Utterly Mad

    “Mark says no.” Kyle reported, rolling his eyes. Catnip’s expression became something like a cross between disappointment and anguish. “But- But it’s gonna break!” She insisted, the idea of simply letting it happen filling her with a horrid dismay. Kyle Shrugged and shook his head. “He says we can’t afford the expense in time or money.”

“The expense in time and money is only going to be greater if it isn’t tuned up now.” L growled. Over the last half hour since the photographer had approached them, L and Catnip had talked casually. As usual, Catnip had endeared herself to the person she was talking to through natural charm and naivete. The mutant could see this. Furthermore, he could hear it in the way L spoke. “Our hands are tied guys, I’m sorry. We can’t even replace the timing belt or top off the coolant. Mark’s being pretty tight fisted about everything right now.” He explained, adding “I’m not really expecting to get paid myself anymore.”

    Catnip didn’t want to spend more time in the desert. Prescott was still hot as hell, but it was relative paradise compared to the explosive heat of what L explained to be the “sonoran” desert. If the truck broke down, and she knew it would, she would be stuck in it again. Or at least stuck in the hills outside Prescott. That thought wasn’t so unnattractive, Prescott likely had plenty of places to pick up parts and fuel and tools nearby. Maybe the truck would go down just outside Prescott even. Then they could simply walk back into town, maybe get someone to give them a tow, and then Catnip would be allowed to get to work in the comfort of a town filled with ugly as sin, but undeniably friendly, mutants. Maybe…

    “We got a single can of fuel and enough water to get the hell out of this shithole.” Mark barked at the trio, making them jump. “Let’s get the hell out of here. We have a deadline to meet.”