The desert wind swept through the barren landscape, tugging at the wide-brimmed hats of Jed and Charlie. The sun hung low in the sky, a fiery orb bleeding into the horizon, casting long shadows over the dry earth. Jed adjusted the weight of Ahiga, still knocked out cold, and grunted as he hauled him up onto the saddle of Ahiga's horse. The leather creaked under the added weight.
Charlie stood nearby, arms crossed, his face set in a grim scowl. He watched the process with a mix of disinterest and lingering resentment.
"So, why not just kill him?" Charlie asked, his tone casual but edged with venom. "After all the crap he's pulled on us, seems like the simplest answer."
Jed tightened the rope securing Ahiga to the horse, his expression unreadable. "We've got bigger problems than him, kid," he replied, brushing the dirt off his gloves. "Those two fellas from earlier? They're the real deal. You go killin' Ahiga here, and we might as well sign our own death warrants. His people we'll be on us faster than a rattlesnake on a mouse."
Charlie blinked in surprise before a sly grin spread across his face. "Uncle Jed, I think I'm startin' to like this killer streak of yours. Never figured you'd be the type to think like that."
Jed shot him a sharp glare, his voice cutting through the dry air like a whip. "Don't go gettin' ideas, boy. I ain't the type to kill for convenience, and I sure as hell don't kill outta anger. There's lines you don't cross unless you want your soul to get blacker than coal." He spat into the dirt, his eyes narrowing. "Only the truly bad ones get the sharp end of my knife. Ahiga ain't worth it—yet."
Charlie snorted, his grin fading into a sneer. "Whatever you say." He turned his back on Jed and walked to his horse, Silver Tempest, who stood patiently a few paces away.
Jed watched him for a moment, his sharp eyes narrowing. "How's your horse holding up?"
Charlie ran a hand along Silver Tempest's sleek coat, his posture softening slightly as he muttered, "He's fine. Tough as nails, this one."
Jed nodded, reaching into his saddlebag and pulling out a well-worn brush. He tossed it toward Charlie, who caught it midair.
"Take care of him," Jed said, his voice softening. "A good horse'll stick by you when nobody else will."
"Yeah, yeah," Charlie muttered, crouching down to brush Silver Tempest. "Thanks, I guess."
As Charlie worked, Jed wandered toward Charlie's saddle. His gaze flicked to the map tucked into one of the saddlebags, the edges worn and frayed. Curiosity tugged at him, and he pulled it out, unfolding it carefully. His eyes scanned the markings, lingering on the bold red X.
It was in Texas.
His stomach sank as the realization hit him. The crystal wasn't in Mexico anymore. Somebody had gotten to it first.
Before he could process what this meant, a sharp, guttural cry tore through the air.
"Ahhh!"
Jed's head snapped up, and he saw Charlie doubled over, clutching his stomach. The brush clattered to the ground as Charlie staggered, his face contorted in pain.
"Charlie!" Jed barked, rushing to his nephew's side. He grabbed him by the shoulders, steadying him as Charlie gasped for air. "What's wrong? Talk to me!"
Charlie's voice was strained, barely more than a whisper. "It's... my chest... my lungs... feels like I'm on fire."
Jed's jaw tightened, his face hardening as he guided Charlie to sit down. "Damn it, boy," he muttered under his breath. "You should've told me it was this bad."
Charlie shook his head, his breathing shallow. "Ain't nothin' to tell. Just been losin' weight is all. Ain't fat, ain't skinny... now I'm just... nothin'. Feels like I'm wastin' away."
Jed knelt beside him, his expression unreadable, but his voice betrayed a tinge of something close to guilt. "You ain't nothin', Charlie," he said quietly. "You're tougher than half the men I've ridden with, and that's sayin' somethin'. But you gotta take care of yourself. This... this cancer—it's a fight, just like any other."
Charlie let out a bitter laugh, his voice rasping. "Yeah, well, I ain't winnin' this one, Jed. Can't even win against myself, let alone everything else. And now... now we're out here chasin' after this damn crystal, and what good does it do? It's always gone. Always outta reach."
Jed hesitated, glancing back at the map still clutched in his hand. He knew he had to tell Charlie, but the words felt heavy in his throat.
After a long pause, he finally said, "Listen, I... I got some news."
Charlie raised a brow, his expression somewhere between irritated and exhausted. "Great. What now?"
Jed held up the map, his voice measured. "The crystal—it ain't in Mexico no more. Somebody beat us to it. The X... it's marked in Texas now."
Charlie stared at him for a long moment before slumping back against the rock behind him. "Ain't that just great," he muttered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "We came all this way, chasin' shadows, and for what? To get here just in time to miss it—again."
Jed didn't respond immediately, his gaze fixed on the horizon. When he finally spoke, his voice was low but steady.
"We ain't quitters, Charlie," he said. "Not you, not me. This road's been long and hard, sure, but the way I see it, if we've come this far, there ain't no point in turnin' back now. That crystal might be in Texas, but we'll get there. Hell or high water, we'll get there."
Charlie didn't reply. He just stared out into the distance, the weight of their journey pressing down on him like the encroaching darkness of the desert night. Jed stood up from his spot on the rocky ground, brushing dust from his worn coat. The morning sun in Mexico was already starting to beat down, but the distant clouds on the northern horizon told another story. He adjusted his hat and squinted, his brow furrowing slightly.
"It's gonna rain soon," Jed muttered, his voice carrying a faint rasp. He tilted his head to the side, motioning with a nod toward the horizon. "Once we get into Texas, that storm's gonna catch up with us. We'll need some proper clothes for it."
Charlie, leaning against his horse, casually inspecting his saddle strap, shrugged. "Yeah, I figured. You got somethin' in mind?"
Jed smirked faintly and gestured toward the pack on the ground. "Got just the thing for you."
Charlie raised an eyebrow. "What about you?"
Jed tapped the brim of his wide hat. "My hat's big enough to keep the worst of it off my head. Rest of me can deal with getting wet. Ain't my first storm."
Charlie let out a chuckle. "Guess I don't have that luxury, huh?"
**A few days later in Texas**
The campfire crackled softly in the quiet night. The Texan rainstorm Jed had predicted earlier was still some ways off, but the cool breeze carried a dampness that promised its arrival soon. Jed lay on his back, an old, battered book resting open in his hands. The light from the fire flickered over the pages, casting shadows that danced across his face.
A rustling noise from behind made Jed pause. He didn't even glance up from his book as he spoke, his tone dry and sharp. "You better not be sneakin' up on me, Charlie."
Charlie stepped into the firelight, wearing something that immediately caught Jed's attention. His jacket was unlike anything Jed had seen—a puffy, insulated coat with sleek black fabric and striking blue accents. The crescent moon emblem on the chest gleamed faintly in the firelight, and the star-shaped motifs on the sleeves seemed almost alive with detail. The hood, lined with celestial designs, hung loosely over Charlie's back.
Jed sat up slowly, closing his book with a thud. He gave Charlie a once-over, his face a mix of amusement and disbelief. "Boy, it ain't even rainin' yet. Why the hell are you dressed like that?"
Charlie shrugged, rubbing the edge of the coat's sleeve between his fingers. "I dunno, Jed. Looks nice, don't it?"
Jed chuckled dryly, shaking his head. "Looks like you're tryin' to make the moon jealous." He leaned back again, propping himself up on one elbow. "You keep prancin' around like that, Charlie, someone's gonna mistake you for a city boy. Ain't much room for showin' off out here."
Charlie smirked. "Better to look good while we're miserable, don't you think?"
Jed sighed, picking up his book again. "Just don't let that fancy thing slow you down when the rain hits. You're gonna find out quick that lookin' nice don't mean a damn thing when you're neck-deep in trouble."
Charlie chuckled softly, settling down near the fire, the faint shimmer of his coat catching the firelight.