I'm staying for this.

“Yeah,” you look at her firmly. “I’ll stick around for this.”

…

…

You discussed what to do with Elko after you left the house. The sun line creeps into the horizon as the ringing in your ears fades. Scarlet seemed confident that the leftover population could kick the remnants of Hetch’s group out independently. However, their opinions of Contractors will be severely damaged. She sighs and admits that her reputation will be struck once her papers are done. That doesn’t seem to affect her much.

Arabella and the twins took most of your supplies. You looted what you could from the house, which was ample for you and Scarlet. You wasted no time leaving and began a trek back to the next (hopefully) hospitable town. If Arabella had followed your instructions, she should have arrived hours earlier.

A tinge of worry is etched over your mind, and you are only distracted by a sudden dip in terrain.

Scarlet catches herself but is also caught off guard by the drop. You know where your mind is, but you’re surprised to see your companion let this change go unnoticed.

It’ll take an extra hour to reach Sunny Springs, so you take a break beneath a cliff and catch your breath, issuing out foods to contain your hunger and thirst.

In the shade, you enjoy a kind of peace you are familiar with. A hot breeze cuts through the rocky landscape, carrying a fresh smell of clean air. There was no piney or wild afterthought, just sandy earth.

Scarlet stretches her hand out into direct sunlight and flexes her fingers as she spreads them. You see bloody digits and damaged skin. Not all the gore you spot is hers, though. There’s residue from Hetch’s **** on her, as much residue as there is on you, too. Tucked away in the shade, you examine your knuckles and nails— skin, blood, cuts. You tighten your hands into a fist and shake it with your fingers loose.

You run your fingers with a sigh, leaning back to see the clear sky above. It was about to get hot. Scarlet stands above you, reminding you it is time to move on. You agree but almost wish to have done nothing for a bit longer. “Let’s get going.”

It was dark when you got to Sunny Springs. It was small, with only two businesses. A bar or saloon, as advertised, and a general store were closed.

A tumbleweed tumbles in the breeze as the smell of tobacco gets carried down through the empty streets. The houses have lights bleeding through the boarded windows, so you know people are around.

Scarlet sneezes and rubs her nose with her hand as she curses. “Your pets or whatever are around here, I’m sure. But how about a drink? On me.”

You scan the area. It’s so quiet here it feels like you should be feeling on edge, but instead, you feel at ease. “I don’t know. Isn’t this kind of weird?”

Scarlet looks around. “What?”

“It’s so…quiet here.”

“Of course. We’re in the middle of nowhere. The next big town is an hour's walk away. Not to mention, there's a little bit of a skirmish between the local powers.”

“You’re well-informed,” you say. “Who are the local powers?”

Scarlet makes a face. “Red, blue and green. I don’t live here, so how the fuck should I know?”

“I take back what I said.”

Scarlet apologizes. “Are we splitting ways now, or are you coming for a drink? I could use some good company,” she smiles slightly. “I’ll even talk a little bit.”