Long Run

Chapter 3: Showdown Event

"Hurry, drop your fee!" A receptionist nagged at an old lady; Mrs Fort.

"Of course, I would pay up or isn't there any patience in the world, now?" Mrs Fort spoke back, more sharply and the receptionist would have almost lost her tongue if words were knife. She had her hand digging through her handbag.

"Everyone is waiting too so drop your fee early, get your tickets and get into the train. It's that simple." The receptionist was having trouble keeping her anger in check as she clenched her hand tightly to prevent herself from making the mistake of hitting an old lady.

"Oh now you want to hit me, huh? Do it! Hit me!" Mrs Fort yelled and an argument soon broke out between the receptionist, whose name was Clare as written on her name tag, and Mrs Fort as many people tried to calm both sides. Those who were in line grumbled about how they'll be late for today's event.

"Argh, won't they stop already. We would be late to the show if they continue like this." Ana, who was in line with her father, whispered.

"Shh, you better be careful. They might end up hearing you and you would get into a fight with them too." Mr Ruby cautioned, he furrowed his brows as he whispered back, causing Ana to chuckle lightly.

Mrs Fort, an old lady who stayed in a little cottage downhill along the path to Ana's home, was one of those people who spoke loudly and wouldn't want to be corrected whether or not she was wrong.

Today, everyone was at the train station hoping to get a ticket and leave as early as possible to attend the Showdown event which was held by the new organization from Roslen.

A few vehicle owners had left in their cars or tricycles, while some people had vehicles, others didn't. It was to be known that cars are high-end products especially in a small country like Weston

All the communities in Vel city were invited to meet at the silver house, since Ana's father was also invited and she had nothing better to do, Ana decided to tag along, under Nova's persuasion, of course.

According to Nova, it was her best chance of meeting new people, building connections and even learning something new. "There are many benefits." Nova had said.

Definitely, the Showdown has been the talk of the town for weeks. However, barely four hours to the long awaited moment, Mrs Fort chose to cause a commotion with the receptionist. And at that too, preventing so many people from buying a ticket, just who wouldn't be vexed.

Ana sighed, trailing her fingers across her puppy's fluffy body. Spiky, the puppy drooped his ears low-spirited while whimpering.

"Don't worry, it's just an exchange of a few words between adults. It will be over anytime soon." Ana cooed, patting his head.

"So now, you lie to the little dog?" Mr Ruby sniggered and Ana nudged him with her shoulder. In displeasure, she said, "It's not lying, it's just a simple twist in the truth." Ana blinked, trying to evade the question.

"A twist in the truth?" Mr Ruby chuckled. "Yeah, it is." Ana kept insisting but her father continued laughing. She just shrugged her shoulders and gave up trying to convince her father after which he stopped.

Now bored, Ana looked around the train station hoping to see those familiar faces but she had only just started looking when she got distracted. Her father wrapped his hands around her shoulder, turning her around to face him. "Ana, I need to tell you something." Ana wanted to protest but when she saw how serious he was, she decided to give him a listening ear.

"What is it?"

"When we get back from the Showdown event, we will go on a vacation, okay?"

"Vacation? But we never go on vacations. Why do we have to go now?" Ana was puzzled and her brows were twisted in confusion causing her face to look smaller.

"There are some things you need to know now before it's too late. We would go over to your aunt's at Sephora." He turned his gaze away, and Ana followed.

"But why?"

"You—"

"Hey, Ana!" Someone yelled and Mr Ruby got interrupted before he could complete his statement. Turning around, Ana saw the least person she was expecting to meet; Lucas. He had a bag crossed over his shoulder and his smiling face was not impossible to notice. Lucas was also going to attend the event, but there were many lines that Ana wondered if it was just a coincidence to bump into him among the crowd. Why didn't she bump into Elias instead? Or Natalie perhaps? Meeting anyone except the skirt-chasing dude was much preferred.

"Hello, Mr Ruby." Lucas greeted them as soon as he got to their side. He was really happy, he never expected to bump into Ana at the train station. He smiled, perhaps they were fated.

Ana scoffed, how could she not know what he was thinking when all his thoughts appeared on his face.

"Ana, it's a wonderful surprise meeting you here." He almost fawned over Ana who simply rolled her eyes at him. "Hmm, I never thought you would be here either."

She wondered why he was still after her, she also noticed that he was behaving slightly differently from before.

"Of course, I will be here. I'm also attending the event too, you know?" Lucas smiled, this was his chance to stick with Ana and not let her leave.

"I guess." Ana then ignored him and continued playing with her puppy.

"You must have been prepared for the event, right?" Mr Ruby questioned, he noticed the displeasure on his daughter's face the moment Lucas appeared.

"Oh yeah. I've a little something. It's the speech I gave during our graduation, although I'm not sure if the Vice Mayor will find it suitable but I hope he does." His face fell and he took in deep breaths. He really hoped the Vice Mayor would accept him into the Committee.

"I think he will. You don't have to be so nervous." Placing his hand on Lucas' shoulder, Mr Ruby assured.

Suddenly, the noise of a moving engine against train tracks was heard from across the building. A train was seen driving out from the tunnel only to come to a halt across the station.

"Everyone! Get on the train!" The train driver with a square sized face shouted as he waved at the crowd from the train, Ana's brows furrowed into a frown.

"But we haven't bought our ticket yet, how can we take the train?" Pointing in the direction of the receptionist, a man with blonde hair complained.

"Exactly, the trains are programmed to only convey passengers with tickets. Now that we don't have one, how can we use it?" Another lady argued and soon everyone began to chorus the few that had spoken. Not only were they in a hurry, they were also delayed. Nobody was pleased with such.

Unable to stand the crowd's lashing, the driver yelled.

"Just hop in! The train tickets have been paid for by the Roslen men who are here for the event, so you don't need one to get a ride! All passengers going to the Silver House, you can get into the train now!" Waving his hat, the driver added. "We have less than four hours left to get there before the event commences." He was practically yelling on top of his voice. Besides, the whole station was huge and not many people could hear him.

Among those who heard him, Ana stood rooted to the ground in bewilderment. Not only were Roslen sponsoring the event, they also paid for the tickets.

While Ana and the other two were standing dazed, the crowd rushed over to the train, including those who couldn't afford the tickets.

Mr Ruby quickly sobered up. Pulling Ana's free hand, he dragged her towards the train.

"Come on, let's go!" Lucas also snapped back to reality and hurried after them.

"Wait up!" They swiftly and carefully shoved through the crowd even when some people were a little grumpy.

"Watch it!" A short fair lady snapped at them once, to which Lucas quickly apologised, "sorry!"

They had only reached until the entrance of the train with Lucas entering first, and Mr Ruby right behind him. Mr Ruby held Ana's hand tighter as he tried to drag her into the train but the people were becoming fierce as they pushed aggressively, wanting to go in first.

Ana could have jumped at the opportunity but she suddenly recalled that she left something back at home. It was very important, it was one of the reasons why she was attending the event.

"Dad! Let go!" She said, trying to pull her hand apart from his.

"What's wrong? Come in already!" His brows furrowed in worry, still not letting go of Ana's hand.

An old man in a brown jacket pushed Ana aside as he staggered past her father into the train.

Ana successfully pulled her hand away as she said.

"I left my building plan! I want to go get it!"

"But there isn't enough time."

"Let me come with you." Lucas offered, he jumped out of the train, walking over to Ana's side and as always with that annoying grin plastered to his face.

Gritting her teeth, Ana voiced her consent.

"Then run along! But make sure to get here early!" Mr Ruby waved at them from inside the train as he watched them set off, dashing towards the hill, not before Ana said. "Wait for us! We'll meet you there at the Silver House if only the train wouldn't wait!"