A train ride back to the city

After a long night, but only a short sleep, I wake up from the first rays of light entering the room.
Bog is still sleeping and hugging me.

So I push him away and get up.
He just keeps sleeping.

Whatever, I don't really need him anymore.
It was nice to have company, but he's also a little annoying.
So I just get up and go outside on my own.

As I leave the house, I already see a huge crowd close to the train station.
So I get closer and watch what's happening.

Soon the crowd begins to cheer, as a train pulls into the station.
I join the excitement, pushing my way through the bulk of people to get a closer look.

As I reach the platform, I spot the guy, who has been so excited about the train.
I met him at the train station the day I left the city.
He's standing there, a camera in hand, capturing every detail of the arriving train. I'm not sure if I want to interact with him again, but suddenly he comes by himself.

Oh, it's you!
You really came!
I'm so happy you get to experience the first arrival of this train at this train station.

So it just got finished?
Good timing, right?

Totally!
I'm sure you're going to join the first ride back, won't you?

That would be great. I want to get back to the city anyway.

This is the first official ride.
Everybody is allowed to enter now.
No need to be part of the team.
No need to register in advance.
Just buy a ticket and you're in.
But don't wait for too long. In some minutes it will already leave again.

So... where can I buy a ticket?

The conductors are standing at the entry doors.
As you see, people are already waiting in line.
Just give them the money and you get a ticket for this journey.
If you want to leave at a stop, just show the ticket to them, and they'll let you in again.
I know, this sounds complicated, but it's a very useful system for trains.

I think, I get it. Thank you very much!

I go to a door a bit further behind, where almost nobody is waiting.

But suddenly Bog stumbles upon me with a yawn.
He's rubbing his eyes, still tired.

So here you are.
Why did you leave without me?

Sorry, but when I saw all this turmoil this morning, I noticed, I could get home with this train quickly.
And it seems it won't stay here for long, so I decided I'd go alone.
But I'm glad you're here now. If you really want to leave this place, I'll pay for you.
But it might be difficult to get back without money.

Of course I'll join you!
I don't know much about money, but I know enough to know that it's not an easy choice for you.
Using the train must be worth a lot.
So I'm glad you'll be able to take me with you.

I wonder if it will really cost that much.
But I'm sure it won't be too expensive.
At least I hope so...

So we go to the conductor and I pay for both of us.
It costs around as much as five of these meat buns.
It might not be cheap, but I think, it's not too expensive, especially when considering how new this technology is.

So we board the train, look for some seats and settle in for the journey.
I'm so happy. I'll really be on the other side in only a few hours.
This train will really be useful.

When everybody entered, we only wait for a few more minutes until the train begins to move, smoothly picking up speed as it glides along the tracks.
We look out of the window and soon see only the ocean.
It's an amazing view.

I've never been in something like this before.
It's pretty nice, though.
We move pretty fast, right?

Yeah, after I left my home, I came here by boat, and it took a whole night.
I wonder how long it will take this time.
But it should only be a few hours.

Oh, that's nice.
So how was your home?

Uhm..
Actually I didn't really like it.
But somehow I miss this place anyway.
I have a friend there. A girl. I'm not even sure if she still likes me.
It also wasn't that long ago. Only some days.
But it already feels much longer after all the things I experienced.

Oh, I get that. Where I grew up, people had so many expectations in me which I couldn't fulfill. Or just didn't want to fulfill.
But after I left, I still came back for a girl, just to realize she already has...

Has what?

Nevermind.

I can guess what he's talking about. Maybe Sina already met another guy herself...?

But in the city it was different. People didn't have any expectations in me.
They pretend to have built this paradise where everybody is free to do whatever they want.
No obligations, everything important is for free.
But in the end it was that girl and her annoying uncle who made my life worthy.

Bog seems pretty uncomfortable and just doesn't answer.
I probably shouldn't have told him such personal things.
We only know each other for a few days.

But when thinking about it, he's probably the person I spend the most time with on my adventure. By now it might even be a little more than with Water.
He might be the person I'm closest to of all the people I know.
Only Sina might have been closer, but yeah...

I'm still happy to be able to see her again soon.
Maybe we can just be normal friends again.
It doesn't even have to be romantic in any way.

Bog is just looking out of the big windows.
It's really nice. It's only water and occasionally an island.
It's hard to believe we're actually in a train and not on a boat.
On the other hand, a boat wouldn't be that fast.

After a while the train stops at one of the islands.
A bunch of people go outside there.
I and Bog just keep sitting there. It's really calm as almost nobody else is inside the train.
But soon most of them go back inside as soon as the train whistles. And from there it doesn't take long until the train continues moving.

As the train is moving along the ocean, I just enjoy the view and the calm atmosphere inside the train.
Yeah, it's weirdly calm inside the train, despite all the people.
It's a completely different atmosphere than anything I knew before.

Occasionally I look toward Bog and sometimes he looks back.
But there's no need to talk. I just want to relax.
I need this after having to walk long distances everyday since I left.
Soon I'll be back home and will be able to relax for longer again.

Suddenly I hear some loud voices.
I open my eyes and everybody is walking through the corridors, about to leave the train.

Hey, wake up already!
I guess we reached our goal.
We're at some huge coast again.

Oh, I'm ready! Let's go!

I immediately get up and try to find the next exit door.
Bog just follows me.

I must really have fallen asleep.

As we step off the train, we are happy to finally be able to walk around again. Just sitting there all the time made my body feel weird...
But it's still a long way to the city, so we shouldn't waste any time.

We immediately walk across the vast fields toward the city.
As we walk, the sun already begins to set, casting long shadows across the landscape. We continue on, finally reaching the bustling city.

As we enter the city, the excitement builds within me.
I can't wait to see Sina again.
I'm happy, but also a little scared about her face when she sees me again.