A Long Route Home, and Busy

By David R. Michael

It’s a rainy night on the commuter bus. “One at a time,” the bus driver says. “We’re all in a hurry tonight.” Office drone Kent Fleming, who rides this bus home every day, is in no rush. He will be on the bus to the end of the line. But someone new is on the bus tonight, and the trip will be anything but peaceful.

• Language: English
• Publisher: David R. Michael
• Release date: May 2, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224153930

David R. Michael

Most days, David Michael is a software developer and a writer. Some days, he’s a writer and a software developer. Other days, he’s an amateur photographer. Because, really, who is the same person every day?David is the designer and developer of The Journal, personal journaling software for Windows. He has also designed and developed video games, and has written two nonfiction books and numerous articles about video game development.David lives with his wife and kids in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

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A Long Route Home, and Busy

A LONG ROUTE HOME, AND BUSY

A SHORT STORY

DAVID R. MICHAEL

Four Crows Landing

Copyright © 2024 by David R. Michael

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permission requests, contact Four Crows Landing: [e-mail]

The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.

Published by Four Crows Landing.

CONTENTS

A Long Route Home, and Busy

About the Author

Also by David R. Michael

A LONG ROUTE HOME, AND BUSY

Kent Fleming dozed in his seat, as he always did on his way home, his shoulder pressed against the cool glass of the window of the commuter bus, his briefcase clutched to his chest, his head bowed.

He heard surprised shouts, but didn't open his eyes. It was a long route, and busy. Someone always managed to shout at someone else, every day. The bus must have just pulled away from the third stop since someone had sat down next to him. Whoever it was smelled of damp clothes, stale cologne and fresh cigarette smoke, but Kent didn't care so long as they left him alone.

He's got a bomb!

A woman screamed.

The person who had sat down next to Kent grunted and pushed against him, as if trying to crawl over him.

The world exploded as Kent opened his eyes to see what was going on.

Kent sat upright in his seat, looking out the window of the bus. He wanted to close his eyes, to get some rest, to avoid the reflected eyes of the other commuters looking past him or at their phones, but every time he did, he relived a dream of dying.

He had never had such a dream before, not