Charlie squinted down at the old, worn map in his hands, muttering under his breath, "What the hell… only shows one crystal." His hands shook a little, and he whispered to himself, "If I get all the crystals, I could… I could finally make the wish, get rid of this cancer. This is my chance to live… for real."
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With a new spark in his eyes, Charlie broke into a run toward the barn, dust kicking up around him. As he neared, he could see Jed sitting back in his chair, rocking slowly with his boots propped up on the porch rail. Jed, ever the picture of calm, tipped his hat up slightly, one eye peeking out.
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"Oh, there you are, boy," Jed drawled. "Thought you might've gotten lost or… well, maybe decided to rob another bank."
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Charlie, still catching his breath, shook his head with a smirk and handed Jed the map. "Hell no, old man. Look at this!" He jabbed his finger on the map.
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Jed unfolded it, giving it a long, exaggerated squint. "Alright… cool. You found yourself a map. But ain't we already got one? How's this one any different?"
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"Jed, do you not see the big red 'X' mark here?" Charlie asked, barely containing his excitement.
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Jed just shook his head, still squinting. "Nope. Don't see it. And besides, what's so special about an 'X' anyway? Just looks like we're heading on a wild goose chase here, boy."
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Charlie sighed, exasperated. "Uncle, please. Go get your glasses!"
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Jed gave him a sideways look, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Hey now, I see just fine without 'em. Just tryin' to look smart with those things." He paused, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "And even if I could see it… so what? Ain't like we're goin' anywhere."
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"Jed, the 'X' is in Mexico!" Charlie said, almost shouting in his excitement. "And if we get down there, I know we'll find one of those crystals."
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Jed cocked his head and raised an eyebrow. "Boy, what in the blazes are you on about? You wanna go to Mexico for some supposed magic crystal?"
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Charlie nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! And if I can find all fifteen pieces, they say I can make a wish. A real, honest-to-God wish. I could… I could wish away my cancer, Jed." His voice softened, the weight of the words settling in the air.
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Jed's face softened too, but he quickly composed himself, taking a deep breath and rubbing a hand over his chin. "Charlie… take a deep breath and listen to yourself. This… this sounds like a fairy tale. You're talkin' about takin' off into Mexico, chasin' after some legend with no proof it's real."
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Charlie dropped down on his knees, looking up at Jed with desperation. "Please, Uncle Jed. I'm begging you. If you help me, I swear, I'll stop robbing banks, I'll settle down, work the farm, live a… peaceful life."
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Jed shifted in his chair, taking in Charlie's pleading eyes. He took another deep breath, scratching his chin in thought. "Alright, alright… fine. But if this whole wild trip turns out to be for nothin', boy, you're comin' back here and stayin' put. No more runnin' 'round like a stray dog, you hear me?"
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Charlie shot up, pulling Jed into a hug. "Thank you, Jed. I won't forget this."
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Jed chuckled, patting him on the back. "Alright, alright. But, uh… you do realize that's one hell of a journey you're talkin' about." He held up the map again, pointing to their spot in Oregon. "Oregon's big. We're talkin' 98,000 square miles—bigger than the whole damn UK. From here to Mexico? That's hundreds of miles, not to mention all the rough country we'll have to cross."
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Charlie's eyes widened as Jed continued, "Oregon itself is massive. It's got everything—mountains, desert, ocean. Mount Hood, at over 11,000 feet, and Crater Lake, the deepest lake in America. Think about that, Charlie. We're a long way from Mexico, and I sure as hell ain't interested in dying somewhere in the desert because you think some rock'll grant you a miracle."
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Charlie's excitement flickered but didn't die out. "I know it's risky. But it's my only chance, Jed. If this is the only way to get rid of the cancer…" He trailed off, his voice barely a whisper.
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Jed sighed, his expression softening a bit. "Alright, alright. Just know what you're getting into. Most of Oregon might be mild, but you head east, you got cold, snowy winters and dry summers. And then there's the whole stretch down to Mexico, likely hotter than hell itself, with nothin' but scrub and sand for miles." He looked Charlie dead in the eyes, a serious look settling on his face. "You're talkin' about a hard road, boy. One that ain't gonna be kind to either of us."
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Charlie nodded solemnly, understanding the gravity of what they were about to undertake. "I'm ready, Jed. Even if it's tough, I'm ready."
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Jed stood up, dusting off his hat. "Alright, then. Let's pack up and get ourselves ready for the long haul. Ain't no tellin' what we'll find out there, but we're doin' this right." He clapped a hand on Charlie's shoulder, giving him a small, reassuring nod.
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As Jed watched Charlie nodding eagerly, he tilted his head, casting a wary eye over him. "Alright, boy," he said, "we're gonna need supplies... food, and plenty of it."
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Charlie nodded in agreement, his gaze already darting around as he mentally ticked off items. "And horses, Jed. Can't get far on foot,'specially not all the way to Mexico."
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Jed gave him a hard look, brows raised. "Right. Now, where's that horse you used to have? Had one last I checked."
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Charlie gave a sheepish shrug. "Left him."
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Jed sighed, half-amused, half-annoyed, shaking his head. "Well, ain't you a damn donkey's ass. Figured you would've ditched him; otherwise, you'd probably be swingin' from a rope by now, knowin' your luck."
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Charlie snorted, a hint of a grin creeping in. "Yeah, well, I'd rather leave him than be strung up or hauled to jail."
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Jed chuckled, grumbling, "You're probably right. Jail wouldn't suit you. Hangin'… maybe," he said with a wink. "C'mon, let's go down to the barn. Lucky for you, I got a horse you can use."
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They strode down to the barn, each step kicking up dust, and Jed threw open the barn doors. Inside stood two horses: one a striking, big black stallion with a proud, muscular build, his glossy coat catching the afternoon light, and the other a sturdy gray horse, a bit smaller, with a calm demeanor and steady eyes.
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Jed gestured to the black stallion. "This here's King—finest horse you'll find in this county. Tough, fast, and loyal, he's been with me through thick and thin."
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Charlie walked up to the gray horse, giving him a soft pat on the neck. "And this one here?"
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"That there's yours," Jed replied with a small smirk. "He's strong and reliable, but not near as fast or tough as King here. He'll get you where you need to go, though, so long as you keep him fed and don't do nothin' stupid."
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Charlie grinned. "He'll do just fine." He stroked the horse's mane thoughtfully before muttering, "Think I'll call him Silver Tempest."
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Jed nodded approvingly. "Good name, fits him. Now let's get to town and gather up what we need for this journey."
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Jed looked down at their dusty clothes with a frown. "Hold up, boy. We ain't ridin' all the way to Mexico, lookin' like a pair of washed-up ranch hands. We're gonna need better gear, something that'll last."
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Charlie glanced down at his worn shirt and scuffed boots, nodding. "Yeah, guess you're right. Won't hurt to be prepared." He scratched his chin, a hint of excitement in his eyes. "Where're we gettin' these clothes from, though?"
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Jed motioned toward the barn's back door. "I got a trunk of clothes that I saved from... well, let's just say from different parts of my life. They might just be what we need." They walked back around to the barn's storage area, and Jed heaved open an old wooden chest. Inside lay neatly folded shirts, pants, jackets, and hats in muted, durable colors, all with the rugged feel of a life spent outdoors.
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Jed reached in and pulled out a thick leather vest, a couple of sturdy long-sleeved shirts, and a coat that looked like it'd seen more than its fair share of weather. "This, here's the gear you're takin'," he said, handing a shirt to Charlie. "It'll keep the sun off you and won't tear easy, even if you go headfirst into a cactus."
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Charlie inspected the shirt, feeling the weight of the fabric. "It's a solid shirt... feels like it could take a bullet."
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Jedchuckled dryly. "Well, let's hope it don't come to that. And here—"he passed Charlie a pair of pants that looked worn but sturdy, made of thick canvas material in a faded brown. "These should fit. A bit baggy, but you'll get used to 'em."
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Charlie slid into the pants, adjusting the fit as he pulled on his father's old beanie, glancing in the cracked mirror hanging in the barn. His outfit was taking shape—a warm gray shirt with short, rolled-up sleeves that felt breathable yet durable and pants that allowed for easy movement without wearing out. He looked at himself, a glimmer of pride mixed with the tension of what lay ahead. "Ready for Mexico yet?"
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Jed snorted. "Ain't nearly yet, boy. But you're looking' more like it. Jed then goes on the other side of the barn to change.
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Charlie heads to the house and grabs a purple beanie from his bag. It had once belonged to his father, and as he placed it on his head, he paused, almost like he was letting his father in on the moment. Dad, he thought to himself, I'm takin' your beanie along for this one.
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Meanwhile, Jed reached up and took down an old, dark cowboy hat from the bucket. Dust had settled on the brim, and as he brushed it off, his face softened for a moment. "Well, Pa, hope you're watchin'... sittin' up there with Ma. It's been a spell since I wore this ol' hat, so forgive me if it's a bit worn-in."
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The hat had character: a wide brim with a slight tilt; the edges faded from years of use but were strong, like the man who'd worn it before. Jed looked down at his outfit—clean, worn leather vest over a deep green shirt, denim jeans tucked into brown leather boots, and a belt with a silver buckle etched with a worn horsehead. He added a leather bandana around his neck, more for tradition than function, and adjusted his belt where his revolver sat.
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As Charlie heads back to the barn, he sees Jed and whistles as he looks him over. "Got a bit of a 'fashion cowboy' thing goin' on there, Jed. Lookin' ready for a poster."
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Jed scoffed, but a slight smile betrayed him. "Ain't tryin' to impress nobody, just knowin' that if I'm gonna do this fool's errand with you, might as well do it right. Now let's saddle up."
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As they mounted their horses and started toward town, Jed turned to Charlie, his tone shifting to something more serious. "Boy, you sure you're ready for what's ahead? You're talkin' about somethin' big, somethin' dangerous. Not just in miles, but in the kind of folk we're gonna come across, and the places we're ridin' through. It ain't no Sunday picnic to Mexico."
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Charlie met Jed's gaze, eyes determined but tempered with that hint of youth. "I'm ready, Jed. No matter what it takes. If there's a chance, even a tiny one, to get rid of this cancer, then I'm all in."
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Jed studied him for a long moment, then nodded. "Alright, boy. Then let's get to it. But know this—this journey might take more from you than you realize. And if we do this, we're gonna do it smart and cautious, or we might not make it back."
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They urged their horses onward, the landscape stretching out before them.
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