Chapter 1

A muffled voice crackled through the bus speakers, announcing the next stop.

1. **Rule number one:** Never give up your seat to someone holding a baby. Break this, and you'll regret it forever.

2. **Rule number two:** If you accidentally break Rule One, you can’t refuse anything the woman with the baby asks. Refuse, and you’ll die.

3. **Rule number three:** Don't easily trust people in black and white checkered shirts. What they say could be true, or it could be a lie.

4. **Rule number four:** Absolutely never trust people in red clothes. See red, look down. Avoid eye contact at all costs. They are devils, masters of manipulation.

5. **Don't… get off… never… get off at…**

“Static crackled… then silence.”

The bus pulled to a stop.

A woman, cradling a baby, stepped inside.

The bus speakers blared again.

“Westside Lane One, now arriving. Please exit through the rear door.”

*Tap-tap-tap…*

The woman with the baby paused right in front of me.

My sleepy haze instantly evaporated.

I was just about to stand up and offer my seat.

Suddenly, a piercing, grating sound ripped through the bus.

**【1. NEVER give up your seat to a woman holding a baby!】**

**【NEVER give up your seat to a woman holding a baby!】**

**【NEVER give up your seat to a woman holding a baby, or you’ll regret it forever!】**

The static-filled voice grew sharper, more insistent with each repetition.

I clapped my hands over my ears, my heart pounding, and glanced around at the other passengers.

They looked like they hadn't heard a thing.

This sound… it felt like only I could hear it.

What the hell was going on? Was I hallucinating?

Just as I was brushing it off, the bus speakers flared to life again, the voice still only audible to me.

**【Bus Survival Rules】**

**【1. Remember, never give up your seat to a woman holding a baby. Break this, and you’ll regret it forever.】**

**【2. If you accidentally break Rule One, you can’t refuse anything the woman with the baby asks. Refuse, and you’ll die.】**

**【3. Don't easily trust people in black and white checkered shirts. What they say could be true, or it could be a lie.】**

**【4. Absolutely never trust people in red clothes. See red, look down. Avoid eye contact at all costs. They are devils, masters of manipulation.】**

**【5. Get off at the final stop. Never, ever get off at any stop in between, no matter what you see or hear.】**

**【6. If you accidentally break any of these forbidden rules, scream for the driver’s help! Remember, you only get ONE chance!】**

The woman with the baby stood right in front of me.

Give up the seat or… don’t?

Who was I supposed to believe?

Giving up my seat was the right thing to do, a gesture of kindness. Not doing it would make my conscience scream.

But if I did give up my seat, what exactly would happen that I’d regret forever?