Desert Night Darkness

11/11/1893
I picked up this new journal from the shop because I finally filled my last one.  Holden and I are riding out tomorrow to the ranch then onto the fence line we ride for about 2 ish weeks depending on the condition of the fence. Been cold in  these winter months and these days are short but we will get done what we can in the hours we have, holdens looking forwards to our latest venture and these past few days have consisted of packing and getting supplies, we have 3 horses consisting of mine, holdens and the pack mule along with our weapons and other essential things. Packed enough food for a few days in the beginning as we plan to hunt for our food as it'll save space that's needed for other things.

11/12/1893
Arrived at the ranch today and went through all our stuff packed. We each have our own miscellaneous things and our weapons. Boss man gave us his farewells and wished us a good trip. I'm looking forward to being out under the stars out in the wild. The sound of nature buzzing around always welcomes a nice night of sleep. We're hoping to cover a good few miles tomorrow.

11/13/1893
Nice day of riding the fence line and we didn't have much to stop for other than a post here and that had fallen over or wire fallen off the posts. Got a nice fire going out here and holdens playing his harmonica, he knows how to play that damned thing and I am an envious man of his talent but we each got our own specialties. There is something truly special about these starry nights followed by the crack of the fire and while it may be cold out here my jacket keeps me warm.

11/14/1893
Covered a good number of miles today, rather uneventful. While days can be long and boring out here holden and i keep each other company and today's topic brought upon by holden was his journey through europe, i aint quite sure what he did before becoming a fence rider but i know if i was him i probably wouldn't have stopped but he seems rather unbothered by his choices of life, he's an interesting fella. I enjoy riding these fence lines, it's peaceful and clears my head of anything worrisome I have going on, gives me time to reflect on choices I've made in my life. The lord perfectly planted every individual star with their gleaming beauty to fill the dark void above. The moonlight shines so elegantly among the desert out here.

11/15/1893
The desert sky truly a beautiful sight to bestow upon but mother nature made her bright. I saw a herd of bighorns on the horizon but neither of us wanted to chase em down as we got food for another day or two. It's nice to listen to the coyotes howl at night along with the sounds of nature out here, occasionally we’ll hear the light moan of the wind and ye can get the best night of sleep out here. Horses are doing well this trip and i aint got much to complain about neither.

11/16/1893
Came across quite the scene today, the fence was mauled and a heifer carcass lay brutalized next to it. Cattle rustlers wouldn't do this so I'm thinking some coyotes at least got the cow but i dont know what the hell ripped this fence up, a good number of posts are snapped it seems and the barb wire is a mix of being shredded and cut. The heifer lay there with her entrails laid out upon the dry dead grass and maggots filled the open wounds, flies buzzed the carcass in search of food, the eyes were snow white and the smell was horrific stench of rot and excrement. We got done what we could’ve today with this damned fence and hopefully we fix it by tomorrow and get a move on.

11/17/1893
Worked that fence all day and moved a little further down the line but these short days really limit how much light we work with. A small herd of bighorns walked up and watched Holden and I work but they watched as if a performance was happening, they never flinched, just stood and watched us. I ended up shooting one down and they moved on back to wherever they stay out here. We packed what we could and it was nice to have some fresh meat for dinner. The shed would've been nice to bring back but it would take up space we may need.

11/18/1893
Not an exciting day today but I been thinking about the horses' mannerisms around that carcass. They didn't want to go anywhere near it and we couldn't make them either. Made working a bit of a bitch as we'd have to walk back to the horses to get supplies but we powered through it despite the nuisance. Holden and I are still confused about what ripped up that fence, there was some blood on the barb wire and we aint real sure as to what would go through the effort over a single cow to not take a good chunk of meat off it.

11/19/1893
Noticed the herd of bighorn following behind today as we rode on, they kept their distance but it was like they were vultures trying to get to some fresh carrion. Got a few days of work left and then we'll be back in town. Boss man is paying us each a handsome $250 and we talked about what our new purchases would be when we get back. Holdens wanting to get a new gun belt and maybe make a few changes to his saddle, Holden's gonna celebrate first though by going to the saloon to get a whore or two and a nice bottle of whiskey. I'm looking at a new revolving rifle, a nice looking gun and it will be a fantastic rifle to carry out on these trips.

11/20/1893
Generally i dont have a feeling towards getting back in town after these trips but lately ive wanted to just keep moving on and get this trip over with and I think Holden is feeling the same way. Those bighorns were following again today and I shot one down with my Winchester for the hell of it and we could use some more meat, they dont run though when the shot rings out, They just stop and walk away. They act like it's a normal thing and they've been around people before.

11/21/1893
I am fearful for what is out here with us. Holden and I were playing cards around the fire when out of nowhere a ear piercing screech rang out from somewhere. It was as if a mountain lion yell in horror and a train clenched the brakes hard. Holden nor I have ever heard such a horrible noise before and we can't even begin to guess what creature could’ve produced such a noise. I pray the lord keeps that foul being away from us and protects from whatever the fuck that thing is.

11/22/1893
The sunrise was exceptionally beautiful this morning. I awoke to a furious explosion of a warm orange and yellow complimented with highlights of bright fluorescent pink and began to whimper at the sight. Holden sat taking in the scene in silence. We rode out unknowing of what mother nature would bestow upon us today. A horrible hybrid creation of a bighorn and heifer with deathly pale eyes walked along the fence line where holden and i stopped to put up a post and without question Holden immediately drew his six gun and popped a round into the beats side and it jogged away lightly after releasing an evil howl into the sky and at that moment holden and I decided to get the hell out of here. We are riding straight for town and not stopping till we get there.

11/23/1893
We covered many miles today and we are probably a day or two's ride from town. May the lord have mercy on us both and let us return to safety. As I sit here writing I fear closing my eyes as I hear a horrendous yell come from the infinite black on the horizon.

11/24/1893
I do not know where I am, all I do know is that I will never forget what I saw mear hours ago. A monster that doubles the height of Holden appeared out of a bush as we sat around the fire with a horrible black skull of a bighorn ram with horns rolled many times over. The eyes were a piercing bright white light as if the sun was attached to this monster's face. The body was inhumanly skinny, the bones were visible through its smooth but leathery tight skin colored in a thick blood maroon color. Its feet were black bones and the talons had to be at least 2 feet in length. The hands were claws of naked bones that reached impossibly long. The foul being grabbed Holden and swiftly bent him backwards like a piece of paper being folded with ease while Holden cried out in pain. I heard the pop of his spine and blood violently spewed out from his waist then the monster ripped his limbs from his torso until he was a fleshy nugget. This all had to happen in a matter of seconds but I sat there frozen in fear. It felt like years had passed in this short time and finally I was unlatched from my imprisoned state and ran for my horse. I rode out in any direction taking me away from this horrific scene. I rode into this landscape of rocks and dry sands covered in a pitch black darkness not caring if I were to hit a rock and break my horse's leg. The creature did not pursue me and I hope it doesn't find me out here as I feel unprepared with only my bowie knife and a full single cylinder in my revolver. I am going to ride towards town and not stop for anything until I arrive.

11/25/1893
What I wouldn't give for a strong bottle of bourbon and a bar right now. I will never come out here ever again and I am going to leave this territory and never return. I'm going to move far west and north to start a new life. I am horrified by what I've witnessed in this godforsaken land. I hope I've heard that last cry for the last time as I heard it rip through the air in this desert night darkness.