The Duster hummed softly beneath her, the engine's steady rhythm the only sound breaking the silence of the drive.
Zoe's grip on the steering wheel was firm, her thoughts a chaotic jumble that made the miles blur together.
The battlefield was behind her, but its weight lingered, clinging to her like the scent of burnt mana.
She didn't even realize where she was headed until the familiar neon glow of the Dairy Queen sign on West Market Street lit up the corner of her windshield.
Her foot hovered over the brake for a second, and a small, bittersweet smile tugged at her lips. The sight yanked her out of her thoughts, grounding her in a way she hadn't expected.
"Huh," she muttered to herself, adjusting her grip. The realization of where her subconscious had steered her wasn't shocking. She eased into the right lane, deciding to let the flow carry her.
A few minutes later, she turned right onto North Leavitt Road.
