Desert Wolf [Trigun] Part 1

The harsh sunlight seared through a dusty windowpane onto the sleeping girl's face. Cautiously, she opened a wary eye, surveying her surroundings. She recognized this particular grimy room as one she'd slept in before. It was part of a small house, not more than a shack, really, that she had taken up current residence. She threw her feet over the side of the battered bed, her boots landing heavily on the warped, wooden floor.

Her long, thin fingers automatically went to her throat, touching the thing she valued most. It was a modest locket, heart shaped, hung from her neck. It contained the only picture of her mother she owned; taken back when her face was full of joy and youth, instead of heartache and age. She rarely opened that locket anymore, afraid of damaging the precious image inside. On the front, a name was enscribed. Jane.

Jane walked into the front room of the shack and lifted her tan cloak off the back of a chair that was, quite possibly, in an even worse condition than the floorboards. She made sure her double barreled revolver was strapped to her leg before she walked out the door. The suns glared mercilessly and the dry air shimmered in the relentless heat. Jane's skin barely felt the blistering rays. Her skin had been permanently tanned by it long ago.

Just another day in Paradise, she thought to herself as she climbed onto her motorcycle. Kicking it into gear she sped down the sand dunes into the small town of Bernadelli.

Jane! Where the hell have you been? A short, balding man waddled toward her. We gotta call about a barn collapse over 30 minutes ago, where were you?the short man huffed irritably. I need you to go there and fill out the report on it ASAP. Damn, Jane. You're almost as airheaded as your freakin' mother.

Jane's hands clenched furiously. Do you like your teeth where they are, Percy? she asked in a low, threatening voice. Because if you don't, I can take care of that for you.

Percy's eyes widened in fear. Whoa, calm down, Jane. I didn't mean nothing by it, ok? I'm sorry. Jeez, I just wanted you to do your job.

Jane snorted disdainfully, Fine. I'll get on it.

Percy let out a relieved sigh. Thank you, he said emphatically and waddled back to his desk. Jane strode back into the sun and climbed atop her motorcycle. She despised her job at the insurance company, but she needed to get money somehow. And until she got some new leads about her origins, she was stuck here in Bernadelli. About four months ago, she had learned her mother had held a job once at that same company. So she made the trip to Bernadelli, but all it led to was a sandy grave and another dead end.

....*click*....

The hot sun and the sharp wind blazed her face and hair. She reminisced about her life's journey so far. Ever since her mother had given her up for adoption at 6, she'd been scheming and planning a way to become reunited with her somehow. That last day together still burned vividly in her mind...

Where are we going, Mommy?The little girl's small legs pumped furiously to keep up with her mother's leggy strides. Her tall mother looked down lovingly on the child and smiled a sad, bittersweet smile.

You'll see, she answered mysteriously. They walked silently through the town until they came to a large building. It's heavy door creaked opened eerily as they stepped inside. A small, intelligent looking young woman stood, waiting patiently, just beyond the doorway. Her mother bent down and faced her.

What's happening, Mommy? The girl's voice was panicky and afraid.Tears shimmered in her mother's tired eyes and streamed down her prematurely aged face.

I'm going away, Janie. She choked the words out of her mouth. Janie cocked her head curiously, looking hopeful.

But you're coming back soon, right? she asked eagerly. Her mother shook her head and took hold of Janie's shoulders.

No, I don't think I will, Janie. So you have to stay here...where it's safe. I've got a lot of dangerous things to do now...things you wouldn't understand. Janie shook her head in confusion and pressed her hands to her ears. Small sobs shook her little body. Her mother gently pried her hands away from her head.

I want you to have this. She pulled a long chain from her pocket, a small charm dangling from the end. She unclasped the ends and fastened it behind the girls neck. The small, heart shaped locket hung just a couple inches above her navel. This way you'll know that I'll always love you. She kissed the girl on the forehead. Remember Janie, life and love are the most precious things in the world; treasure them both. She then stood up and walked towards the door. Janie reached out and caught hold of her mother's long jacket, but the smooth material slipped through her fingers. The small woman kept a hold of her shoulders and held her in place as her mother walked out the door and never returned...