Dustrunner - A Science Fiction Western Adventure (The Coilhunter Chronicles Book 3) by Wilson Dean F

Author:Wilson, Dean F.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dioscuri Press
Published: 2018-02-27T00:00:00+00:00

24 – CHECKIN' IN

The Coilhunter searched his place, finding a hole in the door leading up a shaft to the plateau above, where he kept his windmill, generator, and antennae, some of the machinery that kept the business of the law running. The door had been blasted open, and there were likely more hunters parked outside. Nox boarded it up quick, hoping for a moment's rest. You'd think you could count on that in your own home, but everyone was a kind of drifter, temporarily nailed down. The shifting sands, and man's shifting nature, didn't make it last for long.

 When he was certain his workshop was empty, except for his tools, toys, and weapons, and him and Handcart Sally, he sat down with her at a table with less clutter on it than most. He scooped aside some tools and rolled up his schematics. There was only one person out there better than him at making vehicles, and that man was dead. The desert didn't want new things.

 “You want a drink?” Nox asked.

 “D'ya even have to ask?”

 Nox poured two whiskeys. He was hesitant when unlatching his mask, revealing the scars. It wasn't embarrassment, as some thought. It was shame. He would've worn them proudly if he'd gotten his kids out, if he'd gotten his wife out, if he'd even saved one of them. But he failed, and Emma had paid. Little Ambrose had paid. Little Aaron had paid. He'd arrived too late, having spent a long night in his workshop at Loggersridge. Now he spent all his nights here in this new workshop, or out chasing folk who started fires.

 Sally swamped down her glass. “I needed that.”

 Nox did the same. He felt he needed the bottle.

 He topped up both glasses. He knew soon he'd be topping up his ammunition and returning to the battleground. You savoured the little moments in-between, because they were all you got. Life'd tried to take them too.

 He suddenly thought about Luke and Laura. “Where are the kids?”

 “They're with my sister.”

 “At that whorehouse?”

 “They'll be safe there, Nox. Safer than you.”

 “God, Sally.”

 “Hey, don't you judge me. I've been through my own hell too, y'know. It hasn't been easy for them either. We're fendin' off raiders on the ranch, left, right and centre. Luke said it reminded him of home. I don't think he meant it in a good way.”

 “I could have—”

 “No, Nox. We're doin' fine.” She paused. “Not everyone needs a saviour.”

 He sighed. “Except maybe me.”

 “Well, it's lucky I'm here then, huh?” She smiled.

 “You should stay outta this. It's too dangerous.”

 “Well, I'm in it now.”

 “No, you're not. You should ride back to the ranch.”

 “Maybe I should, but I won't. Not yet.”

 Nox grumbled. It there was anyone more stubborn than he was, it was Sally.

 “How'd you get down here? Did you take your horse? He won't be safe in the canyon.”

 “I tied him at the step of the northern pass. He wouldn't come into the canyon. Big old scaredy-cat, that horse.”

 “That's Ootana horses for you. They spook easily.”

 “You got that right.

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