Chapter Two Arthur in counter with a bad guy

Earlier that day, the school bell rings, and the kids come out.

Buster said, ''Hey, Arthur! Wanna go bike riding?''

I said, '' I can't. I have to take the bus to the pool for my swimming lesson. My mum couldn't drive me because she had to go to my sister's school play. D.W.'s the mashed potatoes in the Pageant of Foods.''

Buster and Francine stop and stare at him.

I said, 'Hey, what's wrong?''

Buster said, ''The bus? You mean you are taking the real one?''

Francine said, 'The one that goes all the way to the edge of town?''

''Sure, there's nothing to it. You just pay your money and go. Michel took it to Basketball Practice'' I said. Seriously, why are they making such a big deal our of this? I thought.

Buster said,'' I don't know. I heard about this guy who got on a bus, and it just kept going and going...''

In his fantasy, I sit in a fast-moving bus that drives through farmland.

I said'' E-excuse me... When's the next stop? I-I'm supposed to be at my swimming lesson now.''

Driver said ''You got the wrong bus, kid. We don't make any stops.''

I said, ''No stops? But that's impossible!''

Driver said, '' Oh, really...?''

The driver turns around revealing a squid-like head.

Arthur Auugghh!

All the other passengers, who have been hidden behind newspapers so far, reveal themselves to be squid people.

Squid People: (laugh)

Iron plates slide in front of the doors. Rockets appear on the bus's side, and it flies off.

The fantasy ends. Buster stares at nothing.

Francine said,'' Yeah, I heard that same story. It was in a movie on TV last week.''

Buster said,'' Oh, yeah. That's where I saw it.''

Arthur looks worried now.

Francine said, ''Don't worry. You'll be fine, Arthur. However, it's only fair to warn you about a kid I heard about.''

In her fantasy, a bus stops in front of the public pool and kids get off.

Francine (narrator), '' He didn't have enough money, so the driver wouldn't let him off the bus.''

Kids, '' Bye! See you! See you tomorrow!''

Driver said, '' Uh-uh-uh! Where do you think you're going?''

He closes the door in front of an older, ragged-looking Arthur.

I said, ''Please! Can't I just leave? I've been on this bus for forty years!''

Driver said,'' Not until you pay your fare!''

I said,'' But I didn't bring any money with me. It's in my other pants.''

Driver said,'' Guess you should have thought of that before you got on the bus...old man!'' (mean laugh)

He drives off.

The fantasy ends. I look horrified. I do hope none of this ever happens to me. I wouldn't know what to do!

Francine said Here it comes...

The bus stops and the driver looks exactly as in the fantasy.

Buster said, '' Well, see you!''

I said, ''Yeah, thanks a lot.''

Driver said, '' Exact change!''

The bus drives off. I put the money in a slot. The bus is full of people reading newspapers.

I sit on the bus and reads a book on squids. A lady wink at me.

I read "Squids and their ways..."

A while later, I fell asleep.

That's when it got...scary.

I woke up with a start and looked around.

I gasp. ''Where are we?''

I turn to the lady who winked at me, who is now the only other passenger.

''Er, excuse me... Did we pass the pool?'' I asked her.

Lady said,'' Ages ago. We're practically at the edge of town. Is everything okay?''

I said,'' Uh... Sure''. Oh, no...

The bus stops and the lady gets out.

Driver said,'' Last stop! Everybody out!''

I wanted to tell the Driver what happened but thought better of it and said,'' Err, never mind,'' Gosh, you are so stupid Arthur, why didn't you say something, I scolded myself.

I got out and the bus drives off. I look around aimlessly.

Why did I have to take swimming lessons anyway? I can swim just fine if only Mom and Dad would see that, I guess I'll just walk home. Only I don't know which way to go. I don't even have enough money to take the bus back! I bet Michel isn't very worried all he thinks about is his girlfriend, Sarah. I take a single coin out of my pocket. A tear falls down.

I sniffle.

I look into "Manny's Diner" where a man sits with a cup of coffee.

Man: (sniffs)

I looked and saw a payphone. Great, I thought to myself.

I go inside and puts my coin in the payphone.

I said,'' Even if Mom and Dad aren't home, I know one person who will come and pick me up.''

I imagine Grandma Thora racing her car down a freeway. She puts a flashing light on the car roof and turns on a siren. Then she speaks into a radio.

Grandma Thora said ''Hang on, sweetie! Comin' through''!

There is a gap in the bridge she is driving on. She breaks sharply and spins the car around.

Grandma Thora said,'' Look out!''

She drives a few yards back to get a running start.

Grandma Thora said,'' I'm coming!''

She jumps the car over the gap while some workmen stare at her. Further down the road, she knocks over a sign and eventually stops in front of the diner. I ran out.

I said, ''Grandma!''

Grandma Thora said,'' Hello Arthur.''

They hug. Behind them, the clouds clear and a rainbow appears.

The fantasy ends. My coin falls through the phone.

''Huh? Excuse me...'' I called out.

The waitress is the lady from the bus.

Lady said,'' I know you! You're from the bus!''

I said,'' Yeah. Um... your phone doesn't work. Do you have another one?''

Lady said,'' Afraid not. I keep telling Manny, that's the owner, to get that darn thing fixed! You look like you could use some refreshment. Take a seat! What are you drinking'?''

I said,'' Um... do you have milk?''

Lady said,'' Sure do! Hey, Manny, squeeze me a cow!''

I drank the milk while the waitress prepared a hamburger.

Lady said'' So, you go to Lakewood Elementary? I live right near there.''

I said,'' You do? How do you get home?''

Lady said, ''Well, sometimes I take a taxi but usually I just grab the bus''.

She puts the burger in front of me. I start eating.

I asked, ''What would you do if you didn't have any money?''

Lady said, ''Do you need me to lend you some money?

I said,'' No, thank you. (gulps) My dad says I should never accept money from strangers.''

Lady said,'' That's good advice. Erm... Probably, what I'd do then is go talk to the bus driver.''

I said, ''Wouldn't he be mad?''

Lady said.'' Nah! Not Sam! Anyway, it couldn't hurt to try.''

She is right, I am so stupid, why didn't I do it earlier. I was too shy to ask, as I didn't want that driver to get mad and look like a fool.

It is now 6:00.

Lady said,'' In case you're interested, the bus usually heads back to town right about now! You might want to shake a leg.''

I start to head off but stop at the door. I need to thank that kind lady, she has done me a huge favor, after all my parents raised me to be grateful and thank anyone who helped me. It would be rude to leave without saying thank you.

I said, ''Thanks! Oh...um...''

Lady said,'' It's on me!''

I said,'' Thank you!''

The bus passes the diner as I come out.

I call out, '' Oh no, Wait! Wait!''

I run after the bus. Aww, too late. I will just walk home. How am I going to manage if I don't know which way to go. I can't afford a Taxi, and I don't have a mobile phone or Boogle Maps.

I start walking aimlessly like an idiot. Oh, why did you do this to yourself, Arthur. I should have asked the driver for help earlier, now it's too late.

It's been two and a half hours, and I have been wasting my time walking aimlessly in different directions not knowing which way to go. I tried stopping to ask, but I was told not to talk to strangers. Especially in this dodgy area, with shady people, who never know.

I found a dark alley and thought, this could be the shortcut on the way home. Let me try that route.

Even though my gut feeling was telling me, don't do it Arthur.

I walked there. Then suddenly, a hooded man came up to me, '' Ah lost are you pal,'' he said creepily with his gold tooth glinting.

''I am fine, thank you,'' I said trying to get away. Alarm bells started ringing in my head, I had better get out of here.

I tried to get away, but I felt someone grabbing me from behind. It was the hooded man with the gold tooth. I opened my mouth to scream, but the man put his hand around my mouth and started choking me and grabbing me by the neck, I tried to get away from his grip, but he was too strong.

He starts to punch me, but then I remembered some Karate tricks that I did with Sue Ellen. I kicked the guy and knocked him out.

I screamed for help and ran away hoping someone would help me.

Luckily, a Police officer whose name is Ben from his name tag badge found me.

I told him what happened.

''Are you the missing child?'' he asked me.

So, it seems that my parents reported me missing due to me not showing up to my swimming lessons. It seems like they were really worried.

''Yes Officer. I am Arthur Read,'' I replied.

''Well, I am going to call your parents, and tell them that I found you safe and sound,'' Officer Ben said.

He drove me home. I thanked him and went home.

My family, including DW hugged me telling me how worried they were and that they are glad that I am safe and sound. I hugged them back but didn't say a word.

I didn't want to tell them what happened and worry them more. I am so traumatized about what happened to me. Even though, they saw my bruises, and some of my injuries from my attack, I didn't want to talk about it.

I just wanted to be alone. So, I cried myself to sleep with Michael looking at me with a concerned face.

Michael's Pov

I was concerned for my twin brother. My heart was breaking seeing him cry like that.

So I went to Mom and said, '' So what now Mom? I mean Arthur was fine at school today laughing and Playing.''

Mom said,'' Michel, in the Morning I will call Dr. Bailey, and see what he recommends as the next step.'' it too late to called Grandma

I said,'' But Mom, Arthur isn't saying a word. ''How will we get Arthur to open up about what happened when he won't say a word?

''Don't worry, Michael. We will take care of Arthur. For now, take care of your sisters,'' Mom said giving me a kiss on the cheek.