The ride out to the desert was brutal. His shoulder spasmed with pain at every bump. He didn’t even want to know how Jean could hold up. It was a relief when the van bounced to a stop. They dragged him and Jean out then ridiculously wanted them to dig their own grave. That was the last straw. He refused, and Jean did too. She was magnificent. Chin up, eyes flashing, he was impressed.

Eventually they realized neither he nor Jean would dig so they got after it themselves but not before Fletcher punched him in the stomach. Dwight’s breath flew out of his lungs and he sank to his knees. It took a few moments of gasping before his diaphragm loosened up and he could draw a breath. What a bastard. He glared at the retreating figure of Fletcher as he joined Brandon and Norm before they began to dig. Jean had a hand on his shoulder. He glanced up and nodded to let her know he was okay for now, and sank down to sit in the dirt.

He listened as Jean plied Ari with questions. He asked how Ari got to this point. Really, Dwight thought. How does a person go from being an honest merchant to a smuggler and murderer? Ari’s answer was lame. No answer at all, in Dwight’s opinion. The base closed? That’s his excuse?

Jean asked questions until Ari told her to quit it. She sat down beside Dwight, arm to arm in the chilly night air. It reminded him of when they were dating, and he took her out to the ocean-side. After it got dark they built a fire on the beach and sat arm to arm just like this, watching the stars and the waves rolling in.

Dwight saw Jean was crying and wiped her tears away. Thinking about that far away beach he asked her if she considered it a good life. Of course she said yes. His heart wanted to break. Then he became even more angry at these ass-wipes for making his wife cry.

Fletcher threw down his shovel. Dwight guessed he was impatient to kill them. Fletcher called to have them get over to the hole. Dwight struggled to his feet and gave Jean a hand. They walked slowly to the open grave. Not very deep, Dwight thought. Would animals dig in? He shoved that unpleasant thought away. He stared off into the distance. He could see the mountains in the light of the half-moon far off in the distance. The world was a pretty good place. He was glad he’d been able to see some of it before he died.

Jean made another plea for them to let them go. Of course, Brandon said no. Dwight shook his head and looked again at the mountains as he waited for a bullet to the brain. 

Next Chapter: Chapter Twenty-Five