Chapter Text
The train station was louder than it usually was, full of loud wailing from children and adults alike. Mothers clung to their children, desperate to pack in one final embrace before they were put on a train, never to be seen or heard from until... well, no one really knew when.
"Bye mama, bye Perry," Luz hugged each of her parents in turn.
"Remember bebé, you're the eldest. Look after Gus, and keep to yourselves on that train," Camila held her daughter firmly by the shoulders so Luz was forced to pay attention. Her gaze flickered to and fro from her mother's eyes, and everywhere else on the train station. Partly because this is what she always did, and partly because an odd part of her wanted this historic moment in her brain forever.
"Gus," Perry said, patting Gus's shoulder. "You be sensible, alright? Someone shall look after you and Luz who isn't me or Camila. It will be unusual, but you mustn't worry- they'll take good care of you," he assured him. Gus's big, grey eyes shimmered with tears; he did not seem convinced.
The train conductor blew the whistle sharply, making the family gasp sharply. "You'll be just fine? We'll all see each other again soon. This is only temporary," Camila's gaze softened as she and Perry pulled them in for one last hug. Camila and Perry straightened up their respective children's clothing: straightening caps, doing up final buttons on coats, brushing stray bits of hair, and finally kissing them on the forehead as they boarded the train.
"Be careful and stay safe!" Perry called. "I love you kids, you'll be alright!"
"Bye Luz! Bye Gus! I love you, I love you both so much!" Camilla waved, bravely remaining unemotional as the train jolted into motion, taking her children far far out of reach. Where they would be safe.
"Bye mama! I love you too!" Luz shouted from the open window, waving her cap madly like she saw many of the other kids doing.
Then, Luz realised something horrible. She was being taken away from her mama and father. What if they were gone by the time her and Gus returned?
"Mama! Perry! Please don't go!" Luz screamed, near hysterical. The weight of the situation began to settle on her shoulders, lodging firmly in place. She began to cry, big fat tears spilling from her face and dripping onto the wooden windowsill around the thin, grimy glass window. It was dirty and tainted, but there was still enough sight left for Luz to watch as her mother and Perry fade into coloured blobs, then pinpricks, then-
Whoosh! They were whisked away sharply as the train turned a corner, concealing the station by a stone wall.
"Daddy."
"Mama."
Luz and Gus spoke at the same time, their voices taking on a near-identical desperate, mourning tone. How can this moment come so soon in their lives, the day they bid goodbye to their parents?
They thought about this for an agonisingly long time, both siblings gripping the window pane like their lives depended on it, that last bittersweet touch of home they had left. Eventually, Luz spoke "come on. We need to find a good seat before they're all taken."
They were not alone in this; many other children -particularly the younger ones- were sobbing and weeping by the windows, some in full hysterics.
The siblings locked their hands together, fingers squeezing tightly, and collapsed into an empty compartment near the end. It was going to be a long day.