XXXI - The Wheel Of Fortune 1

I did not wait long until I was joined by Lavinia, Lucky, Psyche. In that instant moment we made our way to the train station in Manhattan, I couldn't help but keep my eyes peeled for anything out of the ordinary. Call it intuition or paranoia, but something was nagging at the back of my mind.

Sure enough, as we approached the platform, a figure caught my eye - the train conductor, standing there on a cloudy day, decked out in a pair of dark shades. Now, I ain't one to judge a man's fashion choices, but something about it just rubbed me the wrong way. And when I got a good look at him, my suspicions only grew. You know me, I never miss small details, they are the most important thing in life.

The guy was almost 6'5", built like a brick house, short brown hair framin' a face that just screamed "mystery." Immediately, my mind started racing, wondering if this big man could be one of us - a fellow Contract Holder, because duh, C-Holder Magnetism...

"Howdy, folks!" the conductor bellowed, flashing us a toothy grin as we approached the platform. "First-class tickets, I presume?"

I nodded, keepin' my eyes trained on him. "That's right. Appreciate you holding the car for us."

He let out a deep chuckle, his gaze flickerin' up and down, taking in my getup. "Well, ain't you a snappy dresser. That eye patch - makes you look like quite the dashing rogue, if I do say so myself."

I felt a grin tug at the corner of my mouth. "Just trying to look my best, conductor. Gotta make a good impression, you know?"

The man let out another laugh, his sunglasses glinting in the dim light. "Well, you're certainly succeeding. Now, let's get you all settled in, shall we?"

As we followed him onto the train, I couldn't help but feel like there was more to this guy than met the eye. The way he'd eyed me, the subtle shift in his demeanor - it all reeked of hidden motives. But I'd be damned if I wasn't gonna find out what they were.

This conductor, he might just be one of those rogue contract holders. And if that was the case, I sure as hell wasn't gonna let him slip through my fingers.

As we boarded the train, I ushered Lavinia, Lucky, and Psyche towards the first-class section, keepin' a keen eye out for anythin' outta the ordinary. And sure enough, in the fourth car, I spotted a familiar face - Yves Saint Germain, decked out in a snazzy pink suit that just seemed to pop.

"Well, well, if it ain't my good friend Yves," I drawled, tapping him on the shoulder. "That suit of yours is really bringing out your features, you know that?"

Yves turned to face me, a curious glint in his eye. "Eros, what a pleasant surprise. Thank you, I must say that your outfit is also quite neat, and the Cappello Romano? Une piece de résistance. Oh, and to what do I owe this unexpected encounter?"

I flashed him a wolfish grin. "Oh, you know, just making sure all my ducks are in a row. This trip to D.C. is gonna be one hell of a show, and I wanted to make sure you were sittin' tight and ready for it. Last time we met I told you what we are going to do in D.C, the opening show of The Children of Truth."

His brows raised slightly. "Oh yes, the Houdini performance, you did not tell me the details. What kind of show will it be?"

I leaned in, lowering my voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Well, my friend, who knows? Might even be a little sideshow right here on the train. So you just sit tight and keep those eyes peeled, 'cause the curtain's about to rise."

Yves chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. "You always did have a flair for the dramatic, Eros. Very well, I will keep myself entertained."

"That's what I like to hear," I said, grinning. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got some other arrangements to tend to. But I'll be seeing you around, Yves."

As I turned to check the other train cars, I couldn't help but feel that something was off, a gut feeling, call it a 6th sense like the animals have. The pieces were falling into place, and if my instincts were right, this train ride was gonna be one hell of a wild ride. I just hoped the others were ready to strap in and enjoy the challenge.

Now that we checked this small first-class perimeter, I knew I had to get my people situated just right. Couldn't risk leaving any vulnerabilities, not with the kind of surprises I was anticipating.

"Alright, listen up," I said, turning to face Lavinia, Psyche, and Lucky. "We're splitting up, but don't you worry, it's all part of the plan."

Lavinia arched a brow. "Oh? And what exactly is this plan of yours, Eros?"

I flashed her a grin. "Simple - we cover more ground this way. Lavinia, you take the first car upfront. Psyche, you're in the second. Lucky, you're in the third."

Lucky let out a low whistle. "And where will you be, oh fearless leader?"

"Me?" I chuckled. "I'll be in the fifth car, right at the end."

Psyche nodded slowly, her gaze searchin' mine. "And what exactly are we keeping an eye out for?"

I shrugged nonchalantly. "Oh, you know, the usual - any surprises, any trouble. Gotta be prepared for whatever, and by whatever, I meant The C-Holder Magnetism. We cannot allow anything to disturb us before reaching D.C."

Lucky snorted. "Trouble? With you around, Diablo? I'm shocked, I tell you, shocked. Who the fuck would even dare to play with your Freak Show, that shit is like hell incarnated."

I clapped him on the shoulder. "That's why I need you all on high alert, just in case, we can never be sure. Can't have my best friends getting caught with their pants down, can I?"

As they headed off to their assigned cars, I settled into the fifth, making myself comfortable. Popping in my earbuds, I let the soothing strains of Chopin's Nocturnes wash over me, my mind drifting to the plans and strategies residing in my mind palace.

The kidnapping of the President, the chaos that would ensue - it was all fallin' into place. And with my little creation waitin' in the wings, I knew we were about to unleash somethin' truly earth-shatterin'.

This wasn't just some joyride to D.C. - it was the start of a revolution, an unholy one. And I, Eros Hermes, was gonna be the maestro of it. Whatever surprises awaited us, I was ready. I will always be two steps ahead, four steps ahead even...