The Horn
Even though he had not hesitated the horn sounded a second time. It sounded like a small horn. When he opened his front door Prince expected to see a car or smallish truck. Instead he sees a large black bus with tinted windows. There was a man in all black standing at the curb waiting for him.
When Prince got closer, the man spoke. "Prince Avalos, enter the vehicle that called for you."
Prince's mind went back to the horn he'd heard. The one alerting him to their arrival. His brow furrowed slightly with consideration. Maybe even a bit of confusion as well. The vehicle in his sights, the one showing the academy symbol and name upon its large side, was on a huge bus. To his knowledge the horn of a bus did
not sound like that of a car. This small detail, coupled with the man's choice of words, paused Prince's steps before he'd reached the sidewalk.
Use all of your senses at all times. Very rarely can sight alone be trusted. Remembering this advice he glanced from the bus to the man. Then after a moment Prince began to move.
Prince did not move towards the bus door. Even when it hissed open for him he did not even glance its way. The vehicle that had 'called for him', the horn that he'd heard, could
not have belonged to this bus. Taking a chance, Prince made as if to walk forward in front of the bus. He planned on looking behind it. Maybe, he hoped, there was a vehicle behind it, that was currently blocked from his view.
Enter the vehicle that called for you. What kind of instruction was that? This had to be a test. Prince was determined to pass it.
Before his foot could touch the asphalt of the road the man nearby called out a quiet warning. Their voice was serious. "Stop!"
The command stopped Prince in his tracks, as he darted a look back over his shoulder. The man continued, his expression unreadable. "If you do not enter the bus immediately, it will leave without you."
From inside the bus he now heard a couple voices, ones that sounded young like him.
"Come on man. Get on."
"Don't be stupid. Hurry up!"
"They're not kidding." The first hollered again. Prince could not see them for the tinted windows.
Peer pressure. It was a very strong force. Could Prince's analytical mind be playing tricks on him? Was he overthinking this? Not everything had to be a test. He was just being ridiculous right now. Was he being a fool for not moving hurriedly into the bus at this warning? Why was he just standing there? What was wrong with him?!
But no. Prince looked to the bus again and another thought struck him. It was something that he took notice of now that left one eyebrow raised with the discovery. The C.E.A. was a
SECRET academy. They would not have plastered their logo and name on the side of a very noticeable space aged looking bus.
Looking back to the man, Prince's jaw clenched briefly. His decision was made. Turning his back to the road and the bus, he met the man's gaze and spoke with calm determination. "That's not my ride. Let it leave." He could not afford to second guess himself right now. He had to trust his gut.
He watched as the man studied him with his unreadable expression. After a time the man's hand gestured slightly to the bus. The door hissed shut. The engine shifted in tone. And then it did. It left.