Twisted Cross

Sal bent near Jimenez, clutching the red-hot axle. Sal could not help but notice how close to his own age, height and weight Jimenez appeared. “So much influence, and there’s nothing they can do to help us.” Sal envied Jimenez. They shared the same color skin, eyes and hair. “Y ahora, and now it’s just you and me.” His imagination worked overtime. Now that they were outside the control of the Presidio, what if Sal could somehow trade places with a guy like this?

“Can we get some sleep? It’s been a long day,” Jimenez said. He pushed the sandy soil into mounds and unrolled two thick blankets from his bedroll. Sal watched him from the corner of his eye. “Here, this one is for you.” Jimenez laid under one blanket and tossed the other toward Sal. Jimenez relaxed as if he didn’t have a care in the world.

The Devil taunted Sal during a sleepless night. He heard the breeze fluttering in the bushes, then he clearly heard someone speak his darkest thoughts. “How much easier do you want me to make it for you?” the Devil said. “This man sleeps right here next to you. Use the mallet, finish him off; take his identity and start a new life.”