GHOSTLY RIDES

Missing Bus

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" We had a fight on a bus , which one ? Karen seriously ask as she slowly opened my boots casting a spell on my feet  so it wouldn't worsen . 

" no worries it's just a small wound " she advises, yet as soon as my boots are removed. 

" As long as she wasn't hit by those acid flares she's safe '' Karen explains, reassuring the two guys next to her. .

Even Karen's expression betrayed  her own advice as she assessed the wound, her protective spell enveloping my foot to prevent further harm.

"Don't worry; it's just a minor injury,"  Karen keeps  her word but as my foot was exposed, the severity of the wound became apparent to the four of us. 

Lawrence did not ask further instead, He stood with both hands placed tightly on his waist.

" Miguel, can you take her back? Ako na lang maiiwan dito ," he asked miguel as he offer himself to wait here on his behalf.

" Okay lang ba ? pwede naman kami na lang ni Karen we will do ". i suggested humbly Miguel is our leader and he needs to be here at this very moment.

" Hindi ! , delikado pareho kayong babae at injured ka .  rence pointed out his voice filled with frustration and worries.

Considering his words, he is right to this point. I need to listen, to cool him down a bit .

Another train passes.

 "Okay, I'll go with Miguel, but you need to take Karen," I agreed, issuing the directive for him to accompany her.

"What? Why me?" Karen's husky voice carried a tinge of dismay, her eyes reflecting her reluctance at the pairing.

"Ano?" Rence's disbelief was palpable, his confusion evident in his reaction.

"It's only fair - me with Miguel, you with Rence. If you won't take her, I won't go," I asserted firmly, standing courageously despite the small aches from my right ankle, which had been tended to by Karen's healing touch, now feeling way better. 

Miguel remained silent, the weight of the decision hanging heavy in the air as all eyes turned to him, awaiting his response.

Another train passed by, the rhythmic sound serving as a backdrop to the tension in the air.

"It's a logical choice, but someone needs to stay here. Lawrence can take you back; you're dismissed," Miguel's authoritative tone cut through the silence, his decision final.

A brief silence enveloped us, the ambient noises of the station filling the void as I looked to Karen, silently pleading for her to take me along.

"We'll wait for the spirit guides, and then the two of you can leave," Miguel added, his tone resolute.

Meeting Karen's gaze, we shared a silent understanding, our unspoken communication bridging the gap between us.

"Sige na, Lawrence will nag me all the way," I pleaded with a sparkle in my eyes, my tone akin to a flower seeking sunlight.

"I can't. Miguel has given his orders. You know I can't get along with Rence;  para kaming apoy at tubig ," Karen's unwavering gaze met mine, her eyes conveying her decision with resolute determination.

Turning away, breaking our silent exchange, my head bowed down as I let out a sigh of resignation.

Minutes later, the Goddess lady spirit returned, accompanied by two spirit guides who had shifted down as armed guards. One of the guards handed a scroll to Miguel, who unsealed it and read its contents in silence, Karen and I standing beside him to catch a glimpse of the words.

"You have committed four violations this evening," one guard intoned in a stern voice, the weight of impending consequences hanging in the air.

Lawrence accepted the scroll, and Miguel unsealed it, reading its contents in silence as Karen and I stood beside them, our eyes scanning the ancient text written in standard English.

The violations were listed clearly:

1. Bus interception

2. Excessive spell usage on the bridge

3. Lost cultivator

4. Missing bus

"Missing??" Miguel and Rence echoed in unison, their disbelief evident in their synchronized reaction.

"Your bus is missing,"  spirit guide declared, the severity of the situation sinking in as it was added to our growing list of violations.

Karen took the scroll from Miguel, and we both pursue its contents as calmly as we could manage. Our eyes widened in astonishment as we reached violation number 2 - excessive spells. How could this be considered a violation?  We exchanged glances, silently questioning the logic behind this list.

"It happened 20 minutes ago. We suspect the cultivator used your bus to flee," the lady bird spirit offered her analysis, shedding light on the mysterious disappearance.

The mention of the cultivator's use of our bus as an escape vehicle snapped us back to the present, our minds racing with questions.

"To where? He has nowhere to go?" Karen's confusion mirrored our collective bewilderment.

"Even if he does, it's not possible. He's a spirit who can't cross..." Karen trailed off, her own deduction cut short.

"The gates, " Rence, completing Karen's deductions, his voice firm.

"We have 12 hours to find him. You and my team will collaborate on this one," the lady spirit instructed, setting the tone for the urgent mission ahead.

" If you complete the task, two of the violations will be revoke, "  one of the guides declared, his voice carrying the weight of authority as we braced ourselves for the challenge that lay ahead.

         END OF PART I 

The story will continue as they search for the cultivators identity..

Stay tuned , happy reading....