what we saw on the new jersey turnpike last night.
the first thing we noticed was the smoke: thick, black and billowing over traffic. then the smell hits, subtle at first. something smells wrong. something is burning. then i see it, the source of the smoke, the flickering orange flames. is that the right hand lane? the center? it seems big whatever it is. please tell me that smell isn't burning flesh. we keep driving. it can't be the center lane. traffic is moving too quickly. we're getting really close. there are three people over to the side. the fire seems really tall. but people are safe. as we get closer, we get a better idea of what that is burning. holy fuck. it's an entire bus. the sort of bus you took when you went on long school trips. a charter bus. all in flames. oh god. where are all the people? that smell is rubber burning. please be only rubber burning. the tears hit. the smell is overwhelming. the flames as we drive past... where are the passengers? then finally we see them, standing far in front of the bus, a large group of people, all their luggage, calm. no ambulances, just fire trucks, and more fire trucks pulling up as we drive to our exit. i think i'm going to vomit.