Snippet #2179495

Another fresh coat of mud clung to Jack's shoes with each puddle that he trudged through. He sniffled in vain to clear his stuffy nose and yawned. A result of staying up most of the night trying to 'scrounge' up enough money for the train ticket, circus, and...a pair of new shoes, or risk getting an ear full from his mother when he gets back home. Then again he wouldn't have to worry about that for a good few hours. Where he was heading would be the closest thing to a real retreat from familial issues and that was something that a teen like him needed. He looked at his now fairly ruined shoes as he walked towards the train station. He didn't really like this pair anyways. They always squished his feet a few hours into wearing them. In a way the moisture from the mud was doing him a favor by granting more give in the materials that they were made from.

He pulled his hat from his head and scratches at the annoying itch that nagged at his scalp. His locks of dreaded hair fell over his face and neck like an old mop that fell onto his head. If he didn't decide at the last minute that he wasn't going to use his savings to pay for the day's trip he wouldn't have wasted so much time caught up in thought when he could have let the top of his head breath for more than a few minutes before he would have to stuff his hair back into his hat. Sure he could just let it down today, then again he didn't like being stared at. Not when he still wasn't exactly sure that he had enough money for everything. It was just another thing that he could avoid worrying about. Having to endure a sweaty head for a while bothered him none compared to unwanted attention. He naturally attracted it enough as it was already. Sometimes it was to his advantage. Right now, having a pocket full of waded up money wasn't something that he wanted discovered.

Getting the train ticket was easy. Only pulling enough money to pay for it without several others falling out onto the floor. The man behind the counter looks down he disappears underneath the counter to pick up the crumpled up bills. He shoots a look at a passing officer. There was no real need for security. Not consistently anyways since there wasn't much trouble that could be caused there. Occasionally police still made their rounds since the station was still part of the city. The officer practically shoved Jack before he could stand up completely. He was quick to jump back up, refraining from pushing back once he saw who it was. The officer grabbed onto the collar of Jack's shirt and stared him down. Jack waited a few moments before breaking the silence. "...can, I get my ticket?"

The officer smiles, reaches down and picks up the cash Jack didn't have time to recover. "This is quite a bit for a boy like you to have." Jack slips from the cop's grip and fixes his shirt.

"I've been saving up all year sir...the circus is in town." Jack doesn't break his eyes away when he sets his hand palm up on the counter. "I just want to get my ticket. Its already paid for." The officer allows Jack to take the train ticket but pockets the money and returns to duty.

He lost a chunk of his money, but he managed to get his ticket as well as the cop's wallet which he pocketed when he was grabbed. There were too many people looking so he would have to behave himself and keep his hands in his pockets for a while.

Giving Evie a tight-lipped smile he sat down next to her when she scooted over. She most likely didn't notice him grabbing the wallet but it was only a guess. "I guess it could have been worse. I think there's still enough to get through the day." He wasn't all that committed to his words. Couldn't quite stop worrying about his parents back at the brewery. He just hoped that he would never come home to police raiding and arresting them. His attention is brought back when the train and Avalin arrives.

The trip felt like a blur by the time they had reached the circus. By the time he bought his ticket and walked in he noticed that Evie had tripped and fell. Jack rushed over to help her up but not before bumping shoulders with the person who tripped over her. It didn't matter if Evie was at fault or the fact that the other person wasn't watching where they were going. Jack helped Evie brush herself off with his hat before replacing his hat. He heard her mentioning something about someone being in the air. When he looked up however he didn't see anything. He hoped that the day would pick up. He noticed that she was looking at the sign.