Utterly Mad

     It was hard to miss in the desert, the lights of Prescott could be seen for miles across southern Arizona as the last waypoint into the south for what was left of the citizens of the good ol’ US of A. “Thank fuck for that.” The fat man breathed. It had been a day since they’d picked up the unconscious mutant alongside the desert road. “How many marks we got left Kyle? We’re gonna have to tank up on water in Prescott or we aren’t getting back to Pricetown without stopping.”

     “Fourteen. Why did everybody have to park their goddamn cars in the fucking road?” Kyle asked bitterly. It was a question L and Mark had heard many times, and the answer was always the same. “People thought they could escape by car, you know how it is. Bunch of fucks panic, get into a traffic jam, panic grows, people start dyin’. Least’ there’s plenty of fuel to be siphoned.”

     “It’ll be easier moving once we get through Prescott. The Cor will take care of us.” Said Kyle, referring to the residents of Prescott, the deformed mutants that made the last settlement at the edge of the American waste home. “Your dad still in Prescott Kyle?” Mark asked. The mutant shook his head. “Naw, Daddy went into the desert last year. Tradition you know.” Mark nodded slowly. “Sorry to hear it.”

     In the back, L gave the unconscious mutant a little more water. “Still not awake huh?” She said to herself. The response, “Awake enough to hear you,” startled her. Catnips eyes fluttered open, she felt weak. Weak and hot. “Where am I?” She asked. L looked down at her, confused. “North of nowhere, you don’t know? How long have you been out here?” Catnip shook her head and tried to wrap the sheet a little tighter around herself, but couldn’t seem to get the strength to do it. L saw the move and understood Catnip’s intent, so she did it for her while noting Catnip’s shapely hips and thinly defined muscles. “You’re either a lover or a fighter girly.” L commented, but Catnip didn’t seem to understand. “I’m a mechanic.” She stated plainly. “Oh.” Said L, not sure how to respond. As it turned out, she didn’t have to worry. Catnip had already passed out again.