At a closer glance, the kid looks a wreck. Sweaty locks. Dirt beneath his fingernails, as if perhaps he lives out in the desert beneath a rock somewhere.

Coming from the bathroom, Itch says, “Already made a buddy, huh?”

“Something like that.”

The kid grabs some chips to go with his Reese’s Cups and Twix. A couple of Monster Energy drinks from the cooler. Placing everything on the counter, Hunter tells the attendant, “I got all of it. And I’ll need two fill-ups out on the pumps. Here’s fifty. I’ll get my change when they’re topped off.”

After paying up and leaving the store, Hunter and Itch open their tanks, release the gas pumps, and start filling their motorcycles. They load bottles of water and some nuts into their saddle bags, and each chug a bottle to quench their thirst. The kid leans against the building as he downs a Monster drink and shoves two Reese’s Cups into his mouth at once. Drops the wrapper on the ground.

After they top off the tanks as high as they can without sloshing on the paint job, Itch goes in and gets the change.

Outside, the kid is chomping away, his cheeks packed like a chipmunk’s. He tells Hunter, “Them’s some badass bikes.” A crumb of Reese’s falls from his mouth.

“Thanks. You from around the area?”

Washing his sugar rush down with the Monster, he says, “Yeah. Hitched up here. Live down the road a ways. You guys part of a gang or some shit?”

“No, just passing through. Headed to California.”

“Ever been to Sturgis?”

“Few times.”

“Bet that fucking rocked.”

“It’s had its moments. You need a lift back home?”

“Yeah. Think you could give me one? I’m just down the road a few miles.”

Hunter looks at Itch. “You mind?”

Itch shakes his head. “I’m good with whatever you’re good with, dude.”

Hunter says, “I’m Hunter. This is Itch. Hop on.”

Kid finishes off his Monster. Crushes the can, drops it on the ground. “Oh, I’m Cory.”

“Nice to meet you, Cory. Think you could pick up your trash? There’s a can right beside the door.”

Hesitant, Cory says, “Yeah, I guess I could.” Bending down, he picks up the can and candy wrapper and tosses them into a black drum with a plastic liner.

Getting on the rear of Hunter’s bike, Cory hangs on to the back of the seat, just in front of the chrome sissy bar. Heeling the stand up, Hunter cranks the bike to life.