Travel-Snack

With that sentence, I sensed she didn't want to continue... but I needed more. I had to know more,  even if it was only to try and rationalize what was happening to me.

"For how long has this been going on? And how come it hasn't made the news?"

"The ritual began with the arrival of man and has been in effect since then. But do not think that it is common practice, it is only executed when necessity arises."

"Necessity?? What necessity could there be to kill a human being?"

"I have already answered that question. As to why it hasn't made the news, I can't answer that question, but my guess is that is in no one's interest to see it brought into public attention."

"Wait a minute, you didn't answer my previous question."
"Yes I did, a while ago. I said the sacrifice was vital to our continuity."
"That doesn't help me at all... but that's as far as you'll go."
"As far as I can go."
It dawned on me that I might've been able to probe her mind for answers. But as that thought took shape, she carried on talking.

"You can not uncover the answers you seek by probing my mind. You are currently unable to pass through my defenses... and no, I didn't read your mind, your expression was enough to inform me of your intentions."

The shame I felt caused me to blush a little, like a kid who is caught with the hand in the cookie jar.

"As for the remaining questions you might have, though they are pertinent, the answers, I suspect, will not help you either... but I shall provide them anyway."

I took a deep breath and organized my ideas.
"When I was at the bar, I asked the barman about the time, but somehow it feels like it is now after four o'clock in the afternoon. Even the sun is starting to get low..."
The sunlight had been hitting my face since I had sat down.

"...and this trip isn't supposed to last more than four hours. So my question is, and I can't believe I am actually asking this: Is time moving at a different pace?"

"Time is moving at its own pace. No different than before or after we have left."
"So what you are saying is that the barman was right, that it is around two o'clock."
"I know not the time, but if the barman told you so, then it is the truth."
"But..."
"The sun isn't that low in the sky."
"Ok. Now answer me this: you know this trains route?"
"I do. And all its stops."
I motioned to talk but she didn't allow it and carried on.

"The stops' names aren't relevant to my people, therefore, even though we know where we are, and where we are going, I can not tell you what I don't know. All I can assure you is that as far as I know, this train always reaches its destination."

"... I figured you'd say something like that...