Trapped

2

'Okay, so how much money do you have?' I ask the group.
'Hundred.' Mike and Emma say.
'And forty two cents.' Emma adds.
I laugh. 'What about you?' I ask Ryan.
'Two hundred and fifty.' He replies.
'I've got three hundred.' I say.
Mike nods. 'So that's-'
'Seven hundred and fifty.' I cut him off.
'And forty two cents.' Emma adds.
I laugh.
'So, how much does it cost to rent a limo?' Ryan asks.
'No idea ' I reply.
'There's a place where you can rent limos ' Emma informs.
'Is it nearby?'
'Fowler Street. There's a bus going there soon.'
'Then let's catch it.' I say.
The group nods and we wait. The bus comes five minutes later.
'Nice bus.' I comment sarcastically.
'And spacious.' Emma comments.
'Come on, let's go.'
We climb into the bus. It's a ratty bus with ripped seats, scratched windows and a foul smell. I spot at least three pieces of chewing gum every two seats, and it makes me scrunch up my face.
We sit down at the back. The only other person in the bus is an old man with a long, grey beard. He has a patch over one eye and he's wearing leather gloves and a leather jacket. I half expect him to have a knife in his hand, or to see a suspicious gun shaped object in his hand.
He eyes us closely, and I shutter. Better to just ignore him.
'Hey, do you think he's some biker with a million girlfriends?' Emma whispers in my ear.
I giggle. 'Probably.'
I stare out the window at the passing view. Shops, shops, shops, and occasionally some green.
The bus slows and stops at the Fowler Street bus stop. We thank the driver, pay him and jump out.
'Time to rent a limo.' I beam. I walk into the shop.
'Hello, how can I help you?' The clerk at the front desk greets us.
'We'd like to rent a limo.' I say.
The clerk nods and disappears into another room. When we don't follow, she comes back out and motions for us. We follow her into a large room with half a dozen limousines in it.
'Which one would you like to purchase?' She asks.
'Uh, what's your cheapest one?' I reply.
She leads me to a jet black, very long limousine. It has tinted windows and looks amazing.
'We'll take it.' I beam.
'Two hundred dollars and forty one cents.' She says.
'Cheaper than I expected.' I admit.
'Okay, so we'll pick it up tomorrow.' Mike says impatiently.
We pay her the money and leave, all of us beaming.
'That was a good deal.' Emma comments as we sit down at the bus stop.
'Yeah.' Ryan agrees.
We wait impatiently for the bus.
'I can't believe we're going on a random road trip.' Emma whispers.
'Where are we going first?' Ryan asks.
'Perdido Beach.' I reply.
'Oh, I know someone from there.' Emma says. 'Her name's Astrid.'
I nod and look up the street. A newer bus than the last one comes swerving up the road.
'Let us pray to our Lord before we get on. Oh, mighty God, let us survive this awful bus, and let there be no chewing gum under my seat. Amen.' I joke.
Mike chuckles. 'Nice.'
We climb into the bus.