Prelude
Someone once said that actions speak louder than words.
Maybe that's because the things people say can be so insignificant. Sure, there are people out there who will forever be remembered by that circumlocutory speech or for writing the next big feminist anthem. But when you look at the big picture, the words they say all become minor details – whether it be an obnoxiously off-key rendition of the beloved school song or the awkward silence that followed when an obvious outsider asked permission to join the clique.
Nobody's going to dwell over the memory of him raising his voice over the miscellaneous chatter of students inside to remind them they can fit three to a seat; or question why her tone was coming off broken and meek when she was usually so unyielding.
Nobody's going to think about the small talk they made as the bus began its slow descent from the parking lot. Even if they remember, they're not actually going to give a shit about what day he starts science camp, how many piercings she has, or how long he's been playing guitar.
They'll be dwelling over the smell of blood mixed with burning metal and flesh that filled the air. They'll think about what it felt like to lose all sense of balance before their cheeks understood the unwelcoming touch of asphalt and broken glass.
They'll remember a strong arm, instinctually reaching out to protect the wrong girl from being a sacrifice to tragedy.
They'll remember what it sounds like to hear a window shatter from the unexpected weight of a body, or to actually hear individual bones snap from an unbearable pressure.
They'll remember what it feels like to accept defeat, and realize that they could be closing their eyes for the last time.
Because even after 32 minutes of meaningless conversation, all it took was one single action to change their lives forever.
One minute, they were Deon "Tiny" Bell, Grace Cardinal, Jonah Haak, Maya Matlin, Tristan Milligan, and Zig Novak.
The next, they were patient numbers 09171123, 09171124, 09171125, 09171126, 09171127, and 09711128. Better known as the local city high school students on their way to a volleyball tournament.
"A school bus filled with local city high school students on their way to a volleyball tournament has been involved in a major accident on the Dawn Valley parkway. While no fatalities have been reported, a number of students are being rushed to hospital; at least one in critical condition. The names have not been released."