The neon glow of the city skyline flickered in the distance, a hazy promise of something better.
Miles Peter leaned against his car, the dull hum of the gas pump filling the silence as he poured fuel into the tank.
The night air smelled of oil and scorched rubber.
Sarah Peter stood nearby, her synthetic eyes scanning the surroundings, "Neon City," she mused, voice laced with something between hope and skepticism.
"You really think we can redo everything there? Settle down? No more running?" She asked
Miles tightened the cap on the fuel tank and sighed, "We don't have a choice. We either build a life there or we keep running until there's nowhere left. We already changed our names, had our information deleted and an apartment to live for the time being. Trust me, this new beginning is better for us."
Two gas station employees wandered over, their uniforms stained with grease.
One of them, a wiry man with a data-pad strapped to his wrist, held out his hand expectantly, "That'll be 220 credits."
Sarah blinked, and in less than a second, the transaction was done, "Check your account."
The other employee, a bulkier man with a mechanical left arm, frowned as he glanced at the data-pad, "You guys heading to Neon City?"
Miles didn't answer, opening the car door instead.
"Not many people pass through here without a reason," the wiry man continued. "What's yours?"
Miles started the engine, "None of your business."
As the car rolled forward one of the employee ran out of the gas station, "A HACKER JUST STOLE ALL OUR MONEY!!!" All three stared at the car driving away with their money.
Sarah's voice chimed in, laced with amusement, "By the way, I hacked their systems. Not only did I get our money back... I took all of theirs too."
Miles clenched his jaw, "You're a walking death warrant, Sarah."
Sarah quickly kiss his cheek, "And you love me for it. Btw, I hear something coming."
Sarah warning was confirmed. Headlights flared in the rearview mirror—three cars closing in fast, "Not even in the city and we causing trouble." Miles remarks.
Then came the gunfire.
Bullets ripped through the night, sparking off the pavement.
Miles didn't flinch, his grip tightening on the wheel. "Sarah—"
She was already ahead of him, reaching into the dashboard drawer and retrieving three overhaul cartridges.
Her fingers moved with mechanical precision as she slotted them into the cybernetic port at the back of Miles' neck.
The first cartridge—Aimbot—synced instantly, his vision sharpening as targeting overlays flickered to life.
The second—Pistol Materializer—a 9mm pistol loaded into his hand.
The third—Shield S—activated a translucent energy field that shimmered around the car as bullets pinged off it.
Miles turned off the shields once they stop firing.
He didn't need to turn back.
He aimed with precision, squeezing the trigger.
Each shot found its mark, tires exploding, windshields shattering. One car flipped, skidding across the road in a blaze of fire.
Sarah, meanwhile, perched on the windowsill, "Thanks for gas bitches."
Her humanoid arm shifted seamlessly, alloy plates sliding apart to reveal the barrel of a machine gun
She took aim and let loose a hail of bullets, tearing through the remaining cars until they erupted in flames while laughing uncontrollable.
Silence settled once more. Smoke curled into the air behind them as they sped forward, unbothered.
Sarah leaned back into her seat, smirking, "Well, that was fun wasn't it baby."
Miles exhaled, shaking his head, "You and I have very different definitions of fun. But yeah, it was okay. Just know that we might need to get disguises cartridge if we want to earn some easy money."
Sarah turns on the radio and blast a punk rock song and seemly vibing out to the song.
Miles sighed with slight smile on face before increasing the speed, "What's the first thing you going to do in our new apartment?"
Sarah, still dancing in her seat, "Make you something to eat and pack our stuff away."
"I think I'll take a short nap. We been on the road for three days and sleeping inside this car only give me back pains." Miles groaned.
Sarah lean closer and kiss his cheek, "We will finally get to share a bed together. That's when the party truly begin."
"Now you talking. Celebrate to a new beginning." Miles hit a switch, and the car's roof retracted allowing the cold breeze.
Sarah turned the music up and begun dancing on her seat.
The car roared down the highway, the city of Neon glimmering on the horizon.