Erybelle: Grab her hand and run for your lives.
From Create Your Own Story
Your brain blanks and the only thing you can think of is getting away, getting Maple safe. You may have speed on your side but not for long. She slips several times but this time you're the one to catch her. People stare as you rush past but they're only a blur, much unlike the mob following just behind you. Every time you glance back you see their angry eyes, their faces contorted into ugly twisted expressions of inhuman qualities. Their smiles are just a little too big for their face, their weapons gleaming and getting closer.
"Choo-choo!"
Just ahead you know there's the train tracks, you feel a surprising sense of relief. To die by train would be much less painful than being burnt on the stake. Either way it's the end and there's no way around it. Tears brim in your eyes as you feel Maple's hand in yours, her ragged breath getting shorter and shorter. She never did like running. She won't last long now. Your body is weighed down by the sudden hopelessness you feel.
You approach the tracks and see the chipped green paint of the train as it trots along at a leisurely pace. It's only the tail end though and soon you're watching it disappear around the bend, the door at it's back flap wildly as if someone forgot to shut it.
...
Your lungs burn like the fire that will soon become your fate as you suddenly get a burst of renewed energy.
"M-Maple... the... train...!" You try to tell her between breaths and she nods weakly. You know that this is your last chance. If you don't catch that train there is no doubt in your mind that you and Maple will die.
Your feet graze each track, the wind pushing you forward, whispering words of encouragement. It's obvious the party behind you are aware of what you're trying to do because they pick up speed too, their voices hoarse and screeching your names, screeching God's will.
The butt of the train appears just ahead, looming, completely unaware of it's importance in your survival. It is your salvation, even more so than God at this point. You feel Maple begin to lag behind though, and you struggle to pull her along with you. Her feet are heavy but you know she must be pushing herself. She's crying, her whole body racked with sobs, and you realize with a start that there are tears rolling down your cheek too. Your heart is pounding, blood rushing through your ears, painful. The tips of your fingers graze the metal of the door and you feel an immediate burst of ecstasy. You did it! You and Maple made it-
As you drag yourself into the back of the train you're suddenly aware that you let go of Maple's hand to climb in. You whip around and shriek her name, your throat clenching, and watch in agony as she looks up at you, still running, a sad smile on her face.
"I'm... not... going... to make it... Erybelle..." She manages to choke out and you shake your head violently, holding out your hand and stretching as far as you can without falling out.
"Grab my hand! We're going to do this together! You've got to keep running." You cry bright fiery tears. Her eyes tell you she's about to give up. She hangs her head low and pumps her arms furiously as she begins to speed up, her white dress billowing at her feet, her hair a wild mess of brown. You graze her fingertips and then grab onto her hand tightly. Your whole body sings with relief, but then is jerked forward as something begins to drag Maple back. Her face is pure horror and you glance behind her and see the Priest, his devilish face so close to yours, his hands wrapped around Maple, pulling her back. How can he do this to you? How could this happen to you when you were so close?
Others appear out of the shadows and take hold of her, the force becoming too much to handle, your entire body trembling. Maple whispers for you to let go and that's when you finally release her, screaming her name into the morning air. The train, still as oblivious to you as ever, continues on along the tracks as you watch Maple be pummelled into the ground and tied up with rope. She hollers and fights but it's no use. You can't help her. God won't help her.
Your eyes are frozen, trained on Maple's as they look to you and her mouth shapes the words, "I love you."
Your slump into the train and shut the door, devoid of energy and spirit. You have no future on this train without Maple. You have no future in that town either. ...You have no future left at all. You've no idea where this train with take you but you only pray it can make you forget the horrors you've seen today. Your fingers shake as you collapse onto the floor. Maple was always the one taking care of you, now what are you going to do? You stare at the ashen ceiling in despair, tears spilling from your eyes that you barely notice. You feel numb all over.
You raise one hand and realize it's locked tightly around something. You gawk at it. It's the flower crown you made Maple yesterday, a chain of white carnations. You feel yourself touch the one atop of your own head, the matching one she made you. There's still something left of her... Oh thank god.
It means there's still hope.
