The Unspoken Countdown

The breeze was gentle. The sun was warm but not harsh, and under the dappled sunlight, the sleek Maybach cruised forward in silence.

Inside the car, Clara sat quietly, keeping to herself, with Hazel in the child seat beside her. Up front, Desmond kept shooting glances at the rearview mirror. The air was thick with tension and a strange sense of unease, making even the driver feel uncomfortable.