School bus graveyard oneshots:

The Night Shift II

The world feels far away. My mind hovers somewhere between wakefulness and sleep, disjointed images flickering like a broken film reel. The first sensation that pulls me from the depths of unconsciousness is the smell of antiseptic and a warm fabric wrapped around me, the familiar feel of cotton brushing my skin—a hoodie.

Voices swarm around me, and even though my eyelids refuse to budge, I know where I am. Back at the bus. 

The air feels stifling, like it's packed with too much sound. It's unbearable. My head starts pounding in rhythm with the rising volume of arguing voices—each word like a nail driven into my skull. I flinch inwardly, curling further into myself, trying desperately to block out the sound.

Why won't they stop? Why won't they just stop?

"I didn't even know she was still hurt! You didn't tell us she wasn't feeling well!" Tyler's voice breaks through the noise, frustrated and defensive.

"How was I supposed to know?" Taylor snaps back. "She didn't say anything! I thought she was fine!"

"You should've paid more attention—she clearly wasn't okay, and you let her go out there!"

"I let her? We all let her! No one forced her to go!"

"Guys, this isn't helping!" Logan's voice cuts in, but it's not enough to stop them.

I wince, the arguing piercing through my ears. Each word is another jolt of pain, too much, too loud, and way too close. I groan inwardly, wishing I could tell them to be quiet. 

Everything hurts—the pounding in my skull, the swirl of fever still simmering beneath my skin. I shift slightly, but even that movement sends a wave of nausea through me.

"Can you all just—" Aiden's voice breaks through the chaos, loud but not angry, like he's more amused at everyone fighting than annoyed. "—chill for a sec?" I can't see him, but I feel him beside me, his movements casual as he grabs something from his bag. Taylor and Tyler's arguing dips for a moment, only to surge back up to its excruciatingly loud volume.

I hear Aiden sigh softly, followed by a light pressure on my head as something clicks into place—then, blissful silence. His fingers brush my hair, adjusting the object gently to cover my ears. 

Did he just..

Give me headphones?

The bickering fades into the background. I let myself sink into the dull, muted world. My body relaxes slightly, the pressure in my chest easing as the throbbing pain in my head dulls to a manageable hum.

Exhaustion is stronger than I am. I feel myself slipping, the edges of my thoughts blurring, the sounds around me growing distant. The silence thickens, and the last thing I register is Aiden's warmth beside me. Then, I'm gone again, sinking back into unconsciousness.

...

..

.

Time passes in a haze. I don't know how long. Minutes, hours—everything blends together in a fog of swirling darkness and faint whispers. The pain of my headache lingers in the background, but it's dulled. I hover somewhere in between being too tired to wake and too uncomfortable to rest.

..

.

Slowly, the world begins to shift again. The sounds return first, muted and far away, but there. Voices—quieter this time—murmur in the distance, and I become aware of the weight of my own body again. My eyelids twitch, and I stir slightly, the edges of consciousness creeping back in.