It was another cold, dreary day in the tail end of the train. Curtis made his way through the familiar squalor. As leader of these people, Curtis did his best to look out for them all. But one passenger in particular had always piqued his curiosity – a young woman who kept resolutely to herself.

Each morning as the protein blocks were doled out, she would accept hers wordlessly and retreat to the same secluded corner without so much as a glance at the others. Curtis had never heard her speak. While the rest of the tailies bonded out of necessity in this dismal place, she remained an observer on the edges of their community.

Today, as she hurried away with her meager breakfast, Curtis felt a strange urge to follow. Something about her solitary nature made him want to breach the barrier she’d built. Perhaps under all that quiet was a person in need of companionship, however minute, in this cramped metal tube they called home. He trailed a respectful distance behind until she settled into her corner, then approached.

“Mind if I join you?” Curtis asked gently. She glanced up in obvious surprise but didn’t protest. Taking that as invitation enough, he sat opposite her small form and offered what he hoped was a reassuring smile. “I’m Curtis. What’s your name?”