The thick shroom spores that had previously been plaguing Jed, and Mule had disappeared. The terrain had turned to husks covered in thick layers of multicolored mold. The shrooms here had died long before being able to spread. Soon the mold would be the only thing living here. Another diverse fungus with strands coming in black, blue, white, green, and probably more.

The sound around them was silent, the traveling easy going, and the air supplies remained strapped on both heroes' heads. This trip continued for two more hours, and the scenery remained relatively unchanged.

“You know I have a bad feeling that we aren't out of the woods yet,” said Jed.

“What makes you say that?” said Mule.

“I really wish you didn't lose your special vision Mule. That sort of thing really could do us a load of good” said Jed, yawning.

“I know that, but I survived and that's what counts right, or was I just a useful ability to you” said Mule.

“At this point I value all animals the same low way to start with, but Mule you are the best among them” said Jed.

“Why don’t you get some sleep, man,” said Mule, shifting gears.

It had been nighttime for some time, and it was verging on early morning. Flames shot from the big rig as it climbed a little hill. The visibility was high thanks to a pair of full moons in the sky. Jed had fallen asleep in the passenger seat. Mule was getting impatient to find safe terrain, come to a stop, and stretch all four legs for a second. He required every hoof in action to drive this tanker.

The animal behind the driver's seat was getting thirsty. Mule pictured himself sneakily refilling his straw cup with a sip of the juice they were hauling. This was one of those adventures that was going to require a long period of recuperation when it was finished. Hopefully a long rest period of extreme luxury, and pampering fit for spoiled royals. They deserved it. According to maps they were well over the halfway mark, but none of this fungal growth had been marked either. It remains uncertain what dangers could be waiting for the remainder of the trip. Earlier they had estimated together 11 more days remained of the adventure. Just 11 more days before they would have a break from each other.

Mule gazed across the wide open empty fields of mold growing wild. A massive dark shadow was taking up a lot of real estate on the end of one field. He shuddered. It was probably another boulder, but it could be another creature in hiding. He looked over at his sleeping comrade. Jed had dead shot aim should danger show, but he seldom got shut eyes. So it was best to make sure the threat was real. Mule looked back out across the field. The largest shadow standing there had disappeared.

"Jed wake the farc up we got something stalking us on the edge of the mildewing meadow" said Mule, gently shaking the man.

"Zzz. zzz.. zzz..." said Jed

He was out cold, and wasn't responding.

"Awake Man," yelled Mule, really hoof tapping an armored arm.

"Yaawn..huh what is it" said Jed, beginning to stretch.

"More danger lurking good buddy" said Mule, focusing back on the road.

The path immediately ahead was blocked by the shadow with two horns sticking forward. It was another mutant creature. A massive mold covered moose with shrooms growing on its hairy antlers and an elephant's trunk crystalized full of growths a mouth. The beast sniffed the air, and made a mutant mating call.

"AAAA '' Jed screamed fully awake inside a speeding truck heading for the end.

He grabbed his gun shooting through the window at the creature. The layer over layer of mold coating acted as armor while the moose underneath became enraged. It screamed a call louder than the horn Mule had been blowing. The beast maneuvered itself to lock antlers with the truck.

"We are screwed," said Mule.

"Crouch!"

They were alive somehow, but it had gotten a lot colder. The vehicle was still running. Jed opened his eyes to see open fields, and no windows. He turned to look behind but the mirrors were gone with the rest of the removed cab. Jed held onto the extended seat belt and ladder on the juice container to see a better picture. He saw the big rig's cab torn off and pierced through the side by the antlers waving far behind them.

"That was a close call we almost just got shaved" yelled Jed.

"It's still driving, I'll keep going until I can't anymore. Now you watch out for that thing behind and holler if it starts to chase" screamed Mule.

"Gotcha" said Jed.

He was loading in fresh bullets to top off a contingency for many events to occur. The gun was strapped to his back, and him to the ladder. The seat belt was buckled to his belt. The moose had disappeared from view.

"Phew" said Jed, adjusting his trucker hat above his respirator.

He put the cap under his armor to keep it safe from blowing away. The moose loudly called again, and it sounded closer than ever. Jed almost jumped off the truck to look in every direction.

"My nerves have started to fray, and I'm not as sharp as my younger not haunted self" said Jed loud enough so that only he could hear.

The truck continued to barrel down mildew roads long gone unused. The temperature outside was getting hotter, but the vehicle was traveling fast. The winds were fiercely attacking our heroes exposed to whatever elements waited down the road.

Later on the man adjusted himself again in order to prevent his body from falling asleep. He had been sitting cross legged for an extended period on top of the oversized container of juice they were hauling. He hadn’t seen the moose in a long time, probably an hour. Three suns loomed overhead. The terrain was beginning to change to the scorching heat of a desert. It was time for another chit chat out front. Jed climbed down the ladder attached to the tank.

“Watch out road hazard incoming” yelled Mule from the driver's seat.

“Whoa” said Jed.

He narrowly avoided getting swiped by a prickly looking cactus by diving into the passenger seat.

“I hope civilization lies ahead, a hotel we can bathe in,” said Jed.

“Yeah with a buffet,” added Mule.

“Good thinking,” said Jed.

“Either way there's no way that moose is coming in here,” said Mule.

“Yippee, we've got all new threats to worry about” said Jed.

“You're always such a pessimistic man, I think it's time to take up yodeling” said Mule.

“If I always assume the worst I'll never ever be surprised,” yelled Jed.

The big rig limped along as the road turned to that composed of desert packed soil. A sign ahead had sat in the suns too long and was no longer legible. The only part of it not bleached and peeled was a faded picture of a fountain of painted water. Nearby a totem pole of smiling cartoon skulls towered towards the sky.

“Well those look friendly,” said Jed.

“Let’s keep going and find out, but I think those are clearly fake for decor,” said Mule.

“You never know man, I mean donkey.. Those skulls might be a clue to the next creature that will threaten our journey” yelled Jed.

“Let’s keep going and find out,” reiterated Mule.

The donkey shifted to a lower gear. The sand was getting slippery and threatened to suck in the truck. If they got stuck here there was no saying how far they would have to walk to get help. Nope they would have to live on rations and jungle juice while working to unstuck themselves. It was time to concentrate on driving. At the moment they were fine as kind, and the road looked good again far ahead. In-fact it looked tarred ahead, but currently the sand was the worst it had ever been.

The vehicle started pulling off course by the rear axles. Mule looked to the side they were beginning to slip down a dune. He shifted another gear lower by instinct, and gave the pedal a beating to the floor. Jed felt the back of his head getting roasted by the flames and soot puffing out the stacks like a dragon.

“Vroom, Vroom '' cried the truck.

The front tires slammed forward lurching themselves aboard the paved road. The truck drove into a desert sunset, and they stopped for a break.

“I gotta go to the bathroom but I'm going to be pissed if there’s any snakes or scorpions planning a welcoming party out there” said Jed.

“Remember your own speak man,to keep your expectations low,” said Mule, stretching his hooves on the hot tar street.