I placed my blue backpack next to the other bags that were already stacked up underneath the bus and held onto mum’s hand as we boarded. A yellow tag with the scribbled name of “Roy Jones” was half-hanging over the seat in front of me. Roy had obviously been on the bus to put his carry-ons in the overhead locker.
Mum and I sat down next to each other as a blonde, stocky man wearing knee-length shorts over smooth-shaven legs boarded. He looked young and spoke to the driver with an accent.
Mum said, “He sounds Scandinavian.”“Bet he’s Norwegian,” I told her. “I think he has blue eyes.” I tried not to stare as I examined him via my peripheral vision. “Well, at least one blue eye cause I can’t see into the squinty one,” I whispered.
“I think Roy Jones is a wildlife photographer,” mum whispered back. “I remember reading that he was wounded by an animal that snuck up on him. Maybe that’s what happened.”
A crackling noise came through the intercom. Our fat-bellied bus driver stood up and leaned back on the steering wheel. “Good day, everyone!” he said loudly. “Welcome! For some of you, it’s your first time, and for others it’s a repeated tour. We’re going to do things differently this time. You will be asked individually to introduce yourselves to the other passengers, talk about your strengths, weaknesses and personal goals for this trip.
You’ll then take a seat next to someone you don’t know,” he finished with a smirk and an arching eyebrow that sent forth a challenge.
“Are you going to be okay without me?” mum asked. I rolled my eyes. “Of course, mum.”
“Just remember to have your asthma inhaler when you move seats.”“So, bus load, who wants to go first?” the driver asked cheerily. I put my hand straight up and into the air. Everyone’s eyes turned and moved towards my direction.
“My name’s Lucy. I’m 10 years old and from Australia. I love my long black curly hair. I have green eyes, wear size 4 shoes, have my ears pierced like my mum, and suffer badly from asthma. My mum is my strength; I love her heaps. Wave mum!”
Mum gave a quick wave towards the front and back.“I don’t breathe properly,” I continued, “and I need to take drugs to stay alive. These drugs make me lose weight, and I don’t have a lot of energy. I get panic attacks, and I grow slower compared to other kids. We came on the tour to see whether the wilderness air would strengthen my lungs.”
When I started to wheeze the bus driver interrupted. “Thank you, Lucy. That was great! I’ll place you next to that fellow with blonde hair.” He pointed at Roy Jones.
Wow, I thought to myself. “How lucky am I?”Decisions = Destiny Overly excited, I forgot to take a breath and caught my trousers on the edge of the seat as I headed for the aisle. I heard a whisper. “Lucy, did you remember to bring your inhaler?”
I looked back at mum. She mouthed, “It’s in your back pocket.”
Roy looked calm and relaxed. I was mesmerized by his eyes, and I melted at the sight of his brown muscular arms. I slipped down into my new seat.
Roy took the microphone and introduced himself as a photographer for Worldwide Wilderness.“I’m 28 years old, Capricorn—if anybody cares,” he added with a short laugh, “and from Norway.”
I looked back at mum with an “I told you so” glare.
“I spend nine months of the year living in the wilderness waiting for those special moments when I can capture amazing pictures of creatures big or small.” His grin got bigger. “Translated, this means I’m single.”
He paused for the anticipated laughter.“I want everyone to learn about nature and its beauty. I’m very patient and compassionate. I get annoyed with lazy, uncaring humans who don’t respect the environment. My goal is to be the best in my field and to raise funds for Planet Ark.”
I looked around. Everyone seemed inspired, and his accent kept the captives captivated. I noticed that my mum was in a trance. Her glasses had fogged up.
“Right, everyone,” the bus driver bellowed. “Time to get this bus on the tracks.”The tour guide took her seat, the driver put the bus in drive, the engine backfired three times, and we were off. Tiny drops of moisture appeared on the window ledge as we headed away. I chewed on my last long fingernail as I looked out the window.
A few minutes into the drive there was a deafening explosion that jerked me forward. I presumed the engine had backfired again but when I turned to find mum she was gone.
And so was everyone behind me. The bus was engulfed in flames. I heard the indescribable screams of people burning to death.I felt my heart began to race and my breathing was erratic. Roy looked at me with an intensified one-eye stare. We were frozen in time, shocked, shaking, and gasping for air. I reached into my back pocket but my inhaler was gone.
Roy launched from his seat and up to the front. The bus driver was pressed against the steering wheel, his fists melted into the hard plastic. His smoldering arms slid onto his belly as he past away.
Roy’s voice was scratchy from the smoke he yelled out, “Is there anyone here who can help me get her?” No voices returned. Only the sounds of crackling fire and erratic gasps could be heard as I struggled to fill my lungs; whimpering my last breath, slurring, “mum, pleaseee don’t leave me alone with him.”
Ends