After the War....

''The war was scarring. I can't feel my legs.''

''All the jammers were taking prisoner by phantoms, forced to work in hives, which were basically factories that made phantoms. We had nothing but phantom goop to eat. Tasted horrible, not good for food, but all we could live on. ''

''Then the Alphas struck back. They were losing, but then, after Greely and Graham collaborated to create ten machines they called AutoMech Chompers. They won the war with that invention, but after running low on Chomper chow, the chompers went wild and are still roaming, ready to tear apart any creatures. They're pretty slow, though.''

''I encountered one the week after the liberation. It tried to roll towards me, but toppled over on its side. I managed to keep it from getting up by holding onto it's neck-stem thing. Sir Gilbert came and put an end to that thing, but it self-destructed, taking my front legs.''

''My blood isn't even red. It's gray sludge.''

''My den is destroyed. Slathered in phantom goop, roof torn off, windows and doors smashed in. Everything gone. All my money gone. I lost family, though. They all died on the battlefront, fighting for freedom. At least I know that they are absolutely dead and aren't still wandering around, suffering.''

I just feel numb.

But I'm lucky.

''There's a goat kid named Legit Happydreamer. Legit lives the Jamaa Township shelter, like most of us.''

''He goes to the train station at 12 every day. He tells me his family is coming. Every day.''

''For the first year, I didn't tell him that they probably are dead, that their train crashed. When I did, he nodded gleefully and continued his daily schedule. I don't know what's going on with him.''

Thought 1
Where's my family? Away?

Yeah, they're away.. Just away. They should be arriving home today. I got home today on Liza's train.

They're coming home today!

They're coming on Graham's train, the bestest train in the world!

They'll be home at noon, that's when Graham's train usually comes.

What time is it?

3:30? Oh no.....

I missed it.... But they'll be waiting for me! I'm going there right now!

Right now!

Right....

They're not here. But they'll be coming!

I'm sure of it....

Thought 2
They're coming. They think the train crashed, but they are coming.

Graham is a little old, a little creepy, but smart. They'll be here tomorrow.

I can go at noon and they'll be there, my mama and papa and sissy. They'll be there!

Pthink that the train has crashed, that it slid on the leftovers of the phantom factory.

But it's the bestest train in Jamaa, and my family always gets the bestest because they're smart and good and kind. It's good karma, papa tells me. I don't know what karma is, though, but it is good!

It's 11 AM, the Dinner Party is starting now. I don't know why they have a Dinner Party at 11, but I'm going to the train station! They'll be there!

Thought 3
They didn't come. They're coming tomorrow. Don't worry!

They'll be here anytime!

Thought 4
They're coming tomorrow. I'll be there to welcome them.

She tells me they're probably dead, but Mira won't allow that. They are good people.

Thought 5
Still waiting, they'll be here soon.

Thought 6
Here soon.... If not today, tomorrow.

Thought 7
They're coming. I see the smoke.

Thought 8
The train is coming slowly. It's big.

The train is much smaller than I thought.

Thought 9
It's coming closer....

The Last Thought
They are here.

Ending
''I tried to save him. I tried so hard. Now he's gone. The chomper.... It....''

I don't feel too numb anymore.