The next morning, the Mandaley desert greeted the dawn with a wash of orange light creeping over the dunes. The soft hum of Ren's van cooling system signaled the machine's slow awakening—ready to head straight back into the heart of chaos.
As they had agreed the night before, Ren now had one extra passenger—the rabbit girl sitting in the front seat, wide-eyed with curiosity and a posture just stiff enough to betray her nerves. Nea couldn't hide her fascination; her eyes darted over every button, light, and digital readout in the cockpit with innocent wonder that made Ren chuckle.
"First time in a car?" Ren asked while typing a short command into the holographic dashboard.
Nea nodded quickly. "Yes! I've heard stories about iron-wheeled wagons in the big cities, but… this feels like riding some kind of beast from the future!"
Ren grinned, giving her a playful glance. "Just wait 'til we hit top speed. First-timers usually regret it real quick."
