Chapter 3
Pushing the limits of their vehicle’s solar batteries, taking shifts, driving without stopping, they reached the coast in a couple of days. Night had fallen, and Mira was glad for the ability to step outside and stretch her legs. Hundreds of miles from where they had left, she still felt as if there were eyes watching her every move. Glancing around nervously, Mira wondered if there might actually be someone out there in the badlands, watching. They’d already been followed once. Who knew how far the Magistrate’s reach went?
Something stirred within her – instinct, maybe, or just paranoia – but nervous energy had her jumping at twigs snapping under her feet. There was another sound, too – a rhythmic slapping and rushing from nearby.
Without telling the others where she was head
