Chapter 1

t's dark, very dark. The sound of a guitar plays, and a spotlight brights up the darkness. There's a white dog sitting on a stool, playing the guitar. Just plucking away at strings, the same few notes repeating. He eventually looks up at me, saying, "So, you've decided to move out? Get your own place? See the world? That's groovy. Who needs someone telling you what to do all the time. You can do what you want, when you want, where you want. Yeah, living on your own, being free. It feels great. …But living by yourself can be a real drag too. Still, if you've got some real tight friends somewhere nearby, then you know it'll all work out. Yeah man. Friends are far out. …Oh, I guess I'm kind of rambling. My bad. Later." He finally says. He then looks down to the floor, still strumming, and it fades to black again…

My eyes slowly open. It's daytime outside. Sunlight beams through all the windows, not one being covered. I don't even know where I'm going, nor do I care. Soft music plays through the speakers of the train. As I sit up, a sudden pain twists in my stomach, notifying me that I am famished. I take out a second granola bar - I ate the first one before I just crashed for the night on the railway. The train's almost empty. I'm on a long seat made of wood, and a soft green cushion that's built into the wood of the bench. I sink my teeth into the bar. The flavor of peanut butter fills my mouth. I look at the door at the end of the train car. It opens, and out comes a cat. It's about my height. It's eyes are red, and so is his shirt. It's fur is white and blue, and it smiles when he sees me. It closes the door and approaches me. "Hrmm… Uh… Excuse me… Do you have a second?" I nod, still chewing. "Could you help me out? Is it… Let's see now… nine twenty-three A.M. on Saturday, October seventeenth, two thousand and fifteen?" I check my phone.

"That's right!" I say.

"Say, thanks!" He says, laughing. "You're a big help…" I smile. This is one of those rare moments called respect that barely happens to me. "So, you mind if I sit here? I promise I won't fall asleep, tumble onto you, and start drooling on your shirt!" I look around.

There were plenty of vacant seats available, but company wouldn't hurt. "Please." I said. He then walks to the seat opposite of me - but facing me - and hops up.

"Thanks again! It sure is nice meeting friendly folk on the train…" I nod, swallowing the last of my food. "You aren't a psycho right? Just kidding!" He says. I laugh at that. My exact thoughts about him! "Say, by the way… what's your name?" He asks.

"Decco." I replied. He thought about it for a second, before saying "Hrmm… Well… Hrmmm… Decco… Now THAT is an odd name." He then laughed again. "Not that my opinion means much. What matters is, do YOU like the name Decco?" I thought about it for a second, and had to agree, I did like it. It's different, and I like it when people say it's unique. I haven't heard anyone else that has been called by the name

"Isn't it cool?" I boast, then immediately blush, bragging the last thing meaning to slip from my lips.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" He suddenly said. "Did I say it was odd? It's not odd! It's a great name for a boy! Really… It's a really great name." He laughs nervously.

"You know it!" I reply.

"By the way… if you don't mind me asking… where are you headed?"

I gasp slightly. I didn't even know myself! What if I had missed it? What if it's the next one and I didn't realize? That would be awkward. I pull out the white ticket from my pocket, and check it.

"Rainhill." I read aloud. "You're going to Rainhill?" He asks, reassuring I guess.

"That's right!" I said. "Hey!" He exclaims. "I know that place! Rainhill is one of my favorite vacation spots! So, what are you going to Rainhill for?"

"I'm moving."

"Hrmm.. Moving, huh? I hate moving. Pack boxes, unpack boxes. It never ends." I guess I would never earn the luxury of having boxes of stuff to move, since I had only two minutes to pack up. "Say! Where's your new place?" He asks.

"Don't know yet." I admit. His next expression is clearly shocked.

"What?!? You don't know yet? Are you out of your tree? Well, we obviously need to find you a place to live!!!" He obviously didn't know what happened not less that twenty-four hours ago. He thought for a second. Now, if it was possible for a light bulb to pop up above his head, now would be the time. "Oh, wait!" He says. "Boy, am I dense! This buddy of mine runs the shop in Rainhill! Let me give him a jingle! This will take me two seconds. Wait here, ok?"

I nod, and he hops off.

He walks over to the door where he emerged from, opens it, and then walking in, shuts it. He then turns to a wall. I hear the booping of buttons.

Hey there, Nook! …It's me! I don't want to eavesdrop, so I focus on the moving greenery outside. I could hear keywords like "Hasn't found a place to live" and "tight spot." I believe Decco was said, as well as really and cool! He then comes out, closes the door, and walks back on over.

"Ok, I'm back! Miss me? Well, good news for you!" He takes his seat again. '"It sounds like my buddy has some brand-new houses for sale, dirt cheap!" He must've seen my eyes light up at the words 'dirt cheap'. "The works all done, but he hasn't been able to rent them. He wants to unload them, so he's willing to take a loss. You have money, right?" Right then, I felt cornered.

I say "Oh, yeah" just so I don't make it any worse.

"Then you'll be just fine!" He says. That makes me feel scared that I would've been fine if I had brought more money. Then he suddenly exclaims "Oh! Looks like we're about to pull into Rainhill! Did I mention I love this place?"

I nod.

"Remember, things are never as bad as they seem. Honestly! Good luck and all that!" He says. "Maybe we'll run into each other again sometime!"

I nod, hopefully. I stand up, pulling my bag to my level.

"Well, goodbye!" He says.

The train starts to slow down as I move and wait at the door. It comes to a stop, and I step out into a new life. I step onto the brick floor of the train station. "Rainhill! Now arriving at Rainhill! Welcome to Rainhill! Watch your step!"