The Golden Train
Ted heard the school bell ring. He looked at the school clock. It was 2:15, the school was finally over. What seemed like forever ended. His torture ended. He packed his stuff inside his black backpack and saw his test that was passed out. “Another F-,” he thought. With both of his parents dead, no one will yell at him and get mad at him for getting another F-. It’s Just his big brother who will laugh and tease him for getting another F. His brother was not smart but he wasn’t dumb either. He wasn’t failing like Ted was. His teacher told him that if Ted does not try harder, he would fail 8th grade.
Ted stuffed his test in with his rest of his stuff. That was the 89th F- that he got this year. With another one, maybe he could make a record. Ted slowly got out of the classroom. Then he went to his messy locker. “Why does school exists?” he thought. His friend was waiting for him.
“How did you do on your history test?” Matt asked the instant Ted opened his locker. Matt always asked him this question. He had brown hair and he wore contacts. He was thin and he was not too tall but not too short.
“25 percents.” Ted paused for a second. “F.” Ted answered. He saw that Matt gasped softly. In his world, getting A- is like going to hell. “ Let me guess. You got 120 percents didn’t you.” Ted mocked Matt.
“150 actually.” Matt answered seriously. He took it too serious. “Is this your 87th F- this year?”
“89th if you wish to know.” Ted’s face darkened. It was not something he liked to talk about. Matt is one of smartest person in the school. He is probably the next Einstein. He was smart but he was cool also. Many people around him like him. Many girls also like him. Today was Matt’s 123rd A++ assignment or test this year. It was question to many people who went to school, why Matt was friend of Ted and why they hang around with each other. Ted and Matt’s grade and personality was exactly the opposite.
“Look if you study more you will…” Matt started to say his study more speech and his how school will help you in your life theory but Ted cut him out.
Okay, Okay! You’re not my parents and my parents are already dead. I don’t need another one.” Ted screamed. People already left the school so not many people heard Ted screaming. However those people who did hear him looked at him like if he needed professional help.
“Just a suggestion. You don’t have to listen to me.” They walked out of the school. They lived 7 blocks away from the school.
“Well, it get annoying when you say the same old study more speech and your how school help you in your life theory 89 times.” Ted was really pissed. You never see Ted actually pissed. Matt opened his mouth to argue but he said nothing and closed it. He knew that he should shut up.
They walked out of the school and walked in silence until Ted kicked the small rock in front of him. He always did that when he was bored. He kept on kicking it until he hit harder. It flew in the air and it hit a gigantic dog in the head. It was hairy black dog it was about half of Ted’s size and it hair was going everywhere. It had mean yellow eye like devil. It looked like the evil creature from hell. It barked loud at them with a pain and started to chase and bark at them and it rushed toward them. It looked like he is trying to say, “I’m going to take you to hell.”
“Run!” Ted screamed. And they started to run away from the dog. Matt followed Ted. They ran for their life until they came to the garbage dump. It was the place where city garbage was dumped. There were mountains and mountains of garbage. Ted looked behind to make sure that a dog wasn’t following them any more. The dog was gone. They finally looked where they were. They were standing in middle of three large mountains of garbage. They did not know how they got there, but there was no way out.
“Now what,” Ted thought. It was a horrible day for him. He got F on test, a gigantic dog chases him and now, he was stuck in the mountains of garbage. Matt was shacking so hard and he was collapsed on the ground, however Ted was calmer. He always was in trouble so he knew how to handle them. He looked around again more carefully. He spotted a trap door near them. He opened the dirt-covered door. There was underground tunnel leading some where.
Ted walked in. he saw that Matt followed him. It was narrow tunnel that was dark. There was crack on top of the cave that had light coming threw. The tunnel was going down and down. For every step they took, they felt that air got colder and denser. After 10 minute or so mist came inside of the tunnel. It was not thick but it was very dense mist. After 30 minute of walking they came across the wooden door. There was writing on it but it wasn’t readable because of the stain. Ted tried to open the door with curiosity. Matt helped him with fear. The door was stuck because of the fact that it wasn’t used for long time, but with some force it opened. The door creaked loudly. Inside, they saw something that they did not expect. An abandoned underground train station. There was no one there. They were astonished because they never knew that there underground train station and also because they were about 1000 feet below the sea level. There was also as small train in the station. At first they did not believe what they saw.
“The Golden Train,” Ted gasped. The whole train was made from pure gold. It was sparkling bright in the train station. It at least looked like gold. With curiosity, Ted raises his hand to touch the train. As soon as the hand touched the train, Ted pulled it back. It was blazingly hot. If he wasn’t fast enough, it would have burned or even melted his hand.
Ted walked in to the train to see inside. Matt also followed him. It left Ted speech less. There was stone that looked like diamond placed and glued on to the floor. It was sparkling in rainbow color. Matt turned around to get off the train. However, door was shut. Also suddenly, all light turned off and train started to move. It kept on moving in pitch-dark place. 20 minutes later they came out to a bright place. They saw buildings that they never saw before, and other creatures, which resembled humans. They also saw floating-transporting thing. It resembled somewhat like floating cars. When they were astonished, and confused, the train intercom rang out.
“Welcome to New Washington DC and New New York. Center and Co-Capital City of planet earth. Visitors please get your visitor’s visa at visitor’s information center. Time travelers please meet visitor officials. Right now, the earth time and date is May18, 3891 5:16 PM and…”
“Wait did it say we are in 3891?” Matt interrupted. Ted nodded. “But how did we get here?” Matt asked. Ted did not answer. Ted heard the train door open. Outside, they saw floating platform on the sky. They saw a floating city. There was ocean of clouds. The ground was made of metal, however it felt like dirt. There was a gigantic creature with wing. However it was not bird. It did not have feathers. It was also made of metals. Ted looked down from one side of the train station. He saw that they were at least 20,000 feet above ocean level. Matt and Ted turned around. 2 people just appeared from nowhere. They were wearing metal suit that was very flexible. Both of them had metal belt that sparkled in 36 different colors.
“Welcome to 3891 visitors.” One of the people said. It was beautiful young girl who was about same age as Ted. “I am Ellen and this is Carl and we are your visitor helping officials.” The girl, who called her self, Ellen said.
“We warmly welcome you to our fair city. We will also help you learn our technology. And you are?” person called Carl who was slightly older than Ellen asked. He had black hair and yellow eye. His hair was very messy.
“I’m Ted. Ted Hawk. This is my friend Matt Guss.” Ted said in excitement. “This is going to be fun.” He thought.
“Can you tell us how we get back to 2006” asked Matt. That question never came up to Ted’s mind.
“There will be a train that is leaving in 2 week, heading for 2006 and coming back here. This Golden Train will go to 2006, and stay there for 2 week and come back to 3891. You can take that and get off at 2006.” Carl said calmly.
“In 2 weeks? But school end in 3 weeks and I need to study.” Matt screamed like baby.
“Come on Matt, it will be fun.” Ted tried to enlighten Matt.
“Well I want to go home.” Matt said. Ted stopped talking. But Ted knew that Matt didn’t know how cool this place was. They were time traveling.
“We will show you the apartment you will be staying in.” said Ellen. “You will be staying there for two weeks. You could always contact us by using this hologram transport. You can read the instruction hologram in this. Please follow me.” Said she. So Ted and Matt followed her. Matt was still angry that he has to Miss 2 week of school.
They followed her in to small door. Inside was gigantic and there was robot, machine and droid in this room. It was full of technology. Ted hoped that he get to learn every single technology in the room.
“Wow.” Said Ted. It was amazing sight. There was something like glass window, but it wasn’t glass. It was hard was rock. Outside, there stood the floating city of New Washington DC and New New York. There was great sight of ocean of sky, and amazing creature that is gigantic. There was thousand floating transportation that looked like flying cars. There were also people flying. Ted heard the door close. Ellen left. Ted and Matt went into there bed. They were tired from there journey.
“I love 3891.” Said Ted, then he went to sleep.
“I hate 3891.” Said Matt and he went to sleep. They went to the blackness of their sleeping.
* * *
Nine days went fast. Ted was so busy learning about the new technology and matt was so busy studying for school back at 2006. According to Matt, 3891 was like hell. According to Ted, 3891 was his new opportunity. It was his chance to learn new thing. He usually dislike learning something new, however this time was different. Ted was so interested in new technology that he read instruction many time, and start to learn every technology himself. Ted knew more stuff about 3891 technology than the next Einstein, Matt. Ted loved the new technology. These machines include Instant Teleporter, which is a belt which was used to teleport to one place another instantly. How ever you can not teleport to people’s house or other buildings. . You could only teleport to out side. Another machine he loves more than anything also was instant cook-a-bot, or instant cook powder. They made dinner in less than 2 minute and it tasted like food from 5 star hotel’s food. The food that was made from it is very healthy and it is very good for your body. The last thing he loved was his computer imprint which worked as your 3rd brain. You had access to much online information this imprint. It was also able to use as communicator. It also boosted your physical condition and made you tougher, smarter, and stronger. He learned more in 3891 in nine days than what he learned in school for 9 years.
“Oh I almost forgot, I had the meeting with Carl today,” said Matt.
“What for?” asked Ted. He raised his head from his book, 3891 History, Now and Future development of human race that he was reading. Matt did not answer. “Oh it for our departure of 3891 right?” Matt nodded. Matt stood up to leave the room. “Did you know that there was no floating city until 3675? At then, they said that earth was still divided into many countries. Then they said that there was big war against countries in earth and another species from another planet. Then there was so much waste material in the earth and it got polluted so they made floating city where air was cleaner. Then earth became one big country and made New New York and New Washington DC its co-capital.” Said Ted.
“I don’t really care.” Said Matt and got out of the room. Ted closed his book and went to top of the building where his apartment is. There he was out side and he was viewing the beautiful city of New Washington DC. He heard some one walked in from behind him. Ted turned around. He saw Ellen walk toward him. She stood next to him. They stared at city for while.
“I can’t believe you are leaving 3891 in 5 days.” Said Ellen. “And I just can’t believe that you understood and study our technology and start using it. I bet you were smart person in 2006.” Ted opened his mouse but paused for second before speaking.
“Well I guess I learn these technologies because I’m interested.” Ted paused. “But the truth is that in 2006, I was the dumbest person in the class.” Ellen Gasped. “I was always dumb. I am always dumb.” Said Ted.
“No,” said Ellen. “You are not dumb. All you need to do is trust yourself. You have to trust you’re self that you can do it. There is nothing that is impossible.” Ted turned other way. Ted felt his face turn red. “I love you Ted. I hope that you could stay in 3891 with me.” Said Ellen. There were tear in her eyes. She hugged Ted. Ted turned around to look at her.
“Me too. I love you too.” Ted hugged Ellen back. And whispered something to her. Big smile came to Ellen’s face. The red sun was going down. The city was covered in red.
* * *
Ted and Matt were standing in the train station again. It was the day when they were going back to 2006. Ellen came to say good bye to them. Especially to Ted. The minute later, the golden train came in to floating train station. It was sparkling in golden sparkle again.
“Thank you for visiting 3891.” Said Ellen to both of them. Ellen walked toward Ted and kissed him. She told him to come back soon like he promised. Ted said okay. They entered the golden train. The door shut behind them. Ellen was waving at them. They waved back. All the light turned off again. They felt the same way they felt when they were going to 3891. Except this time, they were not scared. They felt the train slowing down. The light turned up. They were in abandoned train station again. The train door opened. They got off the train. They start going up the tunnel where they came from. When they got out of the trap door. Out side it was very bright. There was no cloud in the sky. It was about 5:00 PM. They both went home.
* * *
Next day, they had the end of the year test. Ted believed in himself and he took the test like Ellen suggested. And next day he found out that he got A+ on his test. That test bring Ted’s grade up and Ted did not fail 8th grade. That afternoon, Ted and matt meet at the garbage dump. Matt was already waiting for him. Ted was carrying his backpack filled with his stuff.
“Are you going to 3891,” asked Matt. Ted Nodded. “I knew you are going back there. I heard you talking to Ellen.”
“I promised her that I will come back to her.” Ted answered. “I can’t break my promises. And also I like 3891 better than 2006.” Matt nodded. They walked through the tunnel and came to train station. There, the golden train was still stopped at train station. Ted walked in. Matt waved at him. Ted waved back. The train door close and train started to move. And train disappeared. The last time traveling golden train was gone. “That will be the last time I will ever see him again.” Matt thought. A tear dropped to the ground. Matt was crying for first time in his life.