The Shooting

A hard-edged gunslinger hired by the unnamed woman to pursue her target. He remains aloof and openly hostile toward Gashade, using threats to exercise control. His presence intensifies the danger and fuels the paranoia that threads through the journey.

A former bounty hunter returning to a fragile world. Practical and wary, he tries to shield Coley while navigating betrayal and a deadly pursuit. The heat and isolation test his resolve and sometimes push him toward hard, decisive action.

A stubborn traveler who hires Gashade to lead her to Kingsley. She remains enigmatic, withholding answers and using taunts to test the others. Her true motives stay concealed until the journey's end.

Gashade and Coley's partner whose death triggers the pursuit. His murder sets the tone for revenge-driven tension and acts as a catalyst for the remaining journey through the desert.

Gashade's slow-witted friend who is fearful yet loyal. His anxiety adds unpredictability to the trek and heightens the sense of danger as the trio edge toward their unknown target.

A lone desert figure who offers crucial information about the distance to the target. He provides a rare moment of guidance in an otherwise harsh, unfeeling landscape, becoming a small beacon of clarity amid confusion.

Gashade's look-alike brother whose presence ties the finale to a twisted familial bond. His fate intersects with the woman's pursuit and the desert's deadly path, culminating in a confrontation that reveals hidden connections.

A minor townsman encountered briefly in Crosstree. His presence grounds the scene in a small frontier community and helps establish the setting's social texture.

Another Crosstree townsman who appears briefly, reinforcing the sense of place as the group moves through.