Chapter 44: The Bus

Shizuka's hands gripped the steering wheel as she drove down the road. Smoke hung thick in the air, obscuring her view. The twisted metal and shattered glass could be seen on the road. Vehicles lay in disarray. Some crashed with each other, some upside down. 

Shizuka eased her foot off the gas pedal, her heart racing. The crashed vehicle partially blocked her path. The vehicle had a crumpled hood and broken windows from the impact. She maneuvered around it. The acrid smell of burning rubber and fuel filled her nostrils. "It is a horror scene out there," Lois remarked. She put her hand on her shoulder.

"As adults we should be strong for them," Lois added. Lois smiled as Shizuka looked up. 

"We will," Shizuka replied. She nodded. She looked at Rei who was looking out the window. Her emotions were blank. She had lost her childhood friend, and she does not know what happened to James. He is alive but not with them right now, She thought about why James was in her head, she only met him today. She held the M4W between her breasts. The gun was nice, his gift. Saya held her hand. They both looked sad. 

Shido thought back to the two monsters they had left.There could not be more like those, they will beat each other to death. He turned his attention to the bus. "Thank you for saving us," Shido said. He had a crooked smile as he walked down the bus. He looked at the students there. He noted there were two other people. One was a red hair milf while the other was a beauty, the prettiest woman he had seen, someone out of a fairy tail. They both were armed with what looked like state of the art weapons. These looked like they were from the future. He had to get them, he thought. 

He approached Saeko first who was sitting the furthest back. "Are you the leader Saeko?" he asked. She was cleaning the blood of Slasher. It was a fine blade given to her by a fine man. 

"Or are you Miss?" Shido asked, referring to Lois. 

Lois turned around and glared at him. "If you think we have a leader than James," Lois replied firmly. 

Saeko thought, James as a leader, he certainly had the qualities of one. Jasmine thought, yes he is the leader. Shizuka thought he was handsome, so he can be a leader. Saya pouted, him leading her, her heart skipped a beat. 

Rei's thoughts jolted upon hearing his voice. Anger surged within her. However, she thought of James and that made her happy.

"James, who is he?" Shido asked. He had never heard of that name before. 

"He stayed back to fight but he will meet us up," Jasmine replied. 

Shido thought her voice was of an angel. "He does not seem like a good leader leaving behind everyone," Shido said. He smiled. "In that case," Shido began, his voice resonating with confidence, "as a teacher with extensive experience in mentoring and guiding students, I believe it is incumbent upon me to step forward and take on the mantle of leadership. His smile got more crooked.

He stood before the group, his demeanor commanding attention and respect. "I understand the gravity of our situation," Shido continued, his gaze swept across the bus. "And I am fully prepared to shoulder the responsibility that comes with leading us through these tumultuous times."

"As your leader," he concluded, his tone firm yet compassionate, "I pledge to do everything in my power to ensure our survival and to guide us towards a brighter future free, now who is with me." 

"I, Kawamoto am," Kawamoto said while clapping. 

"So am I," Misuzu shot up like a rocket and shouted. She thought this was a man to follow. Her face became twisted. Jasmine looked at her and got angry. She placed her finger over the trigger of the gun. 

"Kurokami will be with you," Kurokami said. He had long black hair that grew over his eyes. His eyes were dilated and he had black shadows. His face looked creepy. He wore a long-sleeved white shirt which was untucked. 

"Yuuki is," Yuuki said as she stood and clapped. She had short light orange hair which she kept back using a hairband. She wore a pair of earrings in each ear. Her yellow eyes shined at Shido`s speech. The girl wore a green skirt and had black socks that went to her ankles. She had worn a white uniform with a green at the top near her shoulders. 

"So is Taniuchi," Taniuchi replied. She was also clapping. Taniuchi had magenta colored hair and blue eyes covered by a pair of glasses. She has a slender body and large breasts. The girl wore a green skirt and had black leggings that went to her ankles. She had worn a white uniform with a green at the top near her shoulders. 

 "Yes, you are right," a brown and yellow haired boy said. He has brown eyes. The boy had a muscular frame, wide shoulders and large hands. He wore the black uniform of the Fujimi High School. 

"Thank you Tsunoda," Shido remarked as he smiled. "You have the brawns and the brain," Shido added. 

Tsunoda smiled back. Shido turned his attention to the brown eyed boy. He had messy brown hair. He had a long thin noise and large eyes. Under his black jacket, he wore a red-orange shirt. He had black trousers and white shoes. 

"Miura, what about you?" he asked.

Mirua stood up and started clapping. "I am with you," he replied. 

"Naomi, he is our leader, we will be safe with him," Kawamoto urged Naomi. 

Naomi was not sure however everyone felt he was good. She looked at Takuzo, her boyfriend. She could see on his face, unsure. 

Takuzo looked at Naomi. He knew he was out of his depth here. He wanted to protect Naomi, his girlfriend at all costs. He knew he was a teacher, someone they could trust. They did know anything about James and he is gone now from the green flash of light. The two women, he did know, they could be bad people. He thought. "Okay, we think Shido is the best person," Takuzo said. 

"Yes, he will," Hisashi chimed in. He thought this person understood.

"No, he will not be, he can't be trusted," Rei shouted. 

"You can't be trusted, you see a new boy and you are after him," Hisashi replied back. 

Rei was caught off guard by that comment. She was speechless. Saya gripped her hand.

"That was rude," Jasmine remarked. 

Lois looked at the idiot. He was shrewd for sure. "James will be our leader," Lois stated. 

"He is not here," Shido argued. He added, "He might be dead like that student ripped in half."

Lois and Jasmine smiled. "James is alot stronger than you think," Jasmine said, thinking about how he fought for her. 

"I will not follow you," Saeko stated as she finished wiping her blade. 

"We are better together," Shido urged. He looked at his supporters. He motioned his hand upwards.

"Shido," they all said together. Hisashi was the loudest. 

"Shizuka slammed on the brakes. "I can't drive with all this noise," she shouted. She turned around and her breast bounced. 

"I can't stay here," Rei said as she felt like she was suffocating. Rei stood up and walked towards to the front of the bus.

Lois thought back to what James shouted, get to the Bridge even without the bus. She thought, did he know this might happen? She shrugged her shoulders. "We will not follow you," Lois stated. 

"Who is we?" Misuzu asked. She thought maybe one person might say no but there cant be more. Shido is the true leader.

"I will follow James," Saeko said as she stood up. She wiped Slasher out. Shido took a step back. 

"Watch it," Tsunoda shouted. That crazy woman tried to hit him. Saeko just walked to the front of the bus. 

"I will go with them," Saya chimed in as she got up. Shido was slimy. She had shivers thinking even going near him. 

"We will leave this bus," Lois remarked. She looked at Shido and glared at him. Shido looked back. 

"It's a free world, I won't stop you but how about you give us half your guns," Shido said. 

"Never," Rei replied. She hated his voice. 

"It's a gift from James," Jasmine replied as she held her gun. 

"They are selfish," Kawamoto replied. 

"I will get them," Tsunoda said as he charged towards Saya. Saeko was about to move when Lois grabbed his arm and threw him to the ground. He landed with a big thud. Lois then kicked him in the stomach. He groaned in pain as she shoved the barrel of the gun in his mouth. 

Shido`s follower gasped in shock. Kawamoto looked at how easily he was taken down and was submitting to him. She thought Lois looked powerful. 

"You didn't seem like the type to have a brain but neither did you have the brawns," Lois coldy said. 

Tsunoda panicked. Lois pulled the gun out. "I am in a good mood today," Lois said as she kicked him in the groin. Tsunoda shouted in pain. 

Lois walked away. "You can have the bus as a nice gesture," Lois said. 

Jasmine heard that James told them to ditch the bus if needed. "We will not sell you out," Jasmine said looking at Misuzu. Misuzu smiled back. 

"Lets go Shizuka," Lois said. 

"Shizuka you have medical knowledge, stay with us," Sihdo urged. He smiled. 

Shizuka felt grossed out by the smile. She thought of James, he had a nice smile. "I will go with them," Shizuka said as she hurried off the bus. 

Shido kissed his teeth. They left but he thought it was for the best. They would make a good addition to his world however they would have needed to be broken down. He looked behind him and saw their faces. They were already there. He looked at Takuzo, he may need some work but he will be there. 

Rei, Saya, Jasmine, Lois, Saeko and Shizuka exited the bus. Jasmine got the suitcase off with her. They got to the side of the road. The bus started to move and leave. They saw the back lights of the bus disappear in the distance.