin sighed in fascination.
“What the hell is all this!?!” I exclaimed.
We found ourselves in what looked like the waiting hall. It was grand looking, apart from the disrepair. But you see, the thing was…
It was covered with posters all over the walls.
And these weren’t posters advertising some Russian circus, they were white A4 sheet and they all had the same thing on them all. (And when I say that they were all over the wall, there was barely a single blank space)!
Jack, still carrying Benny Bear, wandered to the pillar closest to us.
Benjamin let go of my hand and slowly followed.
Jack gazed at one of the posters. There was no picture, just writing.
Benny Bear read the words upon it as Jack did so too.
“Oh my gosh.” He said.
“What is it Benny Bear?” Benjamin wandered up to Jack.
Jack pulled one of the posters off the wall.
“Let me wead! Let me wead!” Benjamin jumped up at the piece of paper in Jack’s hand.
“Hang on there, little fella. You can’t read.” Said Jack.
“Read it TO me. Read it to Emma and Sarmoo too.”
Jack cleared his throat.
“‘Missing children: Have you seen these eight children? Emma Donnahue, Alex Scarr, Anastasia Rose, Mathew Cartwright, Sarmoo Okoro, Benjamin O’Brien, Ramona Lorenzo. If you find any child with any of these eight names please contact the Independence Convention Centre reception.’.”
“You mean our names are on that poster!?!” I ran to Jack in my astonishment.
I snatched the paper out of his hand and read it myself.
“That’s strange.” Sarmoo began as he read the paper with me. “Why doesn’t it mention Devashree and Dasharath?”
“Are they two of your friends?” Said Jack.
“Yes, they are Indian Hindus. Telepathic twins. Thus their abilities are telepathic and psychic.” Sarmoo explained.
“I’ll bet they’re here.” Said Emma.
“Devie and Dashy are here, Emma?” Said Benjamin.
“Yeah. ‘Cause they must have posted this missing poster. That’s why their name’s aren’t on it.”
“At least is sound’s like they’re ok.” Said Benny Bear.
“Well then, looks like we’d better get down to the Independence Convention Centre, right away.” Said Jack. “After all, we HAVE found you Sarmoo and Benjamin. Right, Emma?…”
But then…
#Clop#
#Clop#
#Clop#
We heard foot steps.
Me and Jack both stood in front of Benjamin and Sarmoo and pushed them behind us.
“Where has you lot have come from?” Said a male voice.
I didn’t answer but I asked my own question.
“Who are you?” I asked.
A man dressed in dirty, old ragged clothes came out from behind one of the pillars.
He looked like a homeless guy.
“Is you some of the children of light?” He asked as he came walking towards us.
I stomped forward.
“Who the heck are you!?”
“Please, I is meaning you no harm.” He slightly flinched, (and spoke a little funny). “My name is Maxi. Mr Maxi.”
But he then gasped when he saw Jack.
“Hah!!!” He gasped. “You…you must be Jack Skellington!”
“How do you know me name?” Jack puzzled in slight shock.
“My two new best friends has told me.” Mr Maxi replied.
“Who?” Asked Sarmoo.
“The telepathic twins. Devashree and Dasharath Kapur.”
I then gasped.
“You know them!?” I rushed up to them. “Where are they? Are they ok?”
“Please calm down. You is scaring me! They is fine. They is fine.”
“Hey, Mr Maxi,” Benny Bear began. “Err, where’s this here, ‘Independence Convention Centre’?”
“Oh, that be the President’s office scraper. That be where I first bringed the telepathic twins.”
“Err, don’t you mean ‘brought’ instead of ‘bringed’?” Sarmoo corrected.
“Sorry, my talking isn’t very posh. I has never been to school.” Mr Maxi explained.
“Sorry to here that, Mr. I’ve never been to school either. I was born in a poor country called Kenya.” Sarmoo sympathized
“Hey, Sarmoo.” I began. “What do you mean ‘sorry to hear that’? I wish I’d never been to school. It sucks!”
“Young lady, you has no idea how lucky you is.” Said Mr Maxi.
“I’ve never been to school either.” Said Benjamin.
“That’s because you’re only four.” Said Benny Bear.
“Can we quit talking already!” Emma yelled. “We need to get to Devie and Dashy!”
“Right you is!”
“‘Are’!”
“Never mind. Follow me!”
