On the Run Chapter 1
'' - primary character's internal thoughts"" - conversation-------------------------------------------- On a dusty plain, a couple hundred yards away from a western looking town, stood a human figure. As still as the surrounding hills, yet still distinguishable because of the obvious shape difference between the hills and the standing man, horizoning himself as the sun set behind him. alone on the hill he ruminates on his lonely existence. 'How long has it been?'
'Will it ever change?' 'Why am I doing this?' 'Because it is profitable.' The figure pulls the front end of his faded, tan, stockman hat a little lower to a more comfortable position, and continues to watch the town's inhabitants mill about and go about their lives. The man couldn't be compared to the beings below him. He was a descendant of apes if evolution is to be believed. While they, were something else: a conglomeration of sentient bipedal creatures. Capable of reasoning and advanced thought. From what he had seen so far, their type could vary depending on climate and personal preference depending on the individual. he noted that lizard-like creatures and neutral-colored birds stayed near hot deserts. Like the animals he remembered back home. while areas with grassy plains and forests had deer, horses, wolves, foxes, coyotes,and rabbits to name a few. Not to mention the Avian populace of the planet. They were prevalent in all biomes. The sun slowly lowered until it was split by the horizon, with only the top half of the bright yellow-orange star still visible. This created a palette of vibrant colors that blended more naturally than salt into the ocean. 'My espoused name is Hal' Hal unzipped his worn, but dependable, heavy leather coat despite the chilly desert air. he could feel the heat within his body very slowly leaving him to be dispersed by the wind. Next, he removed the firearm from the dark leather shoulder holster he had under his arm, then paused. 'Such a beautiful gun.' It was a Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum revolver with a long barrel and a black rubber grip. It could hold six shots and packed a heck of a punch. He pressed the cylinder release latch on the left side of the gun and reaffirmed that it was still loaded with five shots. he never filled the first cylinder as he was a bit paranoid with gun safety. 'one solid strike to the back of the hammer and the gun could misfire.'That was the reason that he kept five shots in the gun instead of six. It may eventually become the difference between life and death. But at least he will have peace of mind that the gun wouldn't misfire, while he is being mauled to death by some ferocious anthro-animal. One bullet short of keeping the right to live another day. He put the cylinder back into place with a small click and put the gun back into the shoulder holster. Then pulled his coat tight in the front before zipping it up again to better cover himself against the constant cold that was the air around him.the town's population seemed to have all but moved on from their business with each other, to return home in time for supper. It was almost time for him to go. He grabbed his black backpack and looped his arms through it as he placed it upon his back. A loud whistle echoed from a little to the left of the town. From the higher tone of the whistle, he discerned that it was heading this way. Hal pulled the bandana he kept around his neck up over his mouth, to rest the top along the bridge of his nose, before tightening it in the back. a minute or so later he spotted a train coming around a small bend up ahead. he laid down until the front light of the huge machine went past him. then quickly jumped up and sprinted alongside the train to match speeds a bit more evenly. He jumped onto one of the cars and held on to the side of the train.'lets get this started' ------------------------------------ End of Chapter 1by pcinvisiblecomments and critiques are appreciated