The Village

Nia had never been on a train before. The night that preceded her trip she could hardly contain her excitement. Her father had just been transfered to a job out in the country far away from where they currently lived. To get to that far away place they had to take a train.

The night before the big trip, Nia packed all her clothes into her little suitcase. All of her playthings had to be left behind. Those were the rules. Nia snuck her favorite doll into her suitecase. The doll she slept with everynight. Her mother had spied her doing this and allowed her to get away with it. With the exception of a few family pictures, the only thing that Nia's family took with them were their clothes. Everything else was left behind to be used by whoever was selected to live in their house after they had vacated it.

Nia and her parents took a carriage to the train station. The carriage was pulled by a horse and took several hours to reach it's destination. On the carriage Nia stared with wide eye's at all the buildings that were so neatly kept. She watched and listened to the birds that sang their sweet song to her. She followed the gait of the horse as it lazily made it's way to their destination.

Nia had on a spring dress. It was yellow and had flowers on it. The weather was nice and warm with a few clouds in the sky to keep the temperature from rising too much. Once they reached the train station, the train was waiting for them. Their things were put in a compartment below the seating area and then they boarded the train. Nia's looked around. There were seats that looked like benches inside. Nia's family selected one and sat down. After sitting there for what seemed like a long time to Nia, a man in a uniform came around and instructed everyone that the train would be departing soon.

Once the train departed, Nia felt the wind in her hair. The reason for this was because a nearby window had been left open for the purpose of making sure their compartment didn't get too hot. Nia stared out the window. The scenery went by faster than it did when she was riding in the carriage. As the train made it's way, she noticed how the land went high and low. The trees looked different. The train passed by lakes that seemed to go on for as far as Nia could see. She found it all awe inspiring.

When it was time for dinner, Nia ate a peanut butter and Jelly sandwich and drank some apple juice. This meal was provided by the crew of the train. After a while it got dark and Nia felt sleepy. She curled up next to her mother and fell asleep.

The next thing she felt was her mother nudging her awake. They reached there stop and it was time to get off. It was still dark. Nia didn't know what time it was but she didn't feel like waking up. Once they got off the train and there bags where removed from the compartment under their seats, the train continued on it's journey.

Nia could see her father shaking hands with someone she had never seen before. They were talking about something and when they were done, they all followed the strange man. After walking for a few minutes they reached a small house. The strange man gave Nia's father the key's to the house and they all went inside. Inside the house was completely furnished. The house had two rooms in it and Nia's mother carried Nia to the smaller room and put her in the single bed inside of it. Nia fell back to sleep. Nia's parents unpacked their clothes and put them in the dresser that was in the master bedroom and went to sleep themselves.

When Nia woke up the next day and went into the living area, there were visitors. There was a man, a woman and a small girl around Nia's age. The woman spoke to Nia first.

"You must be Nia" The woman started, "Welcome to our little village. I am sure you will love it here. This is my daughter Lidia." The small girl whose designation was Lidia waved and gave Nia a shy smile. Nia waved back. The woman continued talking.

"I'm sure the two of you will become good friends." The two girls just stared at each other but neither one spoke. The man and woman came over to welcome Nia and her family to their little village. Nia wasn't sure what to think but she was starting a new chapter in her young life.