New Beginnings

[Thalia]

Her heart froze solid in her chest. That name, the same name the man on the train had called out to her. Right before he'd run at Dane. He had run, hadn't he? Ah, no. No. Don't think on it.

She supposed she could ignore it - she had no reason to respond, after all, but it was quite obvious he was addressing her. Her limbs thawed, and she gingerly placed her purchase in the satchel at her side, but her heart began a cavernous thump in her chest, echoing loudly in her ears. She knew it wasn't the man from the train because his voice was different (if still American), and she couldn't think of a single good reason why he might have sent someone after her (or even how he might find her). Still, it was difficult to wrench her eyes up. She was terrified of what she might see.

Just a peek then?

Thal glanced up. And didn't recognise him. Not the stockiness of his build, nor the darkness of his hair kissed by grey. Brown eyes held a touch of question, and maybe he'd just mistaken her after all. Even with that name on his lips, she felt remarkably better that a stranger was still a stranger. It's always nice to know you're not going mad, isn't it? "Uh... Nope."
She offered a hesitant smile. "I'm beginning to think I must have a doppelgänger in Moscow. I'm Thalia."