Broken Butterflies (2 page)

The butterflies continued to drift through the cabin, undisturbed by the violence. They appeared to be intent on specific people. Landing on the chests of certain individuals, their wings fluttered a couple times before sinking under clothes and skin.

“What’s happening?” Ilisha asked, frozen in Bram’s arms.

The train car rocked violently again before shifting forward. The impact caused a woman to slide down the aisle on her backside as though it were ice. Her hands grasped at the air for something to hold onto. Ilisha thrust her hand out, but missed. Relief filled her when the lady took hold of a seat leg, her body jerking to a halt. Ilisha’s sense of calm was short lived when a wall of fire blasted through the cabin. The heat was so intense it blew her hair around her face.

Behind her, the screeching of ripping metal, and screams from those around her rang in Ilisha’s ears. The car split down the middle as another train engine, with its nose lit up like a beacon, forced its way through the wreckage. Ilisha scrambled to get away.

Bram’s arms hugged her tight. “Don’t worry,” he said, calm and collected.

Ilisha nodded, her eyes wide as the engine ran over the lady in the aisle. Only her hand remained clutched to the seat leg, while the rest of her body was dragged under a spark-ridden wheel.

The fire engulfed them, and she pinched her eyes shut waiting for the pain. None came. She peeked out and orange, red and black flames swirled all around, but didn’t come close to touching her skin. Bram looked peaceful despite the chaos surrounding them. Screams were intertwined with the sounds of destruction.

The engine moved past in a streak of yellow. Large red Union Pacific letters blurred together as the engine barreled through the car with the engineer’s body flopping around in his seat. The other train came to a sudden stop, the iron wheels scraping along broken glass, and metal, lifting with the mangled passenger car heaped underneath. The engineer’s body flew forward forcing his face into the control panel, causing it to explode like a watermelon. Brain matter and bone splattered the glass around him.

Ilisha sucked in a breath, her eyes full of shock, not blinking. The engine had suffocated most of the fire, but there was still burning debris and bodies scattered about. The smell filtered through Ilisha’s nose and she fought back nausea.

Bram’s arms opened, and Ilisha fell back against her perfectly intact seat, hand clutching her chest. Miscellaneous limbs, entrails, and twisted metal surrounded them. Scanning the car, she looked for anyone who may be alive, but not a single person moved. She stood up to help, but Bram gently pushed her back down. “I know the nurse in you wants to save them, but you can’t.”

Her body trembled as tears poured from her eyes. “I shouldn’t be alive. I should’ve helped those people.” Ilisha’s head shook from side to side.

Bram kicked a giant hole in the side of the train and sunlight poured in, blinding Ilisha. She gasp and stood frozen for a second. Trying to block the light, she raised her hand to her forehead. She could feel her hand shaking against her skin.

“Can you walk?” he asked.

Ilisha’s mind stalled. She stared out the hole at nothing.

She felt Bram’s hands around her legs as her feet left the floor. Ilisha rested her head against his chest as he cradled her in his arms. Bram carried her out, placing her on a patch of grass.

“You’re going to be fine,” he whispered.

Ilisha’s eyes rolled back, and her head hit the cool, green blades of grass.

Ilisha’s eyes blinked against florescent lights. Puke green paint covered the walls in the room, and a curtain surrounded her.

She pulled the nasal cannula, pumping oxygen, from her nose. The sticky pads connecting her to monitors were quickly tossed aside, causing alarms to ding. As soon as her feet hit the floor, a nurse rushed in.

“I don’t think you should get up too fast.”

“I’m fine,” Ilisha said, wobbling a little .

The nurse took her elbow and steadied her, directing her back to the bed.

“I need to get out of here,” Ilisha insisted.

“The police need a statement and you should take it easy.”

Police?
It took Ilisha a second to remember. “What happened?”

“You’re lucky to be alive. A cargo train hit the bullet train head on. Only a few didn’t sustain injuries or end up dead, and you’re one of them. The police want to question any survivors.” The nurse handed Ilisha a cup of ice. “Stay put and I’ll grab the officer.”

Ilisha moved to the edge of the bed and waited. A cop walked in flipping open a small tablet of paper. Ilisha looked at the badge on his chest. “Wichita?”

“Yes, you’re at the Wesley Medical Center. Can you tell me what you remember?”

“Well, I don’t remember stopping in Wichita,” she said, smiling.

The officer stared at his pad, pen ready. He didn’t return her smile.

“Um, there was a collision right before a fireball came through my cabin. Another train engine followed the fire and stopped right beside me.”

“How did you escape injury?”

“There was this guy named Bram in the seat across from me. He shielded me.”

The officer pulled a small stack of papers folded down the middle from inside his coat. His finger traced lines as he read silently. “I don’t see a Bram on the passenger list.”

“Why would he lie about his name?”

“I’m not sure ma’am, but the bigger question is, where is he now?”

“I don’t know. I passed out.”

The cop looked discouraged. “Okay, I think that’s enough for now, but I’ll need your contact information.” She gave him her number and her mother’s address and the officer shut his tablet and walked out the door.

Ilisha listened to his conversation with the nurse. “She may have hit her head. She’s not making any sense.”

“I’ll let the doctor know. We’ll run some more tests.”

Great.
Ilisha rested her elbows on her knees and her fingers gripped her hair in frustration.
I don’t even know where my cell phone is to call mom. She’s going to be freaking out by now.

She listened to the clock tick for forty-five minutes before someone came to check on her.

“Hi,” the doctor said, flipping through her chart to find her name. “Ilisha. Wow, pretty name.” She rolled her eyes at his flattery attempt. “I’m Dr. Harris, head of the Neuro team. I hear you’re having some confusion since the accident.” He rolled a stool over and sat down next to her bed waiting for her answer.

“I’m not confused. Look, I need to get out of here. I have a funeral to go to.”

“I’d like to run an MRI before you go.”

“No, no more tests. I’m fine. Other than fainting from the stress, nothing happened to me, correct?”

“As far as we can tell.”

“Then I’m going. You can either get me my release papers, or I’ll walk out without them.”

“Well, I can’t force you to stay, and you don’t seem to be at risk.”

“Exactly,” Ilisha said, beating her fingers on the bed in an impatient rhythm.

The doctor went to add something further, but stopped when he saw the look on Ilisha’s face. Her dark brown eyes glinted, and he rolled the stool back. “I’ll have the nurse get your papers.”

Fifteen minutes passed before the nurse came in. “I think you need to stay.” She clutched her clipboard to her chest.

“Look, I hate to be rude, but please don’t pull this crap. I’m a nurse; I know you can’t keep me. I’m not a threat, so hand me the papers.”

Ilisha signed her name and the nurse handed Ilisha her purse and cell phone, both of which were attached to her at the time of the accident.

She walked into the cool Kansas night. Checking her cell battery, she called information to find a cab to take her to a car rental. Instead of another conversation with her mother, she sent a text message. “I’m running later than I thought. Be there soon.” She hoped her mom hadn’t heard about the accident.

The cab driver took her to the nearest rental car business, the airport. “Thanks.” She handed him some cash. She looked overhead as a 737 took off and a shiver rippled down her body. Walking into the office she picked a standard car and handed the clerk her credit card.

She walked to her car and hit the unlock button, but stopped short of opening the door. Across the parking lot, under a light, stood Bram. Ilisha made her way across the lot, pausing for a passing bus. As the bus drove off Bram was no longer there. She dashed across to the spot where he had stood. At the edge of the asphalt was a grass bank. Bright lights illuminated the area. Not a living soul inhabited it.
What the fetch?

Ilisha looked in the distance willing him to appear. “I’m out of my mind.”

As she turned to walk back to the car, thunder echoed overhead and rain poured from the sky. By the time she climbed in the driver’s seat, she was dripping wet.

She drove around Wichita looking for the nearest department store, as her mind raced.
Who the hell is Bram?

A Kohls department store sign came into view on the next block. She parked the car
.
It didn’t matter how fast she walked, she could already wring the water from her clothes.

A store clerk walked over. “It’s raining buckets out there,” she said, smiling.

Thank you, Ms. Obvious.
“Yeah it is.” Ilisha gave a quick smile and hurried to the clothes.
What’s wrong with you? You’re never this rude.

Counting in her head the days she thought she may be gone, she picked out an outfit, and under garments for each one. Scanning the shoes she bought a couple pair that would work with about everything until she got home.
Luggage.
Walking to the back of the store, she picked out a large suitcase. Realizing her arms were full, she went back to the front to grab a cart. Looking at its size she sighed.
This is a cart? Looks more like a clothes hamper on wheels.

Wheeling it back, she grabbed the suitcase and pulled it behind her.

Meeting up with the same salesclerk, she pushed the cart, feet sliding on the wet floors, to the register. “Would you like to open a Kohls charge card today? It can save you fifteen percent.”

“No thanks. Do you know if there’s a K-mart or Walmart close?”

“There’s a Walmart just down the road.”

“Thanks.”

“That’ll be $672.59,” the clerk replied, smiling.

“Holy cow.” Ilisha signed her receipt and ran to her car.

Throwing the bags into the trunk, she grumbled, “I’m going to have a $10,000 credit card bill by the time I get back.” She hunched over into the trunk as far as she could to avoid the rain, and crammed the Kohls bags into the suitcase.

A quick trip to Walmart for a hair dryer and bathroom necessities, and one McDonald’s drive-thru later, Ilisha sat in the car with her head against the steering wheel and sobbed, overwhelmed by the day’s events.
Why is this happening to me?

The entire day had passed by. Black rain filled clouds made the night even darker. Ilisha blew out a frustrated breath and hit the road. The rain slick freeway flew past as she stared ahead blankly. The muscles in her back and neck were stiff with tension. Moving her head from side to side, she tried to crack her neck, but it wouldn’t budge. However, the longer she drove the more relaxed she felt.

Ilisha entered the small town of her childhood, Eldorado Springs, nestled in the foothills of the Rockies. She drove through the center of town and turned onto her mother’s street. The house hadn’t changed at all, with the exception of fresh white paint on the outside.

Ilisha stood outside the car and leaned against the door. She stared at the porch and the swing on which she and her dad had spent many hours. The memory made her smile. On either side of the steps were large white pillars supporting the overhanging eves. Upstairs her mother’s room was illuminated. Sighing she popped the trunk. She heard the front door open.

“Oh my gosh, thank God you’re here. I heard there was a train wreck. Oh, honey, don’t scare me like that,” Ilisha’s mother, Dena, said, clutching her chest running out to meet her.

“I sent you a text, so you knew I was on my way.” She returned the hug Dena wrapped her in.