Pam could barely see Iris’ face through the fog. As her companion opened the car hood and bent to inspect the engine, the mist was disturbed. The inky white clouds slipped up her jumper and against her face, giving the impression of tendrils reaching out to swallow her whole.
A shiver ran down Pam’s body. Suddenly feeling terrified of the notion of being trapped in the car alone, as the fog dragged Iris screaming into the abyss, she decided to step out. Iris gave her a look as she joined her, but didn’t question it.
“Everything seems fine – I can’t see any issues with the car battery.” Iris, for the first time ever, actually looked serious. It made Pam feel even more uneasy, having grown used to her companion’s snide remarks. “The coolant fluid level was super low though, so I’ve topped it up. That might have been why the check engine light was on. Low fluid means the car engine overheats and, well.”
Iris motioned to the hood, mimicking an explosion. “Best to have an expert service it. I don’t know precisely how to tell if a car needs a clutch repair, but I know that the burning smell I’ve smelt since we started driving and the poor acceleration aren’t good. A mechanic can diagnose it to make sure we don’t break down a second time.”
There was no hint of mischief in her companion’s voice, and it made Pam’s skin crawl. It was becoming hard to reconcile the constantly smirking and lazy individual she had grown to hate with the person who stood before her.
“Well, it should be an easy fix – Sam told me it recently got a renewed car safety certificate. Raceview is only a few kilometres away and there should be a mechanic open there.”
Silence settled between them. Pam traced the line of worry between Iris’ eyebrows with her gaze, trying to memorise this new version of her companion. “Iris?” Pam began, speaking for once without thinking. “What did you mean when you said you would save me, ‘once again’?”
Guilt flashed in her eyes but, just as soon as Pam had seen it, it was gone. Iris turned away, closing the car hood and stretching. When she turned back, her usual confident demeanour was back. “Well, someone has to finish this quest, and it’s not going to be you,” she laughed, strutting back to the passenger seat.