Pulse Global News Network- @pgnn.now - 04/12 - 1:23 pm

🚨 BREAKING: Malfunction in ZMC Brand Autonomous School Bus – Location Unknown

Reports are emerging of a critical system failure in a self-driving school bus manufactured by ZMC. The vehicle, carrying students on a field trip, has lost contact with monitoring systems. Search efforts are underway.

Stay with us for real-time updates on this developing story.

#ZMCAutobus #FieldTripAlert #BreakingNews

***

Silas was perched alone at the vanguard of the bus, a solitary figure against the window. Opposite him, to his left, sat his physics teacher. It had become his designated seat, an edict from her after she noticed the shadows of bullying that crept over him at the back. Forbidden from the escape of virtual reality by her mandate, Silas lost himself in an audiobook, his gaze wandering through the verdant tapestry of pines that streamed past, unchanging, for over an hour.

The physics teacher was engrossed in a lively conversation with the maths teacher, their words a continual stream since the journey's onset. But now, a subtle shift in their exchange caught Silas's attention, the once light banter now a whispering wind of concern.

Abruptly, the physics teacher rose, her silhouette tense as she approached the bus's large, commanding screen. Her fingers danced over the buttons in urgent staccato, like a pianist nearing the crescendo of a complex symphony.

The audiobook forgotten, Silas watched the maths teacher stand in solidarity, flanking her colleague at the digital display.

A flicker of alarm sparked within him, and he ventured, "Is something amiss, Miss?"

The physics teacher exhaled a weary sigh, her eyes briefly meeting Silas before she drew out her phone and spoke with restrained urgency, "The bus... it veered off course an hour ago, and we've just caught on. I'm alerting the school."

The air thickened with tension as the other students, sensing the unrest, surged forward with a barrage of inquiries.

"Return to your seats, now!" The command from the maths teacher cut through the clamour, her voice a sharp crack that made Silas flinch in his seat.

With the phone pressed against her ear, she continued, "Apologies, but the bus's autopilot is malfunctioning. It's diverted from our planned route for an hour, and the screen doesn't show our destination. Alright, I'll await your call."

"What did they say?" the physics teacher asked, a tremor in her voice.

"They'll return the call after assessing the situation; I need to send our current location."

As the maths teacher scrutinised the map on her phone, her tone was grave, "We're heading into isolation, no stops or charging stations in proximity."

"Could it be a hack?"

The phone rang again, and after a brief exchange, the teacher's face fell, "What? You jest? Alright, yes, yes. Do remember, over fifty students are here."

She ended the call, her posture slumping, her hands cradling her head in a portrait of despair.

Approaching her colleague, the physics teacher's face was etched with worry, "Have we been compromised?"

The maths teacher locked eyes with Silas and then with her fellow teacher, her voice a hushed tremor barely reaching Silas, "They can't pinpoint us. I must keep updating them. The authorities and the company will be informed. My God, what's happening? It could be a minor glitch, or... or it might be an abduction."

"An abduction?" The word hung heavy in the air as the physics teacher sank back into her seat.

Silas was adrift in a sea of questions. If they were really being abducted, what then? He couldn't defend himself from bullies, let alone from this.

"The students... they shouldn't know," the physics teacher whispered.

The maths teacher beckoned Silas closer with a solemn look.

"You heard our conversation, Silas. You're the only one who knows, apart from us. You're wise enough to keep this to yourself, aren't you?" she implored.

"Yes," he affirmed.

"We must prevent panic. You understand, right?"

"Yes," he echoed, a mature understanding beyond his years in his eyes.

Silas settled back into his seat, his gaze following the maths teacher as she faced the restless students, her voice a reassuring balm, "Worry not, there's no cause for alarm. The main road is closed, hence the detour. It's a longer route, but rest assured, we will arrive."

A collective murmur of discontent filled the bus, a testament to the weary journey now extended.

What if they knew the grim reality? That murmur would escalate into a tempest of fear and confusion.

***

Thirty minutes had crawled by.

Silas was tracking the bus's location on his phone when the signal blinked out, snuffed like a candle in the wind.

He glanced at the teachers and knew from their disarray that they, too, were cast adrift without a signal.

Whispers of unrest swirled among the students, growing louder, more frantic.

"My signal is gone."

"Are you also without signal?"

"What's happening? Has the bus lost its connection to the satellites?"

"The phone signal vanished, not just the internet."

Looking out the window for clues to their whereabouts, Silas's breath caught at the sight of a drone alighting directly opposite his view. He rose so quickly he nearly toppled the maths teacher.

"What is it?" she asked, alarmed.

Silas stepped aside, gesturing frantically towards the drone, "There!"

But the teachers were transfixed not by what Silas pointed at but by something beyond him. He spun around to see the windshield rapidly being obscured by black paint, the drones working with chilling efficiency.

Darkness enveloped the bus, and panic ensued until the lights flickered on, replacing screams with a cacophony of questions. The teachers stood, their faces a canvas of fear, streaked with the sweat of sheer terror.

"We have been hijacked," Silas murmured to himself, a cold realisation settling in his stomach.

He looked to where the emergency hammers should have been—gone. They were absent, perhaps to prevent misuse, but what of this unthinkable scenario?

Amidst the chaos, a buzzing hum filled the bus, a prelude to a voice that shattered the brief calm.

"I am delighted to announce your successful abduction." A hush fell, and the voice continued, a malevolent purr, "Let me enlighten you about what comes next. Firstly, explosives are now affixed to the bus via the drones you've just observed. Any foolish moves, and we'll resort to intelligence. Secondly, the drones will release sleeping gas. You'll soon drift off, awakening elsewhere, with a chance to escape—provided you're clever. Stay seated, sleep there. We wouldn't want any accidents. Farewell. You're in the Devil King's clutches now."

***

Pulse Global News Network- @pgnn.now -  04/12 - 3:56 pm

🔴 URGENT: "Kingdom of Demons" Claims Responsibility for Crestwood School Bus Kidnapping

In a shocking twist to the missing ZMC autonomous school bus incident, a previously unknown group named "Kingdom of Demons" has claimed responsibility. The group has threatened the bus with explosives and promises to reveal their motives at 7:06 AM tomorrow, a time cryptically referred to as 6:66 AM.

Authorities are on high alert as they work to locate the bus and ensure the safety of those aboard. The public is advised to stay tuned for verified updates as the situation unfolds.

#CrestwoodKidnapping #BlueMountainsAlert #KingdomOfDemons