The sky was a luminous bright aray of white and rainbow colours . The clouds looked softer than ... well , clouds . Birds sung in the air , pleasant and in time with the wind .
The Heavenly station was filled with people, waiting to be called or to board the train . The floor of the station was white marble , so white that milk looked dirty in comparison . There were stands and seats for waiting passengers and it would have seemed like a normal train station . Except for a few things .
There was light in the sky but no sun or moon . The passengers waiting to board the train included cats and dogs and also , no one could find such a clean train station on Earth .
These were some of the thoughts of one boy who was walking towards a short line . He had an orange jacket and khaki shorts and his head was hooded . It was Ryo .
The conductor , who was also the ticket Master , stood in his booth checking the names of those who were to board the train . He was a sweet looking old man with grey hair and a lean frame . He had yellow glasses and a blue hat on his head . His eyes were blue and shined with a kindness that made one want to ask for candy .
" Next please ." He said in his soft voice and a young woman walked up .
She was dressed In a bright red dress and had a strikingly beautiful face . However her face was lined with a frown as if she was anxious or worried .
" Anna Tori ? " The conductor asked her and she smiled at him .
" Yes , that's me ." She said with the voice of a singer .
" Choked , were you ? Such a shame . " The conductor said and Anna looked down again and gave a sigh , " Don't worry now . That's forgotten . Go through ."
Anna smiled and walked away to the train . The conductor watched her and waved his hand for the next person to come through . It turned out to be a thin man in rags and he held a dirty hat in his hands .
" William Toner ? " The conductor asked and the man nodded his head . The conductor looked at the book infront of him and gave a thoughtful sound .
" You didn't see the steam train coming ? " He asked William and the man nodded his head again , " Shame , go through aswell ."
The man nodded one last time and walked through towards the train .
" Sarah , Billy and Milly . " The conductor said and three children came up . One girl and two boys , who looked very much alike.
" Hello , Mister ." The girl said , she looked like she was five and so did her brothers .
" Hello dear . " The conductor said with a warm smile .
" Where can we put this wet bag ? " Sarah asked him . She held a plastic bag for disposing garbage and it was large enough to fit three people ... especially three five year olds .
" Hand it to me ." The conductor said and Sarah gave the bag over ," Now , go on through . "
The three children hopped on through towards the train . The conductor watched them and shook his head sadly .
" The things that people do nowadays." He said sadly putting the bag away and then he raised his head and his hand in a stop stance .
" Ryo . " He said and Ryo got up from the floor where he had been trying to craw from under The conductor's eyes .
" Hold on a second ." The conductor said and the boy stood as he flipped through the book infront of him .
Why was he obeying him ? Because no one could cheat the conductor . Everyone had to do what he said before they could go on the train . As Ryo would soon learn .
" Ryo , " The conductor said after a moment ," According to your file , you've been bullying an innocent person for over half your life . "
" What ? I...I... It was just playing around . " Ryo said with a frown , " I didn't send him to the hospital or anything ."
" Maybe you didn't hurt him enough to send him to the hospital but you hurt him all the same . " The conductor said softly ," With a record like yours , I can't let you through . "
" What ? Then ... where am I supposed to go ? " Ryo asked anxiously .
" It's okay. Calm down . " The conductor said in a calming voice and Ryo felt himself relax . How was he doing that ?
" You're in luck on one account . The Heavenly Express has just arrived here ." The conductor said looking at the train ," It won't be leaving for another three hours . And so here is what we are going to do . "
The conductor leaned down and pulled out a paper of golden white . He placed it into Ryo's hands .
" This is a letter of reconciliation . " The conductor said ," You're going to take this and go back down to Earth . You'll get Milo to sign the letter , saying he forgives you for all the wrongs you've ever done to him and then you can come on board ."
Ryo held the letter in his hands with a frown . Getting that guy to forgive him would be hard but he could just force him to sign it . The thought made him smile but the conductor gave a frown as if reading his mind .
" Ryo , it has to be Milo's choice . " He said ," And if you fail to get his signature , then you'll have to go down there ."
The conductor pointed to a staircase in the back of the station and Ryo saw a woman standing in front of it . She had a large spear in her hand and a wicked smile. Her eyes had been scanning the crowd but as soon as the conductor pointed towards her , her eyes landed on Ryo .
He felt his body grow chilled as the woman's white eyes looked at him malevolently.
" Do you understand ? " The conductor said drawing his attention back .
" Yes , yes , I'll do it ." Ryo said looking the conductor with desperation .
" Alright , " the conductor said and raised his fingers . " Remember ... only three hours . I'll send you some help if its too hard . "
" Huh ? " Ryo asked but the conductor snapped his fingers and everything went white .