the black spot / d3 train

Klaus Goravich


This year is unusual, and it's not.

On one hand, every year is the same for Klaus. There's no way for thirty-seven years not to become monotonous - it is an annual pilgrimage, always subtly different, but fundamentally uniform in all of the ways that really matter. 

Florian is a year old now; not walking yet, slower to the mark than both Penelope and Daisy had been - but why would he rush, when every person in Goravich House spent their lives doting on him, bending over backward to receive a shake of a chubby fist or a gappy grin? Daisy had offered to keep him home with her. 

"It's no trouble," she'd insisted, "what's one more?"

Klaus preferred to bring him, though. There was something soothing in the presence of the baby, like an innocent shield that kept him grounded and focussed. There was good in the world, still, he could see just by looking at the boy, confirming this dubious fact every time there was doubt. Once he was old enough to become affected by what was happening - then Klaus would have to concede, to leave him with his grown-up daughters - but for now it helped Klaus to have something with simple needs to tend to; to be fed, cleaned, put to sleep at regular intervals. Somebody with complete and utter trust in Klaus to keep them safe. 

That could not be said about this year's passengers, each of them issued a one-way ticket to ride. 

It is not often that somebody in Three steps up to the stage and asks to die. Klaus doesn't know if the choice makes more or less sense when he realises Esther's situation. He is cautious, awkward. Unsure what to say or think or do. He avoids eye contact, although he is pretty sure she can't see him. 

The other boy is the opposite problem. Klaus does not lack in understanding when it comes to Kingston; he feels, from the first, that he understands the boy entirely. There is something unnerving about Kingston, too, although it comes from familiarity rather than confusion. Everything about the kid reminds Klaus of himself, a very long time ago. A boy, totally and completely unequipped for what lay ahead, on a train journey to his death. Only, Klaus Goravich came home. 

Klaus sits in the seat he always sits in, and sets Florian down on the seat that was once Penelope's. Atticus has not arrived yet, but he looks forward to his long-time friend, business partner, and single successful tribute boarding the train, if only so he is not alone with his young charges for a moment longer. 

"Let me know if there is anything I can do for you," he says to his tributes, but he avoids looking at either of them - cannot bring himself to lift his chin and see their apprehensive faces looking back at him. "I'm here to do whatever I can to help."

This is not a lie; just a half-truth. Klaus does intend to do what he can. But as always, he knows it will not be enough.