Hunched low in the crimson desert, Samuel surveyed the abandoned caravan park through weathered binoculars. Figures joyfully circled a large bonfire, their arms raised in the air as they jumped in celebration. Each wore a unique metal mask, which concealed their faces entirely. Their clothing consisted of minimalistic cloth garments which wrapped loosely around their crotch. Their upper torso was exposed, neither of them wearing shirts.

With a ridiculing glance, Samuel turned his head towards Axel who was laying next to him. Axel shrugged his shoulders, "The world ending changes people." He spoke.

Peering back into the binoculars he slowly scanned through the caravan park once more. "I don't pay attention to the world ending. It has ended for me many times, and begins again in the morning." Samuel answered.

Axel chuckled wiping sweat from his forehead, "Who broke ya heart?"

Samuel ignored him and continued to gaze into the binoculars. "I think we've waited long enough. Let's get this done." Samuel eventually spoke.

"I'm not going with ya mate. You're on ya own." Axel argued.

"I thought you were helping? Where am I going to find your Petrol?" Samuel's voice became quieter as he tried to conceal his anger.

"Never said I was going with ya. I'm old and slow, you're young and quick. It's a piece of piss mate, in and out just like I told ya." Axel spoke.

"And the Petrol? Where can I find it?" Samuel asked once more.

"Behind the caravans they have a tank choc-a-bloc with petrol. Ya won't miss it. Take what you can carry and and piss off out of there." Axel explained.

Samuel scanned the caravan park once more, spotting the tank at the other side of the park. Sighing with frustration he threw the binoculars to the side. "Alight, I'll meet you back at the garage." He agreed, slowly crawling up onto his feet.

"Fair dinkum. I'll have a frothy waiting for ya." Axel smiled.

In the shadow of the night, Samuel crept stealthily through the red desert towards the caravan park. The distant sound laughter and screams echoed through the air, mingling with the flickering light of the bonfire. As he approached, he crouched low behind abandoned vehicle.

Hiding behind a dilapidated caravan, Samuel overheard the grunts' conversations. Their voices were rough, filled with crude jokes and laughter. Quietly stepping around the caravan, Samuel peeked around the corner. His eyes intensely scanned the park, making contact with the petrol tank at the far end. His eyes turned desperate as he licked his lips.

Crouching low he stepped out from behind the caravan. A distant voice quickly grew closer, in panic Samuel sped up and hid behind a stack of blown out tires. A man holding a pack of cards in his hand ran out from an open caravan, joining a small group of four around a table.

"Found these in that kids Ute." The grunt spoke, his voice raspy.

He dealt out the cards to his fellow comrades, counting each card out loud so he wouldn't lose track. "Rust isn't going to be happy with you. The kid got away." A woman spoke disappointed.

"Rust doesn't scare me. Besides, I'll find the little cunt." The grunt chuckled.

It didn't take long for Samuel to realize that he was the one who had taken him out before. The table of Grunts suddenly became engaged in the game, their faces obscured by the metal masks they wore. The stakes seemed high, and the atmosphere was tense. Not wanting to hang around, Samuel silently manoeuvred between parked caravans.

Crouching behind the last caravan, he nervously hid. Between him and the petrol tank was an open dry desert field. There wasn't anything he could hide behind. Scanning the area, loud sensual moans echoed from the other side of his caravan.

Ducking down low onto his stomach, Samuel peered underneath the caravan searching for the disturbance. Pinned up against the wall of the caravan, a man was fucking a woman from behind, holding her head roughly into the rusted metal wall.

Embarrassed Samuel slowly stood up from the ground, he scanned the open field once more. He would surely be spotted if he ran across. Suddenly, the distant roar of an engine disrupted the festivities. A large truck rumbled into the caravan park, kicking up sand in its wake. The two Grunts who were having sex rapidly spread apart, running away still completely naked.

The park immediately fell silent. The doors of the truck swung open, revealing a hulking figure in bulky metal armour. As he jumped out from the truck, sand blew into the air under his enormous weight.

"You're back so soon Rust." A Grunt nervously spoke.

This was Rust, the leader. The air grew heavy with tension as the Grunts immediately straightened up, showing a level of fear Samuel hadn't witnessed before.

Rust surveyed the scene with a stern gaze, his presence sending shivers down the spines of the Grunts. Samuel, still hidden, strained to hear their conversation.

"Have you found the kid?" Rust spoke, his voice strong and earthy. The Grunt who rammed Samuel off the road slowly stepped forward. Holding his hands nervously he glanced up at the tall hulking figure.

"Not yet. I'm just about to go look now." The Grunt muttered under his breath.

Rust sighed heavily, his voice becoming strained and heavy he asked, "Have you even been looking?"

"Haven't stopped. I was just refilling." The Grunt lied.

Clenching his hand into a tight vein popping fist, Rust angrily spoke, "Liar." Wrapping his large fingers around the Grunts neck, he lifted him off of the ground. Rust snapped his neck effortlessly. The sickening crack echoed throughout the caravan park.

Rust dragged his lifeless body across the desert sand. Throwing the corpse on top of the table they were playing cards on. He sat down on a chair which seemed too small for him. Pulling out a large machete from his belt, Rust proceeded to mutilate the body. Cutting the skin along the back, Rust used his strength to pull out his spine. Throwing the spine over his shoulder, it wiggled in the air like a snake. Rust continued to dismember each limb from the body. "Here's my dinner." Rust spoke carefully chopping the human meat into pieces.

As the Grunts were distracted, Samuel seized the opportunity to slip away undetected. His heart pounded in his chest as he continued towards the petrol tank located across the open field.

Crouching low Samuel ran across, his body colliding hard with the tank. His body was shaking in fear as he stumbled to pick up an empty canister.

Filling the canister with petrol, Samuel's hands trembled as he glanced back towards the gruesome scene. The air was thick with the stench of blood, and the caravan park was eerily quiet as the Grunts attempted to mind their own business.

Due to his fear, the canister overfilled spilling petrol onto the sand. Samuel quickly capped the canister, clutching it tightly, he darted away from the petrol tank. Silently weaving through the shadows, Samuel pressed his back against a dilapidated caravan. The night air was heavy with tension, and the gruesome display orchestrated by Rust lingered in his mind. He cast furtive glances over his shoulder, ensuring he remained unseen by the Grunts. Samuel navigated between the parked caravans once more, avoiding any hint of moonlight that could betray his presence.

Reaching the outskirts of the caravan park, he never looked back. With the petrol-filled canister clutched tightly in his hands, he ventured into the open desert, making his way back to Axel's garage.

Knocking desperately on the vending machine covering the entrance, Axel let him inside. Out of breath and angry, Samuel threw the full canister onto the ground. Taking a moment to catch his breath he spoke, "That was fucked. You didn't tell me about Rust."

"Rust? Sorry mate that's rare. Didn't know the cunt was out this far." Axel apologised.

"He's looking for me, wants me dead." Samuel argued his hands on his knees.

"That's what happens when ya drive their roads. Ya should of listened to the signs Sammy." Axel told him off.

"He snapped a guys neck with one hand." Samuel recounted.

"He's a strong fucker. Dumb as a drongo though." Axel responded. "Take a seat Sammy. I promised a frothy." He invited Samuel, pulling out an old cushioned seat.

Throwing his body onto the chair, Samuel took the beer from Axel's hand. The bottle was frozen cold. "Can't go wrong with a cold Coopers Pale Ale." Axel grinned taking a sip from his own bottle.

Samuel took a large sip from his beer, tilting his head back to swallow the liquid. Wiping excess from his lips he wondered, "How long have you been here?"

"Since the beginning. My old man owned this Petrol Station. It was the only place I could go." Axel opened up. "How about you Sammy? Why so far from home?" He questioned.

"Came here on a holiday with my ex-girlfriend. Bad timing." Samuel briefly answered.

Axel's eyebrows raised inquisitively. "Ex-girlfriend? What happened there?" Samuel shook his head not wanting to answer, taking another sip to drown out the question. "I was married once ya know. She was a beauty. However she was hard yakka. We had our arguments. I was legless most days because of it. I was rooted and stuffed most nights. Couldn't handle her. So I left. Never said goodbye. That was only a week before the dead began to walk." Axel spoke.

"Do you regret it?" Samuel asked taking another sip of his beer.

"Even though we hated each other. I miss her. I want to check up on her, but I'm scared she'll want to have me dead." Axel answered.

Finishing his last sip, Samuel put the empty beer bottle onto the ground, "Maybe you should. I'm sure she wonders where you are." He encouraged him.

Axel nodded his eyes drifting away from the conversation. Suddenly reaching into his pocket, Axel pulled out a pair of keys. Handing them towards Samuel a smile grew on his face. "She's all yours now mate. Look after her." He spoke.

Samuel took the keys from his hands and placed them deep into his pocket. "Thank you." Samuel said a small smirk on his lips. He was excited to get back on the road and continue his drive home.

Axel scratched his scruffy beard, "Well, mate, you'll need petrol. There a syphon and a spare petrol canister I put in the car for ya."

With a nod of gratitude, they both walked towards the car. Axel pulled open the drivers side door, revealing the scent of aged leather and dust. "Jump on in." Axel invited him.

Samuel settled into the driver's seat, the worn cushions embraced him like an old friend. His fingers traced the grooves of the steering wheel as he got used to the new car. He took a moment absorbing the silence, "Start her up." Axel suggested.

Turning the key in the ignition, the V8 engine roared to life with a thunderous symphony, a deep, guttural growl that echoed through the stillness of the crimson desert night. Each ignition pulse was a powerful heartbeat, resonating with raw energy as the cylinders synchronized in a harmonious dance of mechanical power. The distinct, throaty rumble reverberated through the air, sending vibrations that could be felt as much as heard.

The soft glow of the dashboard illuminated Samuel's face. Adjusting the rearview mirror, he met his own gaze. "Take this mate. It'll keep ya company on the road." Axel spoke, handing Samuel his "Australian 80's" cassette tape.

"Thanks, Axel. I appreciate the help," Samuel replied, tucking the cassette into the car's player. "I hope you find your wife." He smiled.

Axel raced to open the garage doors. The rusted metal horribly screamed in the small garage. Samuel revved the engine, slowly easing forward. "I hope you find Tahlia." Axel chuckled winking.

Samuel gazed at Axel amazed that he was listening to him on the radio. Exiting the garage, Samuel turned up the volume on the car stereo. If it was by chance, 'Better Be Home Soon' by 'Crowded House' played loudly on the speaker.

Driving into the night, Samuel shared one last glimpse into the rear view mirror, watching the abandoned Petrol Station disappear into the darkness behind him.