Bus Driver
Tim Watson is a bus driver. He pays attention to the people getting on and off his bus. He's gotten to know his frequent riders over the years. He is familiar with their drop-off locations and has become used to their regular schedules. Some of them had even made friends with him.
They generally had a brief talk when they got on and off the bus. Tim frequently advises them to "take care" or "enjoy your day." In exchange, they would hope for his safety on the journey. Every day is the same until one specific morning.
New Face
Tim was driving his usual route that day. The day was going well, and he was working as efficiently as he could. Then a guy and a boy boarded his bus at a bus stop.
Tim was certain that they were not his regulars. The man appeared to be in his twenties and was disturbed. They took the middle seat, and he was obviously controlling the small child, who was certainly not in the mood.
Tantrums
When this small boy boarded the bus with a young guy, he began weeping. Tim saw it all the time: it's not unusual for kids to board a bus while having a rage tantrum.
However, the bus driver observed that the small boy's sobbing that day was not typical of a temper tantrum. His eyes were filled with fear. Even if they are having a temper tantrum, it is not how a typical kid behaves when getting on the bus with a family member.
Something Was Fishy
Tim couldn't help but notice the new passengers, no matter how hard he tried. Despite the man's efforts, the tiny kid continued to weep. The dad appeared to be begging the kid to sleep or remain quiet.
Normally, Tim wouldn’t bother checking on passengers but something in his gut was making him look. There was a weird atmosphere, but he couldn't put his finger on it. But something caught his eye as he looked again.
The Recent News
Tim knew where his gut feeling was coming from after looking in his rearview mirror. He remembered reading about missing people in the news that morning.
A three-year-old kid was reported missing from a San Francisco library, according to the news. Tim attempted to remember what else he had read. In his mind, a suspicion was rapidly building.
Description Of The Missing Person
Tim, a father of two, thought his intuition was telling him something. The small child on his bus may be the one the cops were looking for. He was aware, though, that he may be mistaken.
So he attempted to recall other important details from the missing-persons report. Fortunately for him, his memory cooperated. The missing three-year-old youngster was dressed in a blue shirt, checkered shorts, and red crocks.
Intuition Of A Parent
At that moment, Tim imagined how the young boy's parents felt not knowing where their son was. He started thinking about his children at home and how he'd feel if one of them went missing.
Tim, recalling the data from the article, devised a method for getting a good look at the youngster so that he could be certain. He couldn't just pull over and confront the man. He had to think about the other passengers as well.
Hiding His Suspicious
Tim didn't want to tell the guy that he was suspicious, whether the kid was the missing boy or not. If it was a kidnapping, he didn't want to drive the man away.
He maintained his regular driving speed and resisted the impulse to check his rearview mirror. The man's eyes had gotten attentive at that point, and he had the impression that he was eager to get off the bus.
Running Out Of Time
The man may change his mind at any time and get off the bus with the child. It appeared that none of the passengers had noticed. They were preoccupied with their own affairs.
Tim was aware that he was running out of time. He gazed at the road, trying to clear his mind. Then, as if by divine intervention, he found out exactly what he should do.
Calm And Collected
To make things appear as casual as possible, Tim informed the passengers on the bus that one of the passengers who had previously ridden the bus had left a green bag.
He stated that before they proceeded to the next station, he wanted to inspect the bus. Tim even pretended that the rider who had abandoned the bag was eager about knowing whether or not it was still on the bus. Then, in an attempt to look casual, he rose up and began his "search."
Getting Close
Tim gently requested that all riders look under their seats. He was able to get a good look at the youngster after he arrived at the place where the dad and the small boy were sitting.
The youngster who had gotten tired of sobbing was dressed just like the missing boy on the news, in blue shirts, plaid shirts, and red crocs. Tim was certain it was the small child he'd heard about at this point.
Acting Fast
Tim sat back down after the search and thought about the next action he should do. He realised that dealing with the matter on his own would be a bad idea, so he devised a better strategy.
The guy and the kid were sitting in the bus's centre, and the engine was loud enough to drown out small sounds. Furthermore, they were both staring out the window, the boy clearly bored of his outbursts. Tim reached for his phone with shaky hands and dialled the number.
Calling The Police
Tim began driving while also making a covert call to the police. He informed them that a youngster on his bus matched the description of the missing boy.
Tim was given clear instructions by the cops on the other end of the phone. He paid close attention to the strategy. Despite his fears that something might go wrong, his drive to save the kid made him courageous.
The Plan
Tim was told by the cops to continue driving to his next stop as scheduled. Things were set in motion, and they assured him that police officers would be waiting for him.
Tim double-checked to see whether the suspected kidnapper was aware of what was going on. He didn't appear to have. At the very least, the young kid was on the verge of being found.
The Right Time
Tim arrived at the next stop, and two police officers immediately surrounded the bus's back. Several cops were stationed towards the front of the bus.
They let the passengers off the bus one by one. While several were surprised as to why there were police officers present, no one dared to ask questions. The authorities had their eyes fixed on the bus, waiting for the father and the youngster.
Taking The Kid Back
When the two got off the bus, police officers pulled the boy from the man's arms and detained him right away. The suspected kidnapper attempted to fight but was unsuccessful. The officials were adamant about saving the youngster.
The three-year-old seemed to realise he was being saved. He clutched an officer's hand, and his innocent face revealed a smile of relief. The two were then transported to the police station for additional questioning.
Calling The Parents
It came out that the parents had previously been informed of the potential lead. When the officers returned to the station, they made the call. The parents were overjoyed and were on their way to see their kids in no time.
Tim could only imagine how relieved they would be to learn that their kid was safe and well.
The Hero
Of course, the parents of the missing youngster, as well as the police officers, were grateful and pleased with Tim's actions.
The story was worth telling, and Tim found himself an overnight superstar before he knew it. When contacted by local news outlets, the brave driver simply stated, "I believe I just did what any father would do."