The driver's eyes locked onto Wren's, his face pale with fear.
"How?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Wren's smirk never wavered, but her eyes sparkled with calculation. She glanced around the bus, her mind racing with possibilities.
"We're going to take a detour," she said, her voice low and even.
"We're not going to the city center. At least, not directly." The driver's eyes widened in confusion, but Wren just smiled again.
"Trust me," she said. "I know what I'm doing."
The driver hesitated, his eyes darting towards the roadblocks and the men in black.
He knew he was in this too deep, and he didn't know how to get out. But Wren's confidence was infectious, and he found himself nodding, his mind made up.
"Okay," he said, his voice firm. "I'll trust you. But what do I do?"
Wren's smile grew wider, her eyes glinting with excitement. "Take the next exit," she said, her voice low and urgent. "And don't stop for anything."
The driver's eyes flicked towards the road ahead, and he nodded, his hands tightening on the wheel.
He took the next exit, the bus tires screeching as he turned off the main road. Wren's eyes locked onto the rearview mirror, her gaze fixed on the men in black, who were hot on their heels.
"We're not out of this yet," she said, her voice low and even. "But we're getting close. Hold on, driver. It's going to get bumpy."
The driver's eyes widened, but he nodded, his face set in determination. He knew he was in this now, and he was going to see it through to the end.
As they sped down the side road, Wren's mind was racing with possibilities.
She knew the men in black would be relentless, and she had to think fast if she wanted to escape. But she was confident, her mind working overtime to come up with a plan.
The bus rattled and shook, the driver's hands tight on the wheel as he navigated the narrow roads.
Wren's eyes locked onto the road ahead, her gaze fixed on the horizon. She knew she had to think fast, and she knew she had to be clever.
The men in black were closing in, and she had to stay one step ahead if she wanted to survive.
Meanwhile back at the academy, Ashley was wide awake.
It was three in the morning and Wren was nowhere to be found. She was really worried for Wren, and wondered where she was.
The Academy had notified the students that they had compromised the time they were leaving, and instead of five am they would be leaving at four.
So at three everyone was up and running. Ashley decided to call Wren using the system since not only for notifying students it worked like a mobile, a multitasked menu for students.
But all Ashley's attempts to reach Wren were useless, and Wren didn't go through. Ashley didn't have time to worry much when the blaring of the alarm blasting in the ears alerted everyone.
It was time for everyone to reach the parking lot to get their seat.
As Ashley approached the bus she made a small prayer that Wren would make it in time before the bus set off. As if God heard her prayers, Wren's figure was seen approaching the bus with her luggage.
Ashley's eyes widened in relief as she saw Wren rushing towards the bus, her luggage in tow. She quickened her pace, her heart still racing with worry.
"Wren!" she exclaimed, as Wren reached the bus door. "I was so worried about you!" Wren smiled, her eyes gleaming with a mix of exhaustion and determination.
Wren smiled, her eyes gleaming with a mix of exhaustion and determination. "I'm fine, Ash," she said, her voice reassuring. "I just had a bit of a situation to handle."
Ashley's eyes narrowed, her curiosity piqued. "What kind of situation?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Wren's smile grew wider, but she just shook her head. "It's nothing, Ash," she said. "Let's just get on the bus and get out of here."
Ashley nodded, still looking concerned. She followed Wren onto the bus, taking a seat beside her friend. As they settled in, Ashley couldn't help but notice the faint bruise on Wren's cheek, and the scratches on her hands.
"Wren, what happened to you?" Ashley asked, her voice full of concern.
Wren's eyes flicked towards Ashley, and for a moment, Ashley saw a glimmer of something in her friend's eyes. Something that looked like fear, but also determination.
"It's nothing, Ash," Wren repeated, her voice firm. "Let's just focus on getting out of here, okay?"
Ashley nodded, still looking worried. But she knew better than to push Wren when she didn't want to talk about something. She leaned back in her seat, her eyes fixed on Wren's face.
As the bus pulled out of the parking lot, Wren's eyes locked onto the rearview mirror. She watched as the academy disappeared into the distance, a sense of relief washing over her. She had made it out, and she was ready for whatever came next.