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“Okay, we’re overwrought and have been through something. We’re all reacting, overly tired and on edge. We’ve been drugged, kidnapped, and we won’t mention what happened at the motel,” I said.

“Add being stranded too,” Sparrow grouched. The bus roared to life, and Birdie let out a triumphant yell.

“All aboard!” she called.

“Who’s driving?” I asked.

Hayden grinned at me. “I drove a tank a few times.”

“We’re all gonna die,” I intoned, and he laughed and dropped a kiss on my lips.

“Come on, babe, we’re heading home.”

“Aye,” I agreed and sat behind him. I checked everyone was on before I let him shut the doors and drive off. Talk about a novel experience. None of us had ever been on one of these before.

Chapter Six.

Sparrow

“I don’t understand. What happened when we were knocked out?” I whispered in complete shock.

We’d driven down Meade Avenue, past the US Naval Reserve Training Centre, and hadn’t seen a single person. But when we turned into Sloat Ave and Winslow Street, we got concerned. Sicard St and Wyman Ave raised our worries. Every street appeared deserted. There wasn’t anyone about. Lights were on, but nobody was literally home.

“Did World War Three happen while we were out?” Sailor asked, peering outside her window.

“I don’t know. But I’m now getting War of the Worlds vibes,” Sapphire muttered.

“Night of the Living Dead,” Vengeance said, on edge.

“Nah, we’re not in a farmhouse,” Blade quipped.

Hayden parked at the bridge and swivelled to face us. “Do I continue?”

“Yes,” Sapphire ordered.

“Don’t stop for nothing,” I added, my skin crawling. I peered into the darkness. “How fuckin’ long were we out?”

Sapphire glanced at me. “What?”

“I thought a couple of hours, but now I’m reconsidering it. That clock over there says midnight. How the fuck has everything we’ve experienced only taken two hours?” I demanded.

“You think we woke up late afternoon/early evening when it had just turned dark?” Belladonna asked.

“Yeah. We have been awake for about six hours. That would make sense. Which means we’ve been gone over a day,” I said.

“Wylde, start driving,” Priest called. “I need to get to Brielle!”

Wylde started the engine again and pulled out.

I understood Priest’s fear. He’d lost his cousin once already, and now he’d no idea where she was.

Shit. A murderous air floated through the bus.

“I can sense Brielle; she’s okay,” Belladonna said after a few moments. “I can’t connect to her, but she appears safe to me.”

“Thanks,” Priest replied. He eased up a little, but not by much.

We saw our first signs of problems when we hit Kittery. Cars had been abandoned in the road, doors open and belongings left inside.