<span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: impact;">The Desert</span></span><br/><em>On the trail of the elusive Joanne and her cats</em><br/><br/><br/>The Gunslinger had managed to hijack an old four by four that used to have only rust to complain about but was now littered with numerous bullet holes digging into its chassis and having popped out its back, tail lights. The weather had been so hot that dust and sweat caked his face brown, and thin, hot streams of sweat ran down his neck muscles to bead upon the built curves of his pectorals. He didn’t remove his duster for it was just that that kept him from getting sun burn. Now, to introduce the rest of the unfortunate clowns that had decided to come with him.<br/><br/>Besides Marilyn, it was the priest and that gambling girl whose names he hadn’t bothered to learn. Apyrl was nothing but a delirious gold-digger. The Gunslinger hadn’t forgotten her crazed religious belief that The Drifter was better than him. The thought made him lick his dry lips before he then turned his head out the window to spit onto the sand. He swore his saliva had evaporated just before it touched the earth. Regardless, he put Apryl in the truck bed with that crazy preacher. They were lucky that he wasn’t entirely heartless for he had given them a large, blanket to keep shade under, and they were all he was willing to stow back there.<br/><br/>Up front, Zieg kept a keg of water and some drinking mugs, a few bottles of whiskey, wrapped bread, meat, and cheese. The bartender was long dead to complain about stolen goods, which made The Gunslinger feel more obliged to take what he needed. “Jesus Christ,” the Gunslinger muttered before dragging the back of his fist across his muddy brows. He had walked the desert countless times, and he thought he’d be use to the temperature, but the heat always seemed to change whether being not so bad or intense. It wouldn’t last long for in a few hours the sun would set and he hoped by then they’d find a nice roadhouse to stay in.<br/><br/>The Gunslinger’s dark eyes darted up into the review mirror so that he could curiously peer into the truck bed. He couldn’t help but wonder if the sun had baked the two of them back there or were they still hanging on. Reluctantly, Zieg called, “You two still alive back there?”