Angela woke in a mood so good that it surprised her. She had long since given up on expecting to feel happy when waking and would try to stay awake as long as possible to avoid ever needing sleep, usually coming to an eventual crash; both in the sense of her falling asleep and physically slamming her machine wherever it landed.

She blamed the food, having gone for years using the machine’s capability to feed nutrients through squashed animals up to her body; she had forgotten how nice it was to have a hot meal. However, at that moment, the young woman could not deny the peace and calmness that she had not felt for many years. It was like she was freed from the grip of dozens of hands and was freed of the sights of past horrors. She almost smiled, but a tug from the cord lodged into her back as she tried to stretch reminded Angela of where she was.

Her red eyes immediately focused on Glasses, who slept so peacefully that one could hardly believe he was lying on the edge of a long drop. Angela clenched her teeth and growled. It took her a moment longer to remember she could speak; she had gone so long making nothing but guttural screeches. She shouted out at the boy in her machine. “Why the hell are you here?”

Stolen novel; please report.

If Glasses had been jumpy, he might have fallen from the Reaper in shock. Fortunately, he was slow to be lulled from sleep and instead groaned and moved slowly—as if she was trying to wake him up gently.

After a yawn and a long stretch of his arms, Glasses turned to the girl—whose face was distorted by her fury—and smiled.

“-orning,” he said lazily.

“Get out!” Angela hissed. The young man looked down at his companions, who were making noise as they loaded things into the jeep.

“Hey, guys! When’s breakfast? I think Angela might be ready to eat!”

“The only thing I’m ready for is for you to leave.”

Helmet was the first to reply.

“We’re low on food, but there should be a river before the town. Ask her if it’s okay to wait!”

“Tell her we’ll catch a ton of fish, more than she might ever wish!” Bandana added.

“Well, you heard them,” Glasses said as he turned to Angela. She pressed her fingers to the center of her forehead and shook her head. A quick flip from the mech would likely throw Glasses out to the ground below. Then she could simply run away, but the prospect of another meal was tempting to the young woman. She restrained shouting a series of curses at Glasses and simply nodded. “She’s all good!” he shouted after seeing the girls reply. Angela was certain that her face betrayed her sour mood, but she figured the young man before her was simply stupid.