The vehicle repair station in Sector 16 reeked of oil, sweat, and some hot metals. Engines were coughing smoke into the air, as the entire ground was stained black with years of leaks and spills. And overhead, barely pushing the heat around, a fan rattled with broken wings.
Simon, with a cigarette in his left hand, leaned against the bus as he waited for the mechanic to finish his work. The sun was about to set; they had to hurry. Simon sighed and asked, "Is it done yet, Loren?"
The mechanic, aka Loren, wiped his hands with a rag that looked more ancient than any painting in the Dotatora Museum from Sector 51. His body seemed really tired, and his eyes - a bit sad.
With a heavy glare at Simon, he answered, "Yeah, just keep this beauty slow on the road, alright? I don't want to see it back here anytime soon. It's sad to see such damage to an animal that can't speak."
Simon smirked. He knew how obsessed Loren was with vehicles, "Sure, whatever you say, Loren."
With a groan, the bus's engine finally roared to life.
Simon took one last puff and threw away the leftover cigarette out of the window, "Now sector 5, here we come." With a dramatic vibration, the bus finally started to move towards their home sector.
Inside the bus, the atmosphere was damn thick.
Some passengers were sleeping, others murmuring. And at the front, Lys sat with his head resting against the window, looking at the trees as a sense of unease settled in his stomach.
Even though the atmosphere was mostly silent, a few students at the back continued to carry the torch of chaos. Passing around cigarettes, laughing, and talking in low voices. In the midst of that gang, there sat Kalli. The embers coming from her stuff were glowing so ominously in that dim, dying light of the bus.
The instructor, Detori, finally ran out of his patience. He could no longer tolerate Kalli's actions. But his heart feared even to scold that teenage girl. So, as a sensible and shit-scared adult, his legs were just able to take him in front of Lys. And he asked, "You are Lys, right? Aren't you her brother? That girl?"
His fingers pointed at Kalli, and in a sharp whisper, he requested, "Can you get her to stop smoking already? It's strictly prohibited, and I might get some punishment from higher-ups. I can't talk to her cause of... reasons. Please, Lys, I need your help here."
After hearing Detori, Lys spun to stare at his little sister, who responded with a playful wink. She was just enjoying her trip, even if it bothered other people like Detori. Lys rolled his eyes and responded to Detori's request with "I can't help you in this-"
But right then, something clicked.
No.
Something caught his attention as he turned around. His senses felt something was off.... terribly off. His gaze shifted again and scanned the entire bus. But yeah, he was right. She was nowhere to be seen.
"Where's she?" his whole nervous system was shaking as he demanded an answer, staring at the horde.
Just hearing those words, the entire bus seemed to go silent. Out of fear or maybe just a lack of motivation. But either way, those low-pitched conversations and laughs halted mid-sentence. They glanced at Lys in unison, confused.
"Where is she?" Lys repeated, louder this time.
"Where's my Sofia?"
That shout sent shivers down some people's spines. Everyone knew better than to provoke someone like Sofia, because behind Sofia, there stood an obsessed crackhead named Lys.
If anything were to happen to her -
That thought alone was enough to unravel the girl who had been sitting near her earlier. She shrank under Lys's intense gaze. Her lips hesitated. The fear had crawled all over her body as she stammered, "Sofia... she went to the bathroom. At the station. I've not seen her since then."
Lys felt the ground shift beneath him, his blood run cold, "And you... You're just telling me this now?"
The girl flinched as she was scared of revealing something dangerous. She nervously eyed Kalli's group yet couldn't utter a single word. Lys knew something was off, and his mind was screaming at him to act... to act fast.
"We have to revert," he rasped, pushing past the other students. Their confused whispers barely registered as he stormed to the very front of the bus, "Turn this bus around!"
Simon caught a sight of Lys in the rearview mirror. "Why? What happened?"
"Sofia- a student is missing," Lys shouted, "She's still at the station. We have to go back! So turn this shitbox around."
Every pair of eyes was now focused on Lys and Simon, holding their breath as they waited for the next move. Simon's knuckles turned white as he tried to process this nasty situation. He looked at Detori for permission.
Detori was visibly shaken by what he just heard. But he was still trying to mask it with a forced calm. A student was missing. And the supposed adult didn't have any answer. Detori looked at Lys's worried face, and after a moment's pause, he gave a nod. "Yeah. We should go and check."
Simon didn't wait for further instruction. With a sharp twist of the wheel, he yanked the bus off the road. The tires screeched against the pavement as the bus made a sharp U-turn, reversing toward the station.
From the rear end of the bus, Kalli's tone pierced the tension. "Chill. What's the worst that could happen? Relax."
Lys didn't respond. He didn't even turn around to face Kalli. His mind raced through every worst-case scenario. And when the bus finally halted at the station, he didn't wait for the doors to fully open themselves. He bolted out. His limbs were moving on instinct as he sprinted right at the bathrooms.
Suspiciously, one of the doors was locked from the outside with an old padlock shining so brightly under the station lights. The whole place felt ominous, like.... a suffocating coffin.
"Sofia!" he shouted as he slammed his shoulder against the door. "Sofia, are you in there? Answer me!"
No response.
He struck harder, his desperation growing with each failed attempt. And then, with a final, desperate grunt, the lock finally gave up.
And as the door swung open, Lys could see a motionless body lying on the tile floor with tears coming from her eyes, and bruises all over her hands.
It's Sofia.
For a moment, the world froze around Lys. The faint hum of the bus engine, all the distant voices from the crowd - they all faded into silence. His big ears couldn't hear anything. His knees felt no strength anymore and fell beside Sofia.
Lys gently cupped her face as his fingers were still shaking. She was breathing, unconscious yet breathing. Tears blurred his vision, "Oh go-."
"God, what's with all the commotion?" Kalli muttered, stepping off the bus, cigarette between her fingers.
Then she saw it. Her feet went cold. Lys was sitting next to Sofia's unconscious body.
Unconscious body
"Sofia's uncon-"
That realization slammed her brain hard. Took a while to gather as the cigarette slipped from her lips and fell to the ground.
That dark evening was adding more to that tense atmosphere.
Lys looked up and noticed Kalli in the crowd. His face was warped with tears and rage, "It was you, wasn't it?" he growled, "You did this…"
In a heartbeat, he jumped. Before anyone could even react, His body moved - pure instinct and powered by a sort of anger even he didn't know existed. And the next moment, shocked the crowd.
A slap.
That sharp crack on Kalli's face echoed through the silence. No one moved. Not even Detori. Kalli stumbled back, clutching her cheek as her eyes met Lys's. That sting on her left cheek felt more than physical to her.
"You fucking…" Lys choked as he tried to speak. He swallowed, gasping for control, "Sofia can't handle small spaces! Not even for five fucking minutes! How could you-"
Suddenly, A commotion behind Lys pulled the crowd's attention.
Loren, the mechanic had just arrived at the site. He was confused and alarmed by the shouting. He opened his mouth to ask the details of what happened -
Lys struck. His fist smashed into Loren's jaw without wasting a second. That unanticipated punch made Loren trip from his leg, "What the hell, man?"
"Where the fuck were you?" Lys roared, "A literal human stuck in your place, and you didn't even notice. Sofia-" His voice cracked. "She was probably screaming for help! Punching the door so that anyone comes to rescue! You- anyone could've heard her! She probably panicked and-"
Loren backed off, hands raised in surrender. "I-I actually didn't hear anything!" he stuttured. "There was so much noise from the other vehicles. I'm sorry! I should've checked, but-"
"Shut the fuck up."
The entire crowd recoiled as one. And Lys stood in the middle of it all.
"That's my heart lying there. Unconscious."
Kalli's face drained of all color. Her lips parted, "I didn't… I didn't do it…" Her eyes scanned her surroundings, almost unconsciously. And soon it landed on Sia.
Frozen at the edge of the group, her shoulders hunched as if trying to disappear. Kalli saw it - subtle but undeniable. The slight quiver in her lower lip. Her posture was showing more than just fear. That was guilt.
Kalli's stomach sank. Oh, poor god, I didn't think she'd take our rant about Sofia this seriously.
It was Sia who did this to Sofia.
If Lys found out, if everyone did -
Kalli bit her lip, clenched her fists, forcing herself to stand tall. If anyone was going to take the blame, it wouldn't be Sia.
"Lys…" she began, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do any harm. It was just… just a harmless prank. I didn't know about her condition. I swear."
That confession awakened some monster inside Lys. He stepped closer, but before he could unleash more of his fury -
"Ungrateful little shit!" Jenna interrupted immediately to save her friend. She stepped between Lys and Kalli and spat, "Don't even think about hitting my friend again. I never had an issue with you specifically. But now, you've crossed the line. I don't think you remember that her mom's the reason you're still riding that damn bus or eating well--"
Kalli kept looking at Jenna in horror, "Jenna, what- Don't say that!" she hissed, grabbing her friend's arm. "What are you even saying? Apologize to Lys now!"
Lys lost everything he was about to say. Those words that came from Jenna just made him lose his momentum. Disbelief covered his entire face. Then he let out a laugh, bitter and hollow, "I don't need any fucking apology." He said quietly, "Not from her. Not from anyone."
Jenna sneered, "Just shove your girlfriend into the bus. She'll be fine. Pathetic."
Lys stared at Jenna, and then his gaze slid to Kalli, searching her face for something - anything. He wanted her to defend herself, to speak up, to deny her involvement.
But Kalli... she just stood there, silent. Her head was bowed slightly. Ready to take the blame. Ready to bear the weight of his wrath. But instead of yelling at her once again, Lys softened, "I'm sorry for slapping you."
Without waiting for a response, he started to walk away. Bending down, he gently scooped Sofia into his arms. Her fragile form felt so limp and lifeless against his chest as if she might shatter at any moment.
Leaning down, Lys whispered to Sofia, "I am sorry for not being there for you."
Jenna exhaled, "That's better."
Lys didn't react to Jenna's remarks. He climbed onto the bus as the crowd thinned. Carefully, he laid Sofia across a seat, his hands still trembling.
Sia lingered behind. She reached out and grabbed Sia's hand, sobbing, "I'm sorry, Jenna. I am so sorry."
Her confession tumbled out as her breath hitched after every two or three words, "I just thought - I just wanted to teach Sofia a lesson because of what happened at the picnic - I didn't think it through - I didn't know she'd panic like that - and faint like that - I thought maybe - maybe it'd make you or Kalli happy - My brain cells couldn't comprehend this situation - And now, because of me, you and Kalli have to deal with all of this. People will -"
"Who cares what people think?" Jenna said flatly. Her gaze softened as she squeezed Sia's hand. "I don't. And you shouldn't either. Come here."
Sia collapsed into Jenna's arms.
Kalli wiped the tears off her face and placed a hand on Sia's shoulder, "It could've been funny, maybe. But who knew Sofia had such a condition? It's fine, Sia." With a strong conviction, she said, "We've always got your back."
Sia sniffled, "I didn't mean to..."
"It's okay," Kalli gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze.
Jenna: "I won't let anyone hurt my friends. Now, let's head back onto the bus. It's freezing out here."
Jenna bought a fresh pack of cigarettes from there and then boarded the bus together. They took their usual spot. But this time, nothing felt usual.
Sia sat beside Kalli, rigid and trembling. She muttered over and over, "I didn't mean for this to happen... I didn't know..."
Jenna leaned in to soothe her, her quiet words offering comfort in that heavy silence that filled up the bus. Up front, Simon, who had been watching the whole scene unfold in the rearview mirror, let out a quiet sigh. For a brief moment, his hardened demeanor softened. Without a word, he reached out and clicked on the radio. A gentle song flew through the bus, an attempt to ease the tension.
~~ Did you let the birds cry? ~~
But Kalli heard none of the lyrics.
Her teary lashes never left Lys, following each gentle movement as he wiped Sofia's brow. A wave of sorrow washed over Kalli. She still felt that sting on her cheeks.
And, Lys- he hadn't peeked at Kalli once since the confrontation. Not a glance, not a word. It was as though she no longer existed. Kalli sighed at the window, her reflection staring back at her, lost.
"I got the worst luck," she wondered, "With everyone I care about."
"With everyone."