Page 70 of Magic and Muffins

“Now what?” I asked.

“We wait.”

I glanced at the time and saw it wasn’t yet seven. We’d made it with five minutes to spare.

Vena and I stood under the sign, trying to blend into our surroundings. I was positive we were going to get a ticket for loitering literally under the no-loitering sign, but a party bus pulled up at the appointed time.

The door swung open, and music and the swirl of disco lights spilled out. The man driving wore a powder blue leisure suit and a blonde, curly wig.

“Aneva and guest?” he asked.

We nodded.

“Your chariot awaits.” He gestured to the bus. “Before you board, I’ve been asked to hold your phones for you. Don’t worry. They will be in a box on the dashboard the whole time. It blocks the signal so our location stays between us. This minor inconvenience keeps our vampire friends safe from their persecutors. We take their safety seriously.”

Vena handed her phone over first and got onto the bus. I was a little more hesitant but knew I couldn’t turn back if I wanted my normal life back. The one where my parents and grandma were safe. Getting on the bus was a necessary step in that direction.

Handing over the phone, I got onto the bus and blinked at the lights as they flashed in my eyes.

Vena patted the seat next to her. It was a silver glitter pleather that reflected the bouncing lights.

“Feel free to partake in the libations,” the man said, pointing to the complimentary champagne, soda, and water. “I have a couple more stops, then we’ll be on our way.”

He closed the door and sat behind the wheel.

“Do you mind turning down the music just a little?” Vena called up to him. “I’ve got a brewing headache.”

“Roger that.” The seventies disco music turned down slightly.

Vena and I didn’t talk as he headed into the suburbs and picked up a man from a random corner who was wearing a red ball cap. When he got on and saw us, he smiled and complimented Vena’s shirt.

“First meeting?” he asked, sitting next to us.

“Yep,” Vena said. “And you?”

“Same. I’m nervous and excited. I’m really hoping I’ll find a vampire sponsor who wants to convert me.”

Vena nodded. “We’re nervous and excited, too.” She leaned toward him and lowered her voice. I watched the driver’s gaze flick to her. “It was a little creepy being the first ones on the bus. We’re glad you’re here.”

The ball cap guy’s smile turned reassuring. “Yeah, I bet.”

The suspicion in the driver’s eyes faded.

“We have seven stops today,” the driver said. “Twelve people in total. Enough to fill the bus. Feel free to help yourself to the drinks.”

The ball cap guy had no problem doing so and opened a cola as Vena chatted with him.

He wanted to be converted because he just found out he had advanced-stage pancreatic cancer.

“I’m so sorry,” Vena said. “If either of us ends up getting a sponsor, we’ll try to talk them into taking you on, too.”

“I appreciate it.”

The sorrow on my face was no lie. I’d never considered how many people attended these meetings because they saw it as a way to live.

When we pulled alongside the next stop, no one was waiting, and the driver quickly got on the phone.

“I think we have a no-show,” he said into the phone. He listened for a moment. “Yeah, I know. Sorry, bro. If you can fill the spot, I’m game.” Another pause, where he looked up at us. “You guys good back there?”

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