Sand Snakes?!? What the fug are they doing scrounging the 'Yard? Have I been gone too much lately? When the cat's away the mice will play...
I see Mimi drawing near. She still has that pistol she scrounged off the dead UF mortar dude, and I'm ho…
A peacefulness washes over me as I stare at my sleeping guest. I feel her weariness too, and it drives my own into the forefront. I've kept myself busy, but now I'm just flat tired, and my shoulder is throbbing and stiffening. It's been awhile since…
Yeah I give her 50-50 she's just here rhymin' and stealin'. But aside from swagman and the few really valuable things I've got locked in the Caddy truck, there ain't nothing else here I'd really miss that she'd wanna take. As for swagman, Chaz didn'…
"Right this way to the suite." I lead Mimi to the big rusted out yellow school bus hulk, where I have a pit dug out underneath. It's about four feet deep and basically runs the length between the front and rear axles. There's a couple of the bus ben…
I leave the shotgun on the driver's seat and make a mental note about finding something in the 'Yard that I can strap to my leg as a makeshift holster. It's already sawn-off, so I should be able to fit some that works. Need to dig a pit to throw Sa…
I watch Mimi run off to swagman after her big flip off, and then I look back to Cinch and cock my head quizzically. "Does everybody already know everybody? Sorry Cinch, she's had a rough coupla days. Thanks again. I owe ya. If ya a need a favor, lo…
I shudder thinking that in the space of 30 seconds I almost got blowed up twice. I'm off my game, clearly. Staring down a primed mortar tube shook me up more than I figured. That, or maybe tryin' to show off in front of ole Cinch over there.
Mimi's…
Cinch! I'd recognize her anywhere. I remember every one of the handful of days she's stopped by the junkyard to grab a piece of sheet metal, spot weld a loose piece of armor, or pull a part from one of the old wrecks. For a moment, I'm stunned that …
I feel the bullet get through a seam between the pelts and old riot gear, and somewhere in the back of my mind, I suppose I feel the burn and pain of the slug. But pain is really a state of mind and right now my state of mind is wholly fixed on taki…
Buses, vans, box trucks... they all blendin' together. I hear Chaz' voice in my ear, too, "like juicy fruit that needs to be plucked." Just a bunch of fugging cowboys, these UF'ers, as I nod quickly in the mirror. Yeah, them Skorps don't give a rat'…
Ugh. Wrong place, wrong time, Mimi... Well, that plan where I send those UF'ers on a wild goose chase hunting Mimi down by the Shady Shops is no good... those Skorps will see her hiding in their bike row in just a minute. What I need now is what Cha…
Fug it all to the blazes, UF'ers! I'm sure they spooked Mimi and she's hiding out somewhere. I look around, scanning the distance, not really expecting to see her, but maybe if she's watching she'll give a signal.
I'm more concerned with how I can…
I just stand there staring back at Esco as Isle comes to fetch him, stone cold silent, appearing to ignore Isle's barb. My feelings aren't hurt in the least, I'm just stunned and dumbfounded at the graciousness and generosity from Esco. No one else…
I let out a long exhale through the breather box, and look down and begin picking at the scabs on my arms again. Talking to June about the voices inside is one thing, but shite like that won't fly with Esco. But, I know like with Last, it's time for…
"Yeah, yeah, Esco. Ziggy's cowboys didn't dare fug with me as I walked out the roadblock that morning. I was waitin' on Mot outside the block, ready to go hit Ziggy, but Preen had a hard-on to give Motley the blazes. Was tryin' to get more scratch o…
I nod as I see Esco recognize the fork. "Yeah, I thought these was yours when I found them in the scrounge from the Borax Bus. I've got the whole set in a hidey-hole back at the Junkyard. I been hanging on to 'em since me and Chaz picked off that bu…
I spy Esco looking like he's ready to make like the wind, so I approach him quickly, interposing myself between him and the exit. I pull out his fancy silver fork from momma's purse and hold up for him to see as I walk up. "Hey, Esco, I can't belie…
Ah, fug.... the look. Shite. "Oh, sorry, June, sorry, I-I-shoulda warned ya. I can't talk about shite like this with that thing on." A quick pointer finger at the face, "It happened when I was a wee-teeter, don't even remember it, ya know. Told ya I…
So many words. Hard to keep up, remember it all. Journals, prescriptions... what exactly is that?
But June does think I know the things I need to do, and I feel confidence and assurance flowing in, knowing that, receiving that. I'm nodding, "Yeah, …
I nod slightly and look down at the ground. There's so much of them to look at for long. Picking at one of the scores of small scabs on my arms, I say, "I do believe you, June. And I'm glad we had this fireside chat. Because of what I know you did t…
"Yeah, it's not Iike I saved ya from any harm. She's in pitiful shape. Except for her ego and pride. Hadn't eaten in days. Almost too weak to stand, much less do anything to you. I've encouraged her to move on, but we'll see. Just wanted to give you…
I exhale deeply, glad to be free of the Pit and the small talk. "Sorry... I think I might have killed your action with Last. Let me know if you want me to patch it up...
But, I thought you should know I caught someone dogging you today. This prolly…
"Me, smoke? Uh, naw, I got this thing blocking my face, in case you didn't notice." I make a nervous laugh at my joke, but it's only trying to hide my impatience with a place like The Pit, being chained to the Amazons like some pet dragon, and the a…