Chapter 7: on the road again

It was dark night already when a sharp pain awoke Hobbies from his self-inflicted unconsciousness. “Ouch!”, he proclaimed as Maria carefully, but swiftly pulled the bandages from his head. He touched his face and was relieved to find his wounds gone. The only remnants were some scars and a lot of dried blood.

“Oh don't you even dare to complain, you idiot! To just put me in a situation like that, without asking me or even telling me beforehand...!” Maria was visibly upset and glared at him angrily.

“Well, but it worked, didn't it?” Hobbies flashed her a smile, opened the door and got out of the car to wash his face with a bottle of water. The car's engine was still running, and the headlights illuminated a bit of the road ahead. The moon, hanging above a small group of trees, provided an additional source of light for the scene. They were in the countryside now, Hobbies observed. The rain had stopped, but the ground was still wet and muddy. The air was cool and refreshing.

“Thank you”, Hobbies said with sincerity when he got back into the bus. “I mean it. I know I didn't made things easy for you, but I trusted you and knew that you would be able to deal with it. So thanks – And I'm sorry.”

Maria was speechless by that direct and sudden apology. She muttered “It's fine” and then focused her attention on the road, putting the vehicle into motion again.

The monotonic humming of the old engine was the only sound that filled the bus, until Maria broke the silence after a few minutes. “We should reach a motel within the next hour. Sleeping in the bus isn't really that comfortable, so I'd like to avoid it if possible.”

“Seems good to me!” Hobbies replied. After Maria remained silent, he resumed talking.

“So now, what exactly is your plan? I mean, on a bigger scale - How are you gonna make me change my mind?" Maria smiled. "Oh, you just wait, Hobbies..."
"Come on, I'm curious!"
"Well, Hobbies...", Marie replied after some time, "I've got some things planned. But to be honest, I think it doesn't really matter what I show you. Actually, I think you coming on this journey with me already proves that you don't really want to go through with that crazy plan of yours. You may be lost, you may be unhappy, but I sincerely doubt that you are that... well, evil."
"That is most cetainly a cute little idea you have there", Hobbies replied with a smile, more light-hearted than the actually rather serious conversation topic should allow. "But I'm sorry to let you down - My plan is already set in stone. If there was something that could change my mind, I wouldn't take any risks like travelling around the country - So, as a matter of fact, my joining you on this journey actually means that the world's final fate is irrevocable, quite contrary to your theory."
Maria didn't seem convinced. "Oh, hide behind your smart speeches all you want ... I know I'm right, and deep down you know it too... And if not, you'll realize it before all this is over."
"It's hopeless to argue with a believer, isn't it?" Hobbies chuckled. 

Chapter 6: the pains of traveling

The dim light in the tunnel made her nervous. Will they find out? What will happen if they find out? How will we get out of here? Those were the questions going through Maria’s mind. Hobbies Kraft gave a muffled groan. Contrary to Maria’s new found hope he was still unconscious. This may very well be a favorable condition in this situation.

A creaking sound suddenly broke the silence and a single soldier stepped into the tunnel. His face felt somewhat familiar, but Maria didn’t have the courage to ask. On the other hand, his face was the incarnation of the word “ordinary”. He smiled, then readied his gun. “Could you please step away from the car and put your hands on the wall?” Maria did as ordered. She was neither afraid of the soldier, nor did she fear his gun. She feared the situation may go out of control if she did not comply. 

The soldier lowered his gun, then walked around the bus. “Are you traveling, Lady?” Maria’s heart started to beat faster. “We were planning on doing so, but my husband got hurt, so we have to rearrange our schedule.” The soldier gave a wry grin. “I thought so, you got quite the luggage in there. May I ask you to open the door please?” Again Maria complied. The soldier looked through the luggage, then went to take a look at Hobbies, whose face was still covered in bandages. “He seems to be unconscious, how long has he been like this?” The soldier didn’t seem very concerned; maybe he was trying to do some small talk? “I don’t know, maybe about 30 minutes.” As she frantically answered, Maria grew even more impatient. 

The soldier looked at her with an expression that seemed to say “Don’t be so hectic girl; I’m just doing my job.” The soldier looked back at Hobbies, then at the small backpack by Hobbies feet. After a short look at the contents it was put back in its place, then the soldier turned back to Maria. 

“Lady, have you heard about the recent smugglings?” Maria was confused. “No, sir, I haven’t.” The soldier looked at her face and apparently found her expression to be genuine. “I haven’t found any questionable substances in your car, so you may as well pass, but please be vigilant.”

The soldier walked over to the barrier and saluted, which caused the barrier to be raised. As Maria drove past the barrier she thought she had heard the soldier mumble something. “Good luck, drunken nun.”

Chapter 5: the checkpoint

The heat had culminated into a heavy thunderstorm that unleashed its endless stream of water with a fury, sending gallons of rain running down the front windshield. Maria watched the rain and thought about the weather, trying to distract herself from the fact that Hobbies was lying beside her, still unconscious, with a terrible cut across his face hidden by the bandages. Who in his right mind would do such a thing, she wondered? There had to be easier, non-violent ways for getting out of the city. But that's the type of guy he was. After all, he had made it his personal mission to end the world, so what could you expect? Maria sighed.

Her heart jumped when she carefully drove around a turn and could suddenly make out a group of distant lights ahead, reflected and blurred endless times by the thousands of raindrops in between. Not more than a minute and they would reach the checkpoint. Like many times before she went through the conversation in her head that she deemed the most likely one to actually happen. Of course, it was a pretty optimistic option, but Maria was afraid to even consider the alternatives. If they got in trouble, they might as well improvise. Or she alone, if Hobbies didn't wake up soon.

She stopped for a moment until the barrier was raised. The bus entered the tunnel-like passage and was surrounded by thick concrete. The other barrier in front of them stayed closed. Maria stared at it, hoping they might get out the easiest way, but she knew exactly that this wouldn't happen. Not in times like this, and especially not in a car like this.

On her left side, a window made of frosted glass lit up, revealing nothing of her conversational partner but a shadow. She lowered her side window when a voice, sounding mechanic through the loudspeaker, asked her a question. “Evening, where are you heading to?”

“I have to get my husband to a hospital, he hurt himself badly while doing repair work... Please!”

Maria was worried that she hadn't been convincing enough. Every passing moment seemed to confirm her suspicion. Then finally, the voice answered. “Calm down, lady. Before we let you through, could you tell me why you don't just get your husband hospitalized in the city?”

“Hobbies Kraft!” The panic Maria put into her words was genuine. “Haven't you heard? This madman is in one of the hospitals, nobody knows which one, but I can't take the risk - Wherever he is, there'll be death and destruction!” She realized now that there might be more truth in these words that she liked to admit.

Again her words were met with unpleasant silence, even longer than before. She was nervously drumming at her steering wheel until she noticed and stopped. Then finally the the crackle of static announced another message from her hidden observers.

“Lady, I have to ask you to step out of your vehicle.”

Chapter 4: the plan to get out

The rattling sound of the bus rang in his ears. Was this alright? The bus was old, so Hobbies couldn’t help but wonder. “Hey,” said Hobbies, “this thing won’t crash on us, will it?” The driver chuckled, her gaze fixed on the road. “My mom used this bus to travel around the country when she was younger, back in the days when the empire was still in war with the north.” “The war with the north?” Hobbies was shocked. ” That was 30 years ago! Is this really alright?” Maria chuckled again. “Don’t worry,” she said, “I did the maintenance myself.”

“Take the next on the left; we have to avoid the main checkpoints.” Hobbies was strangely serious.  “The Gates of Hell, eh?” said Maria in a strangely joking, yet worried tone. “That could be a problem.” The bus stood out as it was, but with that kind of passengers it was doomed to be called into a detailed control. Therefore the small and worse-equipped checkpoints were favorable.

“Swallow this,” Hobbies gave her a small black pill, “I have a plan.” Maria looked at the pill skeptically. “Is this another one of your so-called wonder-drugs?” Hobbies looked at her, as if she had just spelled his death sentence.  “You hurt my feelings;” he said, “that’s just a magical inhibitor, so we don’t get caught in the machine.” Maria didn’t look very happy. “And how’s that going to get us through the detail?” The pill tasted bitter, so she had to wash it down with a sip from her bottle. “Don’t drink and drive!” was Hobbies surprisingly moralistic reaction. “Anyway, how do we get through the detailed examination?” Hobbies grinned, “Stop over there and give me the first aid kit.”

 “What are you planning, Hobbies?” Maria sounded worried. “They don’t want me to leave the city, so we just have to hide my face,” said Hobbies as he took out a couple of bandages, “they don’t care about you at all.” Even though her face lit up a bit, she didn’t sound less worried. “What if they want you to take of the bandages?” Hobbies took out a knife and cut diagonally across his face. “You idiot!” Maria screamed, “I can’t heal you without my magic!” Hobbies panted. “Not without your magic, but you can use your curse, once we’re out of the city.” Hobbies tried to grin again, although the pain kept him from succeeding. “Bandages, quick!” Maria frantically wrapped the bandages around Hobbies head. “You idiot,” Maria nearly cried, “how could you bet on me being a cursed one?” “You get drunk on my counter every week,” Hobbies voice was muffled through the bandages, “I know you better than anyone.” Tears ran down on Maria’s cheek. “There is a rumor,” Hobbies breath was ragged, “apparently… I’m in a… hospital… in this… city… Use… that…” Hobbies had passed out. Maria wiped the tears from her eyes and drove to the checkpoint. “You idiot.”

Chapter 3: perfect day for a journey

It was early afternoon and the weather was perfect. The sky was clear save some white fluffy clouds that slowly drifted across the deep blue celestial dome. The intense sunlight caused all the colours of the city to brightly shine in their most vibrant tones, making it seem almost surreal, as if an ever-present veil of shadow and grayness had finally been lifted from the world.

The wind sweeping through the streets provided cooling for the few people who were actually in the open, as opposed to the many who took shelter from the heat in air-conditioned buildings.

The smell of ozone and hot asphalt hung in the air, and as repulsive it might have been for someone from the countryside, this was the typical smell of summertime in the city that most townsfolk had learned to appreciate.

It was a beautiful day and Hobbies Kraft hardly saw anything of it. The bright light blinded him through the small slots. He was sweating heavily and could barely breathe.

“Now you're just being ridiculous!” Maria proclaimed upon taking a second look at the darkly clothed person she now positively identified as Hobbies. “I'm aware that you like being dramatic and all – you know, I saw that thing in the news about the guy you held hostage, heard what he talked about in the interview... – but seriously, there got to be better methods for hiding your identity than this stupid mask!”

The bright light blinded him as he took the covering from his face, but the fresh air that a cool breeze carried towards him made up for that.

“You're probably right,” he admitted after wiping the sweat from his forehead. “The mask wasn't such a great idea, especially on a day like this – Although I don't wear it to conceal my identity...”

“So you wear it just for the sake of looking ridiculous?” Maria cheekily remarked.

“No, well... you know, it's just – It's hard to grow facial hair when you're such a public person like I'm now, and so I thought I'd hide my face until I had a nice mustache going on, you know?”

Maria chuckled. “A mustache … Seriously?”

“Well”, Hobbies replied, “It does have a certain appeal that fits in with the style I'm going for – But I should probably have thought of that before going public, so forget it, no mustache for me.” He put the mask into his travelling bag that rested next to his feet. “Anyway -” He took a look around the street, his gaze scanning the parked vehicles. “I'm here where and when you specified – What now? “

“I've got a plan, don't worry. But first things first, are you really ready to just leave everything behind like that? What about your bar?”

“Don't worry, my life is completely shaken up already. I've nothing that holds me here now, and it might be good to get away for some time. Oh, and the bar – it got blown up today, didn't you hear it in the news?” Hobbies didn't really seem to be concerned by this, the way he casually talked about it.

Maria, on the other hand, was rather shocked. “Oh god, what? I'm sorry... Damn, I loved that bar...”

“Well, it was only a question of time. You'll find some other place to get drunk”, he replied with a grin. “But now, about the journey – What's your plan, where's your car?”

Now it was Maria's face which lit up with a big smirk. “Actually, I thought I could dig up something special for the occasion...” Her eyes wandered to the vehicle in which shadow they had stood the whole time.

Hobbies followed her gaze, then looked back at her in disbelief, looked back at the car and back at her again. “This? Seriously?”

Next to them parked an old VW bus. It was mostly white, but some spots indicated that it might have been blue once. Near the wheels its colour turned brownish from all the rust stains. Overall it looked like it might have been owned by hippies some time ago. And there was a wooden canoe strapped on top of it.

“Is... is that a boat on top? ...And – where did you even get a bus like that?”

Maria savored Hobbies' look of utter confusion and surprise before she answered. “I borrowed it from my mother, actually. She doesn't drive it anymore but still keeps it, so I thought: hey, this is perfect! And you know what? It is!”

Suddenly Hobbies let out a wholehearted laugh. Amused he said, still chuckling, “A nun who likes to get drunk and owns a hippie bus is taking a villain on a trip – Oh, this is gonna be fantastic...” He laughed once more.

Maria smiled at him. “Alright then, let's hit the road, shall we?”