New location Part 1
The building had exploded into a rain of smoke and rubble, fading behind them as Jason pushed the bus down the open road. The city skyline blurred into streaks of light and broken memories. Everyone was quiet, almost too quiet, the tension folding itself into the stale air of the bus.
They sat there — survivors, runaways,
— and no one quite knew what to say.
Thando shifted in her seat beside Curl in the middle row, casting a glance at the others scattered around: Vince slumped next to Ryan, Suvesh chilling behind Thando, Nasiphi sandwiched between Nelson and Kgotso, and Lindo sitting opposite her, headphones half-on, lost in thought.
The silence dragged on and on... until Thando, unable to bear it anymore, finally muttered under his breath,
"Well... I'm sure gonna miss that building. It felt like home."
The words floated into the heavy air, breaking it like glass.
Vince didn't even look up; he just rolled his eyes. "Psh. I told you to say your last words back there," he said, voice dry and cold.
Thando stared at him."Sheesh. Why so cold, Vince?" she asked, smirking.
Vince, still staring out the window, chuckled lowly. "Cause you're chilling beside me, that's why," he muttered with a small snort of laughter.
Thando narrowed her eyes. "Was that... supposed to be a joke?" he asked, half amused, half insulted.
"Meh," Vince shrugged, the ghost of a grin tugging at his lips.
Curl finally leaned forward, his voice cutting through. "So... any clues where we're heading now?" he spoke, his tone softer than usual.
Suvesh perked up from behind, his laptop bag on his lap. "How about a hotel?" he suggested, voice casual.
Curl frowned, shaking his head slightly. "Not the best idea," he said. "Too exposed."
Suvesh sighed, running a hand through his hair.
Vince finally turned from the window, his face serious now.
"Listen," he said, voice hard. "You know what I consider you and Thando sometimes? Stupid heads. Both of you got high IQs but you don't use it. Like, come on Curl."
Thando leaned back, raising an eyebrow."What's that supposed to mean?" she asked.
"It means," Vince said, voice cold and sharp, "the government's on our trail. I'm giving them three days max to arrive at that old site. And when they do, they won't come walking. Nah... they're bringing air strikes. Military-grade ninjas. People who know how to wipe out everything — just like they wiped out my parents."
The bus went dead silent again. Even Jason at the front clenched the steering wheel tighter.
Curl spoke carefully. "Where's this going?"
Vince glanced at Ryan. "Ryan. You still got your dad's number?"
Ryan nodded instantly.
"Good. Call him. We need that abandoned building ready. Two days, max. Four days is pushing it," Vince ordered, his voice leaving no room for argument.
Ryan didn't waste time. He pulled out his phone, dialing fast.
The others leaned back, silent.
Only Ryan's voice filled the bus, his face twisting into a mix of nods, frowns, and half-smiles as he spoke.
Finally, Ryan hung up and spun around with a grin.
"Good news, guys. My dad said he'll have the building cleaned up and ready in two days! He's hiring a crew to clear it out."
Everyone exhaled a little.
Suvesh clapped once."That's a relief."
But Vince just muttered, eyes back on the window, "Good."
Suvesh frowned."You don't seem happy."
Vince shrugged. "Doesn't matter. Suvesh, you got your laptop? Let's find a guesthouse. Somewhere low-key. I'll explain everything else when we're off the radar."
Suvesh nodded and dug into his bag.
Jason, finally relaxing, called over his shoulder: "Yo, December's almost ending. Can we at least enjoy ourselves before we get bombed?"
Thando grinned. "Yeah! Guest house it is!"
Curl nodded firmly."No hotels. Too obvious. Guest house is safer."
Vince stretched, standing up. "Cool. I'm crashing in the back till you find something decent. Wake me when you figure it out."
He flopped down across the back seats, arms behind his head. Suvesh pulled out his laptop, the screen glowing blue in the dark bus
"Alright. I'll find eight options, and we'll pick."
As Suvesh typed away, Nelson muttered, "Not interested though. I wanna go home."
Thando shrugged. "We'll get you an Uber."
But Zinhle leaned forward from her seat, smiling slyly. "Nope. You're still our test subject."
Nelson groaned under his breath. "Are you serious?"
"Dead serious," Zinhle giggled.
After a few minutes of tapping, Suvesh spoke up.
"Got them!"
He started listing:
Weston Guest House Krugersdorp — pool, 4.9 stars.
Sunrock Guest House — casual, pool, 4.6 stars.
The Resting View — pool, 4.0 stars.
Aluve — terrace & BBQ, 4.6 stars.
Legacy Guest House — free cancellation, 3.9 stars.
Mint Express Sandton — quick, clean, 4.0 stars.
Aero Guest Lodge — 4.0 stars.
Inn & Out Sandton Park — pool, BBQ, 3.7 stars.
Thando laughed. "Rock-paper-scissors?"
Zinhle grinned.
Curl stood up. "Nah. Since I'm the boss, I'm picking."
Everyone groaned jokingly.
Curl just gave them a fierce look, and they quieted instantly.
He pointed at the screen. "Inn & Out Sandton Park. Low enough rating to stay off the radar. Smart."
Thando nodded. "Good thinking."
Moments later, Jason checked the GPS. "We're close to Wonderboom Nature Reserve too. Good place to chill while we finalize things."
"Scratch that," Curl said firmly. "We go straight to the guest house. No stops."
Everyone obeyed.
Jason pressed down the accelerator, steering the bus down winding roads and suburban streets.
The night deepened around them, the city giving way to darkness.
Phones glowed softly in tired hands. Nelson and Nasiphi passed out again, the remnants of the dart drug pulling them under.
Minutes later, they rolled into the parking lot of the Inn & Out Sandton Park Guesthouse.
Jason threw the bus into park. "We're here!" he yelled, half laughing.
Curl stood first, luggage in hand. "Grab your stuff. Leave the sleepers for now."
Kgotso grabbed Vince's and Nasiphi's bags, grumbling under his breath. The doors hissed open, letting in the crisp night air.
Curl led the group toward the entrance, footsteps echoing in the empty lot.
Inside, warm light poured over marble floors.
At the reception desk stood a young woman — golden hair cascading like sunlight, bright blue eyes sharp and friendly. Her red jersey hugged her athletic frame, her smile bright and welcoming.
"Hello! Welcome!" she said.
Curl bowed slightly. "Thank you. We booked earlier — Curl Johnson."
The receptionist typed quickly, confirming the booking. She picked up her phone, called the host.
Within minutes, a man appeared: Arjun Sharma.
Shorter, around 5'4", but carried himself like a king. Sleek black suit, sharp bronze eyes, dark hair styled upward, a white glove on one hand giving him an oddly professional air.
"Good evening," Arjun said. "Right this way."
He led them down a clean hallway, unlocking doors with a card key. The rooms smelled of fresh linen and wood polish — not fancy, but safe.
"Thank you for your service," Suvesh said, smiling.
"Anytime. Make yourselves at home," Arjun replied warmly.
Once inside their rooms, Curl left again, grabbing Vince, Nelson, and Nasiphi from the bus.
They groaned and stumbled awake.
"We're here," Curl said briskly. "Guesthouse. Safehouse."
Vince dragged himself upright. "Finally."
Nelson winced, hand to his head. "Still feeling that dart."
Nasiphi blinked around, half-dazed."Where are we?"
"Inn & Out Santon Park," Curl said. "Let's move."
Back inside, Vince and the others crashed into bed without a second thought.
Curl, still restless, knocked on Ryan's door.
"Come in," Ryan sighed.
"When the building's ready, you tell me first. No delays," Curl said, firm.
"Understood."
"Also... tell anyone looking for me that I'm at the pool."
And with that, Curl disappeared down the hall, the door swinging quietly behind him.