CHAPTER 2: Cruelty on the Bus
Evelyn still tried to remain calm.
“I only need to sit for a moment. The bus is crowded, and my legs are not very strong.”
But Nolan only let out an irritated sigh.
“Everyone on this bus is tired. I’m tired too. My bag is tired too.”
A few passengers nearby heard him. Some frowned. Some wanted to speak up. But no one truly dared to get involved.
Evelyn reached out, intending to gently move the backpack down near Nolan’s feet. Immediately, he yanked the bag back toward himself.
“Hey! Don’t touch my stuff!”
His shout startled the whole bus. Evelyn stepped back, and her cane struck the floor sharply.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do anything.”
Nolan leaned toward her, his voice full of contempt.
“You’re old enough to know how to be polite. If you want a seat, go find somewhere else.”
A young woman in a blue coat could no longer stay silent.
“You’re sitting in a priority seat,” she said.
Nolan snapped his head toward her.
“What does that have to do with you?”
The atmosphere inside the bus became even heavier.
The driver looked through the rearview mirror and made an announcement over the speaker:
“Please offer priority seats to elderly passengers.”
But Nolan only scoffed.
“Did it say my name? No? Then I’m good.”
Then he placed his backpack back onto the seat and deliberately stretched his leg farther into the aisle.
“There. Now this whole spot is really taken.”
Evelyn looked at his leg.
She was not angry.
She was only sad.
In a soft voice, she asked:
“If the seat is for your bag, then who is sitting there?”
Nolan burst out laughing.
“My leg.”
At that exact moment, the bus stopped at the next station.
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The door opened.
And a man in a Metro Transit uniform stepped on.
