Feral → newt, tmr

Chapter 31: Driving Skills

The city stretches before them, a glowing maze of towering glass and steel, neon lights flickering against the endless black sky. It's almost eerily beautiful, a stark contrast to the grim reality lurking beneath its polished surface. The streets hum with distant activity, and the weight of the mission settles heavily on Katherine's shoulders. One wrong step, and everything crumbles.

They slip through the shadows, led by Gally, who moves with the kind of practiced ease that only comes from surviving in places where others don't. They reach a warehouse tucked between looming skyscrapers, a graveyard of identical blue buses lined up in perfect rows, each bearing the blaring yellow warning of RED ZONE in bold electric letters. A fitting emblem of the world they live in-danger wrapped in order.

Gally halts and glances back, voice low. "It's time. Get the bus ready and wait."

Katherine throws a mock salute, lips tugging into a grin. "Aye aye, Captain."

Gally exhales through his nose, shaking his head before slipping into the shadows. But not before giving Frypan a sharp nod, something silent and unreadable passing between them. Katherine catches it and frowns, but whatever it means, Frypan doesn't elaborate. Another unspoken boy thing, apparently.

"Guess I'll meet you guys outside the city," Frypan mutters.

"Try not to get us killed," Brenda quips, arms crossed.

"No promises." He flashes a grin before disappearing around the other side of the warehouse.

Katherine ducks low, scanning the sea of buses, each one looking just as run-down as the last. "Any preferences?" she whispers, keeping her voice low as she turns to Brenda.

Brenda's eyes flick over the rows of vehicles before she jerks her chin toward a bus with an angry yellow 'RED ZONE' electrical board flickering on the front. It hums with barely-contained energy, looking just as defiant as they are. "That one looks smart." Her lips curl into a smirk.

Katherine huffs, amused. "Whatever you say, badass."

They break into a jog, weaving between the skeletal remains of old vehicles, ducking behind crates whenever a WICKED guard's flashlight sweeps too close. Their breaths are silent, measured, the thrill of the mission coiling like a spring inside Katherine's chest.

As they approach the bus, Brenda nudges Katherine with her elbow, her smirk widening. "By the way, we never had this smut talk about your little moment with Newt."

Katherine nearly trips over her own feet, shooting Brenda a glare. "Are you serious? Now?"

Brenda shrugs, the smug look never leaving her face. "I think we should, before you replace me with your former girly best friend."

Katherine rolls her eyes but can't stop the warmth that creeps up her neck. "Oh please. I can perfectly manage two girl best friends."

Brenda snickers. "Good luck with that."

Before Katherine can retort, static crackles from her pocket. She grabs the walkie-talkie, quickly turning down the volume before it gives them away.

"Kat, Brenda, what's your status?" Thomas's voice comes through, a little muffled but sharp with urgency.

Katherine presses the button. "Status is, we're working on it."