She could not get too far out in front, he was not familiar with the territory and she knew that he was way out of his comfort zone. But he was driven and angry. She was banking on that making up for everything else.

She loved this backcountry and knew it well. Her destination was not that far, she couldn’t keep him back there forever. She made sure that her position left her higher and at an advantage. She still didn’t know if he was armed, but had already decided it wouldn’t matter. Things were about to change.

The slide of her bolt brought him up. He looked up and smiled. For the first time, she hated it. She squeezed and it was over. He was still smiling when he hit the dirt. She could catch up to the spooked horse later, now she just squatted and stared. He was the man she had loved and it pained her greatly to have it end this way. She waited, but there was no remorse, no guilt, not even a tear.

When she rode off, she left him to the scavengers. Nothing would be wasted.