An Empty Camp

(Originally by DanceDanceImmolation)

The whole place was eerily quiet as Texas advanced, the only noises being the distant howl of the wind and the skittering of sand across her boots. Texas couldn't decide if she liked the idea of quiet, because on one hand it meant that she hadn't been spotted yet and that was certainly a plus, but on the other it meant that there might not be anyone to spot her to begin with!

Texas smelled the first sign of life in the Gorge before she had saw them, two dozen stolen cattle roped up in a small enclosure by the stream. They didn't seem to mind her, as she crept by, but the thick odor of manure that assaulted Texas made sure she hurried by them all the same. Just past the cattle was what looked like a fortified mining foreman's office that would seem to be a perfect place for a gang boss to set up shop. There were no lights on, but Texas slid open the front door as quietly as she could just in case. And, much to her surprise, inside was,

"Nothing." She huffed.

Nothing at all, save for what one might expect to find in the small building. A few pounds of dry meal, some odd tools, and some old pieces of work documents that were doing nothing but collecting dust. Not a sign of Jacks or her crew to be found, in fact the base looks like it hadn't been touched in some time. It was all disappointing beyond words for Texas.

Texas spit on the ground and said, "I guess the only thing to do now is-"

Suddenly, Texas was cut off by a tremendous rumbling sound. The entire shack seemed to shake beneath her feet, and Texas could barely hear herself think with all the noise. It took her a moment, but she quickly realized that the sound was coming from...