Forlot - Books 1-3 {Completed}

Chapter Eleven

My twin brother waved at the driver. "Hi, Paul!" he greeted happily. "You arrived in the nick of time."

I faced him. "You know him?" I asked, giving him a weird look.

"I do. I was searching for something specific. A bus driver who was around the area and could at least take us out of the city. At night. There was only one driver for the job, and that is Paul. I called and asked if he could come and pick us up."

I stared at Paul. "And you do not mind?"

Paul chuckled. "I never mind," he stated. "I have been doing this job for many years. "I never take people to their destinations during the day. Nighttime is so much better. The air is always cool."

My brother and I left the apartment and walked up to the bus, and I kept my eyes on the man. "What about when it is winter? The air is cold."

"The cold is fine with me. I just wear a coat." He eyed our bags. "May I be of assistance?"

"No, I—" I was about to decline his offer, but Hansel interrupted.

"Sure. You can take our bags and put them in the seats."

I clenched my teeth and growled at him.

Here I was, trying to be respectful of our bus driver. I sometimes do not like when somebody helps me with certain things. If I am willing to do it, then I will do it. You are not my butler, maid, or servant. You have your own problems. Your own life to worry about.

Paul took Hansel's bag and reached for mine. I scooped up my bag.

"Please do not take my bag," I pleaded.

He set Hansel's bag on a seat and looked at me. "Why not?" he wondered. He snickered. "Are you afraid that I will steal a precious item from your bag?"

"Nope." I climbed onto the bus and set my bag in another seat. "I am capable. I am young and can walk."

"She does not want to make you a servant," Hansel said in a low whisper, telling Paul.

"Ah. So I see." He sat in the driver's seat. "I appreciate it."

My twin sat by the window, and I smiled at Paul. "I appreciate your appreciation."

"And I appreciate that you appreciate my appreciation."

"And I appreciate that you appreciate—"

"Sis!" Hansel interrupted. "You and Paul can do that as he is driving." I sat next to him. "I do not know about you, but I am excited in getting out of here."

"I am too," I agreed. "It will be nice to be in the small town again."

The driver started the engine. "Are we ready?" he said, making sure that we were prepared.

"Yep!" my brother exclaimed excitedly. "Go, go, go!"

Paul looked behind and raised a hand. "Hold on, kiddos. I see two kids standing by the bus stop. I think that they want to get on."

We waited for a minute, and the two kids came by the bus doors.

"Sir, may we get on?" one of the kids asked. It sounded like a boy. "We do not have money. We are broke."

He looked down at the kids. "I am sorry to hear that. Luckily, my bus rides are free. No charge."

"Oh, thank you. Bless your heart. My sister and I only desire to get home."

I tried peering out the window. I could not see them. I leaned to the side, holding onto my seat. I still could not see them.

"Welcome aboard!" Paul proclaimed. "Please take a seat."

As the boy and girl climbed onto the bus, I examined them.

The children were as tall as me and my twin. And they were twins!

Both of them had dark brown hair. The girl's hair touched her shoulders. She wore a purple, long-sleeved shirt and purple pants with black shoes. The boy wore a blue, short-sleeved shirt and black pants with brown shoes.

The boy saw me and winked. I blushed and waved.

"H-hi," I stammered. "I am Gretel. Gretel Mason." I motioned to Hansel. "And this is my brother, Hansel."

The girl waved, but did not say anything.

The boy pointed at the seat that was across from us, and the girl sat by the window. He sat next to her and smirked at me.

"It is a pleasure to meet you both," he spoke. "I am Jack, and sitting by me is my sister, Jill. She does not talk much."

Jill focused her attention on the window and the outside world.

"We are the Mas twins. We are far from home."

"Really?" I said. "Where do you live?"

"Not in this country. However, we are settling in a place called Forlot for the time being."

Forlot? Did I hear him correctly?

"You are heading to Forlot too?"

"Yes, we are. And I am glad that we are on this bus."

I could feel my cheeks becoming hot. "W-why?"

"Not only will this bus take us all the way to Forlot..." He took my hand into his. "...but I think that I just made a new friend."

I could not help but let out a squeal.

Yeah, yeah. I met the guy four minutes ago, but I was crushing on him. He was handsome, and his voice sounded like an angel from the heavens.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned. It was Hansel.

"Uh, Gretel?" He pointed at the window, and my eyes widened when I realized that Margie was running to the bus.

"Margie!" I exclaimed.

"Who is Margie?" Jack asked.

I ignored his question and pushed down the bus window. "Margie!"

She held up her hand and was holding something.

"I found this!" Margie called.

Before I could ask what it was, the bus drove off.