Leslie's palm pressed against the horse's thick, hairy neck. Smooth to the touch, with each stroke. The horse welcomed Leslie's with her own greeting, bringing her snout to face and a tongue to cheek. Leslie laughed, stroking the horse gently. The sun kept the beast warm though kept her thirsty. White foam around her snout.
From her sack, Leslie removed the canteen, pouring water into her palm. The horse sniffed, and with one swipe of her tongue, dried her hand. Leslie did this several times. Water was a delicacy in the colosseum, but so was a horse, and Leslie would need her for a bit.
Suddenly, the horse whipped back, staring west then sprinting north. Sand and dust kicked up, swirling around Leslie. She waved her hand, coughing until the sands settled. Eyes blinded by particles, Leslie drew water into her palm and rinsed each one, patting her face with the bandana around her neck, and blinking until her eyes blurred into focus.
Leslie looked at the dirt, a new shadow now cast upon her. Tall and long, looming like a tower; whatever produced it stood towards the west. Leslie lifted her chin, eyes finding a pair of black boots. She raised it higher discovering black trousers, a black button shirt, a black coat and a badge; two revolvers pointed west and east, pinned to their chest. Leslie looked to the man's face. His head was corked down and to the side. A black brimmed hat masking his features.
"Jak?" Leslie's voice trembled. There was a stink of decay and feces in the air that left her breathless. "Is that you?" Leslie raised a hand; the man's head cracked, jerking right; She pulled back, eyes tearing. "It's me … Leslie."
The Leadgun's head whipped right then left. Bones cracked and popped, standing straight, slowly raising its head. Leslie clutched her bandana, fear rolling down her spine. Sunlight hit Jak's black, blotchy face. Skin flaking. Eyes dark as obsidian.
Leslie covered her mouth, tears rolling. "What have they done to you …"
Jak's eyes twitched then mouth dropped, exposing a black abyss. Ticking came from inside while a rounded, black head, attached to shelled body sediments, extended out like a tongue. Two black eyes stared for a moment.
The creature screeched then spat.
It was all reflexes; Leslie pivoted, dodging the black oily spray then swung her hand. The psycrasite retracted back into the abyss. Jak jerked and twitched to life. Leslie raised her gun, Jak swung pelting it to the sand.
Leslie spun to run; She was off her feet, launching through the air, arching over a set of wagons. She slammed into the sand with an "oof!". Hip throbbing, she stood and ran up and down dunes, passing through overturned wagons.
Behind her, the creature screeched and hissed. It moved with haste. Bones cracking. Limbs swinging. Head jerking from each shoulder. It was slower in the sand. Feet dragging though it was gaining ground. Leslie did not have the speed she normally carried. Blood leaving a trail.
Leslie glanced at a hay wagon and moved in that direction. She leaped inside and disappeared from the eyes of her pursuer, laying frozen and holding her breath. Heart drumming. The creature hissed and shrieked then went silent. Around her, the dunes became unusually still.
Leslie peered through the hay. From her shelter, she could only see sand and the blue sky. Her body trembling, fighting her to breathe. Leslie gave in and exhaled--
The next moment, a blur drove into the hay, clutching onto her bandana and heaving her from the wagon. The garment tore. She rolled in the sand, gaining more bruises. Leslie sat up and reached for her throat, fingertips gliding against flesh. Blackish-blue scars replaced her once pink neck -- marks from her past -- a past she hid and longed to forget.
Leslie looked to Jak's hand, scarlet cloth waving in the wind.
He released the cloth. Head jerked. Obsidian eyes sharp, bushy brows furrowed. The creature stood and waited for her next move; it didn't wait long.
Leslie jumped to her feet, giving a fierce cry, running with ferocity. It happened in an instant, Jak swung as she slid, sweeping the cloth into her hand, leaving a trail of sand behind her. From the man's rear, Leslie leeched onto his back, wrapping the bandana around his neck. The creature lurched from the office, half exposed. She squeezed and screamed until the creature's shrieks faded.
Jack collapsed. Mouth open. Creature twitching.
Leslie stood over the man, looking down at the anthropoid. "Nobody touches my bandana ..." She lifted her leg and brought her boot down heavy; the shell crunched, yellow guts oozing.
Leslie spat.
Her eyes found the west where the sun burned brilliantly. Horses basking on top of the dunes. Leslie smiled, feeling the wind pull on the bandana between her fingers; the cloth waving in her hand; a final farewell. She let the wind take it.
"Nice work," a voice came from behind her. "Almost thought I'd have to step in ... But you've grown a lot."
Leslie smiled, turning around slowly. The sun glimmered off Jostice's rugged face. His long-tailed coat waving with her scarlet strands of hair. They stared at one another, eyes locked.
He walked and she ran.
When they met, Leslie leaped into his arms, her legs entangling his own. Jostice held her weight, their chest pressing together. She didn't allow him to speak; their lips greeting since the long leave. He tasted like warm cigarettes. Lips dry and torn. Smelling of sweat that clung to him like cologne. They embraced while the sands churned at their boot. And when the moment was seized, he lowered her gently.
"The fires ... the ranch ... it was the Mayor." Leslie said, staring into his eyes. "He took it from me."
Jostice nodded. "And I took what was dear to him ... my blade, his piece ... and so, here we are."
"Then let's end this thing," Leslie grimaced, "once and for all."