Alanso used his speed and maneuverability to find a storeroom of undead shipping boxes in the College of Necromancy. They were formally known as Rail Boxes. The Wraiths phased through the doors, unlocking them for the more physical undead. The undead loaded themselves into a few different boxes, seeing what the smallest size they could use that was comfortable. Eventually, they found a plain box, fairly small on the outside but much larger inside. It had more than enough room. They quickly took off any labels and descriptive markings on the outside. Then they painted “Ed's Big Box, this side up” on the top. They grabbed the box and carried it to the train station. The wraiths locked up behind them. The only evidence of their visit was the missing box. Once they all arrived at the train station, everyone piled into the box. The wraiths, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, latched it closed as they phased inside, giggling like schoolchildren. There, they waited with the patience of the dead for noon to arrive.

  After staying up all night, Edward quickly checked his travel pack. He added a couple things that had been pulled out or used up during his last field trip. Then set an alarm and took a long nap. Not a “short sleep” but a “long nap” he thought as he drifted off. It sounds so much better that way.

  The alarm woke him from a wonderful dream that he already couldn't remember. At first, he was determined to go back to sleep. Then he remembered the adventure, music lessons, Melody, and that elusive perfume from last night at dinner. Suddenly he leapt out of bed. He could not be late for the train. He sniffed himself. A shower was not optional.

  To his chagrin, 11:45 did not find him at the train station. He was jogging toward it though. That was a plus. So was the bag of clothing and personal items. And the other, bigger bag containing camping supplies. The weight made him realize that he should have given more of his luggage to the undead last night. “I hope the guys found a box and made it to the train station.” He thought. Then he wondered when he stopped thinking of them as “undead” and started thinking of them as “the guys”. “My life will never be normal.” He said as he jogged into the train station. He quickly bought a ticket and walked on to the platform.

  “Yep, we're in the box.” He heard in his head as he walked up to the only corpse sized box on the platform.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  “You all fit??” There really didn't seem to be enough room for all of his undead.

  “It's dimensional expanded.” Was the reply. “Don't ask where we found it. It's yours now.” He closed his eyes, wondering just how much more trouble he would get into on this trip.

  “You don't have any spare room, do you?”

  “Actually, yes. Quite a bit.”

  “Okay, I'll pop one of my bags in there then.” Before he could reach the latch, the misty hands of one of his wraiths popped out of the lid and undid the fasteners. The lid opened and a skeletal arm reached out with an open hand. He handed over his bag of camping supplies. The hand pulled it inside. The latches were fastened again by the wraiths. “That was almost too smooth. How much extra stuff did you liberate into that box? And how much trouble will we be in when we return?”

  “Nothing and none. We think. Get us on the train please.”

  “Live for the moment boss!” Came the voice of his violin coach.

  Edward found a porter and had them load his box in a cargo portion of the train. He entered the passenger car, looking for Melody. She found him first and called him over. She had a small bag on the seat next to her. Her squirrel was laying on top of it. She gestured to the pair of seats facing her. Edward dropped his pack and gratefully sat across from her. He gave a huge yawn as soon as he sat.

  “Long night?” she asked.

  “Very.” he answered, closing his eyes. He breathed in and out, relaxing. He smelled hot metal and steam from the train. He smelled food, someone's breakfast no doubt. He also smelled the same perfume from last night. Just that was enough to make him smile.

  “Happy thoughts about your long night?” She asked. He could hear the curiosity in her voice. Edward considered what would be an appropriate answer to that. Clearly, he couldn't say her perfume made him smile. The train started moving.

  “I opened a graduation present when I got home after dinner. It was from...” he paused. “From my Grandpa. I stayed up playing with it until way too late last night.”

  “So what was it?” She asked. At about the same time, he got a message from one of his undead.

  “That squirrel is one of us. It's thinking undead.”

  “How can you know? You aren't even in this car. You're in a box!” he shouted back in his mind. Then, aloud he said, “It was a violin. I've always wanted to learn. It came with a tutorial.” He smiled.

  In his head, one of the undead said, “We were in the box, now that we're moving, the car is empty. We're exploring. Alonso is hanging out in your car, in the shadows under the seats.” Melody had said something at the same time as his undead spoke in his mind and he had missed it.

  “I'm sorry, what was that?” He asked.

  “I said, I love music.”

  “Me too.” He replied. “But I'm dead tired. Could you wake me when the food cart comes around again?”

  “Sure.” She moved the squirrel skeleton a little and got a book out of her bag, opening it up to read.

  Edward leaned back and closed his eyes again. “Don't wake me. I really need the sleep.” he sent to his undead. And he fell asleep on the train.