ON THE ROAD
The I.M.P. van rumbled down the dusty road, the tires crunching over gravel as it sped away from the city. The skyline was just barely visible in the rearview mirror, growing smaller as the van pushed further away. Inside, the mood was heavy with silence and tension.
Moxxie sat at the wheel, his knuckles white as he gripped the steering wheel. His mind was racing, his thoughts flickering between the trial, the destruction, and the life they'd left behind. Millie sat beside him, her eyes focused out the window, her usual energy replaced by an unusual stillness. But the most noticeable tension was coming from the back seat.
Loona's eyes were burning with anger, her fists clenched at her sides. Her gaze was fixed on Blitz, who sat hunched in the corner of the van, staring at the floor. His hands were trembling slightly, but he made no effort to hide the sorrow written all over his face.
Loona's voice broke the silence, cold and sharp. "I can't believe you," she spat. "You think you're some kind of hero, huh? Sacrificing yourself for us? You really thought that was gonna make things better?"
Blitz didn't look up. His gaze remained on the floor, his face pale. "I wasn't thinking, Loona..." His voice was barely a whisper, filled with regret. "I didn't want you guys to get hurt. I had to do something... and I couldn't think of another way."
Loona's voice rose, a mixture of frustration and hurt. "You're always doing this! Trying to play the martyr. You really thought making yourself the bad guy was going to save us? It doesn't work that way, Blitz!" She slammed her fist into the seat in front of her, causing Moxxie to glance over at her nervously. "Now look at us. We're on the run, and for what? For you?"
Millie shifted uncomfortably in the passenger seat, her eyes flicking between the rearview mirror and the two in the back. "Loona. It's okay..." she muttered softly. "We all did what we had to. We're alive, that's what matters."
Loona turned on her, eyes filled with fury. "Alive, yeah? But at what cost, Millie? At what cost?" She ran a hand through her hair, her voice cracking. "Blitz… he's the reason this all happened. He's the reason we're running. He gave himself up. He's the reason we're all in this mess."
Blitz flinched, his hands tightening into fists at his sides. He didn't know what to say. Loona was right. He had caused this, and no amount of apologies could undo the damage. The weight of his actions was too heavy.
The van hit a bump in the road, causing everyone to jolt briefly before silence settled once more.
After a long, uncomfortable pause, Millie spoke up, her voice softer than usual, weighed with the uncertainty of their situation. "So… where are we going to go now?" she asked, glancing back at Moxxie. "We can't go back to the city. Not with everything that happened. And we can't keep running forever."
Moxxie sighed, his voice low and tired. "Yeah, that's the problem." He flicked a glance at Loona through the rearview mirror, then back to the road ahead. "We can't go back. Even if we tried, there's nothing left for us there. Our apartment's gone. The I.M.P. building? Destroyed. Everything we owned. Gone. The people who could help us... they've turned their backs on us. We're alone, Loona. Completely alone."
Millie's face softened at the weight of Moxxie's words, but she still kept her gaze forward, her thoughts clearly churning. After a long moment, she spoke again, more carefully this time, as though weighing every word. "Well... I mean, I think I know someone who might be able to help us."
HAZBIN HOTEL
The doors of the Hazbin Hotel creaked open, the sound echoing through the cavernous, empty lobby. Charlie limped inside, leaning heavily on Vaggie's shoulder for support. Her steps were slow and unsteady, her injured leg barely able to hold her weight. As they crossed the threshold, Charlie's foot caught on a loose tile, and she stumbled. Vaggie tightened her grip immediately, catching her.
"Careful," Vaggie said softly, her voice filled with concern.
Charlie let out a weary sigh, her golden eyes scanning the hotel. It was eerily silent, not a single demon in sight. The lobby, once full of life and buzzing with chatter, now felt cold and desolate. Dust had begun to settle on the furniture, and the cheerful glow of the neon sign outside seemed dimmer than she remembered.
"It's so... empty," Charlie murmured, her voice tinged with sadness. She closed her eyes for a moment, taking a shaky breath. "Vaggie... I need your help."
Vaggie nodded, wrapping her arm tighter around Charlie's waist to steady her. "Of course, mi amor. Let's get you upstairs."
They made their way to the staircase, Charlie wincing with every step as Vaggie guided her upward. The journey was slow and painstaking, each step a reminder of the toll the past few days had taken. When they finally reached their room, Vaggie nudged the door open with her hip and gently led Charlie inside.
The room was simple yet cozy, a reflection of Charlie's hopeful nature. Soft, warm tones covered the walls, and the bed was adorned with a neatly arranged patchwork quilt. Vaggie carefully eased Charlie onto the bed, her movements deliberate and gentle. Charlie let out a small sigh of relief as her body sank into the mattress.
"Let me get you comfortable," Vaggie said, grabbing a nearby blanket. She draped it over Charlie, tucking it around her with a tenderness that spoke volumes.
Charlie looked up at her, her expression softening. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Vaggie leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to the side of Charlie's head. "You need to rest," she said firmly, brushing a stray strand of hair from Charlie's face. She held Charlie's hand for a moment, squeezing it reassuringly. "I'll check on you later."
Charlie watched as Vaggie stood and made her way to the door. She paused for a moment, glancing back at her girlfriend with a look of quiet determination before slipping out, closing the door softly behind her.
Left alone, Charlie stared at the ceiling, her mind racing. The events of the courtroom replayed in her head, each memory sharper than the last. The anger she had unleashed, the harsh words she had spoken, the sheer hatred she had allowed to consume her—it all came flooding back.
And then, there was Blitz.
The memory of him kneeling beside her, tearing pieces of his clothing to bandage her wounds, lingered in her mind. Even after all the venom she had spewed at him, he had helped her. He hadn't hesitated.
Her heart ached as the realization hit her like a weight pressing down on her chest. What had she become? She had always prided herself on being hopeful, compassionate, and kind—a beacon of light in the darkness of Hell. But now, as she lay there in silence, all she could see was the shadow she had cast over that courtroom. Over herself.
Tears welled up in her eyes, but she blinked them away, unwilling to let them fall. She didn't deserve to cry, not after everything she had said and done. Instead, she turned onto her side, curling up beneath the blanket as her thoughts continued to spiral.
The room was quiet, but her mind was anything but.
ROUGH N' TUMBLEWEED RANCH
The van rolled to a slow stop near the outskirts of the Rough n' Tumbleweed Ranch, its weathered wooden fencing barely visible through the overgrowth. Moxxie adjusted his grip on the wheel, glancing at Millie in the passenger seat. "I think we're far enough out. I'll hide the van here," he said, pulling off the dirt path and easing it behind a patch of dense shrubs and tall grass.
Once the van was in place, the group began piling out. Millie hopped down first, immediately circling back to help Blitz, who staggered as he tried to step out. His body was still weak, the weight of his injuries and guilt evident in the way he moved. She slung his arm over her shoulder, steadying him as he leaned heavily on her.
Loona lingered near the van, her sharp eyes scanning the ranch ahead. The sprawling property seemed peaceful—fields stretching far and wide, with a modest farmhouse sitting at its heart. A few livestock roamed lazily near a weather-beaten barn. But Loona couldn't shake her unease.
"Are you sure about this, Millie?" Loona asked, her voice low and skeptical. "Hiding out here? It doesn't exactly scream safe to me."
Millie glanced over her shoulder, her expression calm but determined. "It's the best place we've got right now. My family's ranch is out of the way, and they don't get many visitors. It'll be safe enough for us to lay low for a while."
Loona crossed her arms, her tail flicking impatiently. "Yeah, well, let's hope you're right. We just helped Blitz escape execution. Pretty sure Hell's not going to just let that slide. Does your family even know we're coming?"
Millie hesitated for a moment, adjusting Blitz's weight on her shoulder. "Probably not," she admitted. "My folks don't watch the news much. They're too busy with the ranch to care about whatever drama's going on in Hell."
Loona sighed, her ears twitching in irritation. "Great. So they might not even be ready for this." She glanced back at Blitz, who remained silent, his gaze fixed on the ground. "Fine. Let's just get this over with."
Without waiting for a response, Loona started walking toward the ranch, her posture tense. Millie followed close behind with Blitz, while Moxxie trailed them, scanning their surroundings for any potential threats. The wind carried the faint scent of hay and livestock, mingled with the dry, earthy smell of the open plains.
As they approached the ranch, the low hum of distant machinery and the occasional clucking of chickens filled the air. Millie tightened her grip on Blitz, offering him a small, reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Blitz," she said softly. "My family will understand. They're good folks."
Blitz let out a shaky breath, his voice barely above a whisper. "I hope you're right."
The group continued their cautious trek, the farmhouse growing larger with every step. They didn't know what awaited them, but for now, it was the only refuge they had.
Once they reached the front door of the farmhouse, Millie hesitated for a moment before raising her fist and knocking. The sound echoed faintly through the quiet ranch, and they waited in tense silence. After a few seconds, the door creaked open, revealing a familiar face.
"Sallie May!" Millie exclaimed, her smile breaking through her nerves.
"Millie!" Sallie May's face lit up as she stepped forward to greet her sister. The two shared a quick hug before Sallie May's attention shifted to the others. Her mischievous grin widened when her gaze landed on Moxxie.
"Well, if it ain't the fancy man," Sallie May teased, leaning against the doorframe. "Still hangin' around my sister, huh? Guess that charm of yours actually worked."
Moxxie sighed, already looking exasperated. "Hello, Sallie May," he replied dryly, earning a chuckle from her.
Then Sallie May turned her attention to Loona, her grin turning into a playful smirk. She let out a low whistle. "Well, who's this tall drink of water? Ain't you a sight for sore eyes." She winked at Loona, whose ears twitched as her cheeks turned a faint red.
Loona blinked in confusion, muttering under her breath, "What the hell...?"
Blitz leaned toward Moxxie and whispered, "Uh, what's goin' on here?"
Moxxie sighed again and whispered back, "She's flirting with Loona."
Sallie May's sharp hearing caught the exchange. She glanced at Blitz, her expression instantly souring. Her smile vanished as she gave him a pointed scowl. Blitz stiffened under her gaze, while Loona, still blushing, awkwardly gestured toward the doorway.
"Can we, uh, just go inside already?" Loona grumbled, stepping past Sallie May and ushering everyone inside.
The cozy interior of the farmhouse smelled faintly of hay and warm food. Millie's parents, Joe and Lin, appeared from the kitchen, their faces lighting up at the sight of their daughter.
"Millie!" Joe called out, walking over to wrap her in a big, hearty hug. Lin followed close behind, pulling Millie into her arms as well.
"What brings y'all out here?" Joe asked, stepping back to get a better look at the group.
Millie glanced at the others before replying, "We, uh, need a place to stay for a little while. Things are...a little chaotic back in the city."
Joe's expression softened as he noticed the tension lingering around them. "'Course, sugar. Y'all are always welcome here."
Lin nodded in agreement. "We'll get you set up upstairs. Come on now."
Joe led the group up the creaking wooden stairs, pointing out two guest rooms at the end of the hall. "This one's got a big ol' bed for two," he said, gesturing to one room. "And this one's got a single bed," he added, nodding to the next.
"One of y'all's gonna have to take the couch downstairs, though," Joe said with a shrug. "Sorry 'bout that."
"Don't worry about it," Blitz said, stepping forward. "I'll take the couch." Without waiting for an argument, he turned and headed back downstairs.
Loona watched him go, her ears drooping slightly before she huffed and stomped into the single bedroom. The door slammed shut behind her, making Moxxie, Millie, and Joe flinch.
Joe scratched his head, looking between them. "Something' wrong with her?" he asked.
Millie sighed, shaking her head. "Loona and Blitz had a huge fight on the way here. She...she kinda broke his heart. They just need to be apart for now."
Joe raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like somethin' a couple would do."
Millie chuckled despite herself. "They're not a couple, Daddy. Loona's his adoptive daughter."
Joe blinked. "Oh, right. Forgot about that."
Millie smiled and patted her father on the arm. "Don't worry about it. Just give 'em some time."
With that, she grabbed Moxxie's hand and led him into the room with the two-person bed. As the door clicked shut behind them, the farmhouse settled into an uneasy quiet.
EVENING
The dining room of the Rough n' Tumbleweed Ranch was filled with the scent of a hearty meal. Millie sat at the head of the table with her parents and sister, her laughter mixing with the soft murmur of conversation. Moxxie sat beside her, nervously picking at his food while Sallie May teased him relentlessly. Blitz, on the other hand, sat quietly, his fork idly poking at his plate. His gaze kept shifting toward Loona's empty seat, the uneaten plate of food beside him reminding him of her absence.
Upstairs, in the dim light of the bathroom, Loona stood frozen in front of the mirror. Her eyes darted to her reflection, her chest rising and falling as her nerves heightened. Slowly, she raised her hand, watching as her claws extended from her fingers. The sharp black talons glinted faintly in the light, and she flexed them experimentally.
The sight sent a cold shiver down her spine.
Her mind flashed back to the van, when he claws first extended while being arrested, to the fear that had gripped her when she realized her claws had extended without her control. That moment—surrounded by shouting, chaos, and uncertainty—had terrified her in ways she wasn't ready to admit.
She raised her other hand, watching as the claws extended there as well. With trembling fingers, she brought the claws together, the metallic scrape of them colliding making her wince. She gritted her teeth and, hesitantly, swiped at the bathroom wall. The claws cut through the surface like paper, leaving deep grooves in the wood beneath.
Her heart raced as she stared at the damage.
A sudden knock on the door made her flinch. Startled, her hand lashed out, claws slicing through the edge of the sink. A sharp crack echoed through the room as a chunk of porcelain fell to the floor.
"Loona? You okay in there?" Joe's voice called from outside.
Panic surged through her. She bent down, awkwardly trying to pick up the broken piece of the sink, but her claws made it impossible. Instead, she accidentally tore the shower curtain down in one swift motion, her claws slicing through the fabric as they dug into the wall behind it.
"Loona?" Joe knocked again, more firmly this time.
"Yeah, yeah! I'm fine!" Loona called back; her voice strained. She quickly pressed her hands against her chest, her claws retracting back into her fingers. "I'll be downstairs in a minute!"
There was a pause before Joe replied with a casual, "Alright, take your time," and his footsteps retreated down the hall.
Alone again, Loona stared at her trembling hands. The claws were gone, but the scratches on the walls and the broken sink were all too real. She turned to the mirror, her reflection now showing a mix of fear and unease.
Downstairs, the dining room was alive with chatter and the clinking of utensils, though a subtle tension lingered in the air. Loona entered the room awkwardly, holding the broken piece of the sink in her hands. Her shoulders were tense, her tail swishing nervously behind her.
Lin gasped the moment she saw it. "Oh my stars, what happened to the sink?"
The rest of the table turned to look, their eyes widening in surprise. Moxxie raised an eyebrow, Millie frowned in concern, and Sallie May smirked in amusement.
Loona cleared her throat, trying to hide her embarrassment. "Uh… I kind of… broke it," she admitted, placing the piece on a nearby counter. "I swear I'll pay for it."
Sallie May waved a dismissive hand, her smirk widening. "Don't worry about it, sugar. I'll fix it tomorrow. Ain't the first-time somethin' around here's gotten busted."
Relieved but still uncomfortable, Loona mumbled a quiet, "Thanks," before heading to her seat. Unfortunately, the only open spot was next to Sallie May. The teasing immediately resumed, with Sallie May leaning closer and winking at her.
"You're sittin' awful close now," Sallie May quipped. "Not that I'm complainin'."
Loona groaned, slumping in her chair. "Can you not?" she muttered, her cheeks burning.
Meanwhile, Lin glanced at Blitz, who had been uncharacteristically quiet. Her gaze softened with concern. "Blitz, hun, you've been awfully quiet tonight. Last time you were here, you were all smiles and talkin' up a storm. Even a bit annoyin'."
Blitz let out a small, tired chuckle, his shoulders slumping. "Yeah, well, it's been a rough few days," he admitted, forcing a faint smile. "But don't worry, I'll bounce back. Just need some time, that's all."
He grabbed his fork and poked at his food, finally taking a bite. Despite his words, the weight of recent events was evident in his posture and tone.
To lighten the mood, Sallie May shifted her teasing focus to the whole table, cracking jokes about ranch life and embarrassing childhood stories about Millie. Her quick wit and animated delivery managed to draw laughter from everyone, even Loona, who chuckled despite herself.
But as the laughter continued, Loona's smile slowly faded. Her gaze drifted to Blitz, whose small smile didn't quite reach his eyes. The reality of what they'd all been through, and the uncertainty of what lay ahead, loomed over her once again.
NIGHT
Loona sat on her bed in the dimly lit guest room, her hands resting limply on her knees as she stared at the floor. The moonlight streaming through the window highlighted the furrow in her brow and the faint scowl etched on her face. The anger simmering inside her hadn't subsided, but it was no longer a fiery outburst. Instead, it was a quiet storm, swirling and consuming her thoughts.
Her amber eyes flicked to the wall in front of her, her tail swishing restlessly behind her. Every moment of the last few days replayed in her mind like a broken record: the trial, Blitz's decision to take all the blame, the escape from the courthouse, and the suffocating weight of knowing they'd lost everything.
Her fists clenched. She was still furious at Blitz for what he did. How could he so easily give up his life, leaving her and the others to pick up the pieces? Didn't he realize how much he meant to her—even if she struggled to show it?
But deep down, Loona knew that wasn't the real source of her anger. Her scowl deepened as her thoughts shifted to someone else.
The one who turned them in. The one who betrayed Blitz, despite everything.
"Stolas," she growled under her breath, the name leaving a bitter taste in her mouth.
Her claws extended involuntarily, her hands trembling as she tried to steady her breathing. Of all the people who could've done this, it had to be him—the one person she thought might've cared enough to have Blitz's back. She couldn't wrap her head around it. Why would he do this? For what?
Loona's gaze hardened as her anger shifted into something colder, sharper. She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees, her tail now still behind her.
If she ever saw Stolas again, she thought, there would be no holding back.
THE NEXT DAY
Blitz and Sallie May strolled along the dusty paths of the ROUGH N' TUMBLEWEED RANCH, the midday sun casting long shadows over the weathered landscape. In the distance, Millie helped Moxxie up off the ground after another failed attempt to ride the devil bull—a fiery-eyed creature now occupying the ranch's training pen. Moxxie dusted himself off, muttering about his dignity, while Millie laughed, offering him another try.
Blitz chuckled softly at the scene before returning his focus to the ground, his boots kicking at the dirt as he walked beside Sallie May.
"Thanks for walkin' with me," Sallie May said, breaking the silence. "You seemed like you could use it."
Blitz shrugged, offering a half-hearted smirk. "Yeah, it's... nice to just take in the fresh—scratch that—musky air. Really does wonders for the soul."
"Y'know," Sallie May said after a long silence, "it's real weird seein' you so... quiet. Last time you were here, you wouldn't shut up."
Blitz gave her a sideways glance and smirked faintly. "Guess I've mellowed out since then. Or maybe I just finally learned to shut my mouth."
Sallie May snorted. "Yeah, right. Like that's ever gonna happen."
The two walked in silence again, the sounds of the ranch filling the air—crows cawing in the distance, the occasional snort from the devil bull, and the faint creak of the windmill turning in the breeze.
"You miss it?" Sallie May asked, breaking the silence.
Blitz blinked. "Miss what?"
"Your life in the city," Sallie May said, her tone casual. "Hustlin', runnin' your business, bein'... you."
Blitz hesitated, shoving his hands into his pockets. "I don't know," he admitted. "Feels like everything I built is gone. Feels like... I'm gone."
Sallie May glanced at him, her expression softening for a moment. "You ain't gone, Blitz. You're just... lost."
Blitz laughed bitterly. "Lost? Yeah, that's one way to put it."
Sallie May remained quiet for a moment, glancing at Blitz out of the corner of her eye. She noticed how his shoulders slumped, his gaze fixed downward, as though he was carrying the weight of the world—or maybe just his own guilt.
Finally, she spoke. "Do you feel remorse, Blitz?"
Blitz froze mid-step, caught off guard by the question. He turned to look at her, his eyes wide with surprise. "What?"
Sallie May crossed her arms, her expression stern. "About what you did in that city. The lives that were taken. The chaos you caused. Is that why y'all are here? Hiding out from the mess you left behind?"
Blitz's face tightened. "How do you—?"
"How do I know?" Sallie May interrupted, her voice rising slightly. Anger flashed in her eyes. "I was on my way to surprise Millie. Figured I'd drop by the city to visit her. But then I saw it."
"Saw what?" Blitz asked, his voice quieter now.
"The souls, Blitz," Sallie May said, her tone sharper. "I saw them fallin' down into Imp City like a damn rainstorm. The chaos... the fear. People screamin' and runnin'. I saw it all from outside the city."
Blitz looked away, shame creeping into his expression.
"I was scared outta my mind," Sallie May continued, stepping closer to him. "Worried sick about Millie, wonderin' if she was caught up in all of it. And then... I saw it."
"Saw what?" Blitz asked, hesitating.
"The trial," Sallie May said coldly. "I saw it broadcasted. I saw Millie in handcuffs. And Blitz..." Her voice cracked slightly. "She looked like she'd seen somethin' awful. Somethin' no one should have to see."
Sallie May suddenly grabbed Blitz by the collar, slamming him back against a nearby tree. Blitz winced but didn't fight back, his eyes wide as she glared at him.
"Do her parents know?" Blitz asked softly, his voice trembling.
"If they knew?" Sallie May spat, her grip tightening. "It'd break their hearts."
She held him there for a moment longer, her face inches from his, before releasing him roughly. Blitz stumbled but caught himself, rubbing his neck as Sallie May stepped back.
"You can't stay here, Blitz," she said, her tone cold and resolute.
Blitz blinked, stunned. "What? What do you mean?"
"The others can stay," Sallie May continued, her voice unwavering. "Millie, Moxxie, Loona—they can stay as long as they need to. But you? You're gone. Tomorrow."
Blitz stared at her, his mouth slightly open in disbelief. "You're... kicking me out?"
"If you really care about them," Sallie May said, her eyes narrowing, "if you want 'em to be safe, then you'd better get the hell outta my family's ranch."
With that, she turned and walked away, her boots kicking up small clouds of dust as she headed back toward the house. Blitz remained by the tree, watching her go, the weight of her words settling heavily on him.
He leaned back against the tree, his gaze shifting to the sky. For the first time in a long time, Blitz felt truly lost.
BARN
Inside the dimly lit ROUGH N' TUMBLEWEED RANCH barn, Loona crouched over a dusty old motorcycle, its frame partially disassembled. The bike looked like it hadn't been touched in years, but Loona had decided to bring it back to life. With Joe's collection of tools and whatever spare parts she could scavenge from around the ranch, she figured it would be an easy fix—or at least a good distraction.
Loona wiped sweat from her brow, her fur smudged with grease. She leaned back on the motorcycle seat, staring at the barn floor with a mixture of exhaustion and anger. Her claws tapped rhythmically against the handlebars as her thoughts turned dark. Stolas.
Her jaw tightened, and her claws extended slightly without her realizing it. In her mind, plans began to form, each more vengeful than the last. Her breathing grew heavier, her eyes narrowing. She didn't notice the sound of boots against the barn floor until a voice cut through her thoughts.
"You sleep okay, Loona?"
Loona jumped slightly, whipping around to see Joe standing a few feet away, his hands resting casually on his hips. For a moment, she was startled by his presence, but she quickly masked it with a forced smile.
"Yeah," she said, her voice a little too chipper. "Slept... pretty good."
Joe didn't move, his sharp eyes studying her. "You sure about that?"
Loona's ears flicked back slightly, and her smile faltered. "Why wouldn't I be?"
Joe took a slow step closer, glancing at the scattered tools and the partially fixed bike. "You look like someone fixin' to do a bad thing," he said evenly.
Loona froze, her mind racing. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Joe stepped closer, resting a hand on the bike's handlebars. "You know what happens to someone lookin' for blood?"
Loona tilted her head, narrowing her eyes. "What happens?"
Joe's expression turned solemn, his voice dropping to a low, almost fatherly tone.
"...They find it."
Loona's gaze fell to the floor, the weight of his words hitting her like a punch to the gut. She opened her mouth to speak but found herself unable to respond.
Joe pulled over a nearby stool and sat down, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. "We all got a choice, my dear," he said softly.
Loona's claws retracted as she folded her arms defensively. "Yeah? Well, my choice was taken from me."
Joe's brows furrowed, and he let out a sharp chuckle. "Bullshit."
Loona's head snapped up, her eyes wide with surprise. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me," Joe said, his tone firm but not unkind. "Ain't nobody takin' your choices from you. Not unless you let 'em."
Loona blinked, momentarily at a loss for words.
Joe leaned back slightly, gesturing vaguely toward the barn doors. "You got a choice now. You and your family can stay here. After what happened in Imp City... well, if it's bad enough that you need to hide, I don't mind givin' y'all a place to rest."
Loona's ears perked up slightly, suspicion flickering in her gaze. "How do you know about... what happened?"
Joe sighed, crossing his arms. "Sallie May. Girl don't say much, but I can always tell when somethin's eatin' at her. Now, I don't know all the details, but I can see plain as day that it was bad."
Loona remained silent, processing his words.
Joe stood up, resting a hand on her shoulder. "You got a choice, Loona. To stay here. To figure things out. Same goes for Blitz, Millie... even Moxxie. Though I'll admit, I'd rather not have to see that boy break his neck tryin' to ride that bull again."
Loona couldn't help but smirk faintly at the comment. "If we stay, you're gonna need to whip Moxxie into shape," she said, a hint of her usual sass returning.
Joe chuckled, patting her shoulder before stepping back. "Oh, I reckon I do."
Loona straightened up, brushing off her hands. "I'll talk to them later," she said, her tone more resolved.
Joe nodded. "You do that. And remember—whatever happened before, it don't have to define what happens next."
Loona gave him a small nod, her expression softening slightly as he walked back toward the barn doors. For the first time in days, the weight on her chest felt a little lighter.
EVENING
Blitz sat on the creaky porch of the ranch house, watching Hell's peculiar sunset. The red-tinged sky slowly faded into the deeper hues of night, casting the barren fields of the ROUGH N' TUMBLEWEED RANCH in a faint, eerie glow. His elbows rested on his knees, his hands clasped together as he stared ahead, lost in thought. He let out a long, tired sigh, his chest heavy with doubt.
Should he leave?
His eyes drifted to an old guitar propped up against the porch railing. He'd stumbled upon it while wandering the ranch earlier. Hesitating for a moment, he reached for it, his fingers brushing the worn strings. He plucked at them gently, testing the sound.
Soon, a soft, soulful tune began to flow from the instrument. Blitz's fingers danced across the strings with surprising grace, revealing a hidden talent he rarely shared. For a fleeting moment, as the melody filled the quiet evening air, he smiled—a genuine, small smile that softened the lines of worry on his face.
"Didn't know you could do that," a voice said, startling him.
Blitz stopped playing and looked up to see Loona standing a few feet away, her arms crossed but her expression unreadable. Her usual scowl was absent, replaced by something closer to curiosity.
"Oh, hey," Blitz said, quickly setting the guitar aside like he'd been caught doing something embarrassing.
Loona raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed despite herself. She walked up the short set of stairs to the porch and leaned on the railing, her back to the horizon.
Blitz grabbed a mug of coffee he'd been nursing earlier and joined her, standing quietly at her side. For a while, they both stared out into the fading light, the distant stars beginning to dot the crimson sky. The silence between them was heavy but not uncomfortable.
Finally, Loona broke it. "Joe knows."
Blitz blinked, turning to look at her. "Knows what?"
"Not everything," Loona clarified. "But... he knows something happened. Something bad. In Imp City."
Blitz's brow furrowed. "Sallie May knows too," he admitted, his voice low. "She knows... everything."
Loona let out a quiet curse under her breath. "Shit."
Blitz sighed, his gaze falling to the porch floor. "She wants me gone. Tomorrow."
Loona snapped her head toward him, her eyes narrowing. "What?"
"It's fine," Blitz said quickly, holding up a hand as if to ward off her anger. "I get it. I'm not wanted here. I'll be out of your hair by morning."
Loona stared at him, disbelief flickering across her face. "Uh-uh. Nope. You're not going anywhere, old man," she said firmly. "I'll talk to her in the morning."
Blitz glanced at her, a small chuckle escaping despite himself. "Was the 'old man' part really necessary?"
Loona smirked faintly. "Yeah, it was."
For a moment, the tension between them eased, the shared chuckle breaking through the weight of their conversation. But Loona's smile faded quickly, replaced by a hard glare.
"You're an asshole, you know that?" she said, her voice sharp.
Blitz's expression fell, and he opened his mouth to speak, but Loona cut him off, her voice rising.
"I was supposed to have a life, Blitz! I wanted my life to fucking matter, and you—" Her voice cracked, her breathing shaky as she tried to keep her composure. "You took that from me."
Blitz flinched, the guilt on his face unmistakable. His hands gripped the mug tightly as he swallowed hard. "Loona," he said softly, "if there was any way... any way at all for me to undo what I did... I'd take it. In a heartbeat."
Loona's shoulders trembled as she stared out at the last sliver of the sun disappearing below the horizon. The stars now shimmered brightly in the blood-red sky above them. Her eyes glistened, though she refused to let tears fall.
"I..." she began, her voice barely audible. "I don't think I can ever forgive you for that."
Blitz's breathing hitched, the words hitting him like a punch to the chest. His grip on the mug tightened, but he didn't respond.
Loona glanced at him from the corner of her eye, her voice softening. "But... I'd like to try to. One day."
Blitz turned to her, his face a mixture of sorrow and hope. He didn't smile, but his voice was steady as he said, "I'd like that."
For a moment, they stood there in silence, the weight of their conversation lingering between them. Finally, Loona straightened up and muttered, "Okay," before turning and heading back inside the house.
Blitz watched her go, the faintest glimmer of hope flickering in his chest. Alone on the porch once more, he turned his eyes to the sky, the stars above offering a strange sense of solace.