Lola and the Menacing Machine

Chapter 3: "The Big Day Out"

The morning sun had barely risen above the horizon, casting a cool, golden light over the sprawling neighborhood. A light breeze drifted through the open windows of the family’s estate, carrying with it the fresh scent of dew on grass, mingling with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. The morning was calm, hinting at a day of clear skies, but with the cool air still clinging to the early hours.

At the breakfast table, Lola sat swinging her small legs wildly beneath her chair. Her dress was a pastel yellow with delicate white embroidery along the hem, contrasting brightly against her wild, curly brown hair that bounced each time she moved. She scooped a spoonful of cereal, her cheeks dimpled in a grin as she munched, oblivious to the excited tension from her older sister.

Across the table, Maisey’s gaze was distant as she barely touched her toast. At nineteen, she carried an elegance that seemed a few years beyond her age. Her long, glossy hair was gathered up messily, held by a hairband in an effortless style that still looked stylish. Today, she’d dressed casually yet chic, in a white blouse tucked into fitted jeans, subtly hinting at her fashion sense and her family’s wealth. Her parents exchanged a knowing glance, aware of her restlessness.

Maisey sighed, her eyes shifting from her plate to her parents. “A whole week. It’s been a week since you said I could get my car,” she said, her tone edged with impatience. She had already tried to buy one online, only to have her mother refuse, reminding her it wasn’t part of the deal.

Across from her, Lola looked up, her bright blue eyes widening as she munched her cereal. “The other kids laughed when I was dropped off at school yesterday,” she announced between bites. “I can’t wait to wipe the smile off their lips.” She grinned mischievously.

Her parents looked at each other, slightly concerned, while Maisey rolled her eyes. Little Lola had a way of saying things that, though innocent, sounded a bit extreme. At least, Maisey thought, she knew when to pull back her imagination.

Lola wrinkled her nose, her cheeks puffing in indignation. “I’m not showing off. Well, maybe I did when I took Uncle Maxy’s rune to show-and-tell, but that’s not the same.” She looked at her mother, her big eyes full of sincerity. “Is there a word for that, Mom?”

Her mother faltered, taken aback by her younger daughter’s curiosity, while her father chuckled, trying to steer the conversation. “Alright, let’s keep it moving, everyone. If you’re not ready to go shopping, I’ll drop you off at daycare until we’re done!”

Lola finished her breakfast with a loud slurp and raised her arms. “I’m ready, Daddy!” she announced, beaming.

“Settle down, spider,” he laughed, lifting her up with ease and spinning her around a few times, her delighted laughter filling the large, elegant kitchen. Maisey watched them, a faint smile on her lips, but quickly snapped back to reality as she finished her coffee and headed up to get dressed.

Within minutes, Maisey reappeared downstairs, her eyes bright and eager. She’d gone with an outfit that was comfortable yet stylish: a light blouse tucked neatly into high-waisted jeans and a chic blazer slung over her arm. Her parents came down next, her father still carrying Lola, who was chattering about what she’d like to see on their drive.

The car ride was filled with chatter and the occasional pop song blaring from Lola’s tablet. The little girl sang along, her sweet voice filling the car. Her mother and father chatted in soft voices up front, while Maisey, impatient but trying to stay composed, scrolled through her phone, texting her friends about the impending big purchase.

They made their way to the first car dealership, but as Maisey moved among the rows of shiny vehicles, her initial excitement began to wane. None of the cars seemed quite right—too big, too plain, or just not her style. Her parents, ever patient, walked with her to two more dealerships, each time glancing at their watches as the afternoon light began to dip.

At the fourth dealership, her father glanced at her sympathetically. “Alright, sweetheart, this is the last one in town. After this, we’re heading home,” he said. “It’s almost evening now.”

Maisey let out a sigh, her hopes dampened by the long day of searching. She strolled into the dealership, almost resigned, until something caught her eye—a sleek black BMW, polished to perfection, its streamlined shape practically gleaming beneath the showroom lights. Her heart raced as she took it in.

“Ain’t no way!” she gasped, her eyes widening as she pointed. “That’s it. That’s the one!” She hurried over, running her hand along the smooth surface.

Her parents exchanged smiles, knowing this was what she’d been hoping for. As they moved to negotiate with the dealer, Maisey lifted Lola into her arms, twirling her around in excitement. “Look, Lola! My very own BMW!”

Lola’s eyes sparkled as she clapped her hands together, bouncing with excitement. “That’s amazing, Maisey! We can go on mystery drives!” she said, her voice filled with wonder.

Maisey grinned, her sister’s excitement only adding to her own. She had envisioned this day for so long, and now it was finally coming true. And with her first car now on the horizon, Maisey felt a sense of independence and excitement she had never known before.

As they wrapped up the paperwork, the family headed back to their car, the sky now glowing with the colors of an early sunset. The day had been long, but Maisey’s anticipation overshadowed her exhaustion. They were heading home with the promise of new beginnings and more adventures just waiting around the corner.

The dealership office was small and dusty, the faded posters on the wall curling at the edges. Freddy, the car dealer, glanced up when he heard the buyer's surprised voice.

"Are you sure, sir?" Maisey and Lola’s father asked, a touch of skepticism in his tone. "Five thousand dollars seems… a bit low for a BMW."

Freddy was taken aback. Five thousand was considered a decent chunk of money in this town; only a few people earned that much in a month, and they usually worked for the big tech company on the hill. But no one who actually had that kind of money ever came to his place looking for a car.

The more Freddy thought about it, the stranger it seemed. The whole thing felt like a prank—were these people just here to laugh at him? Maybe they were those types who only looked flashy. But then he heard the older daughter, Maisey, mutter to her sister, “Look, Lola, my very own BMW!”

Freddy's head snapped up, his eyes darting over to where the car gleamed under the dim fluorescent lights of the lot. A BMW, he thought, his mouth going dry. When had that car become a BMW? He scratched his head under his greasy ball cap, feeling a bead of sweat trickle down his neck. It was a car he’d acquired through one of his more questionable connections, and he’d never seen it look this… expensive.

Freddy ran a hand over his balding scalp, anxiety gnawing at him. But the parents just looked pleased with the deal, and Maisey, clutching the car keys, had that starry look in her eye as she and her family drove away.

Minutes later, his friend Barney came hurrying across the lot, a tattered slip of paper clutched in his hand. Short and stocky, Barney’s face was flushed as he waved the paper. “Found it, Freddy! Found what we needed to scrap that damned car for good!”

Freddy’s blood ran cold. He shot Barney a look of disbelief, his heart hammering. "It’s too late, Barney," he whispered, pulling his greasy cap off as he slumped into a metal chair, feeling the weight of his mistake settle over him. “I just sold it to the new folks in town.”

Barney’s eyes widened, his voice a hiss. “Are you kidding me? That car—the one that changes?” His eyes flickered with unease. “Last time we laid eyes on it, it was an Audi. Then, when we found it again, it was nothing but a pile of junk. And now… it’s a BMW?”

Freddy shook his head, running a hand over his face. “Yeah, and I was too dumb to see it in time.” He looked down, fiddling with the paper Barney handed him, knowing what they’d discovered could land them in deep trouble. “Barney, that thing isn’t just a car—it’s like it’s got a mind of its own.”

They exchanged a tense look, each man dreading the conversation they knew they should have had days ago. But who would believe them? Two junk dealers who sold off a cursed car by mistake? They could either go after it now and steal it back, or let that new family—unaware of its twisted history—face whatever came their way.

Barney finally broke the silence, his voice low. “We gotta hurry. Whatever that car is, it ain’t gonna let them last long.”