The steam van chugged slowly amidst the traffic of other steam vehicles on the streets of Center Piece. Lefo turned back from time to time to make sure whether EV was comfortable or not. The heat inside the steam van was something else, though the small fans placed on the dashboard did little to cool everyone down.

"Word has it that Central agents are after you and your lady friend."

"Word, Albus? How come he knows things so fast?"

Albus shrugged as he kept his eyes on the road and rubbed his stubbly chin.

"He's Word, Lefo. It's his job to know stuff."

"Does he know WHY they're after us? We haven't seen any in the flesh but they're always close on our heels."

Albus snickered as he tapped the ornament hanging on the rearview mirror. It's a skull of a rook tied with a stout string.

"Not with this they won't. It stops scrying of any kind. No synchronicity shit can happen with this thing around. You're safe with me... for now."

Lefo reclined in the chair and stared at the barely moving traffic through the dirty windshield in front of him. He searched his pack and removed a small crumb from an opened nutrient pack, nibbling it.

"You still haven't distributed those huh?"

"No time... Sal was supposed to...," Lefo's voice trailed off at the mention of his deceased friend and no other words were spoken for the next few minutes.

"Well, at least you get to live a bit longer with those. You're going to need it."

"Where are we going, Albus?"

"To see Word. He wants to talk to you and your vench lady friend."

Lefo rolled up his eyes and reclined further on the seat. All the while entertaining thoughts of "why me? why now? why Word of all people?" But if anyone could make sense of what's happening, it'd be Word. Lefo doesn't trust him, but at the moment he has no choice. Regrettably, neither does EV.

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