The Warrior Sheep Go West by Christopher Russell Page B

designed for sleeping in, so she was glad of the lightweight sports blanket she always carried in her briefcase. She tucked it neatly around her shoulders and made herself as comfortable as possible. She’d parked the cart beside the still-swollen creek. At first light she would search for tracks again. Failure was not an option. Everything depended on her. And the sheep.
    ***
    Cameron and Phoenix were on their feet before sunrise.
    â€œMom’s gonna be worried sick,” said Phoenix. “Are you sure your phone’s not working?”
    â€œI’ve told you, man. Dead as a dodo,” replied Cameron, and he tossed his water-logged phone at his brother.
    Phoenix prodded at it for a few seconds, then threw it on the ground. “So what do we do now?”
    â€œWe walk,” said Cameron. He’d got his confidence back. “It can’t be too far to the highway.”
    â€œWhat?” said Phoenix. “Walk? With no water and no phone! You’re crazy.”
    â€œSo what do you want to do? Sit here and wait to die?” Cameron turned and strode off. “Let’s go. We need to get some miles in before the sun gets too high.”
    â€œWhat about the sheep?” called Phoenix, running after his brother.
    â€œThey’re welcome to come if they want to,” grunted Cameron. “We could do with some lucky mascots now.”
    â€œWhat did you say mascots were, dear?” asked Sal as the boys hurried away.
    â€œI’m not sure,” replied Wills. “I think it’s something to do with good luck.”
    â€œSo if we stick with them, we’ll be lucky?” said Oxo. “And get to this Fort Wilmot place?”
    â€œI think they think we bring them luck,” said Wills.
    But the other warriors weren’t listening. They’d all crowded past him to follow the lucky humans more closely.
    They followed for a long time. More than two hours.
    â€œSo where’s this highway, Cam?” demanded Phoenix.
    He was becoming cranky. The burning colors of the desert, the reds, yellows, and browns, were beginning to swim before his eyes. He felt that he himself was being melted by the merciless sun. Cameron didn’t have the energy to answer. His mouth was too dry anyway.
    Phoenix pointed with a wavering hand. “We’ve passed that cactus before!”
    There were a million cacti. They all looked the same. The Warrior Sheep were still plodding hopefully along behind.
    â€œThis good luck thing’s taking a while to kick in…” muttered Oxo.
    â€œLook!” croaked Sal with sudden excitement. “Look! Water! A pond! Just ahead there! Just ahead…” She staggered into a gallop. “I can see a pond!”
    The pond kept moving away in front of her. It shimmered and glinted in the sunlight, but she could never quite reach it.
    â€œCome back, Sal,” called Wills, forcing himself into a run to catch up with her. “There is no pond.”
    â€œBut I saw it, dear,” sobbed Sal. “Truly I did…”
    â€œIt isn’t real,” said Wills. “It’s a trick of the light. I think it’s called a mirage.”
    â€œIs it, dear?” said Sal vaguely. “I’m so terribly sorry…”
    She didn’t know what Wills was talking about, but there was no pool of crystal clear water. The other sheep gathered around.
    â€œHey, man,” said Links. “Tell me that’s a mirage tingy too.”
    They all looked where he was looking and saw a skeleton of sun-bleached bones lying on the sand close by. Wills shook his head.
    â€œEr, no. Not a mirage,” he said.
    â€œBones,” grunted Oxo. “Sheep-sized.”
    â€œOhmygrass…” whimpered Jaycey. “Red Tongue’s been here…”
    The warriors looked around anxiously, but the only other living creatures they could see were Cameron and Phoenix, staggering on ahead of them. Then, when it seemed