>...-= Big Empty =-...
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLZBhlTXHuo
 
>'E'
 
>Panzer's engine was alive, but for how much longer wasn't certain.
 
>The sky had risen from a dark blue to a fresh pink as the sun's raise began to fend off the dark.
 
>The air chilled the bone. But where the blanket failed, the lighter pulled through
 
>Sunset sparked the flame of the plastic lighter.
 
>She waved the flame gently against her palms and fingertips, melting away the chill that cursed them.
 
>Satisfied, she returned the lighter to her pocket. She looked off to the East towards the rising sun, shielding her eyes from its brilliance with her palm. The wind gently passed through her, kissing her cheeks and hands, motivating her to continue onward.
 
>With a big stretch and equally loud yawn, her body strained off the aches and pains of her restless sleep.
 
>"Mornin' Panzer."
 
>The saddle fit snugly between her legs.
 
>The bike's tires slowly crunched along the dirt as she directed the column back towards the road.
 
>Sunset slipped on her gloves and goggles, and set off back towards the highway.
 
----------
 
>The gauge continued to drop as the minutes passed, her stomach rumbled, matching the emptiness of Panzer.
 
>'Any damn minute now....'
 
>Welcoming signs promised gas and food simply a few miles down the road.
 
>Her determination and hope held steady as the diner showed itself shortly after. She sighed with relief as she pulled the bike into the barren lot.
 
>No gas pumps in sight, but that was okay.
 
>"One thing at a time"
 
>She patted the bike's tank lovingly and dismounted, proceeding to make her way inside the small, old, little diner.
 
>She stepped inside, a bell rang out above her.
 
>The diner smelled like home
 
>This early in the morning
 
>Eggs, and bacon.
 
>"Mornin'!" A male voice called out from behind the counter, and a pair of aluminum doors.
 
>"Be with ya in just a minute"
 
>She looked around at the rows of unoccupied booths and stools, and decided to take a seat down at the bar.
 
>A menu lay just nearby, she leaned over and pulled it over in front of her, the damn thing had pages and pages of foods ranging from breakfast, second breakfast, lunch, elevensies, afternoon tea, dinner, and supper.
 
>'Daaaaamn...'
 
>She rested her elbow against the counter-top, and rested her cheek in her hand as her eyes skimmed across her options, mulling over what her tongue desired.
 
----------
 
>She smiled as she looked over the back of the menu.
 
>She knew exactly what she wanted.
 
>The kitchen doors swung open, the man behind them, rolling his sleeves up and brushing his palms together.
 
>"Welcome honey, good to have ya, good to have ya" He spoke quickly, and with a genuinely friendly smile.
 
>"Didja look over the menu?"
 
>"Uh-huh, you've got quite a list here" She chuckled, hoping her response could match his enthusiasm
 
>"Impressed are ya? You should be!" He lifted a notepad and a pencil out of his pocket.
 
>"What can I getcha honey?"
 
>"If you could, Id like eggs, scrambled. Bacon, and french toast."
 
>"Of course I can!" He scribbled the items down quickly
 
>"Anything to drink?"
 
>"Milk"
 
>"Alllrighty, can I grab you anything else?"
 
>"Can I get a scoop of vanilla ice cream with that?"
 
>"You want like a cone?"
 
>"Nope, just plop right down on there."
 
>He chuckled and nodded approvingly. "I like it. Ill be back in a few"
 
----------
 
>He returned an abnormally short time later, order out in full.
 
>He sat the plate down first, it sizzled with bacon and steamed with fresh eggs. It was accompanied by her milk, and a stein of syrup.
 
>Sunset looked around quizzically.
 
>"Uh..."
 
>"Oh." He jumped slightly as his hands rocketed into his apron. He flipped a napkin out of his pocked and into the air, catching it and sliding it over to her.
 
>"Merci~" she said offering a wink and raising her glass to her host.
 
>A few other vehicles had pulled in by this time, and the Chef went off to tend to their needs. "Ill be around honey, holler at me if yer' needing anything else."
 
>Sunset unwrapped her silverware from the napkin.
 
>Syrup poured over the icecream and onto the bread. The fork tore and separated the toast into small bites.
 
>Her mouth watered at the shiny and creamy texture spilling and soaking her meal.
 
>She poked at the first bite and placed it gently on her tongue, erupting her senses into a mouthful of flavor.
 
>As she chewed her second bite, her meal was sweetened by forces far away.
 
>'One... Two... Three... Four... Five'
 
>Her phone buzzed and shook five times consecutively.
 
>The screen was alight with messages.
 
>'We miss you darling!'
 
>'Stay cool girl!'
 
>'Take care now, ya hear?'
 
>'Please be safe out there...'
 
>'KEEP SMILING SUNNY! XOXOXOXO'
 
>She laughed happily to herself, her right eye watered up slightly.
 
>They planned it. The thought of their smiling faces killed off the emptiness marring her heart, allowing her to enjoy the rest of her breakfast in peace.
 
----------
 
>"Hey. Is that your bike out there?" The chef said as he ended a transaction with another happy customer.
 
>"Yeah thats right." She said handing over a crisp bill.
 
>The register dinged, he took the money and retrieved her change. "Whered ya get it? I ain't never seen one like that.". The Chef closed up the register and slapped a receipt down on the counter.
 
>"I built it, with my Dad." She proclaimed with a smug smile. "It's his maiden voyage."
 
>"No kiddin'?" He placed a hand on his hip as he looked outside at it. He shook his head once, and nodded towards it.
 
>" 'His' maiden? "
 
>"His name is Panzer."
 
>"He's gorgeous. I dont say that about 'He's' very often"
 
>Sunset burped and clasped two fingers over her mouth in apology. She slid the plate away and stood up.
 
>"Hold on there Hon. I've got something for ya." He pulled out his notepad and scribbled down some notes.
 
>"There's a guy I know in the next town over. Uh, in Elwood, he's got a shop there. Here's directions." He folded the slip of paper and handed it over. "Guy's named Torque. You tell him that Jack sent you over and he'll hook you up with something."
 
>"Oh jeez, Thanks 'Jack'. For everything, breakfast was... It's gonna get me through alot." Stepped away from the bar and waved.
 
>She placed one hand on the doorbar and stopped herself. "Uh... Jack?"
 
>"Yeah hon?"
 
>"There anywhere to gas up nearby?"
 
>"Just right down the road on the right, theres a big casino there. Can't miss it."
 
>"Alright. Take care."
 
----------
 
> ...-= Jackpot =-...
 
>'E'
 
>Why did it have be a big red 'E', could anything BE /more/ stressful?
 
>The bike thundered down the road with modesty, in direct violation of everything this trip was supposed to be.
 
>'ugh'
 
>'FUEL' Panzer protested. The light illuminated on the instrument cluster.
 
> -sigh-
 
>The sun was highest in the sky now.
 
>'Shitshitshitshitshit'
 
>A rainbow of neon lights flickered just on the horizon. Greeted by a full parking lot, energetic music, strange people, and gas pumps. 'Now that's more like it.'
 
>'Oh thank Luna'
 
>Sunset pulled up alongside an empty pump and cut the engine.
 
>Upon entering the grand hall of the casino, it was quickly apparent that sleep had no meaning here. Lights flashed, electronic pings constantly accompanied ceaselessly spinning reels, cheers, laughter, and curses joined in the endless frenzy.
 
>She smiled at the clerk behind the store counter, and made her way into the bathroom.
 
>'First things first...'
 
>Relieved, she exited and glanced over back at the rows of slot machines along the wall.
 
>She brought her fingertips to her chin and stroked, looking to the parking lot and over at the machines teasing her.
 
----------
 
>She fumbled around inside of her pockets for a dollar.
 
>Clenched tightly between her finger and thumb, she held the dollar up with determination.
 
>She slid the dollar into the neon receptacle, and the machine chirped happily.
 
>The screen indicated her credits, and instructed her to spin.
 
>She reached for the lever and pulled it down.
 
>A cyclone of colors spun madly, teasing her with the outcome
 
>-Ding-
 
>A Seven
 
>-Ding-
 
>Bar
 
>"Well fuck"
 
>-Ding-
 
>Bar.
 
>She still had a few credits left to go, might as well keep trying.
 
>'Only a dollar after all.' She pulled the lever again.
 
>-Ding-
 
>Diamond
 
>'Whoa what?'
 
>-Diamond-
 
>The final reel continued to spin, showing no intentions of stopping.
 
>-Diamond-
 
>The machine erupted in bells and chirping, her credit total climbed up exponentially!
 
>"Oh fuck yeah!"
 
>The reels spun backwards again, landing on a triple diamond. The electric music continued to play, the excitement of it all causing her to bounce slightly on the balls of her feet
 
>Triple Diamonds again.
 
>"Ahhhh! Yay!"
 
>'How the hell did these things work anyway? Ah well'
 
----------
 
>"Are you fuckin' shittin' me?"
 
>Her heart sank, as she turned around to greet the troubled and scruffy individual behind her.
 
>"I've been at that damn machine all night!"
 
>Sunset tapped the 'Cash out' button repeatedly.
 
>-clickclickclickclickclick-
 
>The receipt printed and she snatched it out of its grasp.
 
>She waved it once and smirked as she began to walk for the exit.
 
>"Sorry for your loss, chump"
 
>She cashed the receipt at the gas station desk and thanked the clerk.
 
>Four hundred dollars. 'Hell yeah~...'
 
>Out of the corner of her eye she looked behind her.
 
>The gambler was gone.
 
>She exited the station and started walking towards Panzer.
 
>Footsteps behind her.
 
>She continued to walk, the bike just a hop skip and a jump away.
 
>Footsteps behind her.
 
>"That money is mine girl. You better hand it over."
 
----------
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2e47wBWTV8
 
>Her hand reached behind her and slid down her back, her fingers wrapped around the grip of the pistol.
 
>"I ain't playing around." He said, causing a bolt of fear to strike through her.
 
>He marched furiously, continuing his advance.
 
>At about three paces, Sunset pulled the handgun from its holster and pressed the barrel into his chest.
 
>The gambler stopped, and in one fluid yet shaky motion, she pushed him away and took a few steps backwards closer to Panzer.
 
>She leveled the gun in a double-fisted grip and trained the iron-sights on his chest.
 
>"What, are you gonna shoot me over this?"
 
>"Don't give me a reason."
 
>"Around the pumps, are you serious?"
 
>"Try me." Her hands were shaking now, she knew she wasn't quite that serious.
 
>"That thing isnt even loaded." He took a step forward, Sunset raised the sights to his forehead.
 
>"Don't make me prove it." She squeaked as she swallowed the lump growing in her throat.
 
>He lept forward suddenly reaching for the gun.
 
>Sunset backpedaled and bolted for her ride.
 
>She hopped over the back and landed on the seat, stowing the gun and squeezing the handlebars.
 
>Sunset quickly stomped down on the starter and peeled out of the parking lot.
 
----------
 
>Panzer sped along the asphalt at top speeds, running past hundreds of white-lines in a matter of minutes.
 
>'Phew...'
 
>"The hell was up with that?"
 
>The color returned to her cheeks and knuckles, she relaxed back into the seat.
 
>The corner of her eye.
 
>A red blur approached quickly from behind.
 
>She turned briefly to catch a glimpse of the SUV angrily barreling down the road towards her.
 
>The highway led away from the hills and into a sparse line of trees.
 
>Panzer strained, and rocketed away from Sunset's pursuer.
 
>She looked behind her and scoffed, not in fear but rather in annoyance.
 
>"Whatever dude, I dont have time for this."
 
>She looked off to her right, a blur of leaves and treetrunks turned the gears of her psyche.
 
>'He's a bitch, he won't follow'
 
>Sunset cut a hard right, and leaned with the bike.
 
>The angle of her maneuver became dangerous, her right heel shot out and kissed concrete, righting herself back up and launching her into the treeline.
 
----------
 
>Branches of the trees slapped and bit at her face and fingers.
 
>She grunted through the pain and continued quickly into the forest.
 
>The drive became a frantic reflex test as she leaned and weaved in and out of trees that were growing more dense and thick by the minute.
 
>A clearing came into view.
 
>Weightlessness
 
>Her stomach sank.
 
>Panzer, defied the angle of the hill and continued to rocket forwards.
 
>She began careening downwards back to the Earth.
 
>"MMMF!"
 
>She landed hard, the rear tire swung out from beneath her.
 
>Sunset and Panzer plummeted against the hill in a terrifying cyclone of flesh and metal.
 
>Crunching and cries of pain reverberated across the leaves of the forest.
 
>With a sudden and violent THWACK, the side of Sunset's face struck the earth. The pain shot through her, but only served to strengthen her grip around the handlebars.
 
>Her eyes were closed, her whole body numb.
 
>Her hands gripped the handlebars tightly.
 
>The engine was still running.
 
>She opened them. Her eyes blurred. Her right hand reached over and cut the engine.
 
>She remained mounted on her stallion through the fall, it lay with her against the ground.
 
>Sunset wiggled her right foot, ensuring it was still there.
 
>It was, however Panzer had pinned it snugly against the ground.
 
>She let herself go, and hit the dirt.
 
>Her eyelids faded, and everything was silent.
 
----------
 
>Her arm swung out.
 
>Fingers digging into the soil.
 
>"Ow...."
 
>Her eyelids fluttered open. Darkness, and streaks of red and orange... Blackened treetrunks and infant stars in the sky above.
 
>She strained her back, grunting as bones popped back into place.
 
>Numbness and and pain clouded her senses.
 
>She lifted her left hand to her forhead and brushed her grass-caked hair out of her eyes
 
>It was dark. The trees hid the sun, although she had a good idea where West was.
 
>She turned her body and pressed her palms against the soil.
 
>Her right wrist stung terribly.
 
>She winced and pushed herself and the bike up slowly. The pain multiplied.
 
>"AhhhhhhhhH!!!! MMMMFUCK!"
 
>As space was created between her boot and Panzer, she lifted her knee and freed her foot out from underneath it.
 
----------
 
>She rolled away from the bike. It fell back down against the soil.
 
>Sunset sat up and clutched her wrist, cradling it between her breasts.
 
>She hunched over and panted, her mind began to sort out and process her injuries.
 
>Sunset glanced down at her hands. Small droplets of dry blood dotted them.
 
>'The hell am I bleeding from?'
 
>She sat up on her knees and dusted herself off.
 
>She was shaky, but other then that seemed fine.
 
>Sunset gripped the right handlebar, and pushed up against the saddle, righting Panzer back up on its wheels.
 
>Her heel tapped down on the kickstand, and she let it stand itself up.
 
>The springs under the saddle squeaked as she plopped her rump down against it.
 
>She cycled deep breaths through her lungs, regaining control and composure.
 
>Her palms swatted at a curious bug hovering around her cheek, inadvertently splashing a wetness and conjuring up sharp pains there.
 
>Her eyes glazed over her palms, confirming the source of the blood. She placed her fingertips against her cheek and traced them downwards. A tingling sting replied.
 
>Thinking proactively, her hands shot into her jacket pocket and retrieved the small flashlight.
 
>The moonbeam illuminated a foreboding and unwelcome atmosphere.
 
>The creatures of the night owned this dark arbor basilica.
 
----------
 
>...-= Prowlers =-...
 
>"Fuck..."
 
>She circled around the bike, rubbing her face, and shaking her head in frustration.
 
>Her inspection concluded with the following:
 
>Tons of scratches, a few dents.
 
>Major damage included a cracked headlight. The right handlebar seemed to be bent, but she wasnt sure if that was just her imagination or not.
 
>She turned the light off and stowed it back into her pocket.
 
>Her boots crunched and cracked the dead leaves carpeting the forest floor.
 
>She flipped open the saddlebags and pulled out the lighterfluid, setting it on the saddle.
 
>First order of business was to get a fire going, providing two obvious needs at once: Visibility and heat.
 
>She limped over to a grove of nearby trees and began to snap a number of thin and dry branches off.
 
>Sunset returned to Panzer with a small armload and let the bundle of sticks fall.
 
>She sat down and began arranging the sticks into place for the blaze.
 
----------
 
>The air hung heavy around Sunset.
 
>Hairs on the back of her neck stood up.
 
>A threatening queasiness festered inside of her.
 
>Goosebumps rippled across every inch of her.
 
>A snapping twig?
 
>A shuffle in the dark?
 
>The trees and the night hid the answers of these things away from her, wrapping sinister secrets away in ear-ringing silence.
 
>a pair of shiny dots made themselves known to Sunset.
 
>She fumbled around for her flashlight.
 
>a series of soft patting was heard.
 
>The dots suddenly became accompanied by an array of vertical, knife-like, silver-white rows.
 
----------
 
>Sunset froze, unable to command herself to move.
 
>They shone brightly against the enveloping night.
 
>Paws and claws thudded softly against the dirt.
 
>A low growl emanated from the stalking beast.
 
>It crept forwards. It's fierce and piercing yellow eyes stared with unblinking lust at her.
 
>The growl intensified. The hunter made itself known.
 
>As the beast cried out for her, Sunset's world began to shake.
 
>Do or die, to do nothing is equal to death in the wilderness.
 
>Her eyes darted around. Her hair whipping from side to side as she looked to her left and right for options.
 
>Her heart began to beat loudly against her eardrums, a cold sweat rolling down her forehead.
 
>Her toes wiggled, her legs tensed ready to be commanded.
 
>'Pray for me, Erran'
 
>And with that, Sunset's boots stomped rapidly against the ground, taking her far away from the stalking predator.
 
----------
 
>The massive hound gave chase, barking angrily at it's fleeing meal.
 
>She could hear it just behind her, the Wolf's voice and its gallop were mere seconds away.
 
>An unbreakable vice ensnared her left wrist, the sudden change in momentum threw her to the ground on her belly.
 
>Her stomach tensed up in a sharp pain. Her lungs refused to draw breath.
 
>She rolled over to meet the eyes of her assailant, a hard reminder and an glimmer of hope pressed up against her waist as she sat up on her elbows, attempting to crawl away from it.
 
>The Wolf pounced, its massive daggerclaws lead its charge, threatening to peel away flesh like a steaming knife through butter.
 
>Her right hand whirled around to her backside for the gun.
 
>-VWIP-
 
>She saw one last image. The wolf, and the black finish of her big iron.
 
>Three shots barked forth from the muzzle.
 
>Her ears rang...
 
>She sat still...
 
>And she wasnt dead yet.  
 
----------
 
>A shrill cry echoed from elsewhere in the forest. A faint howl gave farewell to its fallen packmate.
 
>The recoil of the pistol sent a massive shock of pain through her wrist. She dropped the weapon and hunched over, attempting to absorb the aching sting.
 
>"Ohhhh my.... Fuck!"
 
>She suddenly looked up.
 
>A grey lump of fur lay motionless in the grass and leaves.
 
>Sunset reached over with her left hand and picked up the gun.
 
>She stood.
 
>She averted her eyes from the fallen hunter, and made her way back to Panzer.
 
----------
 
>Sunset unscrewed the cap off of the bottle of lighter fluid and splashed a healthy dose on the pile of sticks from before.
 
>She knelt down and culminated a healthy blaze with her lighter.
 
>Her breathing returned to normal. She sat against the ground and pressed her back up against Panzer with the gun held tightly around the handle with both hands.
 
>As she bathed in the warmth and glow of the flames, her eyes began to drift off into unconsciousness.
 
>The back of her head relaxed against the bike and she closed her eyes for the night...
 
[spoiler]Even as another pair of canine eyes in the darkness stayed open.[/spoiler]
 
----------
 
[spoiler] It yearned for warmth. The wolf assumed all was safe and napped next to the dancing flames. [/spoiler]
 
>The next morning.
 
>Sunset jolted herself awake, a loud and sharp gasp shook her out of her dreams.
 
>Her eyes darted around the golden morning forest for signs of danger.
 
>Instead she was greeted with a dying smoke and chirping avia.... As well as a small, snoring lump of fur.
 
>A wolf pup had cozied up to the fire for the night... compensating for it's lack of heat source.
 
>Sunset's heart stopped...
 
>This young hound, orphaned and abandoned by the world so early in life... With the blame and the blood on her hands and soul...
 
>She shook her head in disappointment.
 
>"I... Cant imagine how you feel little guy..." She slipped the pistol back into its housing, and reached up into the saddle bags.
 
>A jar of peanut butter. Nothing could ever make the death of a loved one okay... But its a start.
 
>Sunset cradled the young hunter in her arms, the pup protested and frantically tried to wriggle itself out of her clutches.
 
>She dipped two fingers inside of the jar and hovered the creamy paste near the pup's nose.
 
>It calmed. Its nose pulsed and analyzed the substance.
 
>Its tongue snaked out shyly to greet it, subsequently smacking its lips on its tiny muzzle as the pup dragged its tongue over it's nose.
 
>Its paws curled over its chest. The salt-pepper tail of the young wolf began to wag with delight.
 
>Sunset obliged the grieving pup with a healthy chunk of peanut butter.
 
>She smiled warmly at the feasting puppy.
 
>Its pale blue eyes looked up into her own blue piercing gaze.
 
>Something happened then. Through whatever link or bond in the universe. For a brief second, the two were met on an equal level of thinking. They could see it in one another's eyes.
 
>This was the start of something beautiful.
 
>The wolf's eyes fluttered closed, and relaxed its furry head against her breast.
 
>She stroked it's ears, and stood up slowly, attempting not to disturb it's slumber.
 
>"You're coming with me, buddy"
 
----------
 
>She lifted up her top and stuffed the pup comfortably inside.
 
>Taking extra care and caution, Sunset threw a leg over Panzer's seat and straddled her mount.
 
>She stomped down on the kickstarter only to be met with a sputter and choking piston system
 
>"What the hell?"
 
>She began running trouble trees and scenarios through her mind, considering possibilities of component failure.
 
>And then it struck her.
 
>Her head rolled slowly upwards
 
>She closed her eyes and buried her face into one of her palms.
 
>Very slowly, she tilted her head back down.
 
>With one eye, she peeked out at the instrument cluster from behind her hand.
 
>....
 
>....
 
>'E'
 
'E'ND