The Train Was a Terrible Idea

To be clear:

Jumping onto a moving freight train is not something I recommend.

Legally.

Physically.

Or spiritually.

But at the time?

It felt extremely cinematic.

The train roared beside the buildings while cold wind blasted across the rooftops hard enough to rearrange my personality.

Mia stared at me.

“Jake.”

“Yes?”

“If you say ‘trust me’ one more time tonight, I’m reporting you to science.”

“That feels unnecessary.”

Aria looked over the edge.

“We are absolutely going to die.”

“Negative thinking.”

“Gravity thinking.”

Honestly?

Fair distinction.

Behind us, the gunman reached the fire escape.

We officially ran out of time.

I looked at everybody calmly.

“Okay.

New rule.”

Mia blinked.

“You’re making rules during a rooftop hostage situation?”

“Structure creates survival.”

Aria adjusted her glasses.

“No.

Therapy creates survival.”

The train thundered closer.

Closer.

Closer.

Then:

“RUN.”

I sprinted first.

Not because I was brave.

Because if I thought about it for another second, I absolutely wasn’t doing it.

I jumped.

Wind exploded around me.

Then my hands caught the railing of a freight car.

Pain shot through my shoulders.

But I held on.

“JAKE!” Mia screamed.

I dragged myself onto the train roof and turned immediately.

Aria jumped next.

Perfect landing again.

Honestly getting annoying.

The girl followed.

Slipped.

And nearly missed completely.

I lunged forward instantly and caught her wrist.

For one horrifying second she dangled above the tracks below.

Mia screamed:

“DON’T YOU DARE DROP HER!”

“THAT WASN’T THE PLAN!”

Aria grabbed the girl’s other arm.

Together we dragged her safely onto the train.

Everybody collapsed breathing hard.

Then we looked up.

Mia was still standing on the rooftop.

Hands on hips.

Absolutely furious.

The train kept moving.

Fast.

I blinked.

“…Mia?”

She pointed at me violently.

“YOU LEFT ME.”

“In fairness—”

“NO FAIRNESS.”

The gunmen were almost beside her now.

“MIA JUMP!”

She looked at the train.

Then the armed criminals.

Then me.

“I hate every single one of you.”

And jumped.

Honestly?

Excellent form.

She landed directly onto me again.

Apparently that had become our thing