It was Monday morning, marking Thira’s first proper resumption at the New Zealand branch of Harrington Inc.

She sat in the backseat of the car with Riven, both of them dressed in corporate suits. As usual, Manuel drove them, but unlike Friday morning, the atmosphere in the car was strikingly different. It was serene, almost hushed. Even when Manuel had tried to drive a little faster on the freeway, Riven waved calmly from the backseat.

“Hey, you’re too fast, man. Take it gently.”

Manuel ...