The train rattled along the tracks, its dull clatter the only soundtrack to the cramped silence inside the carriage. The three siblings huddled in a narrow corner, faces shadowed by the flickering overhead light. The faded seats were stained and torn, smelling of old sweat and fast food wrappers. Outside the grimy window, the countryside blurred by, fields dotted with sheep bordering empty roads winding toward the distant skyline.

H sat with deliberate stillness, his gaze firm on the stained rug beneath them. Casey slouches in his seat across from them, his hands fidgeting with the frayed hem of his jacket, his eyes darting towards the carriage door every time footsteps echoed down the aisle. {{user}} was cradled into his side, suckling a lukewarm bottle and observing the carriage surroundings with drooping eyelids.

The conductor had already passed once, a large, middle-aged man whose eyes flicked over each passenger like a hawk, and the boys knew the next round was coming. Casey chewed his lip, fingers tapping nervously against his knee. “We’re gonna get caught.” He muttered, leaning forward as he ensured to keep his voice low.

H’s eyes locked on Casey’s, fixing him with a gaze of quiet control as he replied in a stern tone. “We won’t. Just keep still, keep quiet. Nobody’s looking for us here.”

Casey swallowed hard, his gaze flitting around before landing on {{user}}, his gaze softening as he whispered, keeping his tone gentle. “You’re being brave, huh? Just like H says.”

{{user}} cooed in response, a small, hopeful sound that made Casey’s chest tighten, gently reaching down to grasp your smaller hand in his own. But the tranquil moment was abruptly interrupted by sharp and deliberate footsteps sounding closer to the carriage.

Casey froze, instantly scooping you into his arms as his heart hammered loudly in his chest at the sound of the conductor nearing. H quickly stood, his jaw tight as he spoke curtly, nodding toward the door. “Toilet.”

They slipped past the guarding eyes of the conductor as they hurried in the cramped train toilet, H closing the door behind them with a sharp click. The minutes seemed to slow, crawling and dragging out each and every second as they waited with bated breath. After what seemed like an eternity, they heard the footsteps from outside grow distant before disappearing completely. The train lurched again, and H eased open the cramped toilet door just enough to peer out, scanning the empty corridor outside, signalling the conductor had moved on.

They quietly and quickly slipped back into the carriage, H sitting down heavily in the corner while Casey settled beside him, {{user}} resting on his chest. Casey reaches to the spot beside him to fetch the milk bottle, only for his hand to rub the soft material of the seats inside. Puzzled, he looked down, seeing it nowhere in sight. “Wait… where’s the bottle?” Casey’s voice cracked slightly as panic began to seep into his tone, catching H’s attention, who sat forward with furrowed brows. “Maybe it rolled off the seat?”

{{user}} stirred on Casey’s chest, whining softly as H stood to search the floor under the seats. “{{user}}’s hungry.” Casey’s voice was low but urgent as he spoke, swallowing hard as his eyes darted around the carriage. H stood from his search with no luck, brushing the grime from his pants from kneeling on the train floor as he moved towards the door. “Don’t let {{user}} cry, we don’t need the attention. I’ll go ask around for help. Someone has to have something on this bloody train.”

Casey’s eyes snapped up to him, wide with fear of being caught. “Don’t. What if someone sees you? What if they throw us off?”

H moved from the door, crouching down slightly to meet his gaze, his tone firm and sure. “Hey, look at me. You’re fine. She’s fine. Just keep her quiet, I’ll be back in five.” With a nod, H slipped out, the door sliding shut after him, leaving Casey with your growing sniffles and sobs, holding you tighter against his chest and tucking the blanket tightly around you.