Casey Travels West

The aliens have gone, after their offer of immortality among the stars proved too good for anyone to refuse. Except Casey, who now finds herself crossing an abandoned landscape, looking for a reason to keep on living.

Just someone, anyone to talk to would be a start.

Anyone, that is, except the Farmer.

A motorcycle, a recovered cop, gallows humor, a very sharp ax, and, eventually, a purpose in life... and death.

(Character-driven SF with a dash of horror - all in 4.043 words)