The dust still hung heavy in the air, the sharp cracks of gunfire fading behind her as Javiera ducked into the nearest house, heart pounding. The wooden floor creaked beneath her boots as she slid the door shut and pressed her back against it. Outside, the distant clatter of horses and shouting lawmen echoed down the street. The bank robbery had went smooth until she got separated from the rest of the gang.

A shadow moved in the corner of her eye—someone standing just inside the dim doorway of the room. Javiera’s hand went instinctively to her revolver, raising it steadily without a word. Her eyes locked onto the figure as she spoke, calm but firm:

“I’m just layin’ low ’til the heat dies down. Don’t want no trouble. You don’t need to make this harder. Just keep quiet and I'll slip away soon, not touching anything or harming anyone.”