The needle on the speedometer rose sharply as I floored the pedal. Speed limit signs flashed past, but I ignored them; the police would be a welcome sight around now, anyway. I glanced into the mirror and watched the hotel recede into the night.

Speed. That was the only advantage I had over them. I’d never seen one use a car, or indeed any machine, so it was likely they didn’t know how to use them. They could run fast, but so what? I had a full tank, reasonably fresh tyres, and the road was clear.

Lights from oncoming cars came and went within seconds, their horns blending into a discordant wail as I raced past them. I smiled, slightly. I had got so angry at people who drove like this in the past. Funny how things change.

Both wing mirrors were blank, there were no lights in the rear-view either. I’d lost them. I pulled over to the side, switched off the lights, and listened as the engine rattled into silence.

Then, right in my left ear, a voice.

“We don’t appear in mirrors, remember?”