NIGHT BUS
Since Dave vanished weeks ago George was the
only one left and he’d already been beaten up twice – sleeping alone was dangerous.
It was past midnight when a bus stopped and a voice called, “Free ride, mate?” Light obscured its destination but George didn’t hesitate. As he stepped aboard, the door shut so fast
he lost his belongings, but then Dave emerged from the glistening mists that filled the interior and
handed him a bottle. “Wondered if you’d be next.”
George
drank deep, tasting strange flavours. “Have you been here all this time?”
“All what
time?”
George stared. Too late - the bus was moving.
.....................................................
Thanks to Rochelle at https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/ for the photo prompt. The picture was taken by Shaktiki Sharma and I'm not sure what it is, but the configuration of lights made me think of a double decker bus!
This is the worst time of year for rough sleepers - far too cold and too many drunken revellers - so perhaps one cannot blame Gerorge and Dave for taking a leap into the unknown.
Eeek.
ReplyDeleteHope you can sleep tonight, Helen!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a bus where there is no destination... like the flying Dutchman of buses.
ReplyDeleteNo destination is quite worrying.
DeleteGreat take on the prompt.
ReplyDeletethanks Clare.
DeleteDear Liz,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like the bus to the Great Beyond. Mystical and intriguingly well done.
Shalom and Happy New Year,
Rochelle
Perhaps the great Beyond will be preferable to the Here and Now. Happy New Year to you too, Rochelle.
DeleteOh dear, that doesn't bode too well! Excellent.
ReplyDeleteMy tale is called 'Oh Bother!'
The futire looks very uncertain, doesn't it!
DeleteGreat story.
ReplyDeleteI hope George has an obol for his fare.
He was offered a free ride so perhaps he'll get away with it.
DeleteAh, the supernatural. Looks like he stepped into the light and found he was in a bus. That's original, Liz. I guess we know he's now on his final trip. Good writing. :) --- Suzanne
ReplyDeleteThanks Suzanne. Glad you enjoyed it.
DeleteI'm not getting a good feeling about this ride. Good one.
ReplyDeleteIt could go either way.
DeleteI don't want to be near this particular bus, thank you very much!
ReplyDeleteStrange tasting drinks clearly aren't your scene?
DeleteOoh - nice, spooky little tale, Liz.
ReplyDeleteSusan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
What's Christmas week without ghosts?
DeleteI think I'll avoid that night bus. And if not, at least the offered drink. Creepy little tale.
ReplyDeleteI quite enjoy writing creepy!
DeleteOh dear. I have a feeling he's passed on to the other side. Nicely mysterious!
ReplyDeleteWhat a way to go! Thanks Alistair.
DeleteSounds as though he has a safe, warm home now.
ReplyDeleteWarm, yes - not so sure about safe!
ReplyDeleteI liked the story, but I hope that he has found a better place.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mike - probably he considers anywhewre would be better.
Deleteit could be a flying saucer not a bus after all. :)
ReplyDeleteIt could be - over to you for the next chapter!
DeleteOh Liz, this one brought our your dark side... something I don't expect from you! Very chilling. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see you add a list to #BloggersUnite for #50HappyThings; something tells me you'd have some interesting things to say!
If you scroll back through my blog, Dawn, you could well find worse! I'll check out your 50 happy things link.
DeleteWonderfully imaginative!
ReplyDeleteThank you Dawn.
Delete