From Jenne Gray and C.E. Ayr’s photo prompt, The Unicorn Challenge (12/22/23). No more than 250 words in length. Otherwise, let your creative flag fly!

Zeke was a Schmittyboy from the tip-top of his wrangling hat, to the red-dusted toes of his herding boots. Picture twin moons, Phobos and Deimos, shining in rare alignment over Arizon’s desert plain.

Listen as the Schmitties roll and bump into each other, clacking and giggling because they’re just about the most sweet-tempered herd animal across all planets. Settle in to sweet classics played on Zeke’s snissle-whissle, as those moons tumble across the sky. Sniff the night air, with fragrant roasted Rugba root. Soothe your tongue with the oily feel of Third Planet Turkish coffee. Cleanse your palate with Lula’s backroom rotgut that puts herders to sleep before their second swallow.

What more could anyone want?    

Sheppity loves life as Zeke’s Double-humped Desert Mount, the sound of Zeke’s Rustlmallet, when his rider leans from the saddle and gently smacks a straying Schmittie. They literally squeal “Wheeee!” when rolling back to the herd. These critters love to play more than anything else, so nobody suspects that they’re essential to the planet’s revitalization, after corporate farming razed Arizon’ of its precious natural resources.

So, what’s missing?

What’s missing is Wilma, the GI specialist up in Pertick settlement, 15 hundred klicks across the desertland. Both love her more than either one cares to discuss with the other. By sunrise, they’ll be halfway under the Bud-Nei mountain range, a song in their hearts, a snissle-whissle at Zeke’s lips, Schmitties rolling along behind.

But will they be ready for the insane, bat-wielding villain, Lankbun Bosser?

© Liz Husebye Hartmann (2023)