Hock City

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Get rid of them all. Take them as far away as you can, without causing suspicion to those in the city.

The thickness of the air cut through the vegetation throughout the hills. Heatwaves distorted the view of tumbleweed on the terrain from afar. A rattle snake slithered in the distance, while Jackrabbits nibbled on shrubbery, with a close eye on the predators near. Scorpions moved quickly along foliated rock.

Vultures circled and landed on light posts. They pecked at one another at times, clashing in regard to whom had dibs on what laid below. Others waited patiently, gawking at random intervals.

A middle-aged man lied in between weathered trees and cacti. The cacti stood watch between the sun and the valleys. The wind blew through his hospital gown, while dust was on his face, seemingly embedded in his five o’clock shadow.

A young kid in oversized slacks and suspenders noticed the man, and approached with caution; after a brief once-over he kneeled beside him. He poked the body of the man with a stick but received no response. The boy removed his fedora, and put his ear to the man’s chest; the man was breathing at a steady, slow pace – but this was no place for a nap. He shook him, since the man was alive.

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