Simon Barker

When he looked up, the boys were gone.

The bus was silent, save for the quiet chatter of the other passengers.

Where could they have gone?

If they'd gotten off, they would have had to step over him to get to the door, unless there was another door at the back that he somehow didn't know about.

Simon shook his head and raised himself into the nearest seat.

That must be it.

There had to be another exit.

He just didn't ride buses enough to know about it.

Now he felt even stupider than earlier and looked back desperately toward the driver for where he'd stop next.

Simon needed fresh air and the open sky to reassure himself that he wasn't crazy.

As soon as the bus slowed down again, he hurled himself down the aisle and towards the door.

But he'd apparently chosen a popular stop as a rush of people barged up the stairs before he could get out.

Excuse me, he said politely to the first man, a young father with a baby strapped to his chest.

The man ignored him and he was forced to shuffle into a seat to let him pass.

Excuse me, I'm trying to get off, he said louder this time.

But either nobody heard or nobody cared.

People continued streaming past him until the bus began moving again.

He muttered, sinking into another seat.

Simon startled at a voice behind him.

He could have sworn that seat was empty, but he turned to find a hunched old man in a black coat facing the window.