This is where the ending changes compared to the epilogue. Enjoy!
****
After driving through the night, they made it back to Lake Tahoe with the rise of sun stretching its fingers of light across the blue body of water. Corbin was fast asleep in the back seat when the screeching of the rusty gates sliding open woke him up. Before Archibald rolled the truck forward, the guards handed them an orange-colored flyer as they welcomed them.
"What's it say?" Luna asked, leaned forward to look over Jasper's shoulder.
"Says the government is looking for Water Witchers to volunteer. That can't be right," Jasper replied, handing it to her.
Scanning over the words, she sputtered out, "Says here that it's for a new program run by the Water Division. Whatever that is. And it looks like they're going to build desalination factories along coastal states. What in the world is going on?"
"This must be what Gunner was talking about," Jasper replied. "Remember when he said how the government was changing to fix the chaos the drought created?"
"Yes, I do." Archibald nodded, steering the truck through town. "Just didn't realize things would change so soon, though."
After a few minutes, Archibald pulled into a mechanic shop on the town's outskirts. It was just as Coyote had described, with mountains of car parts everywhere and a giant, grey, metal sign with faded letters that said, Red's Automotive.
"Well, Corbin, looks like this is where we leave you," he said.
"Thanks for the ride," Corbin replied as they all stepped out of the truck.
"Are you sure you don't want to join us at the brewery?" Luna yawned, stretching.
"Positive."
"So, you're leaving from here?" Jasper asked.
"Yeah, but I'll be back."
"We'll hold you to that, you know." Archibald pulled him into a hug. "You're one of us now."
Right as they separated, Luna wedged herself between them and wrapped her arms around Corbin's torso. "Don't forget about us!"
"I won't."
"I mean it!" She squeezed him hard, forcing him to gasp in response. "Come see us."
"I will if you don't kill me first."
"Alright, Luna, give me a turn, will ya?" Jasper peeled her away.
"Fine!" She curled her lip at him.
They embraced, with Jasper holding on longer than Corbin expected him to. So he relaxed his shoulders, letting the moment soak as their lungs expanded and contracted in unison. When they pulled apart, Jasper looked him in the eyes with hands going to Corbin's upper arms.
"Take care of yourself, brother. We'll miss you."
"I..." Corbin's voice cracked, tears burning in his eyes as he realized he didn't know when he'd see them again, despite the promises. "I'll miss all of you too."
Without hesitation, Archibald, Luna, and Jasper threw their arms around him one last time and squeezed. Then they hopped into the truck and drove away, taking a piece of him with them as loneliness settled into the depths of his stomach.
"So are you the fella Coyote told me about?"
Corbin wiped his eyes and spun around to face the mechanic standing in the shop's garage with a grease-stained rag in hand. "Yeah, that would be me. So are you, Red?"
"Yep, that'd be me! And according to Coyote, you're willing to do some water witching for a motorcycle?"
"Yep. Coyote said you need a water well. It should only take a few days if we use our time wisely. Sound good?"
"Perfect!" the mechanic replied, tossing the rag over his shoulder. "Prove your worth, and I'll let you bring the bike back anytime for free maintenance."
"Oh, I'm worth it. You'll see. Shall we get started?"
"Confident fella. I can appreciate that. How about you come inside, set your bags down, have some breakfast? Then we can get to work."
"Deal!"
As Corbin followed the man into his shop, he could smell the pine from the surrounding trees mixing with motor oil, and it filled his lungs with new hope for tomorrow.
With The Hounds gone and a new motorcycle, he was ready to explore the country.
And live free. Truly live free, without fear.
∆∆∆
When Archibald, Luna, and Jasper made it to the brewery, they entered with a round of applause from citizens. The bartender even rang a cowbell and began fixing celebratory drinks. As they walked over, patrons parted like the sea while patting their backs and cheering. By the time they made it to the bar stools, they each had lipstick marks on their cheeks from the enthusiastic salutations.
"Welcome back! Hasn't been the same without you," the bartender said, sliding them cocktails.
"So..." Archibald leaned in. "What's with these flyers at the gate?"
"Oh, those?" The bartender nodded at the one in Luna's hand. "Garbage. We've worked hard keeping this place as an oasis, and now the government wants to swoop in. Make changes. They're going to turn our lake into a dump!"
"What about the fellow who signed his signature at the bottom? Does it mean anything to you?" Jasper asked.
"Well, he's part of the changes the government will make. They've divided the country into regions, and this Gavin guy is the new Warden appointed to oversee the west. Have y'all not been listening to the radio? He's supposed to be tough as nails and promised to bring changes like some politician, but I doubt it. Politics died long ago when this drought forced us to make our own rules, and now the government wants to change what we've all grown used to? Oh, and get this, his ex-wife is the Water Division head and leading the campaign recruiting Water Witchers. Sounds like a trap if you ask me."
"You might be right." Archibald flashed his eyes to Luna over the rim of the glass.
"Hey, as a welcome back gift, I'll give you a tip," the bartender whispered. "See that man sitting at the poker table with the stocky build, wearing a Hawaiian shirt? Well, he's been coming in here all week. He spends money at the card tables, and the rest of the day upstairs with the ladies."
"Sounds like a man with deep pockets," Jasper replied.
"Sure does! Anyway, I'll catch up with you three later." The bartender rapped his knuckles against the bar top. "It's great having you back!"
As soon as he walked away, Archibald faced Luna. "What do you make of everything he said, sweetheart?"
"Do you remember my vision? How bodies were falling from the sky and I heard a name in the thunder?"
"Yes."
"Do you remember how, after we executed The Hounds, there was thunder?"
"I do."
"Well, I heard a name."
"Was it Gavin?" Jasper leaned in closer with a hand between Luna's shoulder blades.
"It was."
"The same name on this flyer." He pointed to the one still clutched in Luna's hand. "So, what does this mean?"
"I'm not sure, and I can't help but have this feeling..." Luna rubbed her sternum, trying to form her thoughts. "What I saw in Corbin's eyes is bigger than I thought."
"So, is Corbin still in danger?" Archibald asked.
"I don't know. We might have to wait and see what happens?"
"Alright, I trust your judgment." Archibald kissed her temple. "In the meantime, let's learn more about Mr. Hawaiian shirt and do what we do best."
"Rob people blind?" Jasper grinned.
"Looks like it's back to business as usual." Luna cracked her knuckles and strutted off to work on their new mark.
***
Head to the next chap for the continuation 👉🏽