A challenge to write something using the words "bus driver" and "uncharted territory."

And on the First Day

John arose unnaturally early for him. The alarm went off at 5:30, announcing (quite annoyingly) that it was time to prepare for duty.

He swung his legs over the side of the bed, sat for a moment gathering his strength, then hoisted himself up and off the security (and warmth) of his bed.

After his normal morning ablutions, he decided to forego breakfast and began to prepare for the challenge ahead of him.

He must not only be physically ready for this assignment, he would have to be mentally prepared as well; alert to changes in the environment, strange sounds and smells, stillness that was a little too quiet.

Looking into the rearview mirror he gave himself a pep talk, and trying his best to display a confidence he did not feel, drove in the direction of his rendezvous with others from his company.

Once he reached his "jump off" site, he located his transport vehicle and gave it a once-over to ensure it would safely carry his potentially explosive cargo.

Satisfied with his inspection, John then found his way to the staging area, exited the vehicle and stood at the ready to supervise the loading process.

Once the cargo was safely secured, he closed the door and fired up the engine of the rumbling beast.

With a final check in his mirrors, he slowly departed the compound and made his way out the huge front gates. Others shouted encouragement to him as he passed by, but this did little to quell the queasiness he felt where his breakfast should have been.

Although his route would be relatively short, for him it was uncharted territory, fraught with unseen dangers lurking around every curve. His eyes and ears must be attuned to any sudden movement or sound.

Over the grinding of the engine, his concentration was firmly focused on the road ahead until he reached his destination. Then he navigated the winding, tree-lined roads of the encampment entrance and slowly lumbered to a stop.

As he exited the yellow behemoth to supervise the unloading process, he offered a silent prayer of thanks that he had survived the journey unscathed.

With responsibility for the cargo now safely transferred to other more experienced individuals, John retraced his route back to the compound in silence.

Although his nerves were still somewhat shaky from the ordeal, he felt not only relief, but a certain smugness that he'd survived his first day as a school bus driver delivering a load of middle school students to summer camp.