Daily Writing Challenge, Day 1

Brindis glanced her map, a yellowed thing her grandmother had taped to the driver’s side sun shade. Outside, northern Arreboles looked like it ever did, desert and dust for miles. Even this far from the open pit mines to the south, trails of magia lingered in the sky. Abue Tati said it reminded her of the aurora borealis.

She drove in silence, except for the crunchy sound of static from the radio. Occasionally she tapped the button, just like Abue Tati told her to. The static would waver, collecting into a voice, then dissipate again.

On the fourteenth attempt, just as the northernmost coast in Lirio came into view, Brindis heard her grandmother’s creaky, almost mocking laugh over the radio.

Originally written 3.31.2024