Aphelion - The Apophis, part 5

Sun and Signs
Originally uploaded by .: sandman

July 7, 2025

"Just shoot it, Jenkins."

I shook as I held the gun up. The sun was high up the Nevada sky and the heat was dizzying as it bounced off the road.

"It's just a dog Jenkins. Shoot it."

I closed my eyes.

"Shoot it!"

And I did.

--------------------

Back in the road, Mike hummed the old western on the radio while he drove. I kept quiet still looking down, my cap shading my eyes. "You ok, Pete?" Miked asked taking a quick look at me. "Pete?"

"I'm ok." I exhaled as my voice cracked.

"The dog was going to die anyway. And you said it just ran into the road. There was no way you could have avoided..."

"Let's not talk about it anymore, ok?" I spoke loudly this time interrupting intentionally. I looked out my window. I could then feel Mike's eyes boring through the back of my head.

"I just don't like you not speaking to me. Not now. Not this time." Mike turned off the radio. "Talk to me."

I blinked and kept my silence. There was nothing to talk about. I can see his face reflecting on the window. He was upset now. He can see me looking at his reflection. I looked down.

I held on the dashboard as he hit the breaks to the pickup and turned to the shoulder. He got out and went to my side of the car.

"Come out here, Pete." He went for my door and pulled it open. I can tell he was angry now from the tone of his voice. "I said come out here!" He pulled me out and I slid off my seat. He pushed me to the side of the truck. Looking at me now he can see I was crying. He let go of me and let the side of the truck support my weight. He moved away towards the desert and turned abruptly 15 meters away facing me. "I know what you're doing Pete and it's not going to work!"

I wanted to speak but I no longer had the strength to do so.

"I am not running away. I want to do this." He gestured back trying to convince me along with the desert sun. "You were always the smart one. And I envied you so much for that. This was offered to me. And now I can do something my dad could be proud of." He started to walk back. "Aren't you happy for me Pete?" He stopped in front of me. "Tell me you're ok with this."

I could not answer. I was shaking again.

"Say yes, Pete."

I closed my eyes.

"Say yes!"

And I did.