CHANCE | luke castellan

BUS RIDE

We had two stops today. Luke and I went out once just to stretch our legs. Night has already fallen. It was around 3am, Luke just wake up from his sleep shift. Now it was Luke's turn to stay awake, and my turn to sleep.
- What do you think, will we succeed?; I asked him.
-Of course.; he replied.
-I hope. I really don't want to ruin anything.; I said.
-Helen, everything will be fine.; he comforts me.

But what if everything doesn't go well? What if we can't get the stupid shield back? If I fail, my father will think I'm weak. Maybe I don't deserve to be Ares' child at all. I am very weak and I am afraid of everything.

"Are you ready for this, Helen?" Luke's voice broke through my thoughts, his gaze steady and determined.

I met his gaze with equal resolve. "Absolutely. We've come too far to turn back now."

The anticipation of our journey filled the air as we sit in bus, the possibility of finding Ares's legendary shield driving us forward. As we settled into our seats, I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement mixed with a hint of apprehension. The path ahead was fraught with danger, but with Luke by my side, I knew we could face whatever obstacles came our way.

"So, what's our plan once we reach Arizona?" I asked, eager to delve into the details of our mission.

Luke leaned in closer, his voice low with intensity. "We need to gather information about the shield's whereabouts. It won't be easy to find, but I know we can do it."

His confidence was contagious, filling me with renewed determination. Together, we were a formidable team, capable of overcoming any challenge that stood in our way.

As the bus rumbled onward through the night, the hum of its engines providing a soothing backdrop to our conversation, I found myself reflecting on our journey together. Luke and I had faced countless trials and tribulations, but through it all, our friendship had remained. And I am glad he still can see me as friend.

"We make a good team, Luke," I remarked, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

He returned my smile, his eyes filled with warmth. "We always have, Helen. And we always will."

In that moment, surrounded by the comforting embrace of the bus and the steady rhythm of its wheels, I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, Luke would be there by my side. Together, we would conquer Ares's shield and any other obstacle that dared to stand in our way.

As I drifted off to sleep, the promise of adventure beckoning from the horizon, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. Our journey had only just begun, but with Luke by my side, I knew that anything was possible.

I woke up in the morning around seven o'clock. Luke was awake, reading the map we bought.

- Good morning sleeping beauty.; he wished me good morning. I can't tell you how much I missed it.
-Morning.; I answered and smiled at him.

Today, some new passengers got on the bus and some got off. We had one more stop.
- Do you want something to eat?; Luke asked. He wanted to get out at the gas station where we stopped.
- Only water will be fine.; I answered. He nodded and continued on his way to the exit.

An old woman got into the bus, I can't describe to you how ugly she looked at me. I got goosebumps. She sat down two seats in front of us, but again I could feel the bad energy she radiated. To be honest, I felt ugly for the entire three hours we were traveling to the next station. I had a feeling that something was wrong with that old lady.

-Is everything all right? I feel like you are all shaken up. Don't worry we will find that shield.; Luke was talking to me as we were going out.
- Everything is fine, I'm just a little tired.; I answered, I didn't want to worry him. I went to the store to get some snacks and Luke stayed in front of the bus. I was taking some sweets when I saw that old lady in the mirror. I swear she was looking right at me. I was terrified, I quickly paid for those snacks and went back to the front of the bus where Luke was.

- You came back quickly.; Luke said.
- That old woman, something is wrong with her.; I said to Luke.
-Which one exactly? There are many of them.; Luke joked.
- Luke, I'm serious. I have a terrible feeling about her. I think she's following me.; I explained.
-Helen, I think she probably needed something from the store.; he replied.
-You do not understand. Luke, she was looking at me the whole way. She was looking straight at me. She wasn't looking at you, she was looking at me.; I tried to explain to him.
- I understand, old people do that all the time. If you want, we can switch places, so they won't be able to see you.; Luke tried to reason. I agreed to switch places. I hoped that I would feel better that way. Although maybe Luke is right, maybe I'm just too paranoid.I can really be paranoid sometimes for no reason, although I feel that my paranoia is often justified.

Nothing happened until our destination. Except two hours ago when I talked to that old lady in the store. She was following me again, so I decided to approach her and ask her if she was following me.
-I'm sorry, I don't want to sound rude, but are you following me?; I asked her. That was so embarrassing.
- Maybe yes.; she replied. I was shocked, but I had to find out why she was following me.
-Why are you following me?; I asked her the question again.
- I'm sorry for following you, but you remind me so much of my daughter. You are the same as she was when she was young. She passed away fifteen years ago, I couldn't save her.; she answered with a tear in her eye. I was most sincerely sorry. I was really sorry, I can't even imagine losing a child.
-I am very sorry.; I said and walked away from her. I didn't know what else to do. I felt so sorry for that woman, and I was such a bad person to her.