Everyone nodded again.

          “Ok, here’s what we’re going to do.  I want us to go around the bus and everyone repeat after me.  As I get to you, say I, and then your name, do solemnly swear that as long as I have breath in my lungs, I will never utter a word about what happened tonight to a living soul.”

          He then pulled a knife from his pocket and proceeded to slide the blade across his palm.  Everyone gasped.  Then, he held the knife out to the others.

          “Now, after you say the oath, cut your hand like I have.  Then, we’re going to put them together and swear on our blood that no one will find out the truth about what happened tonight.”

          One by one, the others followed his leading.  Before the night was over, blood was flowing freely onto the floor of the bus.  They all looked around at each other and sat silently, gazing into the darkness.