Empty

Caught the bus at the usual stop this morning. Entering, I raised my head, to see where I would be able to sit.

The bus was completely empty.

I looked back to the driver, but everything seemed normal, so I chose a spot and seated myself.

Meanwhile, the bus was already on the move, and approaching the next stop. By the window I noticed that no one was waiting, so the bus kept going. Then, the following stop, again no one, and the bus speeds on.

Now I'm anticipating what's going to happen next and, yes, the scene repeats itself, no one by the bus stop, no slowing down, so we keep moving, moving forward. And we don't stop.

Then, look, there's someone waiting, a man. For some reason, though, he chose to raise his hand only when the bus was close, too close, to the stop. By now, the driver was in a trance, he didn't even noticed the man's signal and kept going and going and going.

When the time comes, I take no risks and press the stop button at a safe distance from my exit.

I get up, the bus starts slowing down and, as it's coming to an halt, I take this picture. The doors open, I get out, the bus carries on, now empty save for the driver.

After twelve stops and a trip that took 15 minutes instead of the usual 30, I feel a strange relief.