The stars glittered like scattered jewels in the inky black sky, casting a faint light over the quiet campsite. The air was still, save for the occasional crackle of the dying fire and the distant howl of a coyote. Charlie stirred, his body heavy and sluggish, as though waking from the deepest sleep of his life. He sat up slowly, groaning as he pulled off his beanie and rubbed his head, his fingers brushing against the damp hair clinging to his forehead.
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Nearby, Jed sat slouched against a log, his hat tilted low over his face. The older man didn't move, but his gravelly voice cut through the silence like the snap of a twig. "Well, look who's decided to join the land of the livin'," he drawled, not bothering to lift his head.
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Charlie blinked, his brow furrowing as he looked around. "I... I thought I died," he muttered, his voice hoarse. His hand instinctively went to his side, where the faint memory of searing pain lingered. "I don't even know who shot me."
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Jed pushed his hat back, his sharp, weathered features catching the faint glow of the firelight. "It was George," he said simply, his tone as dry as the desert.
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Charlie froze, confusion flickering across his face before turning to anger. "George? That bastard shot me? Why?"
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Jed shrugged, the movement almost lazy. "Couldn't tell ya. Maybe he had his reasons, or maybe he just felt like stirrin' up trouble. Either way, he ain't your problem no more."
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Charlie narrowed his eyes. "What d'you mean by that?"
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Jed shifted, sitting up straighter and brushing a bit of ash off his sleeve. "He's dead," he said flatly.
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Charlie blinked, stunned. "Dead? You're sure?"
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Jed nodded. "Sure as the sun rises in the east. I buried him myself."
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The younger man's jaw tightened, and he shot Jed a sharp look. "You buried him? After he tried to kill me? What the hell, Jed?"
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Jed let out a long sigh, his expression unreadable. "I know what you're thinkin', boy. But leavin' a man like that to rot out in the open didn't sit right with me." His gaze flicked to the fire, the flames reflecting in his dark eyes. "Buryin' him wasn't for him. It was for me. Sometimes, you do a thing not 'cause it's deserved, but 'cause it keeps you from turnin' into somethin' worse."
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Charlie opened his mouth to argue, then stopped. He studied Jed's face, the weight in his uncle's voice pulling him up short. "I don't get you, Jed," he muttered finally. "I don't think I ever will."
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Jed chuckled, the sound low and humorless. "Well, good luck tryin'. I don't think I even get myself half the time."
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A long silence stretched between them, broken only by the faint crackling of the fire. Jed finally nodded toward Charlie's arm. "Take a look at your arm, boy."
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Charlie frowned, glancing down. His breath hitched as he saw faint, glowing symbols etched into his skin like embers burned into the flesh but painless. They pulsed gently, almost alive, and he instinctively turned his arm, trying to make sense of the strange markings.
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"What... what the hell is this?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly. Charlie rolled his eyes and looked back at his arm. The symbols formed instructions he could somehow read as though they were burned into his thoughts. "It says I need to stick out my fingertip… and put my left arm on my right to fire something called a light beam?"
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Jed leaned back, his expression unreadable. "Go on then. Do what it says."
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Hesitant but curious, Charlie raised his right arm, bracing it with his left hand as instructed. His index fingertip glowed faintly, a golden-yellow light pooling there. A second later, a thin, concentrated beam shot out, piercing the darkness with a sharp hiss.
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Jed sat bolt upright, his eyes wide. "Well, I'll be damned."
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Charlie stumbled back, staring at his hand like it belonged to someone else. "What the hell just happened? Why am I shooting light out of my finger?"
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Jed smirked, pulling his hat down a little lower. "Welcome to the Holy Crystal's club. Guess Cody thought you needed somethin' extra for this little journey of ours."
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Charlie shook his head, trying to process. "This… this is insane."
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Jed's voice softened. "Yeah, maybe. But look at it this way—you've got a weapon now. A powerful one. Just don't go shootin' me by accident, alright?"
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Charlie sighed, the weight of the revelation pressing down on him. "Fine. Let's get some rest. We've got a long way to Mexico, don't we?" The dawn broke softly, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink as the two prepared to leave camp. Jed stood by the horses, adjusting King's saddle while Charlie stretched, wincing as his sore muscles protested.
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"I fed the horses, cleaned 'em up, and even got us some food," Jed said gruffly, handing Charlie a small pack. "So don't go complainin' you're starvin'."
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Charlie grinned, taking the pack. "Ain't complainin'. I was hungry, though." He opened the pack and began munching on some bread.
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Jed glanced over and raised an eyebrow as Charlie unzipped his pants and nonchalantly peed on the remains of the fire. "Boy?" Jed muttered, shaking his head. "Ain't got a lick of class in you."
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Charlie smirked as he zipped up. "Class don't keep a man alive, Uncle Jed."
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Jed rolled his eyes, climbing onto King. "Maybe not, but it sure as hell don't make him look like a jackass either."
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Charlie chuckled, hopping onto Silver Tempest. The two set off, the trail before them winding through a vast field of vibrant purple flowers swaying in the breeze. Tall trees framed the landscape, and in the distance, the mountains rose majestically under the morning sky.
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The air was fresh, the world quiet except for the steady clop of hooves. After a while, Charlie broke the silence. "What d'you reckon George wanted with us, anyway?"
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Jed's expression darkened. "Man like that? Probably didn't need a reason. Some folks just like to stir up hell 'cause they can."
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Charlie nodded, but his thoughts lingered. "Do you think this—" he raised his glowing hand "—was what he was after?"
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Jed glanced over, his face thoughtful. "Maybe. But if it was, you best believe he ain't the only one. Things like that crystal? They bring out the worst in people. Greed. Power. Desperation. You're gonna have to be ready for that, boy."
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Charlie's jaw tightened, his gaze fixed ahead. "I will be."
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Jed let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "Confidence is good, but don't let it turn into cockiness. Seen too many men think they're invincible, only to end up six feet under."
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Charlie smirked. "You always know how to brighten the mood, don't you?"
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Jed grinned, his voice tinged with sarcasm. "It's a gift."
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The two rode on, the trail narrowing as it wove into the dense forest, the flowers giving way to towering pines. The weight of their journey hung heavy, but for now, there was a strange sense of calm—a moment of quiet before the storm.
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The sun rose slowly over the horizon, casting a golden glow on the dense Oregon forest. Charlie and Jed rode silently, their horses' hooves muffled by the soft earth. The crisp morning air carried the faint scent of pine, mingling with the earthy smell of damp soil.
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Charlie adjusted his beanie, his shoulders tense as the trail curved ahead. Jed led the way, his seasoned hands guiding King with ease, his eyes scanning the landscape for any signs of trouble. They had packed light, their saddlebags holding only the essentials—food, water, ammunition, and a few supplies scavenged along the way.
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As they descended into a sprawling meadow, the thick forest began to thin. Vibrant purple flowers blanketed the field, swaying gently in the breeze. A flock of birds took flight from a distant tree, their wings beating against the calm sky. Charlie's eyes wandered over the scenery, his mind still reeling from the symbols etched on his arm and the power they carried.
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They camped that night under a canopy of stars, the fire crackling softly in the stillness. Charlie stretched out on his bedroll, staring at the glowing embers as Jed methodically cleaned his revolver. The distant howl of a coyote echoed through the night, a sharp reminder of the wilderness they were navigating.
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By the third day, the forest gave way to open plains. The horses' pace quickened as the terrain flattened, their breaths visible in the chilly morning air. They passed an abandoned farmhouse, its roof caved in and windows shattered, a solemn monument to lives long forgotten. Charlie glanced at it briefly, but Jed didn't so much as turn his head.
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The journey grew harsher as they neared the desert. The green fields faded into dry, cracked earth, the sun beating down mercilessly. They rode past cacti and jagged rocks, the heat shimmering on the horizon. Flies buzzed around their heads, and the horses' hooves kicked up clouds of dust.
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By the time they crossed into Mexico, the landscape had transformed into a vast expanse of rugged hills and golden sands. A dry wind swept across the land, carrying the faint scent of sagebrush. The peaks of distant mountains loomed against the night sky, their jagged silhouettes promising challenges yet to come.
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Jed pulled his horse to a stop at the crest of a hill, looking out over the endless expanse. Charlie halted beside him, his gaze fixed on the journey ahead. They didn't speak, but the weight of what lay before them hung heavy in the air. The night was still, blanketed by a vast expanse of stars that shimmered against a deep indigo sky. A cold wind swept across the desert, carrying with it the faint rustle of distant sands. Jed and Charlie sat astride their horses, silhouetted against the faint glow of a crescent moon. Silver Tempest pawed at the ground impatiently beneath Charlie, while Jed's horse, King, stood steady, as if embodying the calm patience of its rider.
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Jed let out a weary sigh, rubbing a calloused hand over his stubbled jaw. "We finally made it, boy," he muttered, his voice low and gruff, carrying a mix of relief and skepticism.
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Charlie, his face pale from the long journey, leaned forward and exhaled heavily. "Yeah," he said, his tone a little incredulous. "Didn't think we'd pull it off."
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Jed tilted his head, scanning the horizon. "Now where to?"
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Charlie dug into his saddlebag, fumbling noisily. He pulled items out, shuffled them around, then stuffed them back in with increasing frustration. Jed groaned, slumping in the saddle and covering his face with one hand.
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"Don't tell me," Jed said with biting sarcasm. "You lost the damn map."
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Charlie snapped his head up, glaring. "No, damn it! I'm just checkin'!" His hands moved faster, more frantic, until finally, he yanked a folded parchment free. "Aha! Got it!"
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Unfolding the map, Charlie smoothed it out against Silver Tempest's neck, squinting in the dim light. "We're in the area," he said, his finger tracing over the faded lines, "just not that close to the mark."
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Jed grunted, pulling out his binoculars and scanning the terrain. The lenses focused on a cluster of lights in the distance—tiny flickers of warmth amid the darkness. As he adjusted the focus, the scene sharpened: a small, rustic village nestled in a shallow valley. The homes were built from stone and clay, their dome-like shapes blending into the earthy landscape. Narrow dirt paths wove between the buildings, and thin trails of smoke drifted lazily from chimneys. Figures wrapped in heavy cloaks moved slowly through the streets, their faces indistinguishable in the gloom.
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Jed lowered the binoculars, his brow furrowed. "Uh, boy," he said, his voice carrying a note of caution. "What's that place down there?"
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Charlie leaned forward, peering into the darkness. Then, glancing back at the map, he frowned. "I don't know," he admitted. "It's not marked."
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Before they could say more, the faint crunch of hooves on sand reached their ears. Both men tensed, their hands instinctively moving toward their weapons. A shadowy figure emerged from the darkness, mounted on a sleek, black horse.
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"Well, well, well," came a smooth, mocking voice. "Look what we have here."
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The horse stopped a few paces away, and the man leaned forward in the saddle. The faint moonlight revealed a sharp, angular face with calculating eyes and a smile that didn't reach them.
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It was Jose.
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