The room opposite didn’t just have clothes; it also had a little bathroom with a working shower.
This helped Everlearn wash off not only the goo on his body but also all the soot and dirt he had garnered from the jungle.
There was no mirror to check himself, but at least his smell was different, and for now, that was enough.
Opening up the wardrobe, he found it filled with trousers and coats, most twice his size, making him roll his eyes.
As much as he hated to wear others’ clothes, something clear with the perfume still lingering on them, he couldn’t walk out butt-naked.
In the end, he found one that wasn’t the perfect fit, but at least the trousers sized him well, and the T-shirt only had to be folded in at the arms to fit him.
Reaching for the knob, he paused when he looked out and found a window that led outside.
"I could make a run for it," he muttered to himself, his eyes glinting with light as he took a step towards the window, only to pause for a moment.
Softly shaking his head, he turned away, resuming his reach for the knob.
The pod that had helped him move fast had been destroyed.
He had no idea if the place he was in was close to anywhere else apart from the Mechara organization.
Even if the woman didn’t catch him right away, what if this place turned out to be in the middle of nowhere as well?
He’d be getting screwed on both sides.
’I can try making a run for it when we get to Mechron City.’
At least they’d be in a city then, and he could decide on his next plans.
When Everlearn stepped outside, his hands faintly covered his face, his eyes squinting from the orange rays.
It was that time when the evening sun was at its peak.
His eyes adjusted to the intensity, and he turned to the house’s driveway, finding a towering object waiting.
It was another flying pod, but this was much sleeker. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹✶𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲✶𝗻𝗲𝘁
It was more like a car, built for long-distance travel, unlike the ones he’d ridden before, which were mostly just for roaming around the neighborhood.
The window went down, and some wisps of smoke came out.
"I’m waiting," she said, and Everlearn stepped forward.
The passenger door opened vertically into the sky, but Everlearn immediately backed off in shock when a cloud of smoke blew over his face.
"Can you... cough... stop smoking in the pod!?" he said, nose wrinkling.
While he found nothing wrong with people smoking, most Mech Designers, including the ones he admired, did; it still disgusted him, especially when it seemed like a damn explosion had gone off right before him.
Her reply was more smoke out of her lips, and Everlearn could only wave around, sending out some more smoke wisps before he entered, taking his seat.
His hand was still reaching for the seatbelt when he was suddenly slammed back, pressed tightly against the seat.
Blue flames furiously burst out as the sport pod accelerated insanely, becoming a blur of light that disappeared from the place in an instant.
"Can... you... slow... dooowwwnnnn!?"
The words came out in a repeated echo as Everlearn’s hand tightly gripped the seat.
The flying car suddenly came to a stop, and the sudden motion sent Everlearn flying out of his seat.
His nose slammed right onto the dashboard, sending him flying back into the seat once more, and he crumpled like paper onto the ground.
Everlearn’s head spun, and he could almost hear the distant echo of
Forcing himself off the ground, he sat back on his seat, taking a couple of deep inhales and exhales.
When he felt his heart calm, he turned to her and cursed:
"Hey! If you’re tired of life, well, I ain’t! You wanna get me killed!?"
Everlearn shouted in horror, but then,
He watched her restart the engine, and immediately, his hands reached for the seatbelt, clicking one over his waist while the other strap went tightly across his shoulders.
When he felt himself securely fastened, he noticed her not yet moving and turned, finding her smirking at him.
"Seems like you really ain’t ready to go yet," she said, pressing her foot against the accelerator and moving them forward.
This time, things were a little better, and Everlearn could take in a few breaths.
He had almost gotten a heart attack from that first speed.
An exhale echoed through the cabin as he turned to find her letting out another huge cloud of smoke.
She seemed to sense his gaze, turning to find one of his eyebrows quivering in irritation.
"You want some?" she said, dangling the box before his face.
In reply, Everlearn’s hand moved to a button on the side, pressing it, and the window area by his side opened.
The cloud of smoke disappeared outside, and Everlearn took in a breath of fresh air.
That was clear enough of an answer, and she shrugged, keeping the cigarettes in the holder.
The ride afterward was silent and peaceful.
The car was moving fast, but he was properly fastened, so he wasn’t affected much.
She never stopped smoking, but with his side of the window open, it was all good.
They moved along a path lined with tall trees, a green-flowered garden at its far end.
This was different from the forest, and the clear tiled path showed that cars at least moved here, though none were nearby, nor had he seen one yet.
The silence was peaceful at first, but soon enough it became creeping, and pressure started to build.
Sitting beside such a creepy stranger who wouldn’t stop taking out cigarettes after cigarettes and puffing smokes out without a care in the world gave him the chills.
In the end, he decided to ask a question lingering at the back of his mind.
"So... what are we going to do in Mechron City?"
"You’ll know when we get there," she answered, as cold as ever.
But then, a glint appeared in her eyes and she asked:
"What do you know about Mechron City, though?"