Centrepiece

Was it strange Leila fainted?

Yes.

Was it a surprise?

No.

Nolan's grip on the steering wheel was firm. His knuckles were turning white with how long and tight he had been gripping the wheels. He took his eyes to the rear mirror.

Leila was at the back. Eyes closed. Head on the backrest. Nolan stared at her for a few seconds before returning his gaze to the deserted road while his car moved with speed through it.

He did not follow the route Leila had shown him earlier. Not because he forgot it again, but because he needed to calm his nerves. He had no idea how to stop what was coming without being the centrepiece.

He tried making her seem bad in his head, but nothing could change what he felt, and it was choking him, slowly. Either way, he had to do this. Just this once. Just this once. He chanted in his head before putting his full attention back on the road.