Whoever was on the other side of the front door knocked again.

“I’m comin’,” Effie grumbled. She opened the door, stunned by who was stood there.

“Oh, hey! Howdy partner!” Mindy sung cheerfully, a big smile on her face. Effie only blinked in surprise and scanned down to see that Mindy had a suitcase with her. “How are ya?” Mindy turned her back to Effie and lifted her cell phone with the camera up to take a selfie of the two of them.

“Woah, don’t do that!” Effie snapped, putting a hand in front of her face. Mindy spun back round and swept some of her trademark pink hair behind her ear, looking flustered at Effie’s outburst.

“What? Why? Dylan said I had to get a selfie with you. He said you’d want one of us for your Twitter?”

“Did he now? He was bullshittin’ ya. He knows I hate that.”

Mindy made an awkward apologetic face. “Sorry about that partner... Um, so he also said you’d like me to call you partner... But I’m wondering if he was bullshitting me about that too?” Effie looked blankly at Mindy, still stood on the doorstep. “...That’s a yes then.”

“What are you doing here?”

Mindy smiled again, picked up her suitcase and walked past Effie into the hallway, unapologetically pushing her aside. “That scary looking lady Amber Hamilton asked me to come here. Didn’t she say anything to you about it? Well, she asked Holt and I because you know Blane’s in space with The Secretary and Do’Lânqwa so she’s like the boss at the moment. So because of what happened to Reuben she wanted one of us to come and help you out until he was better and well Holt was a bit reluctant because he doesn’t think you like him and I was like, ‘don’t be silly, of course they do,’ but I said I’d come anyway and he can carry on looking after Wo’Trendsont and Ta’Balshén. You’re lucky because I heard Tobias was keen to come instead because he likes the outdoors but I insisted you’d prefer another adult around.” Mindy stopped and smiled again. “So where shall I put my bag?”

Effie frowned. “I don’t want another anyone around. I don’t need you here, Mindy. Reuben’s just laid up in the hospital. I can manage without you.”

“I hear what you’re saying, but I’m just following orders, partn- Effie,” Mindy corrected, noticing her mistake when she saw Effie’s eyes narrow.

The day before, Reuben had been bitten on the leg by a funnel spider that was lurking in one of the barns he was clearing out. The poison had taken it’s hold quite quickly and he had to be admitted to hospital, which is where he was now. Being a couple hundred years old didn't make you invulnerable to spider poison.

“I’m fine. Go home.”

“Look, I’m here now and I dread to think what Amber would say if we didn’t follow her instructions. Doesn’t she scare you too? It’s her wrinkly frown that scares me about her most. Is there a spare room upstairs for me?” Mindy climbed the stairs up anyway, bag in hand, leaving a cross Effie powerless to stop her.

***

“I spoke to Dylan and you were right, Eff. He was very much bullshitting, as you put it,” Mindy explained as she walked into the kitchen where Effie was sat reading the news on her tablet. “He couldn’t stop laughing at me.” Effie didn’t say anything as Mindy sat on a chair opposite her. “Whatya reading?”

“What are yer wearing?” Effie couldn’t help but ask.

“Why, this is what people in the south wear right?”

“Did Dylan tell you that?”

“No… I saw it on the internet,” Mindy muttered looking down at her outfit. She was wearing white cowgirl boots with pink embroidery up the shin of the boots. She had a short pair of white shorts that stopped mid-thigh and were held up with a white leather belt with a gold buckle. She wore a green and white check shirt which was tied up in a knot just above her ribs, exposing her tummy. Her pink hair was tied up into a pony tail which sat underneath a wide tan cowgirl hat.

“Never mind.”

“So what are you reading?”

“The news.”

“The news is just depressing here. It’s either someone murders someone or someone kills themselves or someone says something they shouldn’t or I don’t know, a rich person gets away with crime while people just struggle to afford to live. And then if it looks slightly positive, the headline thingy is a big trick just to make me read it and it's something really sad or just a bit shit.” Mindy shook her head disapprovingly. “So what’s in the news today?”

Effie rolled her eyes. She’s relentless, she thought. “Actually, someone killin’ ‘orses.” She handed Mindy the tablet across the table. “It’s local. We’ve been trying to get this douche but what with other stuff going on, we’ve not made much progress.”

Mindy quietly read the small article to herself. When she finished, she looked up. “Awh, that’s so sad!” she pined slightly. “Why kill the horses?”

Effie casually shrugged. “We don’t really get involved in the ‘whys’ round ‘ere. We just really want to stop ‘em.”

“Well that’s what we can do then while I’m here with you! We’ll stop this douche from killing horses together!”

“Horse Hack Hank is something Reuben and I will deal with. Don’t go worrying yer pretty little head over him.”

“Well, Reuben’s in hospital. And you’ve not got Hank so far so maybe I can help? Give you some fresh eyes,” Mindy suggested eagerly.

“I said no.”

Mindy’s shoulders dropped. “So… what are we going to do today instead?”

Effie groaned and rolled her head in a circular motion, clicking the bones in her neck. “Shit, so this is really happenin’ then? How long are am I even putting up with yer for?”

“Amber said for as long as Reuben is in hospital.”

“Ok then, three days. I can do this…” Effie whispered to herself. “Right, well I’ve got shit to do 'round the barns.”

“Great!” Mindy said excitedly. “I can help with that.”

“I’ve got to feed my horse and Reub’s bull first,” Effie said getting up fed up.

“Ooooh yeah! I can’t wait to meet them.” Mindy got up and followed Effie outside.

“But just be careful,” Effie said over her shoulder. “They’re no good 'round strangers. Just be cool, they can sense negative energy.”

“Oh that’s fine. I’m all about the possie vibes,” Mindy assured smiling cheerfully. Effie cringed at hearing the words ‘possie vibes’.

Mindy followed Effie into the largest of the three barns on The Ranch. It was roughly the size of an American football field. She stopped at the doorway and took it all in. There was a gangway down the middle that was about twenty metres wide and ran the whole length of the barn to another set of sliding doors. On either side of the gang way were the enclosures. The one on the right for Effie’s horse, and the one on the left for Reuben’s bull. The walls were six feet tall and made of reinforced steel grids.

“Oh my goodness, this is really something.”

“Yeah. Last year after the fire we had to rebuild the barns. We went for fewer but larger builds,” explained Effie.

“You lost quite a few animals that night, didn’t you?”

“Yeah,” Effie answered quietly. “We built up the herd again and now have them spread out at other ranches in the area.”

Mindy nodded thoughtfully. “So they’re not all in one place?” Effie nodded. “Awh, look, the animals are here!”

“Yeah. Mine in there,” she said pointing to the right. “And Reuben’s there,” she said pointing to the left.” Effie opened the gate to her horse’s enclosure.

“Does it have a name?” Mindy asked following her in.

“She does.” The horse strode over, it’s head nodding in recognition of it’s owner. “This is Veerle,” Effie said patting her on the hind leg. Effie noticed Mindy looking at the horse, a little confused. “It means ‘travel to battle’.”

“That’s actually kinda sweet,” Mindy said, the confusion lifting. “What’s the bull's name?”

“Vidar,” Effie said. “I’ll take you to him after we feed Veerle.”

“And does Vidar mean anything, Effie?”

“Vidar is a Norse God of vengeance and justice.”

Mindy’s eyes twinkled. “Oh I like it. That’s very appropriate. Can I ride Veerle?”

“Definitely not! She does not like new peop-”

Mindy wasn’t listening, and got on anyway, jumping easily the just over two metre height of the horse.

She adjusted herself on Veerle’s bare back and stroked her neck and mane. Veerle didn’t react, except for slightly raising her head back and taking a step to the left.

“What were you saying? She doesn’t like new people doing what?” Mindy asked innocently, looking down at Effie. Her jaw was clenched and her eyes narrowed again.

“She doesn’t like new people riding her,” Effie finished.

Mindy jumped down. “Oh, maybe she just-” but before Mindy could finish her sentence, Effie slammed a left fist into her face, sending her flying ten metres into the dirt. “What the fuck, Effie!?” Mindy cried out instantly getting back up.

“You don’t get on Veerle unless I say so!” Effie shouted.

“Woah, ok! Jesus, I’m sorry!” Mindy hurriedly said, walking back towards Effie. “She was fine though, right? She was fine.”

“But you didn’ know that. Where’s yer respect?”

“Fine, you’re right. Sorry. I should have waited,” she said softly to pacify her. It seemed to work and Effie’s shoulders dropped. “Cor you have one hell of a left hand.”

“I’m right handed too, I was going easy on yer. Lesson learned, yes?”

“Yes, yes.” Mindy smiled to further pacify her and show her there were no hard feelings. “But just so you know, I wouldn’t go easy on you if I had to.”

Effie raised an eyebrow and the corner of her mouth raised a fraction. “Alright, space girl. If you say so.”

***

Mindy stabbed the shovel into the dirt. “See! All done!”

It was later that day, in the early evening, and after feeding and grooming Veerle and Vidar, Effie had taken Mindy to a part of the perimeter fence that Reuben had started to replace before he was bitten. There was a whole length of it to complete, sticking steel poles into the ground and cementing them in.

“You haven’t even broken a sweat,” Effie said, mildly impressed. But she wasn’t going to say that to her.

“Well yeah, there was nothing to it.”

“Well… thanks,” Effie said.

Mindy shrugged and tightened the knot she had made with her shirt. “I am hungry now though.”

“I’ll get the grill on. You like ribs? Steak? Sausage?”

“Yes all of those things for sure I love. Thanks.” Mindy grabbed Effie and took off in a low flight back to the house. They quickly landed in a dust cloud. “Sorry, I know I should have asked but I’m just really hungry.”

***

“I’m going to bed,” Effie said, getting up from the kitchen table. “Thanks for your help earlier with the fence.”

“Oh no problem. Anytime. Thanks for the food.”

“It’s no hassle. See you in the morn.” Effie went upstairs, leaving Mindy to do whatever she wanted to downstairs. She didn’t care, she just needed some time away from her. The alien’s incessant cheerfulness was wearing and if she wasn’t going anywhere, Effie decided she could be the one to take herself away.

Effie shut the door behind her, pressing on it firmly just to make sure it was shut and sighed out of relief. She walked to the bed and jumped onto it, reaching for the TV remote.

Twenty minutes in to the first episode of the show only she liked to watch and that Reuben vehemently hated, Effie heard Mindy come up the stairs and go into her room. The door shut behind her and the telly in her room turned on.

Around forty minutes after that, Effie’s phone started to buzz in her lap.

It was one of The Rodeo’s Hands who worked at one of the ranches that their horses were kept at. “Hullo?”

“You need to be here. I’ve just got here for my shift. Travis and Betty are dead and eight of the herd are gone in our Bellamy.”

“Shit. I’m on my way.” Effie sprung up and slid into her boots at the side of the bed.

She made her way down the stairs, collecting a leather jacket and her cowgirl hat off the rack by the door and grabbed the keys to one of the dirt bikes they owned.

The security lights blinked on as she ran to the garage and slid the large door across. She got on the bike, and looked down as she kick started it. When she looked up, she jumped in surprise.

“Where are you going?” Mindy asked sternly. “Were you sneaking out?”

“Get out of the way, this is my business.”

Mindy obliged and stepped out of the way as Effie revved the engine and tore out of the garage and up the drive. She continued up to the gate which opened automatically for her. As she hit the road, a flash of pink appeared to her side.

“That was rude, you just left. What’s happening?” Mindy pressed, flying alongside the bike and matching it’s speed.

“Some of the horses have been taken and two of my Hands have been killed,” Effie replied.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“Well holy shit Effie,” Mindy cried out. She’d been around Effie too long. “Why didn’t you say? Which ranch? I can fly there quicker than this bike can get there.”

Effie didn’t say anything. The space girl wasn’t lying but damn it they had a way of doing things down here and Effie just struggled to accept the help.

“Fine,” she relented, telling her where it was. “But I need you to track where they went from there. There’s nothin’ I can do for the dead right now, it’s the horses I gots to save. No one takes our ‘orses.”

Mindy took off quicker than she was flying in order to speak with Effie as they sped along the highway and Effie squeezed her foot harder on the gas. If this was Horse Hack Hank, then the bastard made a mistake taking their horses. Unless this was part of a plan, she wasn’t sure yet.

***

Effie climbed off her bike at the ranch that was hit. Although she couldn’t do anything there, being there was a starting point. Besides, Mindy was already able to cover more ground than she was, especially at this time of night.

“How did Travis and Betty die?” Effie asked as Alberto approached.

“They were executed. A single shot to the head,” he said soberly.

“Shit.”

“It’s exactly like Horse Hack Hank did in the other attacks you know,” Alberto said. “We need to find him.”

“Yeah. I’m working on that part. Have you called the cops?”

“I was waiting for you, boss.”

“Fine, ok. Call ‘em now. I’m going back out looking for him.” She got back on the bike and checked her cell. Nothing from the alien chick.

Back out on the road she went, hoping that Mindy would actually be able to help. She couldn’t do this by herself.

***

“Mindy? Where are you?”

“I think I have found them.”

“Where?” Effie demanded. She’d only left the ranch less than five minutes ago but continued up the highway regardless, hoping for an indication in what direction she should head.

“It says I’m just outside Copper Point. I had to use my map app because everything just looks the same from this height at night.”

“Shit alright, that’s good. I’m a couple miles away. What are they doing?”

“They’re sat at a sad looking gas station. Do you want me to come and get you? Fly you and the bike here?”

“No, in case they leave,” Effie said. “Are the horses there?”

“Well there’s a big truck and trailer which I think have horses there. What do you want me to do then? I can just go down and stop them?”

“No wait for me.”

“There’s only about ten of them. I really don’t mind Effie. I’ll be done by the time you turn up.”

“No. Wait for me. I’ll back you up. Hank’s dangerous. When you see me ride in, drop down.”

“Fiiiine, have it your way.”

Effie cut the call and cursed the bike for not going faster than she needed it. She should have taken Veerle.

***

Effie tore down the road towards the lone gas station surrounded in the dark of the night. When she was at the station, she sharply turned the bike, causing it to skid and continue to move in the same direction. As she moved, she took out her pistol and fired precisely at each tyre of the truck that would be containing the horses.

It was the skidding of the bike tyres that focussed the attention of the complacent grunts that Horse Hack Hank was working with to her presence, causing them to draw their guns.

Mindy dropped down like a tonne of bricks in front of them, making them hesitate.

They were not expecting her to be there.

“Shit, don't stand there starin'! Just shoot at her anyway!” a voice called out from a man getting out from the cab of the truck Effie had just anchored to the road. “You don’t get your money if I don’t get out of here!”

He was wearing gray trousers with black almost knee high boots and a matching gray vest over the top of a white button up shirt. He had over all of that a tan brown knee length overcoat. His black hair was slicked to one side and his black beard gave way slightly to a scar down his left cheek.

Hank, Effie knew instantly.

The grunts fired at Mindy, but the bullets did nothing but bounce off her. One bullet did knock her hat off her head, so she stooped to pick it up.

“Ok, so which of you put a hole in my hat?” she growled. Effie came to stand next to her, showing a united front, her firearm still in hand. But they were still outnumbered.

“Go after Hank, I’ve got the men. Oh and there’s a woman there too actually,” Mindy said with surprise in her voice. “Ok, I’ve got these men and woman.”

“Just be careful, it’s a gas sta-”

“Don’t you worry your pretty little head. Just go,” Mindy assured, before soaring towards the closest grunt.

Effie had to have faith in Mindy that she wouldn’t blow them all up and focus on getting to Horse Hack Hank in time.

She ran round to the side of the trailer containing the horses and thrust open the side door. She couldn’t see all of them but the ones she could see were alive and standing.

“Come out Hank, I’ve got you now.” She looked left and right up and down the truck. “Stop being a fuck and come out now!” she shouted this time.

No response.

Suddenly, a noise from her left that made her stomach sink.

The familiar sound of metal slicing through flesh, and the sound of a horse in agony.

“Oh, if you’ve just done what I think you have, then you’re a bigger cunt than I thought, Hank!” Effie snarled as she advanced towards the direction of the noise. She could hear the injured horse fall with a thud to the floor of the trailer as she neared it.

The trailer was divided with partial walls that separated the horses from each other, with enough space for three horses in each compartment. Effie walked through the dead horse’s compartment, towards the entry way for the next compartment when Hank appeared, wielding a kukri machete, holding it with the blade pointing down.

Effie grabbed out with both hands to stop Hank from trying to bring it down in a weird, movie serial killer attack. She squeezed at his wrists with her strength, and she could feel Hank shake under the brute force.

For whatever motivated Horse Hack Hank to do the fucked up things he did, the man was still just an unenhanced person. A sharp shooter, but just through legitimate human practice more than altered and heightened abilities.

Hank kicked out but Effie dodged, then used his lack of balance to sweep his legs out from under him as she let go of his wrists. He crumpled to the floor landing on his coccyx with his legs wide open, looking and feeling a bit harassed.

Effie brought her leg back and swung it forward, hitting Hank square in his open and exposed crotch. The momentum she had behind the kick, sent Hank flying up and crashing into a the far end of the trailer as he howled out in pain. She strode up towards him menacingly as he clung to his privates, doubled over on the floor.

“Fuck! Fuck! What the fuck have you done?” he groaned.

She didn’t answer and instead bent down to pick him up by the lapels of his jacket, lifting him off the floor. Effie whacked her forehead into the middle of Hank’s face and without giving him the chance to even fully register the burning pain, he was thrown through the metallic trailer exterior and landed with a slight skid on the asphalt of the gas station.

Effie stepped out through the gap and looked up. Mindy was sat up on a gas pump scrolling on her cell phone. The grunts that she had been fighting were all laid out and knocked out on the ground in various forms. One had the fire sand bucket on his head, another couple were sat back to back with the gas hoses wrapped around them.

“I’m nearly finished,” Effie called out to Mindy.

Mindy didn’t even look up from her cell. “Sure, no problem. Take your time.”

Hank was weak and lolling around where he lay, torn between the pain in his face, crotch and his back where he passed through the trailer.

“We let you be too long Hank,” Effie said, crouching down to his side. “... Just too busy to give you the time. But maybe if we made time for you, you wudden made the mistake of taking my horses.”

“Fuck you, bitch.”

“Oh. Now, now Hank. That's not very respectful. I’m still yet to decide what I’m going to do with you, so watch your tongue. Do I hack you like you hack horses, or do I give you a chance to live your miserable life out in jail?”

“I know what I’d do,” Mindy said, jumping down from the gas pump. “I’m all for giving someone a beat down, but that’s where the line is.”

“Naah,” Effie said. “This stops 'ere.” She plunged his machete into his chest, catching him by surprise, and Mindy too. She gasped but was unable to stop her or save him.

Hank jolted as the metal penetrated his ribs and gargled as blood started to pour from his wound and his mouth. After a couple of seconds, he relaxed and let go as he died.

Mindy stood there, her mouth wide open and shifted her gaze from Hank to Effie as she got up.

“It had to be done,” Effie said. “He-” but this time it was Effie who was caught by surprise as Mindy smacked her in the side of her head, sending her flying and hitting the ground about ten metres away.

Effie picked herself up, clutching her jaw. “I thought you said you weren’t going to go easy on me, space girl.”

Mindy closed her eyes and titled her head back for a few seconds as if she was calming herself down. “I meant to not fully hit you Effie, but my God you make me mad and I wish I had punched you harder now. I can’t believe you did that! You did not have to kill him!”

“Well that’s where we disagree then. Hank has ran a campaign of horse thefts and killings. Jail weren't going to stop him.”

“Since when do they have horses in jail Effie?” Mindy walked over to Effie. “Killing should only be a last resort when there’s no other option. And there were other options with Hank.”

“You’re in the wild west now honey, we do things differently. No one’s going to miss that suna’abitch. Now get out of my way.”

Mindy stopped in front of Effie and shook her head sadly. “That’s just your problem. You’re so stuck doing things your way that you don’t have your eyes open to other ways.”

“Your problem is you’ve been around the righteous stone bitch and elasti-jock and have gone soft. And your other problem, was not hitting me as hard as you could.” And with that, Effie punched Mindy round the face. Right hook, left hook, but her third hit was blocked as Mindy grabbed Effie’s fist in one hand.

“I was really hoping we’d get along,” Mindy quietly said. Still with a hold of Effie’s closed fist, she threw her over her shoulder like a ragdoll forty metres away, crashing her into the side of the horse trailer and denting it on impact. The trailer rocked and the horses inside neighed in fright.

Effie climbed out of the trailer side and flexed the hand Mindy had grabbed hold of. “Oh come on, I know you could have easily have broken my hand if you wanted.”

“Yes, I could break every bone in your body, but I don’t want to do that.”

“Then what do you want?” Effie demanded. “Hank’s dead. It’s too late for him. Nuffin’ I can do will bring him back. And I just don’t give a shit ‘bout it. Do bad things, get justice served. It might not be your brand of justice but you’re in my home now honey, and the rules are diff’rent. And girl, we can fight about it if you like, but it won’t change anything.”

Mindy didn’t know what to do, or say. Instead she shook her head in dismay and took off in a pink and green blur, flying off into the night.

“Fuck,” the Rodeo said in a whispered mutter, turning to look at the scene that stood in front of her. She always hated the clean-up.

***

“Hey! Welcome back! Here, lemme get that for you,” Effie said as Reuben came through the door.

It was two days since the showdown with Horse Hack Hank and Mindy leaving, and Reuben had been, as planned, discharged from hospital.

“Thanks.” He gave her his bag. He knew she wouldn’t be this nice for long, so was happy to milk it for as long as it lasted. “I read about Horse Hack Hank,” he said.

“We don’t have to talk ‘bout that now.”

“Well fetch me a lemonade and then we can.” Effie rolled her eyes, and it was then that Reuben knew her offering to help him would stop. “Whose idea was it for the pink haired girl to come here?”

“That Amber’s.”

“Yurgh. She’s a meddlin’ bitch ain’t she? Sooner The Sec gets back the better.”

“Right.”

“So, Mindy. Did she kill Hank or was it you?” Reuben asked.

“Don’t be queer. I did. Girl don’t have it in her to do that.”

“Yeah I know. I bet she sat aroun’ all day getting in the way.”

She could have agreed, but that wasn’t really the case. “To be fair Reu, she was a help. I hate to admit it but she finished the fence line in no time. Wudda put ya to shame.”

Reuben laughed. “Ok sure. If you say. But well done on gettin’ Hank. One less cunt out there at least.”

"Speaking of cunts... Outlaw. I've not had much time to work out a plan for what we're going to do next," Effie admitted. She passed him the lemonade.

"Don't worry. We know what we gotta do, we just have to have faith that our moments will come."

"Faith." Effie tutted and shook her head.

"I know, I know. But we'll get 'im. Don't worry about that."