ONE PERSON AT A TIME

Leon unable move his hands and legs, he finds himself in a dark cold room seated on a wooden chair with his legs tied to the legs of the of the chair and his hands also tied firmly to the armchair. He tried to scream for help, but it was fruitless because his mouth was sealed with a sticky tape.

Leon was helpless and didn't know what to do, sweats began dripping down from his entire body even though the room temperature was too cold. He was still contemplating on what next to do, when suddenly he heard movement of someone trying to open the door from a bunch of keys. The whole place was so dark that Leon was unable to see the face of the person that came in. The stranger walks to the corner of the room and drops the bunch of keys on a table. Leon wondered how the stranger was able to move freely in such darkness. The stranger walks towards Leon and stood in front of him, not making a move or sound. He stood for about a minute before he finally said.

" It is going to hurt, I suggest you stay still."

Leon felt a hurtful burning sensation at the back side of his neck exactly the same spot were his birthmark was. Leon couldn't endure the intensifying heat for long and suddenly pass out.

Mr Leon! My Leon! Are you okay asked the driver?

Leon heard someone calling him in his subconscious. He gently open his eyes, expecting to see darkness and nothing more, was suprise to see the bus driver worryingly staring down at him with the dwaf steward standing by his side. He must have just had one of his nightmares again, he concluded.

He adjusted himself and looks around, noticing that all the passengers had left the bus.

It usually happens on your first time, the dwarf said

I don't think it's his first time, the driver replies the dwarf.

It must be his first time, if not so, why would he be reminded again to fasten his seatbelt, after you made the announcement twice and why did he pass out, the dwarf argued.

Leon didn't understand a bit of what they were talking about. He is completely confused with himself and the things happening around him. What do they mean by first-time. He also wondered at where all the passengers had gone to. And did he actually pass out, if eventually he did pass out, for how long? This were the questions running on Leon's mind. Leon pulled himself together and decides to get the answers he needed from the them.

For how long did I fade out? He asked them.

The driver and the dwarf steward didn't give an answer to Leon, instead they just stood there and kept staring at him. Leon felt a little bit embarrassed, and decides to rephrase the question.

I am sorry if you guys misunderstood me. I was actually asking you guys, If you have an idea on how long I pass out?

They looked at each other and shakes their heads in pity for Leon. The driver brought out a handkerchief from his pocket, and began to wipe imaginary tears from him eyes. The dwarf steward did the same, wiping unseen tears from his eyes. After they had finished sobering, they exchanged handkerchiefs, then the driver looks at Leon and said.

Mr Leon. You will have to direct your question to one person at a time, the driver told Leon.

Leon had never come across this kind of situation in his entire life. He doesn't really know what is wrong with these two, why would they suddenly turn sober and came out of it quickly, even exchanging handkerchiefs. Looking at them alone almost gave Leon a belly spot for laughter, one is gigantic with small ears, the other is a dwarf with large ears. If it is possible for them to exchange their ears, it will be really perfect on them, he thought. The driver said he will have to direct his question to one person at a time, well that is not much of a problem, Leon decides to ask the driver.

What is your name? He asked the driver.

I am Paxuel, but you can call me Pax, he said.

Hello Pax. Please do you know how long I passed out?

I don't know he replied.

Leon concluded that it is a waste of time talking to these two. He agreed within himself that if he didn't get any reasonable answer from the dwarf steward, he was just going to forget about them.

I have three questions for you, he said to the dwarf steward. What is your name? Do you have an idea on how long I passed out? And what do you mean by first-time?

My name is Wilmaro, and you can call me Wilm. You passed out during the jump. I suspects is the first time you are taking the jump but Pax disagrees, replied the dwarf steward.

Ok. I still have some more questions to ask you, Leon said to Wilm. Why didn't Mr Pax have an idea on how long I passed out? And what do you mean by jump?

He was driving, so didn't have an idea on when you actually passed out. Jump on the other hand is the transition from the rocky terrain to this place, Wilm answered.

More like it, Leon said to himself. The answers are gradually coming, he prepares to ask Pax some few questions.

Mr Pax, When Wilm talked about jump been the transition, can you please explain further to me, Leon asked Mr Pax.

Forget the pleasantries, just call me Pax, he said smiling. The transition is the fastest and safe route to Muskvile, a special treats for the natives only, which you also happens to be one.

So tell me Pax. Where did the rest passengers went to? Leon asked Pax, staring outside the window.

They have left the bus, probably going about their business, replied Pax.

Leon glanced at his wristwatch and smiled, the journey from the city to Muskvile is about five hours, and his watch says 12:35 pm. He asked Pax again.

Are you implying that we are at Muskvile? Leon asked Pax.

Yes Mr Leon. We have since arrived Muskvile twenty minutes ago, he replied.

Leon didn't believe them at all, he felt they were playing some kind of pranks on him. How could they have left the city at 11: 45 am and arrived at Muskvile 12:15 pm, which is supposed to be a journey of five hours on road, and now a journey of some few minutes, what a joke he said to himself.

He was about to ask them to stop the game, and that it was no longer funny, when his phone suddenly rang. It was his Dad, Leon quickly pick the call.

Hello Dad....

Hello son..... one of the natives called me and said you guys took the jump bus. Didn't know they still have em. Not to worry son, I am here to pick you up.

Leon looks outside the window and spots his Dad standing beside a jeep waving at him.