The In-Between and After: A Ghost's Story

Traveling

While the three waited, as a few more fellow passengers boarded, McGregor watched as they slowly walked down the aisle to select their seats. Each with their own strategies, the more decisive riders choose a spot, usually the first open one they find and stick there. Others will jump from seat to seat, shift from the aisle to window position, they'll move places if another rider sits too near. They shove their luggage into the compartments above the seats, some insisting it can fit though eventually they'll relent and allow it to be stored underneath the bus. Some try and talk to the other passengers asking where there were from or something about the weather or some other piece of various small talk, some immediately throw on their headphones or pull out a book or magazine to avoid such annoyances. The families usually take the longest, the parents not only having to find seats and handle the luggage they also have to simultaneously wrangle their kids who run up and down the aisles and jump around on the seats. As it all happened, Shelby was preoccupied with making sure no ghosts were following them, a few close calls, where he tell them to get down but fortunately nothing came of it. He also walked up and down the aisle, checking out the other riders. Bell was mostly quiet, stating she wanted to rest a bit before they got underway. McGregor swore she had fallen asleep though he wondered how she was able to sleep while still not phasing through the floor. He, on the other hand, was busy practicing his shallow step, while in the relative safety of the motionless bus. He would tap the floor with his feet or press his hand against the wall beside him. As he calmed down and began feeling more confident with it, he would jump down from his perch and take a couple steps down the aisle before returning to his place. However, as it got closer to the departure time, and the activity slowed, the riders settled into their chosen spots, all the announcements and safety spiels were finished, and the bus doors closed; McGregor made sure he was safely on that platform. The driver made his last checks and started up the engine.

The Bus lurched forward. From their position at the rear of the bus, they could hear the sound of the diesel engine roaring, it was pretty loud but not so loud that they could not talk comfortably over it. Though the sound did wake up Bell, who yawned and stood up and stretched. Shelby came back to where they were and sat down.

"So far so good," he spoke confidently. Bell sat back down and crossed her arms.

"So are you gonna explain what's going on?" she asked demandingly.

"I don't really know until I get my feelers out there, but it's very likely that the Slavs are after us," Shelby says as adjusted himself in his seat. Bell still not fully believing the story, pressed further.

"Why would they be after y'all?" she asked. "I didn't know they were out this far."

"They aren't, one of the big reasons I like coming through the town, but who knows now, maybe they are looking to expand their territory" Shelby responded.

"What in the world happened? How the hell did you end up getting on the bad side of a gang that wasn't in town?" Shelby sat up.

"Guess I'm just lucky." McGregor chimed in, trying to lighten the mood. Though it only managed to earn him a couple stern and certainly not amused glances. After a few seconds of agonizing silence. Shelby and Bell turned back to each other and continued.

"Mr. Lucky here found the one Slav in town and had the bright idea to interrupt his siphon." Shelby recounted. McGregor believed he severely underplayed his heroism and bravery but thought it would be better to not speak up at this juncture.

"He did what?" Bell exclaimed.

"Yeah, I'm guessing it was a low-level guy because all it did was get the guy really mad," Shelby answered.

"Jeez, I guess you are Mr. Lucky. Who knows what that could have done."

"Yeah, I know that now. I didn't even know siphoning was a thing," McGregor spoke up to defend his actions. Bell shook her head in half amazement and half disbelief.

"So that was yesterday, and now we're here, getting outta dodge." Shelby cut back in. Bell was quiet for a bit before lighting up.

"So, if I got this straight, you don't even know if the Slav's are coming after you?" Bell asked, with voice hopeful.

"Exactly, but we didn't want to wait around to find out, so that's why we're going to Boston," Shelby responded. McGregor also the first time hearing a destination out of Shelby.

"So you're going to check with Horace?" Bell responded.

"You betcha..." Shelby nodded.

"Who's Horace?" McGregor jumped in.

"He's the In-Between's biggest gossip, if things are going down he'll know about it," Shelby responded.

"And nobody back there knew where you were going?" Bell asked.

"I didn't tell anyone," Shelby said. He and Bell looked over at McGregor.

"I didn't either." McGregor blurted, answering the question they asked with their stares. McGregor didn't want to mention that he may have let it slip when he was talking with Mooves. He figured Mooves didn't know the specifics and would be gone in a month, so it was safe.

"Well, there isn't any Slavs on this bus, so I say, take this time to relax and enjoy the scenery." She glanced out the window, then back at McGregor. "Maybe work on your shallow step." Bell offered. "We just have to worry about the stops, but that's not for a bit."

"True." Shelby nodded.

"Sounds good to me" McGregor nodded.