The ride back home was starting to become peaceful as the night came.
All was silent and almost everyone was fast asleep. Only me, Izzy, and Scotty were the ones that remain awake. Me and Izzy discuss parts as to what articles should be written and what photos to use for this writing genius.
I had heard rumors about his scar, about him getting it while sneaking into a gay bar. But I never really believed in rumors.
They are nothing but toxic, deadly lies.
I can tell it was a touchy subject to begin with so I don't ask.
He begins to yawn as I follow suit. "Get some sleep city girl, we'll have allot of work to do," he yawns while ruffling my hair in the process. I gave Minxie my spot close to the window so that she can sleep. She looked more exhausted then I ever would. So I take the opportunity to glance behind me & examine everyone behind me. I see Rhonda resting her head on the shoulder of her love, Scotty.
I smile a small smile for the power couple. Deciding that this moment would make a great backstory i take a shot of the two, him offering her his shoulder while a far off look holds his gaze. When the click of my camera sounds the silence he glances my way, "hope your not doing anything f***** creepy with that," he exclaims. His tone sounded hateful and left a sour taste in my mouth. I put on a fake smile and shake my head.
He cracks a smile, but still looks out the window pissed.
I know what he's doing and it's upsetting and, in a way, annoying. He's bottling up his emotions rather than talking it out with the team, let alone his own girlfriend.
"you know you could talk about it, it might help you a little bit," I say as he shakes his head and breaths out a loud and annoyed sigh. "what did I play today? 12 minutes?" distaste coating his tone to alter his broken down ego. It actually was that much time he played. I wasn't an all out sports fan but I can understand where he's coming from. I think?
Was he really expecting the spotlight to be all on him today? Really?!
"yeah but it was a great 12 minutes," I encourage but he retaliates with venom dripping from his tone. Saying that the coaches are on him and how he might not have the right skin color to play on the team.
Now that shocks me to the point where I don't feel like encouraging him anymore. Racism is never a strong suit in people, to me skin color doesn't matter, its all about the character and personality in people.
and his character is showing nothing but a spot light hoggin' ass.
"you don't mean that," I sternly say though I'm thinking he better not or he better keep his mouth shut before i go livid on his sorry ass; "maybe they just wanted to make sure everyone got the chance to play in the championship-" "everyone's not the reason why we made it to the championship. Half the losers on this bus have no reason for us making it to the state but I did."
Oh that was it.
Outside i may have looked shocked but calm; inside, I wanted to tear him to pieces. Everyone on the team did their part and worked hard to get to the championships, he didn't get the entire team here on his own. He was a pridefully selfish man.
I hate men like that.
"what the F*** are you looking at?!" I thought he was talking to me so I turned around in my seat. "I wasn't done talking to you city girl," he cursed at me.
I'm sure he was a sweet guy, but, right now, he was being very prideful and anger only fueled his actions.
I didn't like this guy one bit.
What does Rhonda see in him when he's a selfish prick? I turned my head to see the other football player, I think his name was Kimball, sneer at him the same way I did. His gaze turns back to me as I gave him an apologetic look while, in return, he gives me a crooked smile and a thumbs up.
I smile back.
Maybe i should do a story on Kimball rather than this prideful tard.
"HEY!" Scotty whisper yells at me through gritted teeth but I only ignore him further. As he tries to get my attention again I feel Minxie shifting in her sleep, she must be having a nightmare. As I help relax her further in sleep the bus' tire is now on its bare rim and sparks fly. the bus is jerked roughly, making all sleeping bodies be rudely awakened. As the bus stops Coach Charlie is furious, "Oh DON'T tell me-" "we blew the other one." As students begin to sit up and move Coach Barnes tells us to stay still.
"Shit. We gotta break out the flares and get these kids off the bus." As soon as Betty says that all of us groan and moan. But, nonetheless, we all comply. As we begin to stand Coach Charlie exits the bus and waves at a passing car for further help. "Alright everyone grab your coats and stay in your groups," coach Barnes commands as Betty tries the radio again for home base.
As i make my way out of my seat, wait for Minxie to stretch, Scotty has my arm in a tight grip and we both make our way out of the bus. I look back to Minxie and Rhonda who look equally confused as me. As me and Scotty exit the bus i take a quick glance in Betty's safe box, numerous flares and instruction manuals were available in there, but, what really caught my attention was.... a flare gun?
Hmm...... could come in handy... I guess.
We make our way off the bus, Scotty still having a death grip on my arm; "let go of me," I seethe while ripping my poor arm from him grasp. "Well what else was i suppose to do to get your attention? Look I didn't mean what I said-" "about what? not having the right skin color or that the losers on this team are nothing without you?" i spit at him some of his own words that make him take a step back. I may be a shy city girl but i can have sass and bite if and when needed.
"Don't you think that the reason why you didn't get to play enough because your own selfish pride got in the way?" I finally admit. He curls his lip in disgust and finally makes his way back to his girlfriend whom, to no surprise, glares daggers at me once again. Kimball heard the conversation and fist bumps me for my back talk, I smile and do the same.
When I finally find Izzy and Minxie I notice the bus driver and Coach Barnes observe yet another weapon, this time the weapon mended with what looked like, in my horror, human skin.
Worry begins to stir in my gut and now I really REALLY want to go back on the bus. Our two chaperones start discussing something out of our earshot when I see something swoop down and carry coach charlie off, the flare landing back onto the ground. Coach Barnes then tells us to go back on the bus which I happily comply and rush for the doors. While doing so everyone else stands dumbfounded outside, chanting for Coach Charlie.
Now everyone else is back on the bus while Betty sets the flares. What i notice on everyone's faces was the same shared expression.
Fear.
As Andy, the team's manager, closes the bus doors he begins to call for help on the bus' radio while Betty continues to slowly and cautiously set out the flares.
All the while a gut wrenching feeling that something else was going to happen made me very nauseous and want to hurl.
As soon as Betty opens another flare I witness something that was impossible to believe; a HUGE bat-like creature, envelops her and flies her into the cold dark night.
My mouth left agape after what was just witnessed; now fear was brewing deep in my gut, leaving me to tremble in my boots and shiver under my skin.
Coach's pounding on the door made me squeak a small scream, as soon as the doors open he asks Jake what he saw and what was his answer?
"she flew away."
"Well no shit Sherlock!" I breathe out which caused a few people to laugh and crack a smile, but not allot.
I can hear the fear laced in the coaches voice, but bless his heart he's gathering up all the courage he has left to keep all of us calm. Everyone is now seated, except for Scotty.
No surprise.
Seeing that the coach's patients is wearing thin he tells Scott to go sit back down, before he could finish his sentence something grasps onto him and hoists him into the air. Izzy, Jake, and Scotty all grab and claw at Coach Barnes and try with all their might to bring him back to safety within the bus. but, whatever this thing is has allot of strength and it leaves me paralyzed. Soon enough the fight for Coach Barnes' life is lost and as his body disappears into the night sky the boys fall out of the bus. Once the boys scramble back inside and pull the doors close Scotty turns back to all of us....

With Coach Barnes' blood dripping down his face.