At exactly 2 a.m., Mabel jolted awake as thunder cracked across the sky. The rain was pouring down like a waterfall. She stared at the ceiling, heart pounding. This was the morning—the one she had been waiting for. Today, she would finally start her super important job. She couldn’t let anything ruin it. But this storm was acting like it had a personal vendetta against her.

  She peeked out the window, hoping for a miracle. “Please stop before morning,” she whispered to the sky as if negotiating with the forces of nature. Then she buried herself under her blanket and forced herself back to sleep, clinging to hope.

  Hours later, Mabel woke up. She shot up from bed, instantly checking the weather outside. The storm had vanished, leaving only the wet, glistening remnants of its tantrum behind. She was delighted to see the rain had indeed stopped. She hummed happily while getting ready. She got dressed with enthusiasm, making sure every detail was perfect. Her shoes were polished, her hair was neatly tied, and her clothes were pristine.

  As she fastened the final button of her blouse, she turned on the TV just in time for the weather report.

  “And now, let's go to Calvin for today's forecast,” the newscaster announced.

  Perfect timing! Mabel thought.

  The screen cut to Calvin, the weather forecaster, who spoke with radiating confidence. “Good morning, Antoria! Despite the very heavy rainfall earlier, especially in Aithry—” (Mabel’s city!) “—there will be no more rain for the rest of the day. I repeat—there will be no more rain. Back to you, Kate.”

  Mabel stared at the screen, blinking. That was… weirdly assertive for a forecast. But lying is illegal here, so he must be sure of it… right? She debated for a moment, then shrugged. Fine, Mr. Calvin, I trust you. No umbrella it is.

  Mabel stepped out onto the street, determination glowing around her like an aura. Then, out of nowhere, a luxury car sped past her, diving straight into a pothole. A wave of murky water rose majestically into the air—and crashed onto her.

  Mabel froze, water dripping from her face to her shoes. The car screeched to a halt, blocking her way. The driver stepped out, a man dressed impeccably, though his expression was anything but composed. He stared at his car in absolute despair before whipping around to face her, fury blazing in his eyes. “Look at what you did!”

  Mabel, mid-blink, pointed at herself. “What I did?! You’re the one—”

  He cut her off, “Shut it!” Pointing at the wet stain on his precious car. “You let water splash on you and then back at my car. If you hadn’t been here, my baby wouldn’t have been splashed with this filthy water!”

  Mabel’s rage flared. This man is clinically insane.

  “You must be mentally unstable,” she shot back. “That’s the only explanation for your crystal unreasonableness. Go see a therapist! Get out of my sight!”

  The man, Maxence, faltered for a moment. No one ever spoke to him that way—especially not someone who clearly wasn’t in his financial bracket. But he recovered quickly.

  He smirked. “You’re very fortunate today that I’m in a hurry. Otherwise, you would’ve really regretted this.” He spun on his heel, got into his car, and—splashed her again as he drove off.

  Mabel speechlessly looked at him in rage and confusion as he got into his car. As he tried to drive off again, water splashed her again. Mabel had gotten to her max; she couldn’t get any more furious, so she just let out a frustrated sigh.

  He popped his head out of the car window. “You did it again. If I ever see you again, I won’t let you off this easy!”

  Mabel stood there, rainwater dripping from her face. Her fury had reached its limit. She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. Nothing will get me angry. Nothing will get me angry today. Let it slide

  She glanced at her watch. There’s still time to go home and change. I can make it.

  Back at home, she rummaged through her closet, but the only ironed outfit left was a pristine white dress. She hesitated. It screamed “professional and elegant,” but it also screamed “one stain, and it’s over.” She had no choice; time wasn’t on her side.

  She stepped out again, hyper-aware of every passing car. She walked as carefully as possible, dodging potential splash zones. But as she did, her thoughts drifted to that annoying person she encountered.

  What is wrong with that guy? I know something is definitely wrong, but what could it be? Can doctors actually do it, can they find out what it is and help him? I am really worried for him. Is there a cure? The world needs a cure for him. It’s for the good of the whole world—”

  Her foot caught on an uneven sidewalk, and suddenly, she was airborne. She crashed into the ground and—of course—ruined the dress.

  She inhaled and exhaled deeply. Okay. Breathe. Just breathe and get up. You’re fine.

  As she attempted to rise, her heel snapped, sending her tumbling—straight into a puddle.

  She sprained her ankle and bit her tongue on impact. Tears welled up in her eyes. Why? Why is this happening? Of all days, why today?!

  But there was no time for self-pity. She took a deep breath. I can’t go back home. I’ll be late. I have to get to work first.

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  Summoning every ounce of willpower, she stood. A second later—

  SPLASH.

  Another car. Another wave of water. Another pothole visit.

  “Why?!” she screamed. “Did they hold a secret meeting to ruin my life today?!”

  Then she gasped in realization. “Well, joke’s on them! Nothing can stop me. I will fight until I get to The Very Important Company! I will not forsake my Super Important Job!!!”

  A mother and her son walked by. The son stared. “Mom, what’s wrong with that lady?”

  His mother, without even looking, replied, “Don’t make eye contact. Just keep walking.”

  Soaked, limping, but determined, Mabel clenched her fist to the sky. “In your face, life! Do you think you can stop me? Ha! I will prevail!”

  Instantly, a thunder roared, and the sky opened up. Rain poured harder than before.

  Mabel froze. Did life just… take offense?

  Gritting her teeth, she yelled at the storm, “I still won’t give up!”

  Then, quieter, as tears mixed with rain, she muttered, “I just wanted to get to work… Calvin lied to me.”

  She limped to the bus stop, soaked and exhausted. But she was almost there.

  Though she was still far off, Mabel had no idea that she was about to start an absolute panic among those who had already boarded the bus.

  A passenger pointed toward the window at the back of the bus, her hand trembling as she stammered, “W-what is that???”

  Another passenger turned to look and gasped, gripping the seat. “Goodness gracious, what is that?!”

  A third passenger, voice shaky, spoke up. “It... it's getting closer to the bus.”

  The fourth passenger didn't wait for more details. He shot up from his seat and yelled, “Driver, start the bus! Let’s go before it gets any closer!”

  The first passenger, now tearing up, joined the plea. “Yes! Driver, please! Let’s leave now!”

  The third passenger's voice rose in panic. “It's getting closer! Move the bus!”

  A wave of voices erupted as other passengers begged, pleaded, and even threatened the driver to get them out of there.

  The driver, in stark contrast to the chaos, remained completely calm. He let out an exasperated sigh and tried to reason with his terrified passengers. “Why are you all acting like we're in some horror movie?” He leaned back in his seat and gestured outside. “It’s probably just a lady who got caught in the rain. Sure, she’s limping, but maybe her heel broke. Ever think of that?” He shrugged. “You kids watch too many weird movies.”

  The fourth passenger whipped around, glaring at the driver like he had lost his mind. “What are you talking about?! Can’t you see it?!”

  The first passenger began sobbing. “We are going to die! Driver, please! Please! Just start the engine!”

  “Why won’t he drive?!” the fourth passenger bellowed.

  More passengers joined in, pleading, wailing, and even making desperate promises about their families. Women were crying. Grown men were yelling. One man was holding onto a photograph of his family as if it were his final moment on Earth.

  Still, the driver remained unbothered. He waved a hand dismissively. “You’re all talking like she’s some out-of-this-world creature. This is just a girl whose eyeliner got smeared in the rain, her hair is drenched, and her dress is soaked. This is just another passenger who has somewhere to be.”

  Then, a fifth passenger spoke up, this time with a voice so serious that the rest of the bus quieted down for a moment. He took a deep breath, his voice shaking but determined. “Okay, fine. Driver, fine. Even if she’s just a regular person, can we just go? I’ll pay double—no, triple. No matter how much you ask, just name it. Just get us out of here. Please.” His voice cracked. “My wife just gave birth. I have a newborn waiting for me at the hospital. Please let her board another bus. I have to live. I have to father my child. I can’t take any risks. I beg you.”

  As he spoke, Mabel finally raised her head, realizing she was much closer to the bus than before. She beamed, delighted. At that exact moment, a flash of lightning split the sky, followed by a deafening clap of thunder. Mabel, too caught up in excitement, failed to notice. Yes! She was going to make it!

  She quickly looked around and saw that everyone had already boarded. If she didn’t hurry, they might leave without her!

  Determined, she threw herself forward, attempting to limp faster. Her arms flailed wildly in every direction as she moved, her soaking wet hair bouncing with every lopsided step. She was trying to run, but her sprained foot was betraying her, making her movements jerky and unnatural.

  To those inside the bus, it was a nightmare unfolding in real-time. The panic reached a fever pitch.

  The third passenger, eyes filled with doom, whispered in terror, “Look… look… she's smiling and limping faster. It’s over.”

  The sixth passenger grabbed onto his seat and yelled, “Don’t you see what just happened?! Don’t tell me you were blind enough to miss it! She smiled, and the loudest thunder struck! When will you move this bus?!”

  The seventh passenger, shaking, turned to the others. “We need to abandon the bus. Maybe we can still make it!”

  “No!” The ninth passenger clutched their seat. “Don’t take that risk! We don’t know what will happen if we leave the bus!”

  The fifth passenger had fallen into complete despair. He clutched his head and rocked back and forth, muttering like a broken record. “My wife… my baby… I have to live… I have to live… I have to live…”

  The sheer terror had passengers reaching for their phones, trying to call their loved ones and the police. But to their horror, there was no signal. The storm had caused a local power outage, blocking all connections. Some passengers sobbed; others clung to each other for comfort despite their own fear.

  The fourth passenger suddenly yelled at the driver again, his voice raw with panic. “DRIVER!!! DRIVER!!!”

  Silence.

  Something was wrong.

  They all turned to look at the driver. His eyes were open, staring straight ahead… directly at Mabel. But he wasn’t moving. His expression was blank, frozen, like he was in some kind of trance.

  Fear reached a new peak. The terror in the bus was now absolute.

  “What’s wrong with him?” someone whispered, but no one had an answer.

  “Driver?” one passenger asked cautiously. No response.

  A brave (or foolish) passenger took it upon himself to shake the driver back to reality. “What is wrong with you?!”

  The driver finally spoke, but his voice was eerily calm. “It’s true. We are all going to die. I saw this in a movie once. No one realized… but there are no other passersby on this road. How is that possible?”

  He let out a soft chuckle, eyes dead. “It’s over. There’s no use fighting it. Just accept it.”

  The brave passenger’s eye twitched. Then, in a flash of desperation, he shoved the driver aside. “We are not going to die! Move!”

  He took the wheel. His hands were shaking, but his adrenaline was pumping. He turned the key.

  The engine let out a weak, dreadful sound.

  “Krrrrh… Krrrrh…”

  It wouldn’t start.

  His stomach twisted. He turned it again.

  “Krrrrh… Krrrrh…”

  The engine sputtered but refused to start.

  His heart slammed against his ribs. He tried again.

  “Krrrrh…”

  “No, no, no, no, no!” the new driver frantically tried again. “Come on! Come on!”

  Everyone was holding their breath. Hearts pounded. Fear pulsed through their veins.

  Mabel was now just a few feet away from the bus. Still smiling. Still limping with disturbing determination.

  “We’re going to make it!” the passenger-turned-driver screamed, twisting the key with everything he had.

  “Krrrrh… krrrrh…”

  “Just start already!!!”

  The rain kept pouring.

  The lightning kept flashing.

  The thunder kept striking.

  Everyone kept wailing, and praying.

  The new driver kept trying.

  The engine kept choking.

  And Mabel… kept limping forward with unwavering, eccentric determination, swinging her arms wildly, convinced she was about to catch her bus just in time.