Like an old sci-fi flick, she watched the dark object approach through the windscreen on a collision course with the 4x4. Elise rolled down her window and visually measured the distance. Timing the speed between them, she took careful aim and flung the rock as hard as she would on the cricket field against her brother.

The rock skimmed the base of the drone, missing the camera by centimeters. The drone lifted straight into the air, its green blinking light, relaying feed to its operator.

Elise groaned, slammed on the accelerator, then stopped. Unfortunately, Gilmont had a handle on her strategy now. If she stayed put for long, whoever operated that drone would catch up in their vehicle. In general, Elise didn’t mind a shootout, but not with a child in the crossfire.

“Sammy? How good are you at steering?”

“Dad lets me steer all the time,” Sammy said with a self-important puff of his chest.

“Do you need help when he lets you? I need an honest answer.”

“Sometimes Dad helps when I go crooked.” Sammy made cow eyes, then hung his head.

“That’s all right. No worries. I’m going to drive as fast as I can, then I’d like you to steer for me. I’m going to hang out the window and throw this ball at that drone. Do you think you can keep this 4x4 on the road while I do it?”

Sammy sat up, looked out the window at the road ahead, then bit his bottom lip.

“We’ll get past these curves first,” she said, rounding a scrubby tree. “I won’t let go of the wheel until I find a straight patch for you. How’s that?”

“I can do that.”

“Pure barry,” she exclaimed, delighted with his response.

She accelerated, pebbles spewing behind the rear tires. Soon the hum of the drone reached her through the open window. Elise kept up her ruse, praying the drone would make another pass. As the minutes ticked and they drew closer to the main highway, her worries increased. If that drone didn’t make a move soon, it wouldn’t be safe for her to throw the ball. She couldn’t chance hitting another vehicle on the open highway, nor would it be safe for Sammy to steer.

She kept her hair and face covered, providing only an obscure image. Once more the drone inched up beside her, flying parallel to her window.

“Sammy, get ready. I’ll steer with my knees until my body can block most of the window and cover your presence. When I let go, I’m counting on you to keep the car straight. You can do that, can’t you?”

“Yes.”

Elise unbuckled herself and lowered her window. Pressing the accelerator, the 4x4 shot forward. Then, she maneuvered herself onto the window sill, filling the opening with her body and coat. The 4x4 began to slow.