Chapter 21: Perdition

Meeks and Dusty square off. They're bathed in the mote-filled headlights.

“I want it back,” Dusty says.

“I know.”

“You killed my whole family.”

“Killed my own mother, too. Her grave's right there. Next to mine. Took her own life because I wasn't strong enough to stand up to my father.”

“Yeah, you're a real piece of shit.”

Around them, the whispers erupt. “Meeks…”

Suddenly, the whispers stop. They’re surrounded in dead silence. Meeks is all alone. Their hands twitch at their sides. Each man draws his gun quick and fires! One shot each. For a moment, they both stand there. Neither man moves.

Beal suddenly falls over the fence and rushes over to them. Watching with anticipation.

Dusty falls.

“Holy shit!” Beal shrieks.

Meeks walks over to Dusty.

“You killed him!”

Meeks stands over Dusty who fights for his last breath.

“No more runnin'.”

Meeks takes off his necklace. He drops it into Dusty's hand.

“You son of a bitch.”