As I pretended to read a random magazine I found on the train, I kept observing the door window to see if someone would check on their luggage, and sure enough someone eventually did. From my view, I see a black man in his 30’s with tied dreadlocks and sunglasses checking the luggage. Even though I can’t get a clear view to see which luggage he is looking at, he seems to be very cautious, looking around making sure no one is spying. Fortunately, he does not seem to notice me, or at least does not give any signs he has. After a couple of seconds, he goes back to his passage car, and presumably, his seat.

  Despite having a feeling that he’s the owner of the briefcase, I do not take any action and wait to see if he checks it again. And after 25-ish minutes, the same person checks the briefcase again. As he leaves, I untie my shoe laces, get up, and walk towards his train car. Just like in the previous car, this car has a handful of people, 3 groups of people and 4 by themselves. My suspect is in a group with 2 other people, having an argument with the person in front of him. I get close, and when I’m in eavesdropping distance, I kneel on the floor and start tying my shoe. They did not notice my presence and continued their conversation. Unfortunately, I can only see dreadlocks down here, but this is good enough.

  The man with the dreadlocks says, “All I’m saying is that we should have the suitcase with us at all times. Someone could easily steal it, and we can’t get paid when the thing we were hired for is stolen.” He sounds like he’s in quite a bit of stress

  Another voice, a male, says, “That would be true, but we’re in a Story Resonance. There are or at least will be, a lot of Storyborn on this train, and they could have some weird ability to mind control us or replace the case with an identical fact. If we have it on us constantly, they would know it’s important. But if it’s in a normal place with a bunch of other luggage, they would think it’s just a normal suitcase. And if someone, for whatever reason, stole it, you could just ask your pet-.”

  Dreadlocks quickly puts his index finger in front of his mouth and frantically says, “Shush! Don’t reveal my ability dumbass.”

  The same voice chuckles, “Bitch please, your ability is so confusing, that I don’t know it half the time.”

  Dreadlock clearly doesn't like how relaxed the other guy is. “You still shouldn’t say it out loud, someone might hear us.”

  For a second, I worry that I might have been caught, as he put a lot of emphasis on someone, but my fears dissolve when the relaxed man says, “Even if Son does backstab us, it’s 2 against 1, we could easily beat him up. No offence.”

  Another voice, probably this Son person, says very matter of factly, “None taken.”

  Dreadlocks says, “I’m still surprised by how odd this Story Resonance is.”

  The relaxed man says, “Cause of how everytime we try to call each other by our names, it automatically sounds like the role's name?”

  As I finished tying my shoe, I suddenly sat down on a nearby seat, and thankfully, I wasn’t noticed. Dreadlock continues, “Sort of, but this isn’t exactly uncommon to happen. It's just… what the hell are these role’s. Lemon, Tangurean, Son, these are stupid names.”

  The relaxed man says, “You're just jealous that I got the cooler name.”

  Son asks, “How is Lemon a cool?”

  “It’s better than being called Son or Tangerien. I mean seriously, who actually like the test of tangeriens”

  Dreadlocks, whose role seems to be Tangerien, says, “I like them.”

  Lemon says, “Yea, but you think shadow shepherd is a good code name.”

  Tangerine replies, “It’s a good, threatening name.”

  Son says, “sorry but I have to agree with your friend-”

  Tangerine interrupts, “Twin.”

  Son continues, “Yes twin, that name…” He pauses, as he sounds like he noticed something odd. “Your twins?”

  Lemon sounds a bit offended, “Yea, I mean it’s obvious. Isn’t it Tangerine.”

  Tangerine agrees, “Very obvious, I mean we're identical except for our hair cuts.”

  They continue having various conversations, or more accurately tangents, for a couple more minutes. Even though I gleaned a bit of information, like that Son is the clear outsider, it’s clear that they will not disclose who employed them. “Hey Elisa, did you get a reply from the security guard?”

  She immediately responds, “Not yet, after all, it’s been less than an hour." Did not know what I was expecting. “I’m guessing you found someone who has a role.”

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  I replied, “3 actually. And they seem to be carrying the macguffin.”

  She teasingly says, “Hm, how lucky.”

  I ignore her and continue, “Their names are Lemon, Tangirean, and Son, all males. Tangirean also is black with dreadlocks and seems to have some sort of animal companion or summoning type ability. Also he has a twin.”

  “Too vague,” Elisa replies. “But they definitely seem to be prime suspects. Keep on a low profile and try to learn more about them.”

  In most cases, that would be the right thing to do. Especially when Limon seems to be less cautious than his brother. But I have a feeling that I do not have a lot of time before shit hits the fan. So I decided to do something that might be a bit stupid. I get up and take a seat on the other side of them. All 3 of them immediately stop their conversation and stare at me. Now that I can see all 3 of them, I am very surprised with what I see. First off, Limon is a 30-ish white guy with curly durdy blond hair and a suit and tie that wasn’t tied, loosely hanging around his shoulders. Tangerine seems to have a matching suit but his is way more proper. I also noticed strange objects around the 2. Tangerine is wearing gloves that seem to have different symbols on each finger, the pinky from his left hand is missing, showing his bare pinky. And Lemon has 2 swords on the empty seat next to him.

  Son on the other hand is a white man in his early 20’s with brown slicked back hair, wearing what looks like reading glasses, and is wearing a zipped up white jacket with some text in the left chest area that I did not care enough to read. He seems to have a calm demeanor, but not the same calm as Lemon. It’s much more controlled. He is the first one to speak, “Do you have something to say?”

  A bit rude, but not the meanest introduction someone could give me. I was about to speak when suddenly, an orange cat jumped into my lap. The cat curled up and rested on it. I am surprised, but he reminds me of my cat back home, so I couldn’t help but gently pat the top of its head.

  Lemon asks, “Is that your cat?”

  I shake my head, “No, I have no idea who this cat is. But back to what you were saying Son, I do have something to say to the 3 of you.” Son’s expression didn’t change, but Lemon and Tangerine’s did, to one of caution. It’s subtle, but I noticed Lemon quietly grabbing one of the swords, and Tangerine’s left hand covering his right index finger. I expected this reaction, so I said, “I’m not looking for a fight, I just want to know who you are, and why you have that briefcase with you.”

  Both of them are still tense, but they seem to be more willing to talk. Tangerine says, “Shouldn’t you ask who you are before asking other people, it’s polite.”

  I nod, “My ‘name’ is Ladybug.” Everyone, even Son, seems to react when I told them my title. “I am a part of the DFA, and my mission is to make sure a certain organization doesn't get their hands on the macguffin.” I show them my badge, and the “twins” seem to look more hostile towards me. Not a big fan, but I can still work with this. “If you prove that you aren't a part of the “String Cutters,”not only will I back off, but I will even help you in guarding the macguffin.”

  Both of the brothers look at each other, and Tangerine mouths something to Limon. From my angle, I can’t read his lips. Limon sighs and says, “I think we need to have alcohol in our system before we start explaining why we are here.”

  As both stand up, I ask, “Because it’s personal or because it’s a lot.”

  Limon says, “Yes.” Makes sense to me. I was about to gently place the cat down, but the cat moved off and walked under the seat. Odd, but I guess my lap wasn’t comfortable anymore. I get up and realize that Son isn’t getting up, so I ask, “What about him?”

  Tangerine says, “He’s in a… special circumstance. So there is no need for him to be informed about our situation.”

  I can’t help but be concerned. The Son in the movie dies when the Limon and Tangerine aren't near him. “Are you sure? Something might happen if we leave him alone?”

  With a confident smile, Tangerine says, “Don’t worry, if something does happen, I’ll know.” He walks to car 6 along with his brother.

  I look at Son and asks, “Do you know-”

  He interrupts me, "Probably the best time to ask questions.” He quickly look at the 2, clearly telling me they would be more suspicious of me if I did.

  Can’t really deny that. “Alright, stay safe. And be careful with anyone wearing mascot costumes.”

  He nods his head, and I’m surprised by how he didn’t question my odd advice. Not that I’m complaining. I walk through the automatic doors to train 6 and find myself surprised by the interior of this car. Instead of the row of seats on both sides, there is a bar that covers most of the left side of the bar, with some stools on both sides with tables. The only people in this car are me, the “twins” and a younger bartender.

  Limon is the first one to sit down and orders 3 drinks for us. As she grabs a bottle from the shelf and begins to serve our drinks, Tangerine sits down 2 seats away from Limon, so I sit down right in the middle. Once the bartender hands us our drinks, Limon is the first one to take a sip. “So, what’s you play?”

  I take a very small sip before replying, “To complete my mission and go home in one piece."

  Tangerine is the next to ask, “So you're just one of those by the books guys.”

  Limon chuckles, “I doubt it. He wouldn’t have announced himself to some random Storyborn who has the Macuffen if he was one.”

  I shrugged while still looking at my glass, “My mission already went south when I entered this train. And I already know by the time this train ends, I’ll know every relevant information about you too.”

  Limon narrows his eyes, “Is that a threat?”

  A worker enters the train and asks the bartender for something, and both of them exit the room. As soon as the door closes, I say, “It’s not. It’s just a feeling I have. Just like how I have a feeling that both of you are about to attack me.” Both of them didn’t say anything, an indirect confirmation that my feeling is correct. “Once again, I’m just trying to accomplish this mission, so I will ignore whatever crime both did-” I did not get to finish with what I was saying when I heard 2 distinct sounds. On my left, the sound of a blade being unsheath, to my right, the sound of cloth benign ripped.

  I sigh, I should have just spied on them. But I would have probably have to fight either of the brothers, so might as well get done with this sooner or later.