Before you read, please have a couple things in mind.

1. The first story is a metaphore. Everything represents something else.

2. I am fully aware that there are no capitals and that the ' quotations should be " quotations in the befor ementioned story.

3. The second story is a couple years old. My writing hasn't changed much, but it's changed enough that there's a difference.

4. Keep an open mind. Tell me what you think at the end. What this story means to you. I'd love to hear. :3

5. Critique is welcomed as long as it is constructive. Please no bashing.

6. My username on DeviantArt is EmoPotato. These stories were originally posted there, but I thought I'd like some new eyes on them.

Enjoy. :3

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Story One

Originally Posted by Train Wreck

he was doing his regular patrol rounds of the station. the last train had long since left and the staff had all returned home. he rubbed his gloved hands together, trying to get some warmth in the tips of his numb fingers as he walked into the main room of the station after patrolling the platforms. winter this year was not kind.

he glanced around, making sure he was the only one left in the station. the ticket booths had all been closed up hours ago, the registers cleaned out. there would be no thieves here. he turned to leave.

the sound of a sniffle echoed in the large room and caught his attention. as was the duty of his job, he went to find the source of the sound.

at the far end of the station, seated on a bench with knees tucked into her chest and arms wrapped around them was where she sat, head held high. she was small for her age-- or at least... looked small for her age to his eyes. she was maybe about eight, but... a very little eight-year-old.

'my dear, you've missed your train.' he sat next to her.

'i just got off one, actually.' she gave him a small smile. her cheeks were wet and her eyes were red and puffy and still swimming.

'then you're waiting for someone?' he offered her a handkerchief. she accepted it. 'the station's been closed for hours, now. whoever it is, they won't be coming tonight.'

'no. i've been left behind.' she lifted her tiny shoulders, let them fall.

'is that why you're so sad?' he watched her dry her eyes with curiosity.

'i had to get off the train.'

'oh.'

. . .

'yes. i rather enjoyed the ride.' she sniffled again.

'why didn't you stay on, then?'

'i couldn't. the ride was so much fun that i didn't notice until too late that it was coming back here. i wasn't allowed to stay on.'

'there will be other trains,' he said softly.

'i don't have ticket money. i spent it on the last three trains i was on.'

'three?' he was surprised. three trains already?

'yes. the first one was okay. i had good company. i didn't cry when the ride was over,' she added. 'the second wasn't that much fun. my company on that train only wanted a free ride. i paid the price of their ticket. i couldn't cry at the end of that ride.'

'and the third?' he questioned.

'that ticket was the most expensive, but it was the most fun. i had good company on that train, too. they were my favorite. i was very sad when they had to go. i've cried a lot.' she swiped away a tear with his handkerchief before it could fall.

the minutes passed in complete silence but for the soft sniffles of the little girl beside him. the rustling of his coat as he dug through his pockets cut through the quiet like a knife through melted butter. when he pulled out his hand he held out what was in it to her.

she took the train ticket. 'train four? there's no such thing.'

'the train comes in tomorrow,' he said with a smile.

'but i don't know where this platform is.' she looked down at the ticket.

'you'll find it.' he sounded positive so she decided to believe him.

'i think... i think i'll stay here a while. i like it here. it's not too cold, not too warm. just right. it's nice and quiet, too.'

'it's freezing.'

'oh. i can't feel it.'

'oh.'

silence again.

'that ticket doesn't have an expiry date and the train won't leave without you, so take your time. don't wait too long, though.'

'why not?' she wanted to wait for forever.

'because you'll get sick.' he patted her head.

'oh.' she frowned. 'i guess that makes sense.'

'how old are you really?' he asked suddenly, curious.

'i don't know,' she replied, a little surprised.

'you're not small, though, are you?' she gestured towards her.

'no, i'm not actually little. i'm a big girl. sort of tall, i think, and not very pretty.'

'i think you'd be beautiful,' he said, sadness in his tone.

'not really.'

'you'll see.'

'maybe.'

he sighed. 'i have to get back to my rounds now. will you be alright?'

'not for a while, no. thank-you, though.'

'my pleasure. take care, kiddo.' he stood up, patted her head once more and walked away.

he walked through the doors down to the platforms and looked at the three sets of tracks. the wall on the far side of platform three shimmered a little and seemed to extend, leaving a fourth set of tracks and a fourth platform in its wake.

he smiled. for some reason he liked watching new tracks appear. he'd watched all three tracks before appear as well, but hadn't seen the girl until tonight. as he began his patrol again, he vaguely wondered why.

Story Two

Originally Posted by The Orange Grove

In a field of silk-soft grass, in the dazzling, sunny state of California was an orange grove. A forest of emerald green trees grew full, with many leaves adorning their towering branches of deep brown. Many of the trees flowered, the scent of the perfumed blossoms filling the air like sweet honey on toast. One tree, however, and only one bore any fruit. In the area surrounding, the smell of the plump, round, bright-colored fruit permeated the air, overpowering even the hundreds of blooming trees around it. It was a delicious scent of ripe citrus that could make mouths water.

This tree, knowing fully well that it was the only fruit-bearer in the forest of orange trees (for it was a very well-informed tree), loved to show off its beautiful, stout, sweet-tasting oranges to the others, often proclaiming. "See my gorgeous oranges and feel the round smoothness of their skin, soft to the touch! Smell their wonderful citrus scent and oh, how it makes mouths water! How charming they are, bright with the color of ripe pumpkins in October when our seasons have long since passed!"

The surrounding trees who could hear such professions had once praised and admired the round, juicy, tart-flavored fruit, but as seasons passed and years came and went, they grew tired and annoyed.

Time went on, and summer turned to fall, fall faded to winter, and winter finally changed to spring. As usual, all the trees bloomed once again, and the wait was on for the first orange. After all, it would not be too long before the obnoxiously handsome orange tree began spouting his proud mouth off again. But as time drew on and orange season came, it was only the orange tree who did not benefit from the glorious California sun. All the trees excluding itself had sprouted oranges for the first time in years.

"It is fate," said the tree nearest the arrogant orange tree, "for you have tormented us with your massive, luscious fruit for many a year. This is the punishment cast upon you by Lady Fate for your haughtiness."

And since the other tree had spoken to the self-centered and now sullen orange tree, it prayed for many seasons an apology, hoping to once again bear the fruit it once had, though it was to no avail.

To be honest, I have no clue what the first story is a metaphor for, unless it's about different life journeys? It's an interesting story, but I have to admit I'd like to know what it represents.

I like that second story, it reminds of some of those fairy tales from when I was younger.

Well, metaphors are meant to be taken differently by everyone. They've got different meanings for each person who reads them. :3 I like your interpretation.

Cliche or cheesy as it may sound, I actually wrote it shortly after my girlfriend and I split up in February. Each train to me represents the people I've dated. Each 'train' represents a person I've seen. There've been three, as the story suggests.

Old faerie tails are what inspired it. <3 ...And we were given two pictures and had to write a one-page story based off the images. xD I got a picture of an orange and a picture of a forest. Talk about lucky~

I'm glad you liked them. 8D <3

Cool. Awesome stories!