“Why not?” Q said.
“Well, because of…um…you know, what happened to Olly.” Han lowered her voice. “There’s never been any official announcement about what happened to him, but everyone knows that this is where he went missing. I’ve heard that the exhibit can be a bit uncomfortable for some visitors. Olly might have accidentally exited through a locked door in his rush to leave. At least, that’s my husband’s theory.”
“Your husband is on the train too?” Q said. “The conductor told us that only one passenger boards the train per night.”
“Oh, we didn’t board at the same time. No one does. We met at one of the train’s Scrabble nights. He’s been the reigning champion since he boarded. You might have seen his name on the leaderboard at the lounge. His name’s Rasmus.”
“Other Rasmus?”Q said.
“No, just Rasmus. Or Han’s Rasmus, as some people like to call him.” Han laughed. “He’s version number three. Anyway, I hope you don’t change your mind about seeing the exhibit because of what I’ve told you. I mean, how terrifying can an exhibit about your deepest secrets be?”
“What’s on display at the gallery?”
Frequently Asked Questions
The Elsewhere Express
Passenger Handbook
Raya
Han stood by the door that led to the gallery’s exhibit. “You can’t imagine how excited I am.” She pulled the door open and slapped her forehead. “I almost forgot.” She pointed to a sign on top of the doorway. “I’m supposed to make sure that all visitors read that before entering.”
Welcome to the Portrait Gallery. Please note that food, drinks, and flash photography are not allowed.
A smaller, newer sign was posted, slightly askew, next to it.
And never open locked doors.
“That part was added after Olly got lost,” Han said. “I won’t tell anyone if you sneak a snack in, but please make sure you follow that last rule strictly.”
Raya nodded. “Of course.”
“I’m about to start my break, but I should be back by the time you’re done.” Han took the umbrella from Q and waved them through. “Enjoy the exhibit. I can’t wait to hear all about it.”
Arched stone bridges ventured over ponds and gurgling streams fringed by rushes and blooms in every shade of scarlet. A crisp evening breeze laced with pensiveness and hints of citrus and spice escorted Raya and Q down a winding path. Paper lanterns, nestled among the flowers, woke up and then floated to the sky, illuminating the water garden like hundreds of low-hanging moons.
“Han did say that this was the gallery, right?” Raya said.
“I trust your hearing more than mine.” Q smirked. “I can’t even hear the songs in the map.”
They stepped off a bridge and followed a pebbled path through a lush grove of heliconia, orchids, and elephant ear plants. A lagoon shimmered beyond the greenery, a mirror of the lantern-lit sky.
“Han’s luck might have rubbed off on us.” Raya looked out from the water’s edge. “There’s no sign of the stowaway.”
“Or the exhibit.” Q’s voice slipped out in a half sigh.
“You sound disappointed.”
“I’m not going to lie. I was curious to see what an exhibit that puts secrets on display looks like.”
“A disaster, probably.” Raya stuffed her hands into her pockets. “I don’t blame Olly for panicking and running away. Who wouldn’t? It’s one thing to reveal a cocktail’s secret ingredient or share that you returned a library book late. But having your darkest secret on display? No, thank you. How would you feel if we had found all your secrets framed and hung on walls?”
“Honestly? A part of me was hoping that we would.”
“Why?”
“Because when I told you my biggest secret, it was like I had burst free from a dark locked box and felt the sun on my face for the very first time.”
