CHAPTER NINETY THREE – BROKEN DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE

Reinvigorated, she was just sliding into the driver's seat, contemplating suggesting they stop somewhere for a proper breakfast, when the little sports car's engine coughed and sputtered in an alarming, mechanical wheezing fit. "Uh oh, that doesn't sound good..." Claire murmured, eyeing the dash display skeptically as multiple warning lights began flickering in a frantic, randomized strobe. Jasmine barely had time to throw the car into park before it gave one final, defeated shudder and fell abruptly silent, leaving them stranded on the shoulder of the blissfully isolated country road. Cursing under her breath, Jasmine threw open her door and strode around to the front, already bracing herself to locate whatever malfunction had seized the vehicle so suddenly. She had barely popped the hood before a plume of greasy black smoke erupted in her face, causing her to sputter and choke as she beat a hasty retreat. "Great, just great!" She wheezed, waving a hand fruitlessly to dissipate