Bus doesn't run on Wednesdays

[Vesta Vo]

“Damn buses. I swear a horse is more dependable. There couldn’t be one of those coming now could there? That would certainly be a knock to my humility now wouldn’t it?” Vesta Voui looked up and down the street from the transportation stop. Alone at the moment she didn’t have anyone to share her frustrations with; so she shared them with herself.

“What are you looking at? Ain’tcha ever seen a frustrated person before?”

A young boy was walking up the street, openly watching and staring at Vesta. She was a sight to see with her hair dyed multiple colors and in no semblance of order, black t-shirt with a skulls and bones on the front, a lavender tutu, purple and black stripped leggings and a pair of black Mary Jane’s. The boy was slowly walking past her, keeping a distance that wasn’t too close. He continued to stare.

And she stared back. Why not have a staring contest. Might get him to go away. Besides, she’d win. Always beat her brother at it and when she got home she was going to grab him by the ears and give him a piece of her mind! It was his fault that she was in this odd place. Ever since she came here she’s seen one odd thing after the other; and this boy looked at her like she was strange? Ha!

That boy stopped walking when he got past the end of the transportation stop and turned to question her. “What are you waiting for?”

“The bus.”

“Oh.”

Awkward silence. The two of them did not saying anything, continued to watch the other. Vesta scrubbed her face with the side of her hand. Maybe there was something on her face; and that was the reason the boy kept staring at her.

“God. What? What? What is it? Is there something on my face? Have I suddenly sprouted wings? Tell me.” Her hands clutched her hair, having the urge to pull it out. Amazing how this little boy was tearing at her nerves, especially when she was always the one staring people down back home. She wasn’t home. Maybe that’s the difference.

“The bus doesn’t run on Wednesday’s.”

Blank stare. “Yes it does. I came here on the bus just this morning.”

“No it doesn’t. It says so. Right there on the sign.” The boy pointed a steel grey sign on the upper corner of the transportation stop. “Can’t you read?”

“Of course I can read.” Signs appearing out of nowhere might be another attribute of this strange place. That sign couldn’t have been there before. It wasn’t there when she got here. As she looked where the boy pointed she saw the sign. Glinting with the help of the sun and surely mocking her in its own way. The schedule for various modes of transportation was written clearly - not only that, but in a few languages too.

“Thanks.”

“Bye.” And he continued on his way.

Great. Now if only she had seen that sign a few hours ago. Time was getting on; clearly the bus wasn’t coming today. Now all she had to do was find some place to rest. There was also an advertisement for an Inn. It didn’t seem too far from her current location.

Might as well.