8 Train Ticket 

Solanne raised both of her brows as she tilted her head a little. "A cabin who gives people dreams?" She repeated. 

"Hmmm," the owner answered back on the phone. 

"I-" Solanne doesn't know what to say. Feels like its absurd. She doesn't even believe in mythical beings, let a lone a living cabin? How weird is that? Aren't those just tales that are passed by adults to the children in order to scare them and keep them going from certain places? 

"They said that the owner of the cabin was a fallen god. Do you believe in gods?" 

"…." Solanne was silent. She doesn't know words to pick for her answer. Does she even believe in gods? Do they truly exist? It's a long time question that is still in her mind up until now. 

Her parents were religious. Maybe that's why she doubted the existence of a greater being in the first place. 

The owner doesn't seem to mind as he continued his sentence. 

"Well, it always depends upon the person if ever they believe it. You see I really have hobbies about these kinds of things yet I can't seem to find anyone interested in. My son has his own world you see. He's in his last year of college and he's busy with internship." 

The owner casually shared. 

Solanne fell speechless as of the moment. What should she even say? She's really not good when it comes to small talks like this. 

She tried to smile even though the owner can't see it. "Still, these topics are interesting. Do you have certain books that talks about this?" Solanne asked. She's also curious about this. 

She went to this province because of a friend and their tourist destination. She didn't know that most tourist went her because of the legends that were living in this place. It's a good thing that this place managed to preserve their history. 

"I have tons of them. I'll give it to you next week. Same exact day when you'll grab the vegetables and meat that's here." 

Solanne smiled a little. She was looking forward to it. 

"Really, thank you for this, owner. What will we do without you." 

She heard the owner of the cabin chuckled. "This is nothing. I just hope you find your stay in my cabin meaningful. I do not want you both to waste your time for nothing." 

"Well, it's unfortunate for the pandemic but anything else, is good. Thank you so much." Still in this very day, Solanne still refuses to watch some news regarding on what was happening in the world. She still lacks the courage for it. 

"Glad I could help. See you soon." 

"Yes, bye!" 

As soon as the phone call ends, Solanne can feel the energy leaving her body. She really doesn't have that much energy to socialize. Yet, she was thankful for the owner. His kindness knows no bounds, Solanne exaggerate on his mind. 

Still the owner got her thinking of those strange rumors. She wanted to know more, maybe it will become a good material for her future works. 

Feeling a little bit drowsy, Solanne went back to sleep. Of course, she set up an alarm at six since she'll be cooking dinner again. 

Speaking of, what should she cook next. 

--

Pass six in the night, Solanne was already awake and she was scrolling through her phone, thinking of what to cook. In the end, she decided to cook some 'sinigang' that's been showing on her feed for the last week. This was because the app seemed to know to she loves filipino food. 

After fixing herself she headed down stairs. She look around and she can't seem to find Yael. Maybe he's wondering somewhere or maybe he's on his room. The cats were also nowhere to be found, still, she started cooking. 

Right in the middle of her cooking, Yael got out, fresh from shower. His hair was still wet, and he's wearing a white shirt and lose pants. Subconsciously, Solanne's eyes went to his biceps that were so visible-

'What the hell! Solanne that man is years younger than you!' She reprimanded on her mind and looked away. She felt so embarrassed and she can feel her cheeks heat up. 

Silently she prayed that he won't notice. 

On the corner of her eyes, she saw Yael drying his hair and looked at the food she was cooking. He seemed to think that she was busy that she cannot see his expression but Solanne saw his excited grin as he nodded enthusiastically. 

It seemed that he's looking forward eating. 

'Ah,' For a moment, Solanne felt like the world was full of glitters and rainbows. It made her pause as she can feel her heartbeat. She was nervous. 

Still, his expression, she knew that she'll never be able to forget it. 

What an honor. 

That made Solanne's heart swoon. She feels like she had accomplished something so big she wanted to brag about it. But to whom. 

Turning her back, she decided to cook some rice. Yael went upstairs, right hand on his phone while the other was holding the towel drying his hair. 

Just like their normal routine, Solanne put aside some food for Yael in a bowl and it's still steaming hot as she prepared her dinner. She's still planning of finishing the novel she was reading, hence, after cooking she headed towards her room. 

At the moment she closed her room, Yael's room opened. His eyes looked tired as he went down stairs and grabbed the food that was set aside for him. He went to the living room to eat. He's planning to continue watching his show. 

Their routines were like this. They can't seem to find the courage to talk to each other yet, they were cohabiting like this. 

There's a lot of improvement. 

--

Night came… 

Solanne blink, eyes were confused and puzzled. 

How? 

Her eyes widen in disbelief as soon as she saw the same scene from yesterday's night.

She was in the train again. 

She was dreaming again. 

Yet, this time, she was seated right in front of Yael. He was in her dreams again. 

Is someone pulling some pranks? Why this? Is there any meaning to this? Swallowing, she look around afraid, as she tried to search for that creepy conductor yet he was nowhere to be found. 

"What are you doing?" Yael asked her. This was a dream, Solanne thought. The Yael in front of her was not him, realistically, it was only created based on her thoughts. 

Hence, Solanne was comfortable talking. "I'm looking for the train conductor last time. You know, the one with the creepy smile." Her eyes were still wondering inside the train. Still there were no sign of him. 

She heave a sigh of relief and sat down. She looked at Yael who was now looking at the blur surroundings outside. She has many questions on her mind and she wanted to ask him yet, what's the purpose anyway? This is a dream. He won't be able to answer it. 

"Where do you think we're headed?" Yael asked. 

Solanne shrugged. "I do not know. It's weird to have the same dream twice." 

"…"

There was another silence between them. Solanne pursed her lips as she thought. 'even in dreams he's acting like himself.' She wanted to berate him and tell of her rant about him, still, she held back. There's no use anyway. 

The train ride continued like that. They're not talking to each other. 

When… 

"Passengers!" The moment Solanne heard that voice, she felt like her heart drop and if this wasn't a dream, she might have been dead by now because of the fright. 

That was a familiar voice. She heard it yesterday. 

Instantly, her mind was occupied, imagining a creepy smile. She swallowed as she was ready to stand up, yet, the moment she looked up. 

Passengers. 

There were passengers in a supposed to abandoned train like this. 

How could her dream be so absurd like this? Is there any explanation to this? 

The last time she had looked she was only alone here yet, now, there's Yael and even other passengers. Yet at the same time, those passengers were different than humans. How could there be a skeleton sitting in the middle of the train? 

What to even expect at this time? 

How weird. Additionally, to that, they weren't even talking or doing anything. 

All of the passengers were seated. Eyes in front of them as if they were afraid to move. 

Yael looked up. He was frowning. He seemed to be confused. 

"You are back, our dearest customers?" This time, Solanne didn't have the time to runaway. The train conductor was already beside them, his palms were wide open. 

"Where are you both headed? Our dear passengers?" 

Where? Solanne asked her mind, panicking. She needs to answer but she can't even think of this train's destination! 

Where? 

"Solanne!" A whisper. The conductor smile was growing wider and wider as seconds passed. Solanne feel the chills down to her spine crawling on her skin. 

She seemed to be drawn back as she glanced to Yael's direction. 

He was pointing something. Solanne followed the direction he was pointing. 

'A ticket?" Solanne was puzzled even more. How? 

Before she could even think the conductor has already grabbed the ticket and read it. 

"Ah," A paused. "You are both headed to the place of dreams. How fascinating." 

The conductor mysteriously added. Solanne looked at Yael and he seemed to be also confused. "Three days." 

"Huh?" 

The conductors smile widens as if he knew something. He turned around and started asking the destinations of the other passengers. 

 "We'll arrive there in three days." 

Three days? 

--