♥Enchanted Psyche♦ Chapter 3―The Train.

         I was alone and I felt it wrap me with itself. The train was all busy and overflowing, so I kept my shoulder bag in between myself and the window and my suitcase next to me on the floor, also next to the window. I pulled my black and pink jacket's hood over my head, stuffing the front of my hair back in the hood self-consciously when the slipped out because, I didn't like people looking at me strangely with my silver and black hair. I would rather hide than try to explain or watch their odd gazes. It always felt weird walking around like an outcast, although, I have always felt like one. I guess one day shall come when I would have to be comfortable in my skin, once and for all. But this was not the day. I am just too ... depressed, I might say, or just not confident enough.

         I was traveling to London to Madam Nadia's house, who had insisted she come and live with her after the incident. Madam Nadia lived in London, on the richer side, and has - had been my mum's best friend since childhood, but mum had to move away with dad when they had gotten married. Mum always addressed Madam Nadia as just plain Nadia, but had always taught me to address her as Madam Nadia, which I don't have a problem with at all. She was who was going to 'train and guide me' as she said to me on the phone one day, and I was so glad.

         I was pulled back into my thoughts of sorrows; It was the day I had turned eighteen, which was only a month ago, and I had discovered something strange about myself. I wasn't the usual and normal human being; I had some kind of weird and strange supernatural abilities. This was one of the reasons I was on my way to Aunt Nadia's. She would be at the station to pick me up. And now I had this weird dream...

         "I am a Witch," I said under my breath, not realizing that somebody might have heard even at this low of a voice.

         "Are you?" a kid suddenly asked me standing next to me. She must only be about four or five years of age. She was smiling up to me with her big brown eyes and her big, pouted lips. She was swaying quietly half way round repeatedly.

         "Pardon?" I whispered diffidently.  

         "Mummy told me Witches are bad people with bad spirits possessing them," the little girl replied, making me anxious with her soft, wavering words. Then her mum came up behind her child, giving me the evils, as if I was going to kidnap her child, and said, "C'mon, Bethany, let's go. Didn't I tell you never to wander off?"

         All the while was just looking at the mother taking care of her child, taking her away protectively. I felt a lump in my throat as I thought of my own mother ... my deceased mother and family.

         After what seemed like a whole year, I got off at my stop. I dragged my suitcase along and my shoulder bag was carefully hung across my chest. Everything was sunny and happy looking over here and this made me annoyed. I was about to turn around when I saw Madam Nadia waving frantically at me. I sighed, while walking up to her, not bothering with pasting a smile upon my face.

         "Did they say something about how the fire started?" she asked me softly.

         I shook my head. "They said the cause of the fire is unknown," I replied. "They're still trying to solve the case."

         "Oh, my sweet child," Madam Nadia murmured into my ears as we were in a hug. She looked in my shadowed face, by my hair, which she caringly brushed away. "I'm so sorry. But don't worry, don't be fretful we're here now. Everything will be fine."

         "We?" I said confusingly, looking behind her - I couldn't see anybody else.

         I heard someone quietly clear their throat. A guy about the same age as me walked out from the shadows. He had a mop of black hair down to his shoulders and shorter at the front, a couple of red streaks were died in the front. I tried to see his face but he was looking down and he was frowning for some reason.  

         "Ah, this is my son, Vincent," Madam Nadia said to me. "Say, hello!" she told him after he didn't say anything.

         "Hey," was all he said without even looking up.

         "Hey," I replied quietly.

         He seemed to have flinched or something when he heard my name, which kind of confused me. He shifted from one foot to the other and then stood still.

         I frowned.

         "Oh, don't mind him," Madam Nadia said, and told him to carry my suitcase even after my countless protests. In the end we all ended up in her car as she drove to their home.

         Home... I thought longingly.

         Madam Nadia had asked me something, but I was too absorbed in my useless day dreaming, so she repeated it after my apology. "Oh, I was just asking if you had eaten anything before setting off?" she asked. "You must be hungry and tired, no?"

         I hadn't ate after all because I had been so worked up in my mind that I just had not paid any attention to my fatigue.

         "Ah, I take that as a no," she observed me in the rear-view mirror, and looked down. I was never comfortable to eat from another's money, but I guess it will have to be hobby now until I get a job here. "Ah, I'd made some pasta at home - you like pasta?"

         I nodded once, and she nodded to herself and steered around a corner Pharmacy.  

         "Oh, this is the Pharmacy for your convenience," she said jerking her head towards the store onto her left. Soon we started passing some variety of stores. "Ah, this are the local grocery shops - oh, and that's the Post Office."

         I just nodded and hummed and Okayed, frequently thanking her for her help. I noticed that Vincent never spoke once throughout the drive, which wasn't that strange because he could've just been not talkative right then, even I couldn't bother much.

         "Erm, Ah!" Madam Nadia cried, pointing to her left to a really good looking restaurant. "Do any of you want some take-outs? Then you won't have to cook for yourself tonight. Oh, I'm away all this weekend, by the way, for work, otherwise I would've done the cooking for you both..."

         "No need, mum," Vincent said helpfully and leaned slightly forward, moving and talking for the first time. "I can make something, you won't have to worry."

         "Ah, that's sweet of you, Vince!" Madam Nadia said lovingly. "But I'll just grab something anyway. What do you both want?" She was exchanging her gaze from him to me and then back again.

         "I'm not hungry," he replied simply.

         "I'll get you some of that chicken masala and naan-bread," she said firmly. You have to eat something, Vince. Honestly, I think you're thinning too much!"

         From where I could see he was very a strong looking person.

         "And you, dear?"

         I realized that it was my turn. "Oh, erm, I wouldn't want to trouble you..." I said shyly, and I swear that I heard Vincent snicker.

         "Nonsense! Tell me," Madam Nadia said politely. "Come on, I insist. It's still quite a long time to reach home."

         "Well, if you insist - so ... anything you bring will be fine," I finished shyly.

         "Ah, that's fine, if you're sure, yes?" she asked, and I nodded. Then she exited the car, leaving him and me in complete, utter silence.

         Five minutes passed and still nobody spoke. I wanted to break this awkward and torturing silence for some reason. I cleared my throat and opened my mouth to speak, when just then, he looked away outside through his side of the window. I froze. If he did it on purpose I would probably kill him - in my mind - but I tried once more anyway. "So, erm," I began feebly. "Do you go to College or University…?" I asked hesitantly.

         He didn't turn around or say anything.

         "Do you work?" I asked, trying again.

         Still there was no reaction from him.

         I fidgeted with my silver bracelet, while saying, "I've never been to London before ... it's nice." I frowned a little when he kept his same demeanour; this was getting on my nerves. I sighed lightly, and asked, "I was just asking about work because I need a job..." I trailed off.

         He didn't react again, which made me irate. I crossed my arms in front of me, staring ahead. Who the hell do you think you are?! I thought to myself.

         "My name is Vincent Cain Hallows," he growled through gritted teeth, and leaned in close with angry eyes, and I moved back into the seat's wall, petrified.

         Wow - that got his attention ... but hang on, how could he have heard? I didn't even realize how rapidly he had moved over me; with one hand on the seat and the other on the top of the backseat. His eyes penetrated my skull like scanners. They were a deep green and wide. There was something about him, something that would not be nice if it was let out. I was dead scared but I couldn't seem to break our eye-contact.

         "You better stay away from me - it's for your own good," he ordered. We stayed like this for what must only half been one minute but it surely did seem like thirty instead.

         Soon his mum arrived and we flew apart. She hadn't even noticed and was chatting about some manager who was the best chef ever. "Ah, here you go, dears," she said happily, passing behind the orders to me and him.

         "Thank you, Madam Nadia," I said politely, taking what seemed to mine; it was the same as Vincent's.

         Madam Nadia giggled. "Oh, it's a pleasure, honey," she said. She started the car engine and pulled back onto the main road.

         Ah's and Oh's seem to be her thing, I thought without thinking. Vince glanced at me and went back to being unmoving. "Do you mind?" I said pointedly, and he looked at me with what looked to be an apologetic expression.

         "Oh, I bet you both have a lot in common, yes?" Madam Nadia asked wonderingly, and I only smiled for her, which seemed to be fine.

         I wasn't sure if we had anything in common, but I sure of one thing ... Vincent could read minds.