The sheer panic lasted only two seconds.

Then her expression hardened into something incredibly cold.

She opened her mouth to speak, then snapped it shut.

I reached for the steering column and turned the key.

The engine caught on the second try.

The exhaust rumbled loudly in the quiet neighborhood.

Ranata didn’t raise a hand to wave.

She took half a step back toward the open door, her eyes locked on my windshield.