Ryan drove steadily toward home as dusk slowly settled over the road.
The sun sank behind the horizon, its remaining light spilling through the windshield and scattering across Mary's face and shoulders.
The warm glow softened her features, making her look unreal, almost dreamlike. Ryan tightened his grip on the steering wheel, forcibly pulling his thoughts back.
This was not the time to lose control, no matter how tempting the scene beside him was.
Mary's excitement from the day gradually faded, replaced by a heavy drowsiness. Not long after leaving the city, her head tilted slightly, and her breathing became slow and even. She only stirred when Ryan gently nudged her shoulder after parking.
They worked together in quiet coordination, carrying everything they had bought into the mindscape, then returning the borrowed car and walking home under the dim evening sky.
