Hancock Pat - Haunted Canada: true ghost stories

Hey, my movie just died, a young woman sitting in the third row grumbled.

Mine too, someone called from a few seats back. I think weve lost power in these outlets.

And Ive just lost what I was working on, a young man with a laptop protested. Hey, driver. Whats going on? Is the wireless connection gone too?

Yeah, wheres the Wi-Fi? someone yelled from the back of the bus. What are you going to do about it?

And my phone wont work.

The driver could tell people were getting upset but at the moment, internet connections were the least of his worries. He was having trouble controlling the bus.

The passengers near the front were the first to notice. Two men in the seats closest to the door began to nudge each other and whisper. A woman in the second row told the child beside her to sit up straight.

Gripping the steering wheel with one white-knuckled hand, the driver flipped on the loudspeaker with the other.

May I have your attention, please?

Fix the power.

Shut up.

Shhhhh, be quiet.

Finally the din faded to a low murmur and the driver tried again.

Ladies and gentlemen, sorry about your devices, but right now weve got a bigger problem.

Although his heart was racing, he tried to look relaxed. He didnt want the passengers to sense how worried he was.

He took a deep breath and continued. The engine seems to be losing a bit of power. Now, its nothing to worry about. I just want you to know, thats all, so you wont be surprised if I have to pull over. If I do, would you kindly stay in your seats until I give you further instructions? And, uh, how about we just forget about movies and e-mails for the moment?

Then he leaned forward, focusing intently on the mountainous highway ahead. This was a difficult stretch of road about thirty kilometres of twists, turns and steep grades before it linked up with the Trans-Canada. Definitely not a great place to run into problems.

At least the road was bare and dry. It had been two weeks since the last snow, and crews had long since finished sanding and ploughing. Still, even under ideal conditions, a big vehicle like the bus needed full engine power to keep rolling. And right now, no matter how hard he pressed the accelerator, the bus was losing speed.

With dusk falling, the driver didnt want to be stranded at the side of a mountain highway with twenty cold, hungry, angry passengers. It might take hours to get a replacement bus. And that was assuming he could even get in touch with head office.

Hed first noticed the trouble on the last long, steep grade. The bus had definitely lost power.

But what had really hardened the knot of fear that was forming in the pit of his stomach was the way the bus had headed into the oncoming lane all on its own. In vain, he had wrestled with the steering wheel, trying to pull it back to the right.

Hed panicked briefly as theyd approached the crest of the hill. Was another bus, car or truck thundering to meet them head on?

Mercifully, the lane had been clear. But, as the bus coasted down the other side, still on the wrong side of the road, his fear grew.

He wasnt the only one who was scared. One of the two men in the front seats leaned over and asked quietly, Are you having trouble with the steering?

Before he could answer, an older woman farther back called out, Driver, shouldnt we get out of the passing lane now?

Other voices joined in.

Come on, mister. Get over.

Once again, he flipped on the loudspeaker.

Okay, folks, could we keep it down a bit, please? No point in getting everyone upset.

He paused until the bus was quiet, then went on.

Look, Im going to give it to you straight. Im having a little trouble steering this baby. Shes got a mind of her own at the moment. But were still on the road, and were obviously not speeding, so Holy cow! Hold on!

Without warning, the bus lurched forward, then fishtailed. For an agonizing moment, it slid sideways along the highway.

Finally, it came to rest, pointing directly at a snow-covered side road. Then it began to move again straight up the narrow road.

Pandemonium broke out behind the driver. Screams of fear filled the bus. A child started crying. Some adults did, too. One woman began to pray.

Ive had it, bellowed a man in a checked jacket. He picked his way up the aisle over the jumble of bags and coats that had spilled out of the overhead luggage compartments. Who do you think you are? Whered you learn to drive? he shouted when he reached the driver.

Look, mister, the driver shouted back. What do you see?

He held his hands in the air as the steering wheel swung first to the right, then to the left, all on its own.

And there? he continued, pointing to his feet. They were planted firmly on the floor, not on the pedals. Im not driving this thing, buddy. I wish I were.

Horrified, the man backed up and fell into the doorwell. He pushed himself up and began to pound on the doors.

Stop the bus! Let me out, he shrieked.

Take it easy, fella. Id stop if I could, believe me. I want out just as much as you do.

News of what was going on spread among the passengers like wildfire. Many of them began to shout and cry. A young woman slipped out of her seat, crouched down on the top step, and began to talk quietly to the frantic man at the door. At the same time, the driver started talking over the PA system again.

Please, everybody, stay in your seats, he pleaded, trying desperately to sound calm. The last thing he needed was a busload of hysterical passengers. He already had enough on his mind.

He cleared his throat and went on, Look, I dont know whats happening any more than you do. The doors wont open. The steering wheel is useless, and so are the brake and accelerator. It seems somebody has us under remote control.

He swallowed hard, trying to control the quaver in his voice. Ill keep doing what I can. But it would really help if you would try to stay calm. I know thats not easy. But if we panic, somebody is bound to be hurt. So far, nobody has been. And whoever or whatever is driving this bus is at least keeping us on the road. See? Were bouncing along nice and slow.

A fresh chorus of shrieks broke out as the bus swerved round a bend. It skittered off a pile of snow a plough had left at the roadside, then straightened out and went on.

Over the clamour, the driver tried to make a comforting joke. So, maybe he or it is new on the job, right?

When nobody laughed, he continued. Look, I know this road. Were on our way to Silver Lake whether we like it or not. Someone will be there to give us a hand. Say, how about a little song? I bet the kids would like a song.

Clearing his throat, he began to sing in a deep voice.

My eyes are dim, I cannot see

A few others joined in weakly.

I have not got my specs with me

The chorus grew steadily louder until most of the passengers were singing nervously.

I have not got my specs with me.

As they sang, the bus bounced forward jerkily, slithering on the bends but always clinging to the road.

An uneasy calm settled over the passengers. Most of them sat quietly, glancing out the windows or staring at the back of the seat ahead.

The driver had stopped trying to fight the nightmare. Still, he kept his hands lightly on the steering wheel and a foot poised over the brake pedal, just in case things returned to normal.