Switching Tracks: Out of the Trash by Lena Gibson

Author:Lena Gibson [Gibson, Lena]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
Published: 2024-02-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19: Elsa plus Caitlyn

When Elsa opened her eyes, Walker still held her shoulder after shaking her awake. She sat and stretched as he smiled and winked before he moved away. The sun had not yet risen in the east, but soon would. Bands of pale pink and yellowish-orange with banks of gray and white clouds broke up the color as they waited for the sun. There was just enough light to see the camp.

Since leaving SoCal, the colors around Elsa continued to amaze her. It was tough to wrest her bleary eyes from the sunrise. She and Walker gathered their belongings in silence and packed for the train. Her new sleeping bag had been warm, and the tarp had protected her from ground moisture. Despite that, she ached from sleeping on the ground. She didn’t ask Walker to put the balm on her. Knowing she looked boyish again made her reluctant to feel his hands on her skin and the tingly sensation they caused. She applied some in the areas she could reach. Her back could wait.

She shaded her face with her hat, as much for warmth over her newly shorn head as for disguise, and followed Walker onto the path through the knee-high damp golden grass. The pale light gave the landscape a bleached quality. Her pants proved to be water-resistant because the dew beaded on the fabric rather than soaking in when she walked the narrow path.

Near the trainyard, they ducked into the tunnel greenway, returning the way they’d come only a few days ago. A chill breeze picked up, tickling her bare neck. It was colder than the pleasant weather of the last few days. She swallowed again, a tightness in her throat hard to dispel.

Ominous dark clouds loomed over the brilliant morning colors as a storm front cruised in from the north. Cloud gray differed from smoke. The clouds crept with flowing tendrils that stretched and followed, almost like something alive.

“We’re going to get wet.” Walker frowned at the sky.

The breeze ruffled his hair as he leaned in and whispered. His breath was warm on her cheek. Elsa’s heart rate increased, and she bit the inside of her lower lip, worrying it between her teeth. It seldom rained in SoCal so the prospect should be exciting. However, lying in the grass, they would have no protection and she didn’t want to get soaked.

“Your earplugs handy for the train ride?” He kept his voice low, sending shivers throughout her body. He touched near her ear with his icy hands.

She nodded. A gleam appeared in his eyes as he prepared. The anticipation seemed like his favorite part of train hopping and was contagious.

“You remember what I said about the train blocking ours?”

“Over, not under. Follow you. Aim for a few cars from the end, so we stay out of the main part of the trainyard.”

“Right. We’ve got an hour, maybe two. The train goes when it’s ready, not quite on a set schedule.”

Her hands grew clammy as they followed the fence to the other end of the trainyard.

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