With the strength they had left, the group managed to escape the building undetected.
Syd handled his role perfectly. He had the car waiting behind the building, ready to pick up the others—with Jody slouched in the front passenger seat. He had volunteered to be the one transporting Priya himself.
Since Syd hadn't been in the fight and Jody was the first to recover (even if not completely), it made sense. If Priya woke up and resisted, Syd was the only one at full power—he could knock her out in a single hit.
Sera, Mickey, Toshi, and Roxxy had agreed to take the second car—a black Audi. Sera had already treated Jody's injuries before they split up. Now they were off to tend to Mickey next...
After all, he'd just been blown up by a helicopter. Somehow, the one who ended up the most injured in this whole mess... was Mickey.
"This is gonna be huge news tomorrow... Let's see how the great People's Republic spins this, hehe~"
Syd chuckled to himself with satisfaction as he reached to shift gears.
"Everyone split up already?" Jody asked, glancing over at Syd, then back at the unconscious Priya Vethon in the back seat.
"Yep."
"So it's just the two of us in this Benz—"
THUMP!
Before she could finish, a loud smack hit the window right next to her head—startling her.
Both Syd and Jody turned toward the noise—only to see Roxxy Barrett standing outside.
"Make that three," the girl said flatly, as if she'd been eavesdropping (which she had).
"... Huh?" Syd raised an eyebrow, lowering the window. "Didn't you say you were taking the Audi?"
"Changed my mind."
Roxxy's eyes flicked between Jody and Priya in the back seat.
"Three is safer. If Priya wakes up and grabs you from behind, we're flipping this car and all dying on the spot."
"..."
Couldn't argue with that logic.
Roxxy walked around to the back door and climbed in, sitting diagonally behind Jody.
Though... both Syd and Jody could feel it. There was more to Roxxy's decision than just safety.
Vrrrrr—
The Benz merged onto the road, slipping into the flow of traffic unnoticed. Once they reached the main streets, traffic inevitably slowed. Thankfully, the windows were heavily tinted, so no one could see inside.
As they sat at a red light, Syd looked out over the console. By chance, their bridge offered a panoramic view of the city—skyscrapers bathed in golden light against a black sky. The cool AC and muffled hum of the road made for a strangely peaceful atmosphere—if you ignored the chaos they left behind.
The sight stirred something in him... a specific feeling.
That same feeling you get sitting in a cool, dark car around 10 p.m., crossing the Rama IX bridge, gazing out at the glittering city—feeling like an outsider... calm, detached, strangely wistful.
And when he turned to glance at the passenger seat—he froze.
Jody was gazing out at the same skyline, her features softly illuminated by the warm city lights. She looked... stunning, like she belonged in that moment.
Syd blinked, shaking off the daze as Jody turned, catching him staring. He quickly adjusted the mirror, pretending to fiddle with the AC.
"...You're not gonna rest?" he asked, still tapping the steering wheel.
He knew she'd been through hell tonight. With Roxxy watching the back, she could afford to take a break.
"I'm fine... I can keep going."
"Your eyes say otherwise."
"I'm fine..."
"The seat reclines, you know. There's a button. Just find it... How are you not passed out with the AC this cold?"
"You might be right... yawn..."
Her eyes were indeed drooping.
"Get some sleep. I'll wake you if anything happens. If you don't wake up after three tries, I'm kicking you out."
"...gently, please."
Jody mumbled before hitting the recline button—too hard.
Thunk.
The seat reclined straight into Roxxy's knees.
Jody froze.
Damn it. She'd been trying to avoid interacting with this kid all night, and now she'd literally invaded her space.
"... Sorry..."
"..."
"...."
Here it comes. Jody squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for the outburst. Roxxy must hate her even more now—probably thinks she did it on purpose.
But instead...
"...It's fine."
"...?"
"...."
"....."
Did she hear that right?
Did Roxxy... respond in a normal tone?
"...Hey, Jody."
A hand reached over from the back seat—holding Jody's cracked iPhone.
"You left this."
"...Thanks."
She took it, stunned.
"I'll swap it out for a new one once we get back."
"...."
"...Thanks."
Jody was confused for a moment—then something clicked.
And Roxxy... must've known that Jody had figured it out.
Ah... so that's what this is.
A faint smile crept across Jody's face. She didn't look back—just let herself drift off to sleep.
Roxxy, however, remained fully awake. Scenes from earlier flashed through her mind—fighting Trigon, facing Soo-min... and all the times Jody had saved her life.
If Jody hadn't been there, Roxxy might not be alive right now. And not once—not even once—had Jody used it to claim credit or hold it over her.
Sure, she was rough around the edges—just like Roxxy—but tonight, through actions alone, Jody had said more than any words ever could.
Roxxy didn't realize it yet, but her opinion of Jody... had shifted.
Her bias had weakened. Reformed itself into something new.
A question:
Could it be… that Jody has actually changed?
"..."
Jody was out cold now. Only the two siblings in the front were still awake.
"Hey..."
"Yeah?"
"What do you really think about Jody? Be honest."
Roxxy knew she'd asked this before—but this time her tone was different. This time... it was sincere.
"..."
"You've already asked me that once. And my answer's still the same."
"Oh…"
She looked into the rearview mirror, locking eyes with her brother. Then turned back to the city outside.
"Shanghai kinda feels like Rama IX."
"Guess our homes aren't all that different."
"Play something."
Syd tapped the screen, and a mellow, fitting tune began to play. It softened the mood in the car.
"Hey, Kan…"
"Hm?"
"Why'd you really get in this car? Don't tell me you still don't trust this farang?"
* farang = what Thai people call a white individual.
"That's part of it..."
Roxxy kept her gaze on the passing skyline.
"But honestly…"
"...?"
"I don't think she's as bad as I thought."
"Huh?"
"'Huh' your ass. Say it again and I'll slap you."
She frowned, ears turning red.
"...Weren't you trying to kill her earlier?"
"I dunno... I just…"
"..."
She trailed off.
"Forget it."
"What? Say it."
"If I say it, you'll just roast me. I'd rather not."
"Oh come on. Why am I the bad guy now?"
"You are."
"midget looking ahh"
"There! Bullying again. What's wrong with being 165 cm, huh?"
Roxxy sighed, leaning against the window.
"I'm telling Mom."
"Don't—Kan, I was kidding."
Roxxy glanced at Priya and checked her breathing with a hand, then leaned back.
The notebook Trigon had taken was already destroyed—Syd burned it. With nothing to do now, she checked the time...
11:45 PM.
"..."
So sleepy.
But the mission comes first. She had to stay alert for Syd's sake—just in case.
Suddenly—
Buzz! Buzz!
Both their phones vibrated at the same time.
"Huh?"
"We got a message at the same time. Is it from Jade?"
"I'm driving. Check it for me."
Roxxy picked up her phone and opened the message.
"...Yeah. It's from Jade."
"What's it say?"
Syd asked while keeping his eyes on the road. Roxxy read, and her expression turned pale.
"..."
"What is it?"
She didn't respond.
"Kan? What's it say?"
"It's... Jody's test result."
"It's out already?"
"Yeah…"
Too fast.
"And?"
"...."
Syd glanced at her in the mirror, and she stared back—eyes wide.
"It's positive."
"!!!"
Syd went completely silent.
They turned off the music.
And both stared ahead at the sleeping girl in the front seat...
Syd Barrett's face darkened instantly.