Officer Charlie Townes took Hektor Estevez's statement before he turned toward the two hippies. He'd received calls to Whispering Springs on many occasions. Other than the injured man in the saloon, it was a routine call. Behind him, the two paramedics he'd brought with him were strapping their patient onto a stretcher. He only had a few moments to speak to the young people.

"What brought you out this way?" was Officer Townes first question.

"I grabbed a map at the gas station and noticed the shortcut," Greg responded. Intimidated by the tall, muscular cop, he shied backward and kept his eyes toward the floor.

"Our bus conked out when we got here," Gia interrupted. Although she, too, felt bullied by authority, she compelled herself to state their case. "We flopped out in the saloon. Greggie and Trace were fooling around—playing Cowboys and Indians—then Trace fell from up there." Pointing, she indicated the broken railing.

"Okay, miss." Officer Townes's statement was devoid of emotion. With a snap, he closed his notebook. "We have to get your friend to a hospital." Then he turned toward Hektor and said, "We'll head to Albuquerque General. Are you willing to transport the young people?"

"Anything you say, Charlie," Hektor immediately agreed. "I'll pick up the bus on the way back." Swiftly, he jabbed his finger toward the lopsided vehicle.

"We don't want that thing," Gia immediately cut in. Without consulting Greg, she continued, "We want to leave this mess behind and get on with our lives. It's time we grew up and stopped screwing around."

Before Greg could step in to agree with his sister's statement, one of the paramedics stepped forward. "There's no rush, Charlie," he briskly stated.

Momentarily time stood still. Awkwardly, the EMT hovered in the background until the State Trooper dismissed him. Standing close together like errant children in a schoolyard, the twins slowly entwined their fingers. Then, turning into her brother's embrace, Gia sobbed into his chest. Tightening his grip with one arm, Greg tenderly cradled his sister's head in his hand.

"I'm sorry for your loss," Officer Townes stated, his cop's voice as flat as ever. Swiftly, he stepped away to approach the waiting paramedic. Slinging his arm over the young man's shoulder, he drew him away. Then, in a soft voice, admonished him for his brutal announcement.

In the meantime, Hektor approached the hippies. In their short acquaintance, he had grown fond of the young people. They suddenly became the children he never had.

"I'm sorry about your friend," the old man stated, gently placing his hand on Gia's heaving back. "I'll drive you into Albuquerque. You'll have to talk to the police there. It won't be a big deal. Just provide information about your friend. They'll have to notify his next of kin and make arrangements. I'll stay with you and make sure you get back home to your family."

"That's....that's very kind of you, mister," Greg replied, resting his chin on his sister's head. "But you don't have to do that. We'll...we'll be okay."

"Nevertheless, I'm going to do it, young man," Hektor firmly declared. He wasn't about to take "no" for an answer. "Do me good to help you out. I've been stuck at that filling station for too many years now. Time to give it up. Ain't nothing going on 'round here."

As the chopper lifted from the ground, Gia and Greg climbed into the wrecker. Leaving Whispering Springs behind, Hektor headed out. When the siblings glanced back, they could only see the dust the wheels were kicking up. The old ghost town may have disappeared from their sight, but it never left their minds.