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.”