mira squinted against the midday sun as she ambled down the street, her arms crossed loosely over her chest. the oppressive quiet of this town was something she still couldnβt get used to, the eerie kind that made the sound of her boots on cracked asphalt seem too loud. she kicked at a small rock, watching it skid ahead, when the groan of effort caught her attention. up ahead, a guy β shirt sleeveless, face strained, clearly regretting his life choices β was trying to push a car. alone, at that. the sight almost made her laugh, but there was something about the sheer stubbornness in his posture that struck a chord. she recognized him, vaguely. one of the colony house faces sheβd seen in passing. she considered walking by, minding her own business. but who was she kidding? mira wasnβt wired that way. even in this hellhole of a town, she couldnβt resist stepping in where she wasnβt needed. βhey!β she called out, picking up her pace. βyou planning on pushing that thing all the way to the chop shop, or are you just working on your biceps for the apocalypse?β stopping a few feet away, she tilted her head, sizing him up with a smirk. βlet me guess. nobody wanted to play mechanicβs assistant today, so you decided to be a one-man pit crew?β she rolled her shoulders, stepping closer. βlooks like youβve got a death wish or, i donβt know, something to prove.β without waiting for an invitation, she moved to the back of the car and placed her hands on the trunk, glancing over at him. βwell? donβt just stand there. iβm not doing all the work.β she shot him a wry grin, her tone teasing but warm. βiβm mira, by the way. colony house, same as you. figured iβd introduce myself now, just in case you collapse halfway and i have to try carrying you back.β