What I saw next, I couldn’t believe. The railcar looked like a luxury dining railcar… with a butler. He was the first person I had seen since waking up on this train and he stood there like nothing was amiss. I had just killed a giant spider and was almost eaten alive by bugs in the previous railcars and this one was meant for a fine afternoon tea time!

The railcar itself had a single table set with a fine table cloth and the chairs looked so soft like you could melt in them. On the table was dinnerware for one and a clean, shiny wine glass. There was a napkin neatly folded over the plate with an embroidered “97” on it. The floor of the railcar was carpeted with a fine white carpet, that I was now covering in mud and blood. I suppose the butler will have to clean this up. The walls were decorated with a pink floral wallpaper that looked like something you might find in your grandparents’ house.

The butler was standing at the far side of the railcar next to the dinner table and what looked like a clothing trunk. Closest to my side of the railcar there was a small bar that was fully stocked with various colored liquids I could only assume was alcohol.

This railcar had windows to the outside, unlike the last two. They were on opposite walls and gave a clear view of the landscape. However, instead of seeing cherry blossoms, it was now a mountainous landscape with a slight snowfall. How long had I been on this train? I didn’t recall seeing any mountains in the distance earlier, but of course I was looking behind us at the time. We must’ve traveled far in the time I was in the forest.

The butler, which I can only assume is one based on his attire, did not look at me or make any motions as I had entered the railcar. He was standing with a platter in his hand as still as a tree. He was wearing a fine black suit with a tail coat and he also wore a top hat as well.

It wasn’t until I had approached the table that the butler finally spoke.

“Good evening, sir.”

“Uh. Good evening?”

I was nervous, because I had tracked mud and guck throughout the car. 

“For tonight’s meal we have a filet mignon, baked potato, and house vegetables, sir.”

He seems to ignore my filth completely.

“That’s meant for me?

“Yes, sir. Please, do sit, sir.”

I sat at the table, still unsure of what was going on. I looked horrid. I had blood and dirt and all sorts of muck on me and I was sitting in this fancy dining railcar at this fancy table about to have what sounded like the best meal of my life.

“I do apologize, sir, I did not introduce myself. My name is Cornrose, sir.”

He placed the platter in front of me and removed the lid. It was the best thing I have seen ever since I woke up. I was salivating.

“Cornrose? That sounds like a very fine wine. Speaking of which, do you have any?” Maybe that will take the edge off of all the bug bites. The bandages made me feel a lot better and stopped the bleeding, but there was still some pain in the back of every motion.

“Of course, sir.”

Cornrose proceeded to pull a wine from, what looked like, thin air and began pouring it into the glass in front of me.

“Cornrose, what is this place?”

“This, sir, is the Train of Hopes, the Train of Dreams, the Train of Chances. It is where anything and everything can happen, sir.”

“How did I get here?”

“That I cannot say, sir. All that I know is that you are here and that I am here to serve you. Please, eat this meal, for it shall make you feel exquisitely better. You may also use the trunk in this corner for a fresh set of clothing and you may also store anything that you wish to save in there as well, sir.”

I eyed the trunk. I didn’t have anything to “save” right now and I’m not sure what he even meant by that. All I have on me is the bag I found after waking up and the wrench that saved my life against the spider. I could use a fresh set of clothing though. I was wearing muddy and bloody torn up rags at this point.

After eating the meal, which made me feel refreshed and invigorated, I noticed that my wounds no longer hurt and after peeking at them, I noticed they were completely healed, too! What was in that food? I was completely healed. Cornrose, you are a fine butler. Since I was physically healed, I now needed to clean up my appearance, so I headed to the trunk.

Cornrose did not move from his spot. He did not peek over or make a noise while I changed. Professional.

“Cornrose, what am I supposed to do now?”

“Continue on, sir. That is really all you can do at the moment. But, do not forget, I am here to serve you, should you need it, sir.”

“Thank you, Cornrose.”

I looked over this railcar one last time, thinking about how I could come back to relax if I needed to. I was in no rush to continue on and it’s not like I had anywhere else to go.

I made my way to the next railcar.