Chapter 26: Blood on the Rail-Way

"What was that?!" Bùtóng said before he stood up and gasped at what he saw.

"What's the commotion?" Jesse chuckled as she stood next to Bùtóng before she gasped herself.

"Oh... Oh, God...." Jesse muttered as she slowly took her hat off her head and placed it onto her chest.

Bob joined them, meanwhile Hydro remained on his seat. Hydro cupped his snout as he tried breathing in the scent of blood. Hydro's body trembled, while Cairo and Artty tried to calm Hydro's nerves.

Human...

Hydro didn't know how, but he knew the blood he smelled was human. Human blood, fused with the scent of something foul.

When Hydro was finally calmed down he took to inhale a deep breath as he hopped off his seat. Hydro saw a crying woman who was held by a man of stone. Hydro shivered as he search the rest of his surroundings, everyone in the train cart was staring at the crying woman and stone man. Hydro covered his snout as he search the sores of the scent.

Hydro walked away from the crowd as he found himself inside another cart. The scent became much stronger. Hydro looked around the train cart as he started his investigation.

The train cart Hydro was currently in seemed slightly bigger than the cart Hydro was in before. The seats and tables appeared more luxurious, as the tables were covered by a clean and thin white cloth. While the seat was made out of a pigmented violet fabric, that seemed soft to the touch.

Hydro turned his attention to the left corner of the train cart. He saw a tall man in a clean white shirt, a black tie, braces and smart black trousers. The man had sections of drinks placed on wooden shelves behind him, while he also had a giant flat surface in front of him. Hydro couldn't figure out the man's facial appearance since the man's head was just a ball of fire.

On the other side of the flat surface from the fireball, the man was two people in red noble uniform. Hydro walked toward the wooden counter next to the two red-clothed strangers. The two strangers gazed at Hydro with caution and curiosity. Hydro greeted them with a wobbly smile before he looked up at the fireball man.

"Hello little one, how may I help you?" the man spoke softly.

"I'm waiting," Hydro responded.

"Waiting for what? Where are your parents?" said the man as passed Hydro a glass of milk and a small bowl of seeds and dry fruit.

"This is good service." Cairo caws as he and Artty drive into the small bowl.

"I don't have parents, I came here with my friends." Hydro said as he drank the glass of milk.

"Even if that's the case, a little pup like you shouldn't be left alone. Where are your friends?" said the man as he gave Hydro another glass of milk.

"In the other room, something scary happened so I came here." Hydro said with a downcast expression.

The man petted Hydro head before he spoke. "Than stay as long as you like. May I know your name?"

"Call me... Puffer!" Hydro barked happily.

The man chuckled. "Well~ it's nice to meet you Puffer, I'm Leonard Grillby."

"Grillby? Just like that old guy back in winter seasons." Cairo caws before continued pecking inside the bowl.

"Cairo don't be be rude." Hydro huffed as he plucked out a feather.

"OW!" Cairo squawked.

Leonard chuckled as he gave out the two strangers their drinks.

Hydro gazed up at the two strangers before he said. "Why did you do it?"