The Know 3

   I continued to sit there starring sympathetically over at the girl as she convulsed repeatedly. Her bloodshot eyes continued to stare at the seat, not even a blink came from her face. I suddenly got the shivers, and had to turn away, not able to stand looking at such a sight anymore as reality set in. Some days I thought I myself might go insane, simply because of the silence and craziness that surrounded me. Ha, a small laugh escaped my mouth, my shoulders bouncing up slightly. It was a crackle of disbelief as I thought about how totally and completely ridiculous this world really was.

   “I hate it! I really do!” I said aloud in a moment of uncontrolled emotion.

   Before I could continue my rant of hatred towards our nation, bright red and blue flashing lights filled the bus. Then a voice came over the bus intercom, PLEASE PULL THE BUSS OVER! ALL PASSENGERS REMAIN CALM, AND STAY SEATED, THANK YOU. It was a government officer, they must have got the GSS up and running again and noticed he wasn‘t wearing the seatbelts. Government officers can tap into any system they want, now that everything is hooked up to the GSS through a new technology their scientists discovered. The best way to describe it is a giant white satellite on earth. It sits next to the crumpled, falling, and most famous… white house. This machine can pinpoint any persons location and listen to what they are saying just as they walk down the street.

   The bus driver kept on driving ignoring the orders of the officer. Just then the intercom on the bus crackled, but no voice came on.

   “That’s weird…” I mumbled letting my voice trail off.

   Never in my entire life have I heard the GSS crackle. Something must be seriously wrong with it this time. I looked over the seat and looked at the bus driver’s mirror to see what he was doing. Searching for some explanation for why he wasn’t stopping.  His facial expression was one of fear and determination. Knowing exactly what he was going to do I leapt from the seat and ran to the front of the bus.

   “Don’t do it!” I yelled at him as we swerved into the other lane.

   I searched my mind, trying to think of something that would stop him. Prying his hands from the steering wheel was not an option. His knuckles where white he was gripping the steering wheel so hard.

   “Think Acala think…” I said aloud.

   “Oh!” I said, snapping then pointing my finger at him.

   “Do you have a family at home…uh Bruce?” I said reading the electronic nametag woven into a patch on his shirt sleeve. My words luckily affected him as his face turned red, and his eyes began to water. Yet his hands still gripped the wheel tightly.

   “How about any kids… Bruce? …What about me… and them? Are you going to kill all of us too? What about their parents? Huh Bruce?” Said with a steady voice. Knowing that strength would calm him. As it does for everyone, just knowing that someone cares, a person to help release some of their tension upon.

   To my surprise he grabbed the key and yanked it out of the ignition. The bus began to slow. His grip loosened a bit on the wheel, and his let his head fall on top of his hands. He turned to look at me his head still on the steering wheel with his hands. After he took a good look at me he then lifted his head, as a single tear rolled down his cheek. He pressed a button on the dashboard and the door opened behind me, we were still rolling slowly down the road. I stepped back towards the isle and grabbed the seat not to fall over. His eyes remained locked on me.

   “You did the right thing Bruce.”

   Everything appeared to move in slow motion, as the shock and rush wore off. The wind coming in from the open door was deafening, so I doubt he heard my words, but he seemed to understand anyway. A million thoughts rushed through my head, so many that this memory tape couldn’t record them. Finally the bus came to a rolling stop, and before anyone could even move a cop was in the doorway. He ran up the steps and tackled the driver, cuffed him in a split second, and then pushed him off the bus. Bruce went tumbling down the stairs and then onto the silver plated walkway landing on his back. The officer jumped down out of the bus and kicked him a couple of times before dragging him back to the cop car. I remained standing there emotionless, at the sight of everything.

   The cop came back onto the bus not even out of breath. He wore a black t-shirt with pockets and a silver nametag, and a pair of black pants. He also fashioned a pair of black I-glasses like mine, except they were new and slightly larger.

   “I would like to thank you for your services and compliance to the United Laws. The GSS picked up everything you said. I will personally replay this for the Supreme Ruler, as a reward my commander would like me to give you this to you.” He said pulling a folded sheet of plastic paper out of one of his pockets.

   “He just sent it to me through the print robot in my car. Here you go.” He extended his muscular arm out to me. I took the piece of paper not bothering to open it, I looked up at him.

   “Thank You.” I said my eyes flaming with anger. I brushed past him and down the stairs. Stopping at the bottom I looked down, a smear of blood rest at my feet. I looked up still emotionless and stepped over it and began walking down the city sidewalk. Still I could feel the confused stare of the officer upon my back.

   I looked back down and unfolded the piece of paper. It read “The Supreme Ruler would like to schedule a meeting with you at 2pm tomorrow. Please present this at the door of the New White House for access to be granted. If you cannot get here an escort has been arranged to pick you up. Thank You for your services.” Hatred… was the only word to describe how I felt. Looking strait ahead as continued walking, forcefully I tore the thin sheet of plastic in half and let it flutter to the ground…