Protocol Final Timer part I.

the sky is clear and blue with white touches. there is a warm peaceful aroma in the air as a school bus drives around the rural area.

Josh is in the back of the bus drinking apple juice. he was catch once trying to get liquor to a school trip, and it ended badly. now he only drinks apple juice in school trips. he is fine as long as his beloved Alice is at his side. he plays with her hair.

Jack and Chloe are on seats around the rear. Jack is trying to read a book. the boo is about self-control and how to control violent tendencies. on the other hand, by the window. Chloe is looking at pictures of guys on dating apps. she sends some provocative messages to some guys asking for a date to meet and do more than talking.

Timothy and Patricia are sitting by the front. Timothy is trying to stay awake. he was playing video games until late last night. he has some eyebags. he loses the battle and finally lands his head on Patricia's shoulder. she blushes her face is so red.

Patricia smiles as she feels his breathe so close to her face. then his warm hand lands on top of her hand. this may as well be the best day of her life. the boy she loves next to her. she feels like time could stop right there. 

"Okay boys and gals. we be there in about twenty minutes give or take. so, try to keep composure until we get there." said Mrs. Bank driving the bus.

Hanna is by herself drawing muscular guys. she has a thing for older guys with muscles and big tan chests. she smirks. she then turns to the window to observe the cows and horses. she pays special attention to the green grass. the solid soil of the rural area.

Martin and Bernard are sitting next to each other at the middle of the bus. in front of them are sitting Pierre and Grace. they are having a little conversation about the past. it seems like the past is the only link they have in common.

Martin is talking passionately. Bernard isn't listening. he is just staring at his rival. hoping that Pierre won't pull any weird movement on Grace. he stares furiously. Pierre has fun being on the other side for once. Pierre feels delight to see his rival twisting green with envy at his every word and action. he even laughs loud.

Martin gives up on him. he takes from his backpack a copy of 1984. he starts to read. he is invested on the book. he was reading last week Blood Meridian. Martin and Bernard became friends thanks to their common love for books. 

"Wait weren't you reading Animal Farm last time?" asks Bernard out of curiosity.

"Yeah. that was last month. such a great read. I plan on reading The Devine Comedy or Lost Paradise next. there is something about older literature that can't be compared to any of the modern literature of the last two decades." commented Martin as he reads.

"I am just saying. older books are great for sure. but nothing compares to manga. a true man of letters will see beyond the greatness of manga." said Bernard.

there is a moment in which Martin felt the need to slap the bitch out of his best friend. but he had enough self-control. he kept reading. he asks Bernard to let him read in peace. even if they fight for stupid reasons, they are still the best of friends.

Grace makes a strange facial expression. she feels odd. for the majority of her life Grace had no time for entertainment or anything alike. but now she feels strange. it is hard to put into words the way in which she feels when even she is confused. she wants to know what they are talking about and be part of their conversation. she feels foreign to the world.

Pierre notices right away what Grace is thinking and feeling. he tries to get her attention. then he fails to make her notice him. out of anger or sadness he said the wrong words. he used the worse means to get her attention. later he would regret it. maybe.

"Do you remember him? I mean, the man who took them away. I was there. I was able to stare right through the eyes of the dragon. I saw the soul of the beast bathed in coal with a profoundly inhuman scent like that of mourning. if there is something about him, I had never forgotten. it has to be those deep grotesque eyes. till this day I haven't forgotten at all. it haunts me on my sleep. I succumb to terror. I break apart every time I see those eyes. the eyes of true evil. true horror." said Pierre sweating.

"What is your point. just tell me." said Grace feeling irritated by Pierre's words.

"He is here. in the bus. is up to you to guess between the nineteen students in here. I already know, but I don't feel like making your job easy." whispers Pierre out of malice.

the rest of the ride feels like it would be hard. Grace feels horror. she looks around hoping to find the face of the monster among them. she starts to sweat. Bernard stands in front of her and kneels as he holds her hands with care and love. he whispers, "everything is fine. I am here with you." right next to her ear. he returns to his seat.

Grace relaxes. there is enough time to finish her mission. there is enough time to find any traitors and enemies and avenge her family. she is now calm as she thanks him. then Grace thinks about how hard things could be without him. he is her support.

on the same school bus, at the front are Bob and Mr. Bark. they are ready to act upon the next phase of their mission. some innocent lives may be taken. but at the end they are just doing their job. it is upon them to take the guilt for actions that can't be call honorable. after all their job is a dirty job. they clean up the filth of society.

what they are about to do could be seem like true evil. they can use any excuse. they can even blame Greed for forcing such a heavy task upon their shoulders. but no matter what excuse they made up to justified themselves. they are the ones with blood on their hands. they are the ones who have to deal with the guilt.

as far as Bob is concern. today will put an end to their mission. it is about time to unmask the infamous dictator. the enemy will come out sooner or later. there is another issue. they don't know the intentions behind Pierre's actions. 

"Kids be kind. just wait a bit longer." said Mrs. Bank while driving.

all three of them have their own lives in their original timeline. all three of them question if Grace would be willingly to return. their mission is almost over. soon they will be given the right opportunity to eliminate every name on the hit list.

none of them is there because they want to be. none of them feels either pleasure or good with the idea of killing innocent kids. but they have a family to protect. a job to do. there are too many things on the line. a mistake or a stupid act of mercy could end more lives than the black plague itself. nothing is determined.

there is another little factor that they overlook. just because they had met Pierre and he spends the majority of his time around them, doesn't mean that he came alone. there are other agents that were send by Hannes. and one of them is also in the bus.

"It is about time." whispers Pierre with a malicious smile.