Chapter 33: School Bus Nightmare

"Alright, everyone, get on the bus quickly. Clark, pick up the pace!"

At Smallville Elementary, Martha McDonald clapped her hands, guiding the bustling students onto the school bus.

Clark glanced back at a gloomy-looking Azu, slowing down to wait for him.

"John, you don't seem very happy?"

"It's because I've already been to Old Mac's collection before—during my last birthday."

Azu replied glumly, "I wanted my dad to let me skip this trip so I could clear weeds on the farm, but he refused."

"What did godfather say?" Clark asked curiously.

"He said I'm not allowed to take on side jobs during school hours."

Azu slumped into a seat near the back of the bus, resting his chin on his arm, imitating Peter's sigh, and said dramatically, "Ah, another boring day."

"Class, we're going to the museum today. I hope everyone has a wonderful day, but before we enjoy ourselves, we need to follow some rules."

Once all the students were on board, Miss Martha started explaining the tour process and rules.

Old Horace, acting as the security guard for the trip, sat in the front of the bus. His dull eyes occasionally flashed with alertness as he surveyed the students.

The bus soon started, heading down the road toward the museum.

"I hate buses," Azu said, watching the scenery speed past. "School buses feel just like regular buses."

"You've ridden a bus before, John?" Clark asked in surprise.

Since both Peter's and Jonathan's families owned cars, Clark's travels were mostly by car. He hadn't yet experienced a bus ride.

"Of course, there was this one time my dad forgot the car, and we had to take the bus."

Azu had a terrible experience that day.

"A guy sat in front of us, smelling like a mix of urine and nacho chips, wearing what my dad called 'homeless chic.' My dad said his outfit was at the cutting edge of fashion, so I couldn't tell if he was actually homeless or just a guy without any taste."

Clark wasn't sure if godfather was joking or being serious.

After thinking about it for a while, Clark concluded it was probably one of his godfather's dry jokes.

Azu didn't notice Clark's puzzled expression as he leaned against the window, bored, watching the scenery pass by.

The bus drove past the Honey Hole farm stand and continued onto a bridge. Just then, a paint-laden pickup truck approached from the opposite direction.

Seeing the truck, the bus driver prepared to slow down.

But just as the vehicles were about to pass, the pickup suddenly swerved over the centerline, aiming right for the bus.

"Damn!"

Seeing the out-of-control truck veering toward them, the driver swore, gripping the steering wheel tightly. His knuckles turned white as he stomped on the brakes.

The tires squealed, screeching like a lamb being led to slaughter.

The rear of the bus swung to the side, and the students, chatting excitedly about the field trip, suddenly felt their bodies lurch with the change in momentum.

Bang!

Students standing were flung back into their seats, hitting hard with dull thuds.

Martha, who had been explaining the rules, was thrown sideways as the bus swerved. She crashed into the side, hitting her head hard and feeling dizzy.

Clark and Azur were also thrown to one side, but they quickly stabilized themselves.

Screech!

The bus emitted a piercing sound as it skidded on the road, leaving a black trail of burning rubber behind.

To avoid the oncoming truck, the bus had lost control, heading toward the bridge's edge.

At the last second, the experienced driver managed to stop the vehicle.

The bus halted just inches away from the edge.

A shocked silence fell over the bus, broken only by the gradually quieting engine.

The driver, still trembling, looked as if he might cry—or laugh.

He had just saved a whole bus full of students!

But before he could celebrate his success, the runaway pickup came barreling back toward them.

Bang!

The pickup truck, loaded with paint, smashed into the rear of the bus.

The doors caved in, and shattered glass rained down inside.

The sound of honking and metal crunching filled the air.

"Shi—!"

Before the driver could finish cursing, the bus groaned and started to tilt, slipping off the bridge and tumbling toward the river below.

Splash!

The bus crashed into the river, the sound echoing across Smallville.

Icy water began rushing into the bus.

Murky water quickly surrounded the students, who were now screaming in panic.

Some tried to escape, while others rushed to the back of the bus in fear.

The water filled the bus faster than anyone could have expected, submerging half of it in seconds.

Old Horace, though dazed by the impact, hadn't lost consciousness, given that the bridge height wasn't very high.

Quickly taking off his coat, he ignored the cries around him, hurrying to the broken window to escape.

He dove through the shattered glass and swam to the surface.

Once above water, his old body seemed to change, becoming younger.

After a moment of hesitation, he considered helping those on the bus.

But the risk of revealing his true identity held him back. Shaking his head, he glanced back at the bus before swimming to shore.

Inside, more water poured in. Martha, having swallowed several mouthfuls, could barely keep her head above water.

The cries of frightened students pounded in her ears, making her headache even worse.

"Here, quickly!" she shouted, grabbing a little girl by the shoulder, trying to push her out the window.

But the girl, terrified, clung to her arm, tears filling her eyes as she refused to let go.

Clark, sitting near the back, wiped water from his face, staring blankly at Martha and the little girl.