Fiona walked into the living room holding a mug that was smoking like it had survived a house fire. April stared. “Fiona… what are you drinking?” “Experimental tea,” Fiona answered calmly. Silver sniffed the air and grimaced. “Why does it smell like burning metal?” “That means it’s working,” she said, taking another sip. Will leaned in. “It smells like depression and car exhaust.” Fiona nodded proudly. “Exactly.” Before the room could question her beverage any further, Shadie appeared at the bottom of the stairs, cane tapping rhythmically. “Everyone outside.” They all froze. Will blinked. “Why?” Shadie simply repeated, “Outside.” That was enough to make everyone obey.They ended up standing in the front yard, confused and mildly alarmed. Except two people. Cream, who was bouncing excitedly. And Will, who was vibrating with anticipation for no reason at all. April whispered, “Is something happening?” Silver shrugged. “It’s Shadie. Something’s always happening.” Fiona blew steam off her tea. “If I finish this before something explodes, I’ll be shocked.” Then— A deep, powerful VROOOOOOM shook the garage. Will froze like a deer in headlights. Cream gasped like she was witnessing a miracle. Silver blinked. “Oh. She’s taking that out.” The garage door rose. And out rolled Shadie’s 1967 Impala, shining like it had been polished by angels. Shadie sat behind the wheel wearing sunglasses like a woman about to steal the moon. Cream squealed, “MOM’S DRIVING THE CAR!!” Will let out a strangled mix of joy and pain. “THE IMPALA! THE IMPALA IS OUT— I CANNOT BREATHE—” Everyone else was unimpressed or mildly concerned. April: “That’s… a nice car?” Silver: “She must be feeling confident today.” Fiona: “Or dangerous.”
Shadie rolled to a stop and lowered her sunglasses slightly. “Get in.” Cream sprinted inside the car immediately. Will touched the hood like he’d discovered a holy artifact. “She’s warm— she’s real— I dreamed of this moment—” “Will,” Shadie said sharply, “seat. Now.” He obeyed instantly. April opened her door cautiously. “It’s not going to explode, right?” Silver climbed in casually. “Probably not.” Fiona hovered by the door. “Do I have to hold my tea outside the window?” “Yes,” Shadie answered. Fiona sighed and got in.Shadie looked at all of them once they were buckled in. “If anyone spills, scuffs, scratches, or breathes incorrectly, I will eject you at 40 mph.” Everyone nodded. Cream was gleefully drawing a picture of the car in her sketchbook. Will whispered reverently, “This is the best day of my entire existence.” Fiona looked unimpressed. “Still just a car.” April: “A car that scares me.” Silver: “A car that scares everyone.” Cream: “I like the seats! They’re soft!” Will: “THEY’RE SACRED.”Shadie reversed with perfect control. Cream squealed. “Yaaaay!” Will clasped his hands like a religious worshipper. “She’s doing it… she’s ACTUALLY DRIVING IT…” Silver shook his head. “I’ve never seen him this excited.” April: “Should we be worried?” Fiona: “Probably.” Shadie: “Definitely.” The Impala glided down the street. Cream cheered, “Speed!!” “We’re going 25,” Shadie replied. Will pressed his face to the window. “LOOK AT US— WE’RE GLORIOUS—” April: “You look like a raccoon on surveillance duty.” Fiona stretched her arm out the window, letting her smoking tea mug vent outside. “The tea’s less explosive out here.” Silver: “Everything’s less explosive out here.” Shadie: “Fiona, keep the mug OUTSIDE.”
