The Train of Discovery: Part 2

This is the second part to The Train of Discovery. If you would like to read the first part, here's the link to it! (Part 1)

It was almost midday when Hazel started for the farmers’ market. She needed to do something to help, not sit around waiting for the police to stop combing her brother’s room for evidence. 

    Showing Tyler’s picture to everyone who chose to see it, she continued all through the afternoon until her stomach grumbled. The last time she had eaten was dinner (chicken tortellini soup) from last night.

As she was looking for some lunch, a kebab cart caught her eye. By the time she arrived there, she had reflexively taken Tyler’s school picture out of her wallet and showed it to the vendor, a woman in her early twenties. “Have you seen this boy?” she asked. 

“Oh, yes. He came here yesterday and bought so many beef and vegetable kebabs, I  thought that he would buy out our entire stock,” said the woman.

Hazel’s heartbeat raced. Tyler had come here? “Did you see where he went after this?” 

“Yeah, he went over to that bus stop,” the vendor said while pointing at the stop on the corner of Lettuce and Sharpe. “Anyways, my name’s Angela and I’ll be your cashier for today, whaddya want to order?” 

Hazel placed her order and went to investigate the stop. It brought passengers everywhere, but its most popular destination was the Metropolis Train Station. That’s it! Hazel thought. Tyler must have gone to this train station to board a train. But the train to where? Hazel quickly texted her dad about her new findings. 

When the police officers left, Mr. Golding poked around Tyler’s room. There had to be something, something that would give a clue as to where his son had gone. 

Suddenly, Mr. Golding heard the familiar “ping” noise of a notification coming from Tyler’s laptop. Of course! His son had left his device here--maybe it would hint at where Tyler went. But upon opening his son’s laptop, Mr. Golding’s heart stopped. It was a face he hadn’t seen for many years--his wife. 

Unbeknownst to his father, Tyler had been looking at dozens of social media profiles for his mother. Just two days ago, he finally succeeded, having found her Facebook account. Michelle Armadiaz-Golding previously resided in Dally, Trout, but relocated to Haybale in the same state. The woman in Michelle’s profile picture who looked exactly like Hazel was the clincher. 

A tear rolled down Mr. Golding’s cheek. He, like his children, thought that Michelle had left them out of the blue.  However, a few years later, he received an email from his wife. Michelle had had lung cancer. She didn’t want to plague the family with hospital and medication bills. 

Mr. Golding begged for her to come back, that he had the means of acquiring money, but Michelle had already made up her mind. There was no use in reintroducing her into the kids’ lives just so she would leave in a few years. So in front of his kids, Mr. Golding pretended that Michelle had left them. But now that Tyler knew the town where his mom lived, Mr. Golding had to stop him before the saddening truth tumbled out. 

In the meantime, Tyler was having the time of his life. He had never taken a train, nor had he ever gone anywhere without someone with him. I’m a grown adult now, Tyler thought proudly. I’ve got a mission to accomplish. 

The train attendant’s voice interrupted his thoughts. “Would you like some yogurt pretzels?” Tyler nodded. 

As he ate his yogurt pretzels (which were very delicious) the train came to an unscheduled stop at Lafe Station. Tyler looked out the window. Why was the train stopping? Had something gone wrong? 

Suddenly, Tyler noticed that two men with security uniforms were going on the train. A chill ran down his spine. They must’ve been looking for him. Hazel and his dad wouldn’t have known where he went. Cursing under his breath, he tried to hide under his seat, but his large, five-foot-six body wouldn’t fit. The conductor, Mr. Summings, noticed him scrambling around. 

“Hey kid,” Mr. Summings said. Tyler looked up from the ground. “Tell me the real reason why you’re on this train.” 

Tyler looked at the two men who were two steps away from entering the train. Could he trust Mr. Summings? He had nothing to lose. 

“My mom left me and my sister when we were little. I’ve been looking for her since I was twelve and I found her Facebook account. It says that she lives in Haybale and I really need to find her to get the truth--” the conductor interrupted. 

“Say no more, son, I get it. My mom left me when I was younger. Now come, follow me. There’s a hiding place in the food car.” 

Tyler took his backpack and wordlessly followed the conductor. Inside the train’s cafe was a tall cabinet filled with snacks. Mr. Summings gestured at the bottom. 

“Do you think you can fit in there?” 

Tyler looked. Indeed he could, as the shelf was larger than it looked. He started crawling in. By the time he was positioned in the damp space, Mr. Summings could barely see him and he gave the boy a thumbs-up. 

“I’ll call you when it’s clear!” Then, without a word, Mr. Summings left.