1 month after introduction of ‘the system’

Isaka placed the rope, and a six pack of her favorite soda on the counter for the gas-station teller to ring up. She was in a hurry, the horses kept breaking out. The rope would give her time to go further into town and buy some actual supplies, but it wasn’t a permanent fix. She had a busy day ahead of her replacing latches and fixing old wood stalls, and she needed to get on it. She looked down as her phone buzzed, it was her sister with an update. `We found the last mare. She's with the rest in the back paddock. See you soon!’ with one of those sickening happy kissy face emojis her older sister loved so much.

She stood there, waiting for the tell-tale ‘beep’ of the register. When it didn’t happen, she looked back up from her phone. The skinny, and ludicrously tall teller wasn’t even paying attention. He was looking out the window. “Uh, sir? I need these rung up please? Oh, and uh ten bucks on two. Sir? Hello?” She followed his gaze. Everyone at the gas station was getting into their cars and getting out of dodge as quickly as they could. “What's got their pantys in a wad?”

The rumble of a half dozen motorcycles filled the air and shook the ground under her feet slightly. “I’m sorry ma’am, we’re closing.” The skinny teller practically jumped over the counter and started pulling down metal shutters over the windows. “Nanna, call the sheriff! Billy is back.” Isaka heard an old woman shuffle around in the back store room and pick up an old fashioned landline phone. She dialed, and the phone rang a few times before someone picked up. She couldn’t hear the conversation, but by the way the teller and the old women acted, whoever this Billy was he was a bad character.

“Can I at least pay in cash?” She asked, trying to hand over a twenty dollar bill. The teller just pushed his way past her towards more windows and began pulling down metal shutters there as well. “Fine, keep the change. I’ll be back for the gas later.” With that Isaka picked up the rope, the six pack, and dropped the twenty on the counter.

“Uh, you can stay here with me and Nanna if you like, until they leave.” The overly tall tennager said. She shook her head and barged past him, through the door and out towards the gas pumps. The little bell rang, and the teller pulled the door shut, before locking it with a heavy metal latch.

As the lead motorcycles pulled up into the open asphalt lot next to the gas station, she dropped her purchases in the front seat of her pickup. She started walking around the drivers side, opened the door before a large hand forced it closed again.

Isaka backed up several paces, faster than the man had anticipated, and unlatched her concealed carry glock from its holster. She didn’t pull it yet, merely unlatching the leather strap that held it in place. “What the hell do you think you’re doing? Get away from my truck.”

“Or what?” The man was massive, nearly three times Isaka’s weight, and almost double her height. But that didn’t bother her. Not really. Hadn’t bothered her for a very long time. She pulled the glock from its holster and held it level steady in both hands square at the man's chest. “Oh shit little girl, who taught you to use one of those?” The man laughed, and Isaka heard several others behind her join in. She turned ninety degrees and found four more men getting off their bikes. She backed up, keeping both the group and the single douchebag in clear view.

“My name is Billy darlin. Me and the boys are just here for some gas. I didn't mean to startle you.” She stared at them, keeping the weapon level and watching their hands for movement. She had heard about several groups going around the basin, attacking people, assaulting women, and even killing a sheriff's deputy if the rumors were to be believed. That’s why she carried the glock. And, the other things she brought with her.

“Come on lady, this is just rude. We’re just here to buy some gas like anyone else. Put the gun down.”

“If you’re here to get gas, then why did you come up to my truck? Why stop me from leaving?” The goon squad, who were now fully dismounted and standing behind their giant leader laughed at the question. Billy smiled as if at some joke.

“Oh I just wanted to say hi. Not very often you see a squint eye like you around here, let alone one so pretty.”

“Yeah lady, Billy was just being friendly like.” She continued to back up slowly, giving ground only when they took it.

“Come on darling, don’t you want to get to know billy?” The leader took two strides forward far quicker than Isaka was comfortable with. She squeezed the trigger smoothly, and the weapon kicked. Three shots rang out in rapid succession, and Billy fell flat to the earth.