Maya's engine rumbles delightedly, fluffy clouds drifting through the clear sky above her.

Violetta dances in the passenger seat to "come as you are" on the radio, grinning over at her wife as autumn leaves whip past them on either side.

Eventually, they've driven far enough that they need to stop for gas, and they pull over at a filling station. Hailey gets out and starts filling the tank, giving a few other drivers friendly nods.

One of the drivers looks over and lets out a long whistle.

"Nice ride! Really, beautiful!"

She smiles wryly. "Thanks. She took a lot of work to get her restored properly, but the purr of that engine and the way she handles make every hour worth it."

She idly watches the positions of everyone around her, tracking them all. It's a hard habit to break.

Slowly the tank fills.

"Oh man, I'll bet!"

He walks closer and leans over the car, patting the hood.

"How much?"

Hailey arches an eyebrow. "Not for sale, sorry."

He stands.

"Oh, c'mon now, everything's got a price. How much?"

She gives the boy a flat look. "Not happening. Not for any price."

The pump handle clicks to a stop in her hand, and she hangs it back up on the pump, then closes the tank.

The man steps back from the car.

"Whatever girl. Hey, think about it, okay?"

She gives him an unimpressed side-eye as she gets into the car. "Thought. Declined. Have a nice day."

Off she drives.

Maya rumbles angrily as she peels out of the lot.

"You okay, sweetheart?" Violetta rests a hand on Hailey's thigh as they drive off.

"Dumb kid got pushy about trying to buy our car. Not worth the stress."

"I prescribe fast driving and loud music, love. Put him out of your mind."

They spend the rest of the morning driving, rumbling down curvy roads and taking in the scenery, eventually making it home in time for a late lunch.

Hailey's in a better mood by the time they pull up to their two-story Victorian house on a spacious plot by the water. She makes them some grilled chicken sandwiches using last night's leftovers, and the afternoon improves.

Violetta cheers Hailey up a bit further with some quality time.

God she loves her wife.

Eventually, after a homemade curry dinner, the happy couple retires to bed.

…A scratching sound at the door…

…A rustling sound in the hall…

And then, very suddenly, Hailey is being dragged out of her bed by her hair and thrown to the ground.

A heavy blow to her stomach knocks the wind out of her, and another to her head sets her groggy mind spinning.

Hailey can hear Violetta scream behind her, and more sick thudding noises as the men do who-knows-what to her wife.