When the Moon is Gone

Alex watched the trees fly by, blurry and shapeless, as she rested her head against the cool glass of the window. It was past one o'clock and they had been on the train since the previous morning. She could barely get any sleep. Once she would doze off the train would jolt, or the other passengers would wake her, or the whistle would blair. Alex had made up her mind. She hated trains and traveling. She was restless, tired, and irritable, and her traveling companion was not helping. Her name was Ms. Tabatha Hatch. She was a cranky old woman who hated traveling almost as much as Alex did. Alex glanced at her. She was sitting on the train bench opposite of her, snoring loudly with a book open on her chest. She was in charge of taking Alex to her Aunt's house in Washington State. After her parents had died in a fire while attending a company banquet, Alex had been bounced around several foster homes until they had found a family member. Her name was Sophia Polaris, her father's sister. Alex had only ever seen her once at a family reunion. Alex couldn't imagine that Aunt Sophia was happy about getting her brother's 17-year-old daughter. "She accepted, didn't she?" Alex told herself, "She must at least want to see me." Three hours later they finally pulled into the station and Alex grabbed her father's military rucksack that had everything she'd decided to keep in it. Ms. Tabatha shut her book and escorted her off the train. "Now, Ms. Alexandria-" "It's Alex." She groaned for the thousandth time. Ms. Tabatha narrowed her eyes. "Now Ms. Alexandria, behave. your aunt doesn't have any children, much less sassy teenage girls to bother her. I want this to our last meeting-" "Yes. Because you have been such a joy to begin with." Alex rolled her eyes and could practically see the smoke rising from the old woman's head. "Alex?" A woman's voice called out. Alex turned and saw a tall, slender woman who appeared to be in her late 20's early 30's. She wore a black halter top that showed off her toned, tan arms and black cargo pants. She looked like a tomb raider from the action movies. She had dark hair and dark eyes and her excitement was barely contained. "Hello, Aunt Sophia." She walked up and hugged Alex. "Please just call me Sophi." "Ms. Sophia Polaris?" Ms.Tabatha called. Sophi winced, "That's me." She gave the most fake smile Alex had ever seen and held out her hand. Ms.Tabatha shook it. "I am so glad to have been able to reunite this family." Alex rolled her eyes. The only thing the old witch could possibly be glad about is not having to deal with her anymore. “And I'm glad you did. Have a wonderful day. And thank you.” “If there is anything you need, the department would be happy to assist you.” Alex snorted. “Right. Thank you Ms.Tabatha.” Ms. Tabatha stared indignantly at me then glanced at Sophi. “She's a bit sassy. But I'm sure she'll grow out of it.” She gave a crooked smile and turned on her heels to board the train again. “What a witch.” Sophi said, crossing her arms and giving a little huff. “Tell me about it.” We laughed, then there was an awkward silence. We hadn't seen each other since I was a little girl. “Let's get you home.” Sophi said. I grabbed the rucksack and followed her to her car. .