It had only been a two days since the Nomad and Skout escaped the Oasis in the hopes of working together to take down the corrupted governors and El Rey.
But in those days, Skout's food and water supplies had diminished.
"Come on Nomad, we need supplies. Unlike you, I need to survive out here," Skout said in misery. The heat was slowly getting to her, making it a lot harder for her to stay on her horse.
The Nomad shook his head and tried making himself look intimidating on horseback.
"I know you're worried about the Dandy Lions, but we are pretty far out from the Oasis," Skout replied, "Besides maybe we could get some directions if the town doesn't know about us yet".
The Nomad started to think about until Skout brighten up when she saw something in the distance."I think we have finally found a town, now we can get some supplies before we get going," she said excitedly and starting galloping faster on her horse.
The Nomad, worried about his friend's rash decisions, he had no choice but to try to keep up.
Upon reaching the entrance of the town, there was a sign that read the town's name, Dusty Dunes. There was something about this town that made the Nomad feel uneased. There wasn't anyone in sight, it felt like a compete ghost town.
"This place is a lot quieter then I thought it would be," Skout finally said, getting off of her horse. The Nomad tried to copy her and get off his horse by himself, but instead he fell face first into the sand. He quickly got up and brushed off the sand from his clothes. He joined Skout by her side.
"This town is starting to give me the creeps, I thought towns are supposed to lively," she said looking around when she got to the center of the town.
"It used to be". Skout and the Nomad turned around to see a man heavily bandaged around his chest and face. He had a pistol, but it was still in his holster. He was leaning on a open door of a house.
"Who are you?" Skout asked the stranger. The man stopped leaning on door and looked at them with the only eye that wasn't covered in bandages.
"I should be asking you that question, but I'll tell you. The name is Ralos, I used to be the people living in this town," the man answered her question.
"You can call me Skout and this here a friend of mine. Could you tell us what happened here?"
Ralos sighed. "Our town was once a thriving community before Aurelius showed up. He's one the deadliest bounty hunters in Nowhere".
"Aurelius? I've actually never heard of him before now, is he really that dangerous?" Skout curiously asked.
"I'm the only survivor from the day he came for a wanted person in town. He went too far just to find him and killed everyone in town as a result. I had the heavy burden to bury all of the town's folk".
Skout showed sympathy for the stranger. "I'm sorry that happened to you, it must have been quite awful," Skout said. "We were going to ask for supplies, but I guess it would be best to look elsewhere," Skout said with a sigh and moved towards her horse.
"Wait," Ralos said, Skout turned to face him again. "I don't mind sharing a few things, I still have enough to last me for about a week, after then I'll be riding out to towards the iron border".
Ralos beckoned them inside. Skout and the Nomad hesitated at first, but they finally gave in and went inside.
The inside of the house had been torn apart. Several wooden floorboards had been torn up from the ground. A few bottles that once held something other than water were now only broken glass shards.
There was charred wood in fireplace, it was properly where all the planks had gone missing.
"I apologize for the mess, it hasn't been easy to survive with what I have left," he said and opened a chest that had carinteens of water. He tossed one of them to Skout.
"This should make your journey a bit more bearable. But how about your friend?" Ralos asked, pointing to the Nomad. The Nomad shook his head and then pointed at Ralos.
"So you think I should have it? That's very kind of you stranger".
Skout walked out of the house to pack the supplies onto her horse.
"It's a shame you couldn't stay long, but I understand if you and your friend is in a rush," Ralos said and helped her on her horse while the Nomad was able to get up on his own steed.
"Thanks for everything Ralos. Is there a chance we might see each other again?" Skout asked. Ralos nodded. "If I'm not dead and still trying to find a way across the iron border, I'm sure you will".
"Take care of yourselves and heed my warning of Aurelius, he is not to be messed with".
"We'll do, come on Nomad!" she said and both of them whipped their reins. The horses began running out of town, leaving Ralos in the ghost town of Dusty Dunes.