The old 1998 Toyota TownAce rattled slightly as Kael drove along the highway, the steering wheel warm beneath his hands. The early sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the pine trees lining the road. The breeze pushed in through the open window.
Kael scratched his neck and muttered, "It's old, but still runs like a damn champ…"
The 1998 Toyota TownAce—a reliable, no-frills Japanese mini truck with a flatbed cargo area and a humming 1.5-liter inline-four engine. The steering felt light, and despite the vehicle's age, everything responded smoothly—like a well-kept machine that had seen years of loyal service. Eli had kept it in near-pristine condition.
Kael turned off the main road and pulled into the lot of a large discount supermarket. Bright red and white signs loomed overhead, peeling slightly at the edges.
Kael parked at the edge of the lot, beside a van loaded with crates of spring onions. He shut off the engine and sat in silence for a moment.
