The seven participants stare into the distance, some in disbelief, mouths agape as if trapped in a dream. A few rub their eyes, rechecking to ensure they are truly seeing the legend bus. It glides toward the gathered group, its movement slow yet unnervingly smooth. As it nears the shore, the engine growls, then, with deliberate precision, it halts before them. The doors - front and rear - swing open, an invitation extended without a single word.
The group exchanges bewildered glances. This is indeed Bus 0, yet the surreal nature of its welcome is beyond anything they had imagined. Silently, the woman with the cigarette lifts her gaze toward the open doors, then strides forward without hesitation. The arrogant man gestures toward her, scoffing, as if she is the obvious fool among them. He calls out.
"Hey! Not afraid, are you?"
She stops abruptly, turning back with an enigmatic smirk. Her voice is melodic yet laced with something unreadable.
"If you all prefer standing here, inhaling the sea breeze, then by all means - stay where you are."
The others falter in uncertainty. But before any of them can react, she has already stepped inside, settling into a seat near the back by the window, closing her eyes as if drifting into rest. One by one, the rest begin moving forward. The proud businessman sneers, tightening his grip around his wife’s waist. His voice rises above the hushed atmosphere.
“Come on! Why hesitate? We went through the trouble of signing up, didn’t we? Let's go, my love."
"I... feel insecure." she murmurs hesitantly.
"It’ll be fine. Let’s go."
He helps her up first, then climbs aboard after her. Next, the two university girls step in. Finally, Pearl and Tate enter, their movements cautious.
As everyone settles into their seats, the doors slam shut. The bus edges forward - rolling toward the river. Then, without pause, the wheels press onto the water, and the entire vehicle begins to sink into the depths. Inside, tension coils around every passenger. Nobody dares to sit near the front or even in the middle rows. The back of the bus becomes their refuge.
To the left, the two best friends continue their relentless pursuit of capturing selfies, oblivious to the dread creeping through the air. Near the rear, the lone woman who entered first remains silent, her eyes shut as if she has already accepted whatever awaits. To the right, the wealthy couple sit stiffly, their once-confident presence slightly diminished. At the very back - Pearl and Tate occupy the last row. Curious, Pearl observes the woman across from her, scrutinizing the stranger’s presence.
There is something captivating about her - an effortless grace that exudes quiet sophistication. Unlike the flashy arrogance of others, she embodies an understated allure - delicate yet commanding. Even the subtlest gestures - a slow tap of her black-polished nails against the cigarette, a lazy sweep of her shoulder-length hair - carry an elegance that makes it impossible not to stare. Pearl’s lingering gaze stirs the woman from her rest. Slowly, she turns, locking eyes with her. There is something unsettling about her stare - reminiscent of Tate’s, yet far more piercing. It carries an air of cold calculation, an unreadable cunning that makes it impossible to decipher her thoughts. She offers a small, enigmatic smile, nodding briefly before leaning back against the seat, shutting her eyes once more.
Beside her, Tate notices Pearl’s unwavering attention. He nudges her lightly.
"Pearl!"
"Huh? What’s wrong?" Startled, she blinks.
"Nothing really. I just noticed you’ve been staring at that woman nonstop."
"Oh, it’s nothing. I was just curious."
Fifteen minutes into the journey beneath the water, the bus suddenly shudders - the engine abruptly cutting out. The curtains snap shut automatically, plunging the cabin into darkness. Seat belts tighten across every passenger, locking them in place. A deep crimson glow floods the interior, just as the roar of rushing water erupts outside.
The bus tilts forward - nose diving into the abyss, accelerating rapidly. The violent shift sends the passengers into a frenzy. Cries of panic echo through the space as they clutch onto whatever they can.
"Ah! What’s happening?!"
Without realizing it, Pearl grips onto Tate’s arm, her fingers trembling. Her eyes squeeze shut, knuckles whitening as she clutches him even tighter - her last lifeline in the chaos. The bus plunges deeper into the black expanse of icy water until at last - it reaches a massive rock formation at the heart of the ocean.
At its center, a cavern door slowly creaks open, revealing an eerie golden glow from within. The bus rushes toward the light. Its speed is increasing. As it crosses the threshold, the entrance slams shut behind them, sealing off the outside world. One by one, internal gates slide open within the tunnel. The water drainage system activates, suctioning away the surrounding water. At last, the bus’s tires make contact with solid pavement, rolling smoothly onto the perfectly paved road. Inside the vehicle, the lights shift from blood-red to safe, glowing green. A collective sigh of relief washes over the passengers. The two best friends near the middle row collapse into each other, sobbing.
"I thought we were done for!"
"Me too! But we’re safe now! It’s over!"
Across from them, the wealthy couple exchanges unimpressed glances. The wife narrows her eyes, voice sharp and biting.
"If you want to cry, do it at home. You’re ruining the atmosphere."
"Come now, darling, let’s not bother with childish fools. What matters is enjoying the trip." Her husband chuckles dismissively.
The two girls immediately quiet down, exchanging resentful side-eyes at the couple. From the center of the bus, a small projector hums to life, displaying a map onto the floor. A pre-recorded voice echoes through the cabin, attracting all eyes to snap toward.
"Welcome aboard Bus 0, the fully autonomous travel experience."
ns216.73.216.13da2
and then Add to home screen.