It was all so sudden. When the minivan sped away from the school-bus, they shouted to no avail. There was a grilled door which shut in the children like a prison cell. There were two more doors – one to exit the bus and another to go to the driver at the front.
The teens cried out. Shouted – HELP! HELP!
The van conductor was a tall and stout man. He told them – No use! This van is soundproof. No one can hear you outside or from the driver's seat. He arranged some packages in front of the door so no one could make out that the door that held children.
Nishit finally said – Wait! Lack of oxygen will kill us. It's tough but lets not cry anymore. Two days ago, in science class we learnt that lack of oxygen will lead to suffocation in 21 hours and 47 minutes and to death in 12 days. Let's first try to find air passage. Then, our screams will be audible. Frantic panicking and crying reduces oxygen too.
Leena said - Let's escape and go home. Do these people want us dead?
Shreyas said – Maybe they have taken us for ransom or to torture us for our faith. But perhaps they are not smart enough to know that they are killing us!
Tina said - Sure! But first let us ensure breathing. We do not have 21 hours and 47 minutes as there are 6 of us. Each of us consumes oxygen. So, dividing by 6, oxygen will be available to us for 3 hours and 37 minutes at most.
Leena, the biologist added panicking – If we suffocate, we can not be our normal selves. We can not think of escape plans, talk, smell or do anything.
Raj shot up an arrow prayer to God. "God, please save us and help us escape by preparing a solid plan."
He told Leena – You are the most observant of us all. I watched in some detective programmes that we must listen carefully to the sights and smells and sounds. Observe clues and learn as much as we can to design an escape plan.
Leena nodded okay.
Leena said – There are black windows everywhere but smashing the windows will attract those men as the sound will be louder than the music.
There were still game sets around them.
Lisha added - Doctor's sets and Chemists sets are here. Lets open and see if there's anything here to help us get out. Moreover, there are large game boxes at the back. Let's remove those packages and see what is there- windows or door.
Yes!
Yes! Yes! Some of them responded.
Leena said- Let's move carefully as we are not on main road or concrete road anymore. The road is bumpy indeed. By the way, two days back there was repair on our school bus. It was supposed to go to the garage but I witnessed some men came over as mechanics and offered to help repair the bus at half the price to our School Principal. Sir agreed.
Raj asked – How do you know?
Leena replied – I was playing outside with Samina.
It was tough for 4 of them to go about as they were emotionally disturbed. Only Raj and Lisha thought they were in the middle of the "The Escape Room" game programme or some detective thriller. They need to work as team and design their escape fast.
Raj looked at everyone – Alright! Let's focus now and go to work on these packages, walking with care.