en	Language name in English
vi	Vietnamese

en	Language name in language
vi	Tiếng Việt

en	Boss

en	Guy

en	Robin

en	???

en	Joseph

en	Sheriff

en	Bartholomew

en	Jacob

en	Curly Wolf

en	Black Vulture

en	John

en	Vic

en	Matthew

en	Col

en	Hawky

en	Hawky & Col

en	Frankie

en	{0} says, {1}

en	"So, you sure we can trust this friend of yours' info? It'll be a cryin' shame if you're wrong about this."

en	"This guy is someone to ride the river with, he'd never sell me bunk information! That town has struck gold, that's what he heard."

en	"Heard? He just heard about it? What kinda source is that - we can't go off of rumours you nutcase."

en	"B-but think about it, we'll be living like English kings if we take over a supply like that!"

en	"What else are we gonna do? The last job was a bust, we got nothin' left."

en	"Hrm... alright. We've had some bad luck and are runnin' low on supplies."

en	"We'll take that town by hook or by crook, an' if they don't have that gold, we can take 'em for what they do have and skedaddle."

en	"The lookout'll go early in the mornin' and see what we're up against. But I reckon we can bulldoze this burg and have some fun either way."

en	"Make sure to bring us back some juicy details, won't ya tomboy?"

en	He firmly slaps you on the back. Laughter fills the camp around the roaring fire.

en	Sounds like you'll be riding at sun-up to check the town out. You feel it's best to get some sleep.

en	The desert is an orange haze. Scorched sands whip up around your horse's legs, the sun hot against your back as you ride towards the town.

en	There's not much to be done while riding. The desert is lonely, harsh, bare. Only thing to do is think.

en	You don't like being alone with your thoughts so often, for so long.

en	But you always are alone as the lookout, alone being the odd stick of the gang. No one talks to you unless they need something.

en	You daydream as you ride, like usual. Flights of fancy, of settling down somewhere. You're tied to Curly Wolf and his gang though.

en	Is it so much to ask to be able to live in peace? To not have to fight for survival, always on the run?

en	Maybe that's what your life will always be like, gang or not.

en	A hunted outcast.

en	...

en	They could've sent you off with some playing cards at the very least.

en	You come to an outcropping near a cliff. Tying up your horse, you approach the edge and see the town come into view.

en	A nice frontier town, small but clearly bustling with people. White painted signs on the wooden buildings glint and bloom in the midday sun.

en	You can't see much else from way up here, and turn to go get your binoculars.

en	You open your saddle bag and pull the metal binoculars out, brushing it against your poncho to dust off the lenses.

en	Turning back to walk to the edge, a figure suddenly rounds the corner of the large rock you've decided to set up camp under.

en	"Ah!"

en	"Cahw!"

en	Out of instinct, your hand snaps to your holstered gun and pulls it, trained squarely at the head of this new person.

en	The bird who seemingly came from nowhere looks at you, clearly just as surprised and out of sorts from your own presence.

en	He shifts backwards, eyeing your hand on your gun.

en	The air feels very still all of a sudden, and given you have the upper hand, you take a moment to look at who you just crossed paths with.

en	He's definitely an outlaw, like yourself. A rugged beak shining in the sun centres a face you admittedly find charming.

en	His face and arms are marked with scars, and a large sawn-off shotgun hangs in his holster.

en	Since he's a bird you know to be wary. Just like he'll know to be wary of a canid like yourself.

en	"Howdy there. What's yer name partner?"

en	"Joseph."

en	"And what are you doin' all the way out here, Joseph? You seem a dreadful long way away from where one might think you should be."

en	"Ah could ask you the same question."

en	You stare him dead in the eye. He's pretty calm for someone having a gun pointed at his head, but you can see some of his feathers quivering.

en	"Were you tryna sneak up on me, Joseph?"

en	"Rob me blind where no one else can see? I bet you thought a fella missin' an arm would be easy."

en	"No sir! Ah had no idea you were here 'till ah walked round this here rock."

en	He pats the red stone beside him as if to make a point.

en	Sir? What in the Sam Hill...

en	You lower your gun, like your shoulder joint just gave out, and let it hang there.

en	"In all my years, no stranger has ever called me sir."

en	"Well, colour me surprised fella. You'd have to be blind or full as a tick to not see an upstanding young gentleman."

en	"Alright, alright, now you're just lickin' my boots."

en	The hawk puts a hand to his chest.

en	"God as my witness, I ain't lyin' to ya."

en	You holster your gun and snort a small laugh.

en	"May he strike you down as penance then!"

en	"What are ya doin' out here? Pickin' flowers?"

en	The smile drops from his face. He stops short, and swallows. Like he can't bear to say the next words.

en	"I'm part of the Black Vulture gang. I'm on lookout here to survey this here burg."

en	"That's very forward of ya, considering I just had a gun pointed yer way."

en	"I'm part of the Curly Wolf gang."

en	"I'll be damned, you boys have been all over the west. What brings ya right here?"

en	"Much the same as you I would imagine. Rumours of gold."

en	"You'd have it just right."

en	"Well... I can imagine what my boss might want me to do, coming across someone who's sticking their beak in our business."

en	Joseph tenses up, feathers ruffled. He understands full well what you mean. Conflicting interests and all.

en	"..."

en	"..."

en	"...But he's not here. Would be a real waste of a good bullet to use it on you."

en	"Is that an insult or are ya trying ta make a mash on me?"

en	The small jibe is enough to make you stop talking and search for the binoculars you threw when you pulled your gun.

en	Turning your face away to hide the blood rushing to your cheeks under your dark fur.

en	You dust the binoculars off again and walk over to where Joseph is standing, his eyes keenly trained on the town.

en	"Don't need no binoculars then, huh?"

en	"No sir, these eyes can see all the faces of those people down there no problem."

en	Sir. Again. Maybe it's just a habit of his to call people that.

en	"Say why do you keep calling me sir? I ain't your boss, you just that much of a polite suckup?"

en	"Costs nothing to be kind on the trail, I've found."

en	"What do most call you then?"

en	"Ah..."

en	You thought this might come up. Of course. You're surprised it took this long for him to ask about who you are. What you are.

en	"Most would say tomboy I would think. Or other things I wouldn't repeat in such polite company."

en	"And what would you call yourself?"

en	The question takes you by surprise. Something else no one's ever asked you.

en	"I'd call myself a man."

en	"Huh, is that so..."

en	He's gonna think you're a nut now, you just know it.

en	You'd be better getting on your horse right now and riding back than staying another second round this stranger.

en	"How funny, ah guess we're in the same boat if I'm picking up what you're putting down."

en	"Might say that the guys at the camp don't use 'shove the queer' to talk about money."

en	You nod at him, unsure whether to laugh or not. Neither of you seem sure what to say now.

en	Instead, you hold the binoculars to the bridge of your nose and investigate the town, looking down into the valley.

en	After a spell of looking at nothing in particular in silence, you take the binoculars away from your face again, readjusting to the late morning light.

en	You glanced at Joseph's keenly trained eyes, then back to the town.

en	You can't help but stare at the clump of a couple dozen or so buildings.

en	You couldn't help but think about the real people's lives going on down there, every day. Deaths and celebrations, harvests, prayers.

en	How you were gonna hurt 'em.

en	How you were both gonna hurt 'em.

en	...

en	"Ah don't get it."

en	Joseph's voice snaps you out of your staring.

en	"Why would Black Vulture wanna come here? There's nothin' here! No mines in use, no bank, and they sure as Hell ain't rich by the looks of things."

en	"Maybe they struck a new vein. This is a miner's town after all."

en	"But you're right... something strange going on."

en	"Well, two sets of eyes are better than one, right?"

en	"...You wanna work together?"

en	"You watch my back, I'll watch yours. Deal?"

en	A huge feathered hand shoots out at you in expectation.

en	You look at his face, and you both lock eyes for a moment.

en	You're not sure what, but there's something in his eyes that makes you feel... seen. Being looked at, rather than through.

en	You gently grab his hand, and a second winged hand clasps on and gives your whole arm a big shake.

en	"Woah, careful there, don't need to lose another."

en	He lets go and puts his hands on his hips, smiling at you.

en	"Hey, come on now, let's get on down there."

en	He walks past you and heads toward a winding rocky pathway down the side of the valley cliff.

en	You take a moment to look at the town again, walking along the cliff edge to catch up with Joseph.

en	Wondering if he could see how red your face had been under your black fur.

en	Clambering down the cliff face, the shade of the valley is a welcome change after your long ride in the sun.

en	The climb down is quiet, only a few grunts and gripes, a couple voices of concern from Joseph you quickly waved off.

en	You both approach a wooden sign you spotted a little ways off, swaying in the desert wind.

en	It looked relatively new, a board hanging on two chains, a word carved into the wood.

en	"Can you read it?"

en	It was only a single word but you couldn't piece together quite how to say it.

en	"Uh... no."

en	"Ah well, I'm sure someone will tell us."

en	You notice some familiar smells drift on the wind as a gust blows through the town past you.

en	Tobacco smoke, whiskey, stewing meat from somewhere.

en	It reminded you of the camp.

en	Walking more into the town, you get a better look at the buildings that were just dots up on the cliff.

en	There was a saloon at least, seemingly one of the older buildings in the town.

en	As well as what you guessed was a Sheriff's building, although the sign outside looked to be busted up.

en	Everything else you could see from here seemed to be houses and whatnot.

en	Leftovers clearly made by miners, not built to be sturdy or last long, but had been fixed up to be liveable for folks.

en	Clearly the people here like this place. And if they get a whiff of why you're both here...

en	"Alright partner, I say if we get given any evil eyes we hightail it out of here. Ain't worth getting shot in a place like this."

en	"Sure thing. We got each other's backs, remember?"

en	You nod at him.

en	"We'd best get talkin' to people, daylight's burnin'."

en	"Oh, here comes someone now!"

en	Sure enough you see a short figure approaching you from the Sheriff's office.

en	You hear the pound of a cane on the dirt as they limp towards you with a vigor in their step.

en	When they get closer and the haze of the desert heat obscures them less, you see a smartly-dressed old lizard standing before you both.

en	Cane in one hand, and a metal flask in the other.

en	"Howdy fellas. I'm Sheriff, welcome to Clemency."

en	"A pleasure to meet ya, Sheriff...?"

en	He gave the lizard an expectant look, waiting for a name.

en	"My name is Sheriff... just Sheriff, that's all you need."

en	"And what do you call yourselves?"

en	"My name's Joseph, an' my... associate here... is..."

en	He gestured toward you and turned to look at you, a subtle panic running across his eyes.

en	You realise, that he just realised, you never gave your name.

en	What is your name?

en	"I'm $Player, pleasure to meet you."

en	You said this while looking at Joseph, resisting the urge to wink at him before looking back to Sheriff.

en	"So what brings you two to our fine town?"

en	"We're just riding through, needed a rest stop. There a problem with that?"

en	Joseph nudges you with his elbow a bit, glancing at his eyes you can tell he's saying "Don't be so rude."

en	"No, no, not at all. I'm just the closest thing we have ta a welcome committee, and it's always nice to see some new faces all the way out here."

en	"How long will you be staying? The saloon has some rooms if you'd like to stay the night."

en	"That's an awful kind offer Sheriff, but we'll be gone before nightfall, at least that's the idea. Maybe we'll like this town so much we stay!"

en	Joseph and Sheriff both chuckle, and Sheriff sighs.

en	"Well, you boys let me know if you need anything else, I'll be at home most likely."

en	"Will do."

en	"Yup..."

en	With a tip of the hat, Sheriff turned and started walking back to the building at the end of the road.

en	With the lizard out of earshot, Joseph turns to you.

en	"So, pardner, what's our plan?"

en	You look around the town for a moment, surveying the handful of people walking about, talking to each other around their houses.

en	Taking in the warm wind blowing past you with a deep breath.

en	"We get talking to folks."

en	"And what, they just run their mouth about all the gold they've found?"

en	"No, but I reckon a town this size, if they've struck something there'll be a buzz about."

en	"We ask 'em about themselves, about the town. Someone'll spill sooner or later."

en	"Alright then, well ah got a priddy good peep at the place on the way down."

en	"We got a saloon just here, we got some sorta town hall over on the far side, and we got Sheriff's station at the end of the road by the looks."

en	"Where to?"

en	Saloon

en	Town Hall

en	Sheriff's Office

en	"Let's check out the saloon. I reckon if anyone knows anything about these rumours, it'll be in there."

en	"Awrighty then."

en	Walking through the doors of the saloon, you're hit with the very familiar smell of tobacco and alcohol hanging in the air.

en	A couple patrons drink and talk quietly in the corner, not taking any notice of you two.

en	You see a dozen or so tables, and looking up there's a second floor with the rooms Sheriff mentioned.

en	"Howdy there!"

en	Your attention is grabbed by an excitable and friendly voice coming from a short bird standing behind the bar, who was now grabbing a couple glasses.

en	"My name's Bartholomew, what can I get you fellas?"

en	He started wiping the glasses expectantly, glancing between you both as you walked the few steps from the doors to stand at the bar.

en	"I'll get a beer."

en	"Alright alright, and you?"

en	"I'll uh... have what he's having."

en	"Yep, coming right up."

en	He set the mugs down and disappeared through a door behind the bar into a backroom.

en	"I don't have any money on me, Joseph..."

en	"Don't worry 'bout that, it's on me."

en	He pat you on the back with a big wing a couple times, but withdrew his hand when he saw you wince a little.

en	"Oh, sorry, was ah too hard..."

en	"No no, you're fine."

en	You hadn't winced from pain. You just weren't... used to someone touching you, like that at least. Friendly like.

en	Bartholomew reappeared with two glass bottles, tipping them into the mugs with satisfying glugs before taking a couple coins from Joseph.

en	"Thank ya kindly."

en	You both take a sip. Joseph seems to enjoy it, but you find it a bit more... bitter. You try not to pull a face.

en	"Not like it?"

en	You smile weakly.

en	"Not my thing."

en	"Noted."

en	He winks at you and you feel your cheeks redden a little.

en	You both keep drinking while the bartender busies himself behind the bar.

en	The saloon is quiet. A piano sits gathering dust in the corner, seemingly untouched for many moons.

en	Wind whistles through a gap in the saloon doors, carrying the sound of desert insects.

en	"Slow day huh?"

en	You look up from your drink, and see he's looking at the bartender, who doesn't seem to have taken any notice.

en	He glances at you both and realises rather sheepishly he was being talked to.

en	"Oh, beg yer pardon. Slow day? Naw, this is about the usual."

en	"Gets a lot more lively in the evenings when the sun goes down. Everyone comes here to take a load off."

en	"So you know everyone here priddy well then?"

en	"Well, 'course! Not exactly a big town, we're a pretty tight-knit lot here."

en	"Why is that? This is a mining town, right? These places usually explode with people."

en	"Uh, well... I can't say I know much."

en	He looks oddly unsettled by your question.

en	"How long you lived here for?"

en	He perks up again from whatever you said that troubled him, the brightness returning to his voice.

en	"Oh, well, I'd say somewhere close to eight years?"

en	"That's a darn long time."

en	"Heh, yeah I s'pose it is."

en	"What made you stay?"

en	"Nevermind stayin', how'd ya even find this place! I've never even heard it till we stumbled past."

en	Bartholomew's cheery smile dropped a little, morphing into something more wistful.

en	Like the face of someone looking at an old, now bittersweet photograph.

en	"You boys ask a lot of questions, don't ya?"

en	You and Joseph look at each other for a moment, expecting the other to say something, but nothing comes out.

en	"I don't mind, to give it a fair shake this town ain't the most exciting."

en	"It's nice to talk to some new ears that ain't tired of my squawking already."

en	He gives a little half-hearted chuckle.

en	"Well, I found this place 'cause I heard about there being gold. Like a lot of folks I was fixin' to get my fill."

en	You and Joseph both lean in a little at the mention of gold.

en	"My fiancé was running away from home, and I was going with 'em. We thought we'd go out West and make our fortune."

en	"Lookin' back on it, I get why so many called us foolish. I might've been one of 'em if it were the other way round."

en	"But we had our hearts set on it. We followed the road by wagon, and it was... damn tough - hellish even."

en	"Thank our lucky stars, we made it here to Clemency on a wing and a prayer."

en	"That was when we really felt like we were foolish. When we got here, talking 'bout gold, we almost got ran out of town."

en	"I don't know the details, but there was a lot of trouble here when miners ran this place."

en	"No one's been digging for decades now, but word hadn't travelled far enough it seems to let us know at the time."

en	"At first Sheriff told us to leave, didn't want no more of our kind causing trouble."

en	"But when Sheriff saw how stuck we were, how we had nowhere else to go, how rough the journey had been on us."

en	"Sheriff's nothing if not kind. Could see we weren't troublemakers... just wanted a better life somewhere."

en	He shrugged, like there was nothing more to it.

en	"With the town's help we gussied up this here saloon into something I could run, and the rest is history."

en	"I'm glad y'all found something here."

en	"Yeah I can say that fer sure. Clemency may be small but it's somethin' real special if you ask me."

en	"So there's no gold here."

en	Bartholomew leaned back against the shelves behind him, crossing his arms.

en	"Not as far as I know. The mines are around here somewhere but I've never seen 'em."

en	"This hasn't been a mining town for a long time, and folks here don't think of it as one. You'd do well to keep that in mind."

en	He tapped the side of his beak as if to say "if you catch my drift."

en	"Even so ah would be interested in the history of the town."

en	"Afraid that well runs dry here, but there's others who have been here far longer than I have."

en	"You can always talk to Sheriff if you haven't yet."

en	"Sheriff made this place what it is today. Wanna know somethin', that's the lizard to talk to."

en	"Thank you, Bartholomew."

en	"No problem, it's my pleasure."

en	Bartholomew stood up from his lean and stretched his back and arms a little.

en	Slinging his cloth over his shoulder, he picked up a small clinking and rattling box before walking through to the backroom.

en	"Daylight's burnin', I think we best get going."

en	"Agreed."

en	You stood at the bar and waited a moment while Joseph downed his beer. And then yours too.

en	"Hope you can hold that."

en	"Aw, please, how lil you must think of me. Only a couple beers."

en	"You shoulda seen me at the Long Branch in Dodge. Drank the entire gang under the table."

en	You can't help but smile at his cockiness, unsure whether to believe him.

en	You briefly think back on the times the gang had gone to bars. You were always told to stay outside. Don't wander off.

en	A dog on a leash waiting for master to come back.

en	Staring into lamplit streets and hearing the braying crowds all around you, drunken strangers enjoying each other's company as much as their liquor.

en	At first they told you it was dangerous for you to stray too far.

en	Then they started telling you to stay outside after you'd beaten the teeth out of a guy in an alley who you knew had been staring at you.

en	Couldn't have you causing them needless trouble.

en	"Off so soon?"

en	Bartholomew re-emerged into the bar, looking expectantly.

en	"Well, don't be a stranger, strangers."

en	"You're welcome to come back later when the bar's more lively! My husband would love to meet you both."

en	The casual lilt of his words caught you off-guard, and you think you see Joseph stumble a little.

en	Failing to get any words out, he just tips his hat, and you both leave the saloon, stepping back into the dust and dry desert heat.

en	"There might be a meeting we can drop in on at the town hall, seems worth a look."

en	"Sounds good ta me, ah wouldn't mind sitting down a spell neither."

en	You both start walking to the outskirts of the town, weaving between the clumps of houses and down the dirt banks.

en	You keep walking on a flat stretch, smooth and compacted from the frequent travels of people.

en	Some townsfolk on their porches wave at you or give a little "Afternoon" as you pass on by.

en	"Is it just me, or does it feel like everyone here is nicer than most?"

en	"Well, maybe, but I ain't complainin'."

en	He gives an enthusiastic wave to a small kid shyly hanging around outside their house, under the shade.

en	"I could get used to folk bein' nice to me."

en	"They not usually?"

en	"Ah mean... ah don't stray far from the gang a lot of the time."

en	"Maybe this is normal."

en	"Yeah, I s'pose I wouldn't know either..."

en	You arrive at the large wooden building you'd been heading towards, noting how similar to a chapel it looked.

en	Joseph walks up the small steps and opens the door with a rattle, holding it open for you.

en	"Thank you kindly."

en	He follows you into the short darkened hallway, closing the door behind him with another wooden rattle.

en	The meeting hall is fairly large, and simple, and bright.

en	The wood walls are varnished, and gleaming from the ample sunlight filtering through the arched windows.

en	Rows of benches line the aisle, half facing away and half facing toward you on each side.

en	Sitting on a nearby bench turned away from you is a hunched figure in black.

en	Hearing you come in, the figure jumps to life, rising from the seat.

en	They turn to you both, revealing themselves to be an elderly tortoise, holding a small book in one hand.

en	"Ah, do my eyes deceive me or do I see new visitors to our town!"

en	He walks with the characteristic slowness of someone his age and nature down the aisle towards you both, but with a sprightly spring to his step.

en	He tucks the book under one arm and extends both his hands to shake hands with Joseph, and then you.

en	"Welcome, welcome to Clemency, and to our meeting hall. I am Jacob, and what might your names be?"

en	"I'm Joseph, an' this here is my associate $Player."

en	"Pleasure to meet you."

en	"I assure you, the pleasure is all mine. It has been a good while since we had fresh faces around here."

en	"Now you'll have to excuse me but I have some business to attend to quickly, feel free to sit and pray here until I return if you so wish."

en	Before you can ask any more questions he shuffles between you both and out the door.

en	You and Joseph look at each other quizzically, sitting down on the nearest bench together.

en	"What did he say? Sit and pray here?"

en	"That's what I heard too."

en	"Is this a meeting hall for prayer? The meeting house of God? Ah don't get it."

en	You can't help but smile at his musings as he looks around the room, looking into the rafters of the ceiling, before turning back to you.

en	You lock eyes with him, staring into the honey-gold and brown streaked rings of his keen gaze.

en	He smiles at you coyly and looks away, readjusting in his seat. You realise you were holding your breath.

en	You sit up on the bench more too. The hard wood at your back reminds you of church days.

en	All the fuss and protest against your mother about your Sunday best.

en	You don't miss the frills and laces at all. You do miss singing hymns with her.

en	She had a beautiful voice.

en	"Ah don't remember the last time I prayed. Don't cross my mind very much."

en	"Can't say you're missing anything, all the good it'd do you."

en	"Not a believer?"

en	"I don't wanna blaspheme, but, God's done a whole lot of jack squat to help me all my life."

en	"Don't really feel like praying to someone who doesn't care about me - or anyone like me for that matter."

en	"Which is why I wouldn't have pegged you for a devout man."

en	Joseph laughed a bit, almost mocking the idea.

en	"No, no, ah don't think anyone coulda accuse me of that. Not with some of the things I've done."

en	"But ah still pray. Only the Lord knows if he's listening, but it helps remind me what's, uh, important to me."

en	"A lotta the time ah just pray for family, hope they're doin' fine."

en	"...I hope they are too."

en	There was a momentary silence between you, like the subtle shift of coals in a long-burning fire - now snuffed by the door rattling open again.

en	You looked behind you and sure enough it was Jacob shuffling in.

en	He grabbed a broom and briefly swept some dust he'd tracked in back outside before closing the door with another rattle.

en	"Forgive me for the delay, I hope I haven't kept you two from your business."

en	"Don't worry yerself, we're doin' just fine here."

en	He leaned into and nudged you playfully.

en	"Good, good... so, how may I help you gentlemen?"

en	The word catches you off guard a little, the way it trips off his tongue so easily. No bitterness or mockery.

en	Joseph seems to stall for a moment before a little wry smile returns to his face.

en	He adjusted in his seat to turn to Jacob, who had now taken a seat facing you on another bench.

en	"Well, we're jus' passin' through, but I'm curious, you mentioned somethin' about prayer?"

en	"Ah, well yes, of course, you must forgive me, I'm clearly far too used to the usuals of the town."

en	His slow drawl of words is comforting, like being told a long-worn story by a grandparent.

en	"This is a meeting hall for Friends, Quakers, if you will. We're a largely Quaker community here in Clemency."

en	"Quakers, Quakers... oh yeah, there's a lotta you folks over in Pennsylvania and the likes ain't there."

en	"Yes, indeed that's true, in fact that is where I hail from - but I must admit, it has been a long long time since I last visited."

en	"Sorry, I've gotta say I'm at sea here, I've never even heard of Quakers."

en	"Ah can't say I'm much more enlightened myself, I don't know nothing about 'em."

en	You both turn to Jacob expectantly.

en	"Well, what's the simplest way I can explain our beliefs..."

en	He fell into deep thought for a few moments, eyes staring into the middle distance, before coming back to life.

en	"We believe that there is that of God in everyone. That we all have a... inner light, that guides us."

en	"We don't perform sermons or sing hymns, instead we pray in silence together."

en	"There are no guidelines as to what you should do, other than try to connect and listen to the light within yourself."

en	"We also very strongly believe in pacifism and do what we can to promote peace."

en	"Denouncing all forms of violence and the degradation of our fellows who walk the earth with us."

en	"It's important to respect the light of God within everyone - that's certainly how I see it."

en	"That sounds nice but, well... things don't often work that way. In my experience."

en	Jacob smiled wisely, likely having heard the same sentiment many times before.

en	"Yes, there's certainly some that adhere to it more than others in town here, but it's always been an important tenet of our community."

en	"So everyone in this town are Quakers?"

en	"Well, yes, and no. Many of us are but some of us moreso just adhere to the same principles and ideals of non-violence and so forth."

en	"Quakerism isn't enforced, but it bonds this community."

en	"Huh, interestin'. Whatta 'bout old Sheriff?"

en	"What about Sheriff?"

en	"With the pacifism and whatnot. Doesn't seem like it'd be easy."

en	"Oh, well, yes I can see how you might suppose that. Sheriff cares about keeping the peace, but isn't solely responsible for it. We all are."

en	"It's what made this town so easy to keep going, me and Sheriff see eye-to-eye on many things."

en	"So you and Sheriff have been here a while then?"

en	"Did ya found the place or somethin'?"

en	You'd have believed it by the tortoise's age, he could definitely be as old as this town.

en	"Aha, no, you flatter me for I am not quite that pioneering, but I have indeed been here for a long time."

en	"If you'd indulge me, I could tell you a little of my story."

en	"Please do."

en	Jacob nodded, again drifting off into thought for a moment, before coming back with his words.

en	"As I said, I'm from Pennsylvania."

en	"During the height of the gold rush, with so many heading West, many Quakers thought it would be of benefit to follow."

en	"I was much younger then, much more eager to get on the trail and spread the ideals of the Friends."

en	"Although, I can't say my love of blabbing has waned much."

en	He gave a charming and hoarse little laugh at his own jibe.

en	"The trail was very hard, but I learned much from others in the caravans and towns and cities on the way, so much life and light."

en	"I arrived in this here town maybe more chipper than I had left... but it was not to be."

en	His expression softened, drawing into himself, emotion failing to find its way onto his face.

en	"I loathe to speak ill of my fellow man, but when I arrived this was a godless place."

en	"The miners had little care for each other."

en	"Be it out of greed, or desperation, they were consumed by their need for gold, even those who had had their fill."

en	"The whole town was tense and unpredictable."

en	"Arguments, even violence, would erupt whenever something valuable turned up, a new vein, gold in the river..."

en	"They'd do whatever they had to to get what they wanted."

en	"The night I arrived, they told me of the so-called "savages" that used to reside there."

en	"Very little makes my blood boil I tell you boys what, but the way the miners talked about those Indians..."

en	"How... happily they told me stories about the ways they drove them out."

en	"Unspeakable things, things I dare not and would not want to repeat to anyone."

en	"I tried explaining the Friends' way, how even the "savages", as they called them, had the light of God in them."

en	"How we were equally important in the presence of God's light."

en	"That the people we share this Earth with were not our enemy."

en	"They had no care for my explanations, they had no care for the needs or lives of others than themselves."

en	"It made me wonder how Quakers past had convinced people; of the evils of slavery, of the importance of peace."

en	"Building bonds instead of destroying one other."

en	"I lost hope. I thought maybe... things had changed so much, perhaps this was the people's limit."

en	"Tolerance of those who could get in their way was no longer an option."

en	"...Or perhaps I was just a failure, unable to convince a single soul of giving a damn."

en	The old tortoise looked forlorn, brow furrowed, like he was reliving these moments so vividly that these were the same faces he wore.

en	"Then along came Sheriff, oh, Sheriff!"

en	"I was a little worried when Sheriff was first assigned to the town."

en	"That I'd just have another person to fight with, someone with authority on the side of the miners."

en	"Instead I found a kindred spirit, someone who actually listened to me, and agreed with me on many things."

en	"Very quickly we became firm, firm friends."

en	"Eventually, Sheriff got sick of the miners. Decided enough was enough, and shut down the town. Forced the miners to move elsewhere."

en	The entire time he'd been talking about Sheriff, his face was lively and lit up, his hands moving with his words.

en	It was a lot like how your pastor used to give sermons.

en	"Surely there was resistance to a whole mining town being packed up like that?"

en	"Of course. But Sheriff did what's right - that's the way Sheriff's soul is set."

en	"I'd felt buried by the weight of the town's hate, their convictions like stone walls I could not scale."

en	"I'll be grateful to God until the day I die that Sheriff came here. I was given so much hope when I'd lost it all."

en	"And you've been here ever since?"

en	Jacob chuckled.

en	"Yes, we have. Only a handful of us stayed after the miners left, and it was hard to know whether this town would still stand."

en	"But we felt sure we could find more people who cared, as long as we worked together."

en	"More people like us."

en	His words hung in the air, settling around you and Joseph as Jacob settled his gaze on you both.

en	"...So, those mines are still around?"

en	"Hm?"

en	"A lot of mining towns die down 'cause of the gold dryin' up, but if the miners just left, I guess there's some still here."

en	"Well, yes, I suppose so. I can't say I've thought much about it in recent years."

en	"We don't encourage those looking for gold, I'm sure you understand. It's nothing but trouble."

en	His warm gaze turned somewhat steely. You weren't sure how long it might go on for if Joseph didn't pipe up.

en	"'Course, 'course Jacob, we're just a curious bunch. Thank ya for talking with us strangers so long."

en	His stern eyes disappeared in an instant and he humbly waved away Joseph's thanks.

en	"No no, the pleasure's all mine. It's been good to talk to new ears."

en	"If you'll excuse me now, I must get this place tidied up before today's meeting."

en	"Quaker meeting?"

en	"Yes, indeed. You're both welcome to join us if you'd like."

en	"Thank you Jacob, but I'm thinking we'll be off anyhow."

en	You all stand, stretching and shaking off the stiffness from wings and tails and legs.

en	"Go well, and keep the light close to you."

en	You both nod, and leave through the same rattling door as before, catching one last glance at Jacob starting his chores before you close it.

en	Joseph stands with you for a moment in the porch of the meeting hall, looking off into the town.

en	"...What you thinking?"

en	"Well, we know now that these folks ain't gonna put up much of a fight. Maybe some of them, but..."

en	"...And there's definitely gold here. Somewhere."

en	Joseph had no real emotions playing across his face, but he was standing much more still than you had seen him before.

en	Like he was trying not to breathe.

en	"C'mon, we've got more people to talk to."

en	He exhaled sharply, the feathers on his beak next to his nose holes fluttering.

en	"Yeah."

en	You walked past the houses and people like before, but didn't feel like waving back.

en	"Sheriff should know something, surely?"

en	"Yessir, I doubt we're the only ones who've come lookie-looin' before."

en	"And Sheriff did say to come find 'em if we needed anythin'."

en	You walk the same direction you saw Sheriff leave.

en	Down toward the closest edge of town, through what might be considered the main street were this town bigger.

en	Sheriff's office is modest, one of the smaller buildings in town, a short, square, stone block with barred windows and a lopsided wooden door.

en	As you get close to the squat building, Joseph slows down and raises an arm to your chest to slow you as well.

en	"Ok partner, what's the plan here? You an' I both know Sheriff is gonna be the most paranoid, owl-headed son of a gun in this burg."

en	"We can't go waltzin' in there shooting our mouths off about just anything."

en	"Yeah, you're right. All we really need to know is if Sheriff is gonna put up a fight."

en	"Somehow I feel like they're... not your usual lawman."

en	You look around thinking for a bit. Two halves of a tattered sign swing in the wind on chattering chains in front of the building.

en	It seems it had said "Sheriff" once, and the edges of it had the remnants of bullet holes, shattered and charred wood.

en	"I say we tell 'em what's really happening."

en	To call Joseph's face incredulous at that moment would've been an understatement.

en	He scoffed a little out of curiosity, rubbing his chin with a feathered hand and trying to think what you could mean.

en	"What're you sayin', we admit why we're here, acknowledge the corn?"

en	"Sort of. I think we can tell Sheriff that there's outlaws coming, and we're worried like, about the town."

en	"That's a dangerous play."

en	"Look, Sheriff is gonna have a good idea why we're snooping around if we don't have a simple, honest reason to throw off the scent."

en	"It's easier to lie when there's some truth to it."

en	Joseph rubbed his chin again and sighed.

en	"Ah think so too, but still I can't help to feel jumpy walking into the lion's den."

en	You knew what he meant. For people like you, a Sheriff's office was never where you wanted to wind up.

en	Walking in to the office together, Joseph ducks to clear the doorway.

en	You find the inside to be much more well-kept than the outside, which had clearly seen some wear and tear in its time.

en	Sunlight and dust in equal measures came in through the windows.

en	Landing upon the desk of Sheriff, who was currently rapidly filling a piece of paper with pencil in hand.

en	After you close the door behind you, you both wait for a few seconds for Sheriff to notice you.

en	Before you can politely knock on the closed door for attention, Sheriff raises a finger on a pencil-holding hand to ask for a moment's more waiting.

en	This was followed by a hasty scribbling onto the end of the piece of paper, before the pencil was thrown onto the desk with little regard.

en	Two keen eyes landed on you and Joseph.

en	"Howdy there, fellas. Thought I might be seein' you again."

en	"Howdy again, Sheriff."

en	"Now what can I be helpin' you both with today."

en	"Uh, well..."

en	Joseph turned to you, locking eyes, you saw the slight wild panic of someone caught in a trap and looking for a way out.

en	"Do you protect this town?"

en	Sheriff looked miffed, unsure how to respond, like someone had just asked if the sky was blue.

en	"As much as anyone else who lives here, yes."

en	"What does that mean? I thought you were a lawman."

en	Sheriff regarded you with some annoyance, still seemingly puzzled over what you were asking.

en	"I think I see the confusion here. I'm not a lawman."

en	"...In fact I'd say I'm not a man at all, or a woman."

en	Sheriff kept looking at you both, trying to gauge your reactions. Whether you could be trusted, you guessed.

en	"My name is Sheriff, that is the moniker I've chosen, and I'd ask you kindly to refer to me as so, or not at all."

en	Joseph tipped his hat politely.

en	"Not a problem, Sheriff."

en	"Do you run this town then?"

en	"That would also be a no. I'm a founder, you might say, but I don't solely run this town."

en	"You boys are asking some real strange questions, is there something I oughta know?"

en	Joseph had faltered and now you did too. This isn't what you'd just planned.

en	You were just saying the first things that came to mind, fixing on Sheriff with a calm pair of eyes, but a shakiness in the knees.

en	Maybe you hoped Sheriff would say something that would change things, change what you were both there for.

en	Before you could fall over, Joseph placed a hand on your shoulder, and you tensed before he gave it a light squeeze, stepping in.

en	"We... heard from some other fellas on the trail that there were outlaws around, comin' this way even."

en	"I see, I see... well you boys shouldn't worry. We know how to care of ourselves in Clemency."

en	"We don't get trouble round here often, but we make sure to run 'em off before anything starts."

en	"So you've been here a while then?"

en	"Yeah. Ages."

en	"How'd you end up livin' here anyhow? What's the story, you said you're some kinda founder?"

en	"Don't get it twisted now, I'm not really a founder. I'm... well, hard to explain."

en	"I used to be a Marshal, got sent here some... what, thirty years ago already?"

en	"And ya liked it so much ya stayed!"

en	Joseph gives a little bellow of a laugh, but Sheriff's is much more half-hearted.

en	"No, well, I wish I could say things back then were as good as they are now..."

en	Sheriff stood up, grabbing the cane by the desk that thumped softly as Sheriff started pacing a little through the small office, stretching stiff legs.

en	"You boys know this used to be a minin' town right?"

en	"'Course."

en	"Well, I used to be the lawman of this mining town."

en	"Greenhorn out on their first assignment, trying to keep the peace here..."

en	"What a joke."

en	"The miners had it out for each other. There was nothing but bad blood, and gold fever."

en	"I learnt all too well during that time what it looks like. Gold fever in the eyes."

en	"And what people will do to satisfy it."

en	"That town was a constant powder keg, and I was... only one Marshal. Felt like there was nothing I could do."

en	"I felt like I needed to do more, I needed to do somethin' to calm the place."

en	"I asked the Marshals who sent me, they don't give a hoot!"

en	"If anything they tell me to keep hands off, let 'em figure it out themselves, shoot 'em if they step too outta line."

en	"That... that never sat right with me."

en	"If there's something you should know about me, about how I conduct my business and take care of this town - it's that I care about justice."

en	"Real justice."

en	"Not the justice others suck up to, claim to care about. I learned very quickly that the law is not about real justice."

en	Sheriff punctuated those words, said with such fire, with bangs of the cane on the floor.

en	"The law of the Marshals was not - is not - the justice I recognise."

en	"It's why I took on the name Sheriff. I wanted the name for myself, they didn't deserve it. Strange I know."

en	"Thank the Lord, much good he's done me, that I met at least one like-mind in that town."

en	"..."

en	"Sometime in the winter, we had a caravan arrive in town."

en	"People who had been travelling long across the trail, needing somewhere to stay for a spell."

en	"Had some to sell as well, furs and such, anything to help get by."

en	"Friendly folks, I enjoyed their company. Spent a night drinking with them around their wagons."

en	"The miners... didn't take kindly to them. Didn't trust them."

en	"That was a week I'll never forget. Constant accusations of stealing and flare ups, shouting matches almost ending in drawn irons."

en	"The miners were so darn jumpy and owl-headed about the slightest things."

en	"Three days later, a miner turns up dead. Stabbed in his sleep."

en	"The miners all accused one of the traders of doing it, a Mexican fella. Claimed it was his knife that did the deed."

en	"I... hadda arrest him. Held him in this cell here."

en	A tap of the somewhat rusted metal bars with the cane rang out into the room.

en	"The traders all came to tell me that I was wrong, that he'd never do something of the sort."

en	"They helped push me in the right direction, I'd already had some suspicion about the miners' claims."

en	"A lot of accusations had been flyin' around about the Mexicans and Indians travelling in the caravans."

en	"I did a little investigating and found that the miner had been killed by one of his friends."

en	"Another feud about gold. Some stolen or missing, and his so-called friend had killed him for it."

en	"The miners wouldn't believe it, insisted the man in the cell was guilty."

en	"I wonder if maybe they just couldn't see what I could. See things through my eyes."

en	"It felt like a mockery of justice. Of everything I cared about."

en	"That was the straw that broke the camel's back."

en	"Early the next morning, I asked the traders to leave, and take their friend with them."

en	Sheriff notices how intently you both are listening, watery eyes flicking between you both.

en	"Anyway, that's a lot of blabbing from me already. Long story short, I kicked the miners out, for the better."

en	"Ya make it sound like it was real easy. How'd you get that many miners to just abandon gold?"

en	"I did what I had to, and I have no regrets or weight on my soul for it."

en	"Really, getting them out, that was the easy part I s'pose."

en	"We moved and rebuilt some of the town, further from the mines. We all wanted a fresh start."

en	"The years since have been hard, very hard. I don't have this stick 'cause I've been sitting on my jollies and gazing at sunsets."

en	"This town may be small but it's a lot of work to keep goin'."

en	Sheriff turned and went to sit at the desk again, the chair creaking beneath old bones.

en	"Don't take my griping to think I'm not thankful for this place, though. I've done a lot for it, but it's done just as much, more even, in return."

en	"How d'you mean? I can't say I've ever really had somewhere I lived do much for me."

en	Sheriff sighed softly, looking out the windows into town, a clear view of the cobbled together houses cascading down the shallow hillside.

en	"Clemency has given me... somewhere to live."

en	"I had many hopes when I chose to stay in this town, to try make somethin' of it."

en	"I've worked hard to earn the respect of those who live here, as a person, not as an authority."

en	"People here don't see me as an oddity, they don't fear me, they don't mock or interrogate others for how they live."

en	"This ain't just a community, it's family."

en	"We're all far from our homes, from the people who made us, but here we can make ourselves what we want to be."

en	"A town of runaways who don't got to keep runnin' any more."

en	Sheriff stared out the window for a few more moments. The sun was a bright golden shine crossing wistful eyes.

en	Turning back to you, Sheriff pulled back into the desk and got comfortable once more.

en	"Anyway, that's enough sap from me. Those outlaws all you wanted to talk about?"

en	"Yeah... yeah, I think so."

en	You wished you had more questions to ask. More to say. More to hear about, but no other words escaped your maw, except for-

en	"Thank you."

en	"Don't mention it, and thank you too for the tip off. I'll keep these old peepers peeled."

en	"Yeah, thank ya for talkin' Sheriff. We'll be on our way now, but I did have one more question for ya."

en	"You still with those Marshals? In contact with 'em?"

en	"I quit the day I rebelled against the miners. Never heard from 'em again."

en	Joseph nodded, tipping his hat, and Sheriff tipping in turn, you stepped out the station into the blinding sun together.

en	The dry desert air is warm in your lungs. Blazing afternoon sun bakes the ground beneath you as you walk near the edge of town again.

en	Your throat feels tight. Feet sore.

en	There's a gentle pounding of blood in your head accompanied by a familiar piercing ache.

en	Everything seems... hazier than it usually is.

en	Thoughts are swimming.

en	You're fine.

en	Just keep walking.

en	You almost bump into Joseph as he stops short, looking around again, searching for anything you might've missed.

en	You look as well, but the sun seems... too bright somehow. You look down at your feet to shield your eyes.

en	Staring at the tiny dunes of your footprints in the dust.

en	"Alright, so, where to now? Ah think there's only one place of interest left."

en	You heard what he said but it didn't quite stick with you.

en	"Uhm, yeah. Sure."

en	"...Should we get going there then?"

en	Again. Hearing, but nothing stays. Your thoughts feel like just-caught fish wriggling from your hand.

en	"Uh. Hmm."

en	"Awright then, let's go."

en	Yeah. Let's keep moving.

en	Joseph starts walking away, and you follow.

en	You try to follow. Your feet move but they don't land where you want, and you stumble a little.

en	Joseph looks around at you as you stand there, staring at your feet again.

en	"Hey, what's the matter pardner?"

en	"Huh? Uh I feel... a little dizzy."

en	"You doin' alright? Didn't say anything."

en	He placed his hands on your shoulders and twisted you to face him, looking down into your face.

en	"Hmm yeah, yer looking a lil' sick there. Let's go sit down a spell."

en	He started walking with a hand on your shoulder, guiding you over to a ledge with a shallow drop you could both sit on and hang your legs over.

en	You felt better sitting down, more stable.

en	You hear the rustle of Joseph unclipping something from the back of his belt, seeing him pull a round canteen between the two of you.

en	"When's the last time ya had a real drink? Must be mighty thirsty if you're feelin' that dizzy."

en	Of course, how could you have forgotten? You'd been riding and walking all day but hadn't had a drop of anything since you set out.

en	Although you weren't sure what Joseph had brought with him...

en	"Ha, what's that look for? You think I got liquor in here?"

en	He chuckled a little and unscrewed the cap, letting you smell it a moment before taking a long gulp.

en	"Just water, see. Get it down you 'fore you collapse on me or sum'n."

en	You sheepishly took the canteen from him and gave it a little wave in his direction as a "Cheers".

en	You tilt it to your dry mouth and take deep gulps for a few seconds, licking water drops hanging on the edge of your lips after.

en	"Bit warm fer my liking. Can't beat cold water from a clean stream - but better than drying out like your mama's washing."

en	You take another swig before handing it back to him.

en	"Thank you..."

en	"Don't worry about it, jus' pipe up next time! Almost hit the dirt just 'cause you didn't say anything."

en	"Sorry, it was just... we have a job here. Didn't feel like I could waste time."

en	"Pshcaw, can't even make time to sit down and drink? You're unlike most ah met."

en	"Who put a snake in yer boots anyway, you gotta slow down a little."

en	"Mm. Maybe."

en	"Ah mean, whadda you do to relax? When you're off the job?"

en	"Relax?"

en	"Yeah, you know, relax? Unwind? Take a load off?"

en	"I know what... you mean."

en	The question just caught you off guard a little. You weren't sure how to answer, you'd never given it much thought.

en	What do you do to relax? The gang is always busy with something; travelling, hiding out, making trouble.

en	Not a lot of time to... not do anything.

en	"Uh, I guess I play cards sometimes. Mostly just solitaire."

en	"Respectable. You win much?"

en	"Nope."

en	"Ain't about winning, anyway. Just helps to pass the time."

en	"Yeah ah know what ya mean. Me and the boys usually play some rounds of cards, sometimes betting."

en	"Although some'a them are some real sore losers, sometimes it's easier just to let them win and avoid the issue."

en	"Ah beat one of 'em at poker five times in a row, and ah swear, the rest of the week he was givin' me the eyes."

en	"Found my hat full of knife holes one morning too, but ah think it was just to scare me. Least I hope it was!"

en	He gave out a loud guffaw, the real and unrestrained kind that made you doubt a second if the canteen really was just water.

en	He had a nice laugh, you thought. Someone actually enjoying themselves.

en	Maybe it was just nice to hear a laugh that wasn't done at you.

en	"You a gambling man?"

en	A flutter in your chest, at the end of the ribs.

en	"Not really. Never had much to gamble in the first place. Always seemed like a waste."

en	"Ah can respect that restraint."

en	"Don't always have to be about money, mind you."

en	"When ah was younger, me and papa used to..."

en	He stopped for a moment, thinking and scratching his neck, his train of thought slowed by some forgotten memory.

en	"We used to play cards after dinner. And a lot of days when ah came home, I'd bring pebbles from the river."

en	"Ah always liked how smooth and pretty they looked. All sortsa colours and shapes, all of 'em different."

en	"We kept them on the mantelpiece, and when we played cards we'd bet with 'em."

en	"He always won, but it was too much fun for me to ever be mad."

en	"Think he did let me win though when ah was betting big and was gonna lose one of the rocks I really liked."

en	"He always knew which ones were ma favourite, and never wanted to see me cry."

en	"Ha, can't think of any other reason he woulda lost to me."

en	"Suppose I oughta thank him for teaching me."

en	You weren't sure what to say, so you just gave him a soft smile.

en	Family could be so complicated. You didn't wanna say the wrong thing.

en	"Oh, you know what?"

en	He dug into a pocket and produced a tattered looking packet in his hand that you recognised to be playing cards.

en	"How 'bout some vingt-en-un? You played that before?"

en	"And we can bet with uhh, hmm."

en	He twisted around himself, looking for anything you could use as stand-in betting chips.

en	You saw his eyes settle on a small pile of rocks for a moment, but instead noticed a stray feather, barely holding onto the back of his hand.

en	He plucked it and placed it between you both, twisting how he sat to face you better.

en	"We can bet on this feather. We'll do a first to five - you get it if you win, ah keep it if I win."

en	You swivelled yourself round to sit cross-legged and face him.

en	"Didn't know you were so desperate to gamble you'd use your own body."

en	"Hardy-har. Just thought it'd be more interesting than rocks."

en	"Oh well I thought you were a rock lover. Mister Rock Collector."

en	"Take them on the open road, your own little rock circus."

en	"A regular Barnum."

en	Joseph couldn't help but smile, even through his fake pouting at your teasing.

en	"Hm, ah don't know if J.H. Barnum has quite the same ring to it frankly."

en	"J.H?"

en	"Yeah, as in, Joseph Harrier. My initials."

en	"Oh, of course."

en	"...So, do you know how to play vingt-en-un?"

en	Yes

en	No

en	"Yep."

en	"Right, let's play. Like I said, first to five wins."

en	You took the feather in your hand. Twisting the smooth quill back and forth a couple times between your thumb and forefinger.

en	It was thin and tapered and the colour of coffee. Thick, uneven stripes of cream white ran all along it from the middle.

en	"Thank you, Joseph."

en	"Don't mention it."

en	You pocketed the feather carefully.

en	"...We should probably, uh, get back to it."

en	"Long as you're happy to and can stand steady then I'm ready too!"

en	You swung yourself on to your knees and stood up with a spritely jump.

en	"All ready. Let's get a wiggle on."

en	"Yessir."

en	"Nope."

en	"Awright, rules are simple. I'm the dealer, ah deal you two cards face up, and deal myself one face up and one face down."

en	"Idea is to get as high a number from yer cards as you can without going over twenty one."

en	"If you go over twenty one, it's a bust, same goes for me. But you need to get a higher number than me to win. A draw is called a push."

en	"You can hit to get another card, or stand to stick with what you have. You can hit as many times as you like as long as yer under twenty one."

en	"After you stand, ah flip over my face down card and have to hit as long as it's under seventeen."

en	"If ah go bust, or my number is lower than yours, you win."

en	"If you get twenty one exactly then you don't hit or stand, and ah can get a push in that case if ah also get twenty one."

en	"Cards are worth what the number says, face cards like King, Queen, Jack are ten."

en	"Where things can get a lil confoundin' is that the Ace is worth either one or eleven."

en	"Ace is worth eleven in a hand unless it would be a bust, in which case it's just a one. Ace can still be an eleven if it would let you win."

en	"Gets a little muddled during games sometimes but I ain't tryna cheat ya, so don't worry 'bout it too much."

en	"Darn, well, there ya have it."

en	"Take your prize sir!"

en	"Sorry, bucko. House always wins, eh?"

en	"Ah well, it's still a game of luck, end of the day. Well played, sir."

en	He picked up the feather, but to your surprise, held it out to you.

en	"Here, take it."

en	"...But you won?"

en	"Well ah don't have much use for a stray feather, do I? Got plenty of 'em anyway."

en	"You keep it."

en	Walking back to the edge of town, on the other side from the sign you now knew read "Clemency", you both sit on the edge of a little hillside slope.

en	Kicking dust up on yourselves as you settle on the rocky crevices.

en	"Ah think that's all the useful places of interest here, unless we wanna go knockin' on folks' doors asking for gold."

en	"I think we've disturbed this lot enough for a day."

en	Your resting hand becomes restless as it brushes against some dry desert grass. Entwining it between your fingers, slowly pulling it from its roots.

en	"So what did we actually figure out. Everyone here is kind, and mostly... defenceless."

en	"Ah think pacifist is the word."

en	You tug more grass up into your hand.

en	"They can maybe fight off some bandits, but no officers are gonna come help, and they ain't gonna do much good against a whole gang."

en	"...And there is gold here. Somewhere. In some forgotten mines no one's seen for decades."

en	"Well it's gotta be around here, this is a minin' town fer Pete's sake! How far could it be?"

en	You shrug.

en	"Sheriff said the town was moved. The mines could be anywhere now."

en	"Maybe it really was just rumours. Maybe there's not really anything to find here."

en	"I think you know as well as ah do that these folks were antsy. Friendly as well, but gold gets their hackles up."

en	"Someone has to know where the mines are."

en	You knew he was right. You knew how to read people well enough.

en	Joseph stood up, gazing out across the landscape of the town and beyond, searching toward the horizon.

en	"Gonna use those special eyes of yours birdbrain?"

en	"More use than you chasing your tail, mutt."

en	He looked at you for a moment with a smirk, and you smirked back.

en	You rolled the grass in your hand between your fingers, squashing the reeds of it together, dropping seeds in the sand.

en	"I can't see nothin'. God damn sun in my eyes ain't helpin' neither."

en	"I don't know if uh, Bartholomew would help out. He was maybe the most friendly one of the bunch, Sheriff didn't even talk about the gold."

en	"Because Sheriff knows how to keep the town safe."

en	You look up at Joseph, his puzzled face squinting in the sun looking down at you.

en	Looking back out into the desert, the sun sits between two rocky outcroppings in the distance, a lightbulb plucked from the sky by unmoving fingers.

en	It'll start getting dark soon.

en	"Sheriff knows where the mines are. Bartholomew said he never saw them, and Jacob was never a miner, he had no reason to go to the mines."

en	"What, so he never saw 'em? That don't make sense."

en	"I'm not saying that, I'm saying even if he did see them back then, he wouldn't remember where they were now."

en	"Sheriff still knows where they are because they're the biggest danger to the town."

en	"I'd wager Sheriff even checks up on them every so often to make sure it's undisturbed."

en	"...Huh, ah guess that checks out. We don't have the time for a stakeout though."

en	You balled your hand into a fist, the grass yielding and turning to dust.

en	"We don't need ta know where they are anyway. We got all we need, knowing where the mines are would jus' be a penny in the hat."

en	"We should think about our next move."

en	You ignored the tiny knot in your stomach as you thought about what to do next.

en	You should just leave, but...

en	"There's nothing else to do here, we should just think about resting. Getting dark soon."

en	"I think we could stay at the saloon. Sheriff did offer."

en	"...Ya sure you wanna stay here for a night?"

en	"Seems like least we can do. Before we leave."

en	"Unless camping outside has some mighty appeal to you."

en	Joseph flashed a wry smile.

en	"Awright, let's go have a look first. No point bringing the horses down if I can't afford the rooms."

en	Standing up, you feel the dust fly between your fingers with the winds blowing east, and follow Joseph, a few paces behind.

en	You walk toward the saloon again, looking forward to having somewhere to rest.

en	You don't remember the last time you actually stayed in a room somewhere.

en	It was always a tent, or just in your bedroll, lying beneath the stars.

en	You see Sheriff and Bartholomew standing on the porch of the saloon talking intently, but can't pick up any clear words on the wind.

en	Sheriff notices you both as you approach, patting Bartholomew on the back as he takes his leave back inside.

en	Sheriff leaves the shade of the saloon's overhang, walking with purpose towards you both.

en	The blue of the sky was starting to fade into oranges, pinks on the edges of the sparse and tiny clouds overhead.

en	You both slow to a stop as Sheriff approaches you quickly.

en	The face approaching you was... different from before, and you see Joseph's face fall a little.

en	Sheriff came to a stop in front of you both, twisting the cane in the dirt a little.

en	The old and frail figure standing in front of you was shaking a tad. You could hear slow and deliberate breaths from the chest.

en	The usual confidence and bluster off of Joseph dissipated under this new glare of Sheriff's.

en	The new and sharp eyes unlike those you'd seen when you arrived.

en	There was a tiredness in them, a fierce tiredness, beneath which was a wild look you'd only seen in the eyes of the newly grieving.

en	Gripping the cane, scaled knuckles turning white, Sheriff spoke in a low and calm voice.

en	"Yeah... I shoulda known."

en	"Thought maybe I was wrong this time, y'all seemed so... I don't know."

en	"Like you should be here."

en	"Even so I knew there was somethin' off with what you were asking."

en	"Is everything a-alright Sheriff? We were just going to see if we could stay at the salo-"

en	Sheriff slammed the cane onto the dirt with such force you feared it might crack the earth beneath.

en	"You know damn well things are not alright!"

en	"I had a little chat with my friends around town, talking about the newcomers. What they'd been asking about."

en	"Just passing through town, gimme a break."

en	"I shoulda known it was too good to be true - I know when I see the gold fever in them eyes."

en	"We're not here to cause trouble Sheriff."

en	"We'll be on our way tomorrow morning."

en	"Really now? Well."

en	Sheriff reached a free hand behind and pulled an old revolver to point at you.

en	"I'm gonna say this, and I'm gonna say it once."

en	"I made a promise to protect this town, and the people who live here. That I would do what was right by them."

en	"So both of you are gonna turn tail and leave, right now, and you never come back."

en	"And if I ever see either of you heading this way again, I will shoot you dead before nary fur or feather crosses that town line."

en	You stood still next to Joseph, a small fear of walking taking hold as you feel like the wind might knock you off your feet.

en	"...Understood, Sheriff."

en	Joseph started walking away, not stopping for you even as you stood there a moment longer just to say one word.

en	"Sorry."

en	You knew that didn't make up for it, but it was all you could muster from your tight throat.

en	You turned quickly and walked away after Joseph with your head down.

en	Staring at your feet as they rhythmically sped one after another, through the dust tracks of a town you couldn't come back to.

en	The climb back out of the valley was quiet. The wind was the only noise to reach your ears, no words coming to pass between you and Joseph.

en	Only the occasional meeting of the eyes when he looked to make sure you hadn't fallen behind.

en	Those eyes, that face you had grown accustomed so quickly to having at least the hint of a smile resting, was devoid of much emotion at all.

en	He wasn't thinking about it, you felt, but to not think about it meant to not think at all.

en	And so he didn't, his limbs carrying him up the path, but no one was home.

en	You understood, of course. As much as you'd like to not think about it either, you couldn't ignore the small dread in your chest.

en	Like it was in the cavities of your insides, seeping around and between your organs, a creeping tar.

en	Not a suffocating tar - just making you feel heavy, dense. If you stopped walking now you didn't know if you'd start again.

en	The sun was starting to dip into the horizon when you reached your original meeting spot at the top of the cliff.

en	Both your horses were lying in the long shadows of some rocky mounds, your own shadows stretching across the sand as you go to tend to them.

en	You both hauled your bedrolls off and started to unpack them, giving the horses some water, and sorting through your belongings.

en	Still without a word, a camp for the night quickly formed between you as you worked.

en	Joseph had brought a thin metal stand with him to hang the cooking pot over, and gently tossed you his book of matches as he erected it.

en	You struck the match in a familiar fashion, placing it in the middle of a dried assortment, blowing gently to encourage the shy flame.

en	Lifting your head back up from the budding fire, Joseph was having a little issue getting his stand to, well, stand.

en	His face was still the same neutral, empty face from before, and you noticed a little catch on a joint that hadn't flipped properly.

en	You brought your hand up to flick it out the way.

en	Either the lurch of the stand falling into place, or the momentary touch of your hand against his, seemed to jolt Joseph out of his listless state.

en	"Thank you..."

en	A smile, just a small one, a weary and wary one, had returned to his face.

en	You were glad to see it again. It was enough to make your chest a little lighter. The tar receding just a touch.

en	With the fire lit, a modest plume of smoke started billowing into the sky and scattering in the fading sunlight.

en	Joseph got up momentarily to rummage in one of his saddle bags, coming back with a tin and some bundled cloth.

en	"I've got some, uh.. beans, some salted pork too. Not sure what you got with you."

en	"Oh right, yeah, hold on."

en	You had plenty of water still, and if he was propping up the bulk of the meal, you had some molasses to add too.

en	You brought them both over and let Joseph, sitting on his bedroll he'd laid out now, take the reins. Wasn't really a two-person job.

en	With the beans gently cooking away now in the pot, he sat there, lazily stirring it with a spoon.

en	You grabbed your bedroll and laid it out on the opposite side of the fire, squatting and dropping onto it with a thud, tucking your legs towards you.

en	Resting your head on your knees, holding them in your arms.

en	The two of you sat like this a short while. Watching the pot steaming away, the orange flames licking the underside of the well-used metal.

en	You found yourself thinking about what happened in Clemency without even realising.

en	The pang you felt in your stomach when Sheriff knew why you were there.

en	The sharp chill that shot from your neck to your tail when the gun was pulled on you.

en	You weren't scared of being shot, that wasn't it. That wasn't what set your palm into a cold sweat. It was something else.

en	Something about having to leave that town.

en	"...Sorry for letting you do so much of the talking today. I'm more of the quiet type."

en	"Sure you figured that out already."

en	He flashed you a weak, but genuine, smile.

en	"Not like ah did us much good."

en	"It wasn't your fault Joseph. Sheriff was paranoid, and we were bound to be rumbled eventually."

en	"Besides, it doesn't really seem like there is any gold here. Unless we feel like setting up a new mining operation."

en	"Mm, yup, I'm sure Black Vulture'll love to hear that. Wasn't my fault, I'll say."

en	He sighed, a sharp exasperated exhale through his nose holes, one knee of his crossed legs fidgeting and bouncing as he stirred the pot.

en	You were a little taken aback that he seemed to be mocking what you said... maybe it just wasn't what he wanted to hear right now.

en	Still, you understood his frustration. What would your bosses think? If we told them what this place was like?

en	Would they even believe us?

en	"Sorry."

en	You were snapped from your thoughts by his apology, a slightly guilty look on his face, knowing he must've seen that he hurt your feelings a little.

en	"You're right, it's not ma fault, exactly, but... Hell. This is a mess, $Player."

en	His fidgeting was spreading, playing across the feathered fingers of his wings, his face, his eyes, his knees again.

en	Like a ragtime tune was playing all across the inside of his body.

en	"What's he like? Black Vulture?"

en	"He's uh, um-"

en	His breathing was ragged too.

en	You got onto your knees and reached your hand onto his that was stirring the spoon even now, a gentle but firm grasp, stopping its motions.

en	Your eyes met over the cooking pot. He looked like he was seeing you again for the first time in a long time.

en	The shaking in his hand came to rest and relax its vice grip on the long spoon as you held each other's gaze.

en	"Let go. I'm here, it's alright."

en	He nodded a few times, taking his hand away and resting on his haunches, stretching his legs out.

en	A few moments passed as Joseph regained his calm, laid-back demeanour - one leg still bounced a little, a quick rhythm, tapping a dance hall tune.

en	The sun was almost gone now, the last dregs of its light in the desert turning everything in the distance a single dusty red.

en	You could see the stars now as you looked to the sky, the light continuing to fade.

en	More and more points of light dotting their way to the east.

en	You turned your eyes away from the sky when you heard the sound of a pen knife flicking open.

en	"Oh, don't mind me none, just doing a little preening."

en	He started taking the knife gently to his wing, very gently.

en	He seemed to be scraping away older feathers, while also opening new pinfeathers scattered across the wing, in motions almost like shaving.

en	"Forgive me if I'm talking outta line, but why don't you use your beak for that?"

en	"Aw well, momma always told us you don't use your beak for things around anyone other than family or lovers. It ain't polite."

en	He seemed a little sheepish admitting it, like it was an uncommon quirk of his family.

en	"You asked about Black Vulture, yeah? Dontchu know the stories already?"

en	"Yeah, but those are just stories. I know what it's like riding with someone with a few tall tales trailing behind them."

en	Joseph snorted a little, still making his way across the wing with his small knife.

en	"Yup, that sounds 'bout right. Pritty sure some o' the more flattering ones I've heard were left behind by the Vulture himself."

en	You settled on the side of your legs a little, getting more comfortable as you kept stirring the ever-cooking pot.

en	"Where ta begin with the man himself... jeez."

en	"He's a real piece of work that one, I can tell you that much fo' sure."

en	"He's a city slicker that considers himself a cowboy, even though he hates getting his boots dirty."

en	"Acts all gentleman-like and such. A real flannel mouth."

en	"He'd charm the pants off of ya if ya had something he wanted."

en	"Then when he's got what he wants-"

en	He jabbed the knife towards you pointedly.

en	"He'd stick you in the back, and twist it hard to hear you cry."

en	He turned the knife back to preening.

en	"He's a terrible shot too. There are some stories that he could shoot the cap off a bottle without spillin' it from fifty paces."

en	"But he ain't the sharpshooter, never, he's almost as bad a shot as me. Got someone else for that."

en	"See, that's how you run in his posse. You make yerself in, dee, spensable."

en	He tapped his knife on the ground through the word to make his point.

en	"His gang is on the smaller side, but they're plenty loyal. They need to be. There can't be anyone else."

en	"You're loyal then?"

en	"..."

en	"I'm the eyes, I'm useful. I get on good with a lot of 'em, and Black Vulture keeps me around. Win-win."

en	You understood. What he was saying, what he meant, what he really wanted to say.

en	You understood how it felt to be under that kind of looming shadow.

en	No one for miles around, but don't say anything, just in case.

en	You'd seen what happens to other people. You both had, for sure.

en	Joseph was as far from a greenhorn as could be.

en	He swapped hands and started the knife on his other wing now.

en	"So what about Curly Wolf? You said there were plenny of tall tales about him, split fair with me."

en	You didn't look at him when he asked you. You kept looking at the pot, peeking over to check the beans.

en	"This looks about done to me."

en	Joseph stared at you for a moment when you did meet his eyes, and then closed up his knife, kneeling over to look with an approving whistle.

en	"Yeah looks it to me."

en	You laughed a little as his stomach gave a hearty growl, fetching the bowls and holding them while Joseph served you both a big, slopping portion.

en	Night had come now, and you both gathered a little closer round the fire and moved the pot stand to the side.

en	You could see him easier now with it out the way.

en	With the pot lifted the fire rose, dancing in the wind, sometimes hazing your view - the blur flitting in and out as you glanced eyes while you ate.

en	"Believe it or not but I ain't the cookie back at camp. Someone else got that privilege."

en	He was clearly joking but the beans were some of the better you'd had.

en	"I never would've guessed."

en	"I don't cook that often, but I make some mean donuts from time to time."

en	"Oh you do now? I'll have to try them then."

en	"I hope so."

en	...

en	It was so selfish to ignore his question. Say nothing about Curly Wolf. So rude of you, you weren't raised like this.

en	You couldn't though. Never. Or more like you didn't know what to say.

en	How many years had it been now?...

en	"..."

en	"Sorry. I should've said something when you asked about my boss I just..."

en	"I get it."

en	"No, I mean. Of course, you do, but it's also that-"

en	"When I said I was the quiet type it's. More than that."

en	"If I'm shootin' straight with you, I don't remember the last time I heard my own voice before today."

en	"At the camp I might say yeah or no but I don't really... talk."

en	"And when I'm away on a lookout there's just no one to talk to. I don't wanna talk to myself and just be reminded I'm alone."

en	"I've never... talked about him. I wouldn't."

en	Joseph looked straight at you, even into you it almost felt like. You could see the fire between you in his eyes, flames fluttering across the irises.

en	The intensity of his look gave way to something like relief.

en	"Naw, don't worry about being a quiet one. Ah think it's part of ya charm."

en	"There are lots of wannabe tough guys who wanna act like you with no sweat. That strong, silent act."

en	"Besides, guys back home are always tellin' me to shuddup. Not that ah give 'em the satisfaction."

en	"I can tell you that being quiet doesn't change things."

en	"Same horseshit regardless of whether you make a fuss."

en	"..."

en	You sighed, a long sigh. What words could you even use for a man like him?

en	"Curly Wolf is... a bad egg. I think sometimes he was born like that."

en	"I know he can't have been, but I don't know what god forsaken things happened to him to turn him into what he is."

en	"He's probably the meanest, roughest bastard you'll ever have the misfortune of meeting."

en	"Anyone you can think of that you wouldn't wanna run into, he's worse than that."

en	"I don't know about Black Vulture, but the stories Curly Wolf leaves behind... I don't think they even match up to how dangerous he is."

en	"I've seen him gun down traitors riding away on horseback two hundred paces away."

en	"It's easy to get his dander up, and he's the last person you'd ever wanna do that to, he'd make sure of that."

en	"Not the brightest you'd ever meet but his instincts are keen."

en	"He's never made an empty threat, and he'll happily get his hands dirty to make good on them."

en	"..."

en	"Shit."

en	"Black Vulture's said before he'd be willin' to pick a fight with Curly Wolf but they've never met."

en	"Now I'm wondering if he has any idea what that would get him into."

en	"He ain't stupid but he's definitely too cocky for his own good."

en	"Oh, eat your bowl 'fore it gets cold. Nothin' worse than cold food."

en	You did as he said, mulling over what you'd talked about while you ate.

en	Joseph had had a head start on you, but even so his eating was voracious, and he finished before you were even halfway through yours.

en	He sat back from his hunch over the bowl, wiping his beak on his arm.

en	He looked around some. Into the fire. Out into the darkness of the desert. At you.

en	You could tell he didn't want to stare, but his eyes took you in anyway with long glances.

en	He coughed, clearing his throat to stall for the words he was thinking of.

en	"Say, um, $Player. I wanted to ask."

en	He grabbed his knife again, taking it to his wing once more. Looking away as he asked a common question.

en	"Your arm... I hope you don't think me cruel fer asking, but what happened? Did he do that to ya?"

en	You were pretty used to questions about it, but you appreciated the genuine warmth behind his words at least.

en	"Ah, this old thing. Yeah it wasn't pretty."

en	"It was a practical joke of sorts, if you'd call it that, by some of the guys during a camp."

en	"Took my bandana and shoved it in the mouth of one of the horses."

en	"Egged me on like to get it back."

en	"Reached my hand in, an' of course the hoss gets all antsy and bites down, starts thrashing trying to get away."

en	"I... don't remember much after that. Blacked out from the pain."

en	"Next thing I know I'm being hauled to some doctor. Told me they had to amputate 'fore it putrefied."

en	Joseph had stopped preening at this point, looking at you with some real watery eyes and a soft expression on his brow of both anger and horror.

en	"Got the bandana back, so, you know. Win some, lose some."

en	"...I'm sorry."

en	"Nothing to be sorry for, long time ago. You just live with it."

en	Full and finished, you set aside your bowl, taking another appraisal of your surroundings, looking up to the sky and its carpet of stars.

en	It was quickly starting to get cold, so you got up and went to your horses, fishing some blankets out for them.

en	Looking inside the bag you couldn't find your usual extra blanket for yourself.

en	Hm. Shit, must've forgotten to take it before you left.

en	You spied your binoculars in there. You took them, and walked to the edge of the cliff again.

en	You were about to put them up to your eyes when you realised you didn't need them to see what was happening in Clemency.

en	The whole town was dark, except for the bright lights prominently shining from the saloon.

en	You saw the shallow silhouettes of people dancing play out across the street in front, and if you listened very closely - music.

en	"Seems like they're having a rip roarin' time."

en	"...Yeah. I wondered if they would do it tonight. Like Bartholomew mentioned."

en	"Why wouldn't they. What have they got to be worried about."

en	His voice was a little cold, blunt. Ice cubes in a drink bumping your teeth as you sip.

en	"You know. Out of all the towns I've been kicked out and run out of - this is the only one I'd want to come back to."

en	"This place ain't for us."

en	"We're trouble, $Player. We're no good for these folks."

en	"Tomorrow we'll be gone. We'll tell our bosses we didn't find anything, and if we're lucky they'll just go on their way."

en	"Maybe in another life, we coulda gone back there. It woulda been nice."

en	"But this is our life. Our only one. It is what it is, we move on. That's how we live."

en	You could feel the wind blowing behind you, ruffling your trousers, whistling past your ears, as it seemed to push you towards the edge of the cliff.

en	"Yeah. I guess it is."

en	The wind kept howling, picking up and dying down, whistling off of the valley and kicking up clouds of dust around the buildings down below.

en	"Curly Wolf is gonna ransack this place. Even if they don't have anything."

en	"...And what do you want me to do about it, huh? $Player?"

en	"It's not my problem!"

en	You feel now, the desert night on you. Your fingers, the tips of your ears, starting to feel the tenderness of the cold and the wind.

en	You were shivering.

en	You shouldn't have talked back to him. You knew how that always went, it never ended well.

en	You just made him feel worse. Like it was his fault.

en	Why should he have to listen to your stupid concerns? It was your shit to figure out. He owes you nothing.

en	You just met. You don't know each other. If it weren't for convenience, you would've shot each other hours ago.

en	You heard the sound of shuffling behind you as he got up.

en	He started walking toward you. Here it came, as you knew it would.

en	You tense up as he approaches, closing the distance, expecting the due anger.

en	Closing your eyes when you feel him at your back, ready for the blow that's coming.

en	You flinch when you feel a weight around your shoulders. A squeeze of them too that you expect to hurt, but is so tender it couldn't possibly.

en	Opening your eyes, you see a thick blanket draped around you down to your knees.

en	"You looked cold. Don't wanna get consumption just standin' there, you know how cold the desert gets..."

en	You dropped the binoculars gingerly by its strap to the floor, now clasping the edges of the blanket with your hand tighter around you.

en	You could feel how cold your fingers were just below your chin, almost numb. How long had you been standing here for?

en	"I-I'm dreadful sorry."

en	"...You got nothing ta be sorry for."

en	You and he sat back down by the fire, Joseph giving it a thousand yard stare.

en	"...Thank you."

en	"Nothin' to it. Get warm."

en	You pull the blanket tighter again, the desert chills still sweeping underneath.

en	"Are you not cold?"

en	"I've been round the fire all night haven't I? I'm fine."

en	He's lying. You can see his feathers twitch and shiver, but he's trying hard to hide it.

en	You wonder the truth of what he said, too. That we just had to move on.

en	Standing up with the blanket you walk around the fire, standing over him a moment as he looks up towards you with wide eyes.

en	You sweep the blanket around him and sit down, shoulder to shoulder.

en	You were right, he's definitely cold - but a lot warmer than you'd imagined.

en	"I told you I'm fine."

en	"Don't gimme that blow, tough guy."

en	"I know you're not."

en	He looks like he's going to say something, but just shuts his beak. He suddenly seems a lot warmer.

en	"I'm sorry. I didn't... mean what ah said."

en	"I know. That wasn't the fella I've been around all day."

en	"I'm just-"

en	"Scared?"

en	He nods softly, as to be almost unnoticeable.

en	"Yeah. More scared than ah have ever been."

en	Together you huddle, bringing the blanket tighter and tighter, and moving closer to each other.

en	He smells like the desert, dusty and sweaty.

en	Why is this so... warm? Why do you feel like this?

en	Not warm like you're round a fire, but like there's a fire inside you, warm coals shifting round inside and embers spitting in your throat.

en	Have you ever felt like this before?

en	"Joseph, I..."

en	He looks at you, your faces so close together.

en	You lean your head into his shoulder, staring into the wild dance of the fire.

en	"I haven't met someone like me before. Or someone like you."

en	"You're... extremely kind, even to a stranger like me. I wish I could know you more than these few hours."

en	"I know I have to ride back in the morning, but of all the hopes I've hoped, the strongest is that I could just stay here."

en	"That the sun would never rise."

en	"I don't want to go back."

en	You stay clinging to him.

en	After a few moments, he pulls you tighter.

en	"Ah have to say, ah feel the same way."

en	"Ah can see in you someone who's faced so many hardships."

en	"Someone who deserves better, who's worked harder than any of the lumpsuckers back where you've come from."

en	"We're a coupla queer fish in a barrel, ah'd say. Lord knows how we found each other."

en	"The sun will come up again. And we'll have to go our separate ways."

en	"We don't have another choice. I just wish it wasn't so. I wish..."

en	You lift your head to look at him, but he just gives you a look and turns back to the fire.

en	"What're you thinkin'?"

en	He sighs, wearily, like he's been asked to carry the world on his back.

en	"It's a flight of fancy, that's all. It's not... realistic."

en	You look at him curiously, catching his eyes. He looks at you, almost for approval, before he thinks about what he wants to say.

en	"I wish we could run away. That's it. The two of us, far away from everyone and everything."

en	"Ride east 'till we know no one's chasing us."

en	"...That sounds nice."

en	You both cuddle for a little while longer, sitting close and resting your heads together.

en	The thoughts of running away tick over in your mind.

en	Is that what you want?

en	As if he could read your mind, Joseph asked.

en	"What do you want to do?"

en	You thought more. No one had ever really asked you that - and even so, you knew what you wanted to say.

en	"I'm tired of running, Joseph. I want to fight. I want to kill Curly Wolf."

en	"Really?"

en	"...It's the only way I can think to be free of him. You know as well as I do you don't get to just up and leave."

en	"Don't get me wrong, I'd love to be free of Black Vulture too, but do you think that's something you could do? Kill him?"

en	"I can't do it alone."

en	"Our gangs, Joseph, they're going to destroy this town."

en	"And after, if we ran away, we'd never be safe. We'd be looking over our shoulders the rest of our lives."

en	"I don't want to run away from things anymore. I want to run towards a better life, with you."

en	Joseph's eyes were sympathetic, but his expression was of discomfort.

en	"Ah... ah think you're right. And ah do want to help you, but I'm useless in a fight, I can't shoot straight."

en	"I don't wanna die, $Player."

en	"I wouldn't let that happen. I'll keep you safe."

en	"We can keep each other safe."

en	"We haven't been living our lives, Joseph, just surviving."

en	"Something better than that is... worth dying for I think."

en	"A fight feels inevitable. We should face it."

en	"...You really that desperate to get out?"

en	You nod, head held against his shoulder.

en	He sighs that same sigh again. Long and heavy, almost theatrical if it weren't for the stakes laid out before you both.

en	"I think you're right. A chance like this won't come again. Ah might even be tempted to call it fate."

en	"We should talk to Sheriff again I think, somehow, if we can."

en	He yawns.

en	"I don't know what we're gonna do, but we ain't gonna figure it out when we're bone tired."

en	"We should get some sleep. Come mornin', we'll talk more. Figure somethin' out, and then..."

en	"Hope on a kiss and a prayer that we make it out alive?"

en	He chuckles.

en	"Ain't that the story of our lives?"

en	"This'll be the last time we have to fight like that. I swear it."

en	You both fall asleep against each other, dreaming of that promise.

en	Praying for a better tomorrow, and willing to fight for it.

en	It wasn't the red morning sun, now risen just above the horizon, that had woken you.

en	Nor was it the gentle slumbering breath of Joseph against your neck, doing its best to lull you back to sleep.

en	What woke you wasn't even the familiar crick at the base of your tail from sleeping on the bedroll, a stiffness you couldn't wait to stretch out.

en	It was your thoughts. All the thoughts in your mind, like so many wild horses running, of what may come next.

en	What you both had to do.

en	The nights spent on a lookout were better than the sleepless nights back at camp, but you still dreaded the dawn that came after.

en	At least you had Joseph this time.

en	At least you had him for what was to come, you hoped.

en	You could feel one big wing of his, wrapped around your stomach, shifting as he started to wake too now.

en	As much as you wanted to keep lying here with him for just a few more minutes, you knew you had to get up.

en	Coffee wouldn't brew itself.

en	You peeled back the blanket as little as you could to let yourself escape, gingerly untucking Joseph's fingers from your side.

en	Sliding off the bedroll and through the dirt, you let Joseph's arm down gently.

en	Crouching low on your knees you gave his hand a gentle squeeze. Feeling the soft, dry, dusty feathers beneath your fingertips.

en	Holding this moment in your head, that it might stay there.

en	You stood up, dusting yourself off everywhere you could.

en	...Time to get ready.

en	Even with Joseph here your morning routine was mostly the same. Just doubled, you supposed.

en	Feed and water the horse. Horses. Both of them.

en	Make a pot of coffee. Double the amounts though. Let it brew for a little longer too, on the same fire as you'd used last night, together.

en	You kept thinking while the coffee boiled. There were many things you didn't have time to think about yet.

en	Even so, unimportant thoughts still rose.

en	An unimportant thought that kept bubbling up, was how nice it was to not have the usual knot in your stomach.

en	The tightness that twisted every time at camp when you had to get food, or a drink, to use the same tools and the same space as the others.

en	It was nice not to have to worry right now, you thought, about sharing this.

en	Joseph wouldn't complain about having to get coffee from the same pot as you. He wouldn't get angry that you were handling his stuff.

en	Could it have always been this easy...?

en	Your stomach rumbling snapped you from your thoughts. Of course, you'd forgotten breakfast.

en	You went back to your bag and unwrapped some salted pork, holding it between your teeth and tearing a chunk off.

en	You always liked how chewy it was, when you weren't in a rush. The rhythm of your jaw grinding it up helped you think.

en	Possibilities were rolling around in your mind, dice cast along the branches of a tree. How things might play out.

en	Although you couldn't just keep it to yourself, now. For better or worse, this was about the two of you.

en	There was both weight and comfort in that thought.

en	As you watched the pot start to bubble and steam, you heard the sound of sleepy shuffling, turning to see a waking Joseph.

en	He was propped up on one elbow, blearily trying to figure out what was in front of him, rubbing his eyes with one winged hand.

en	You saw his pupils contract to the morning sun that was getting brighter and brighter, focusing on you.

en	"G'morning, pardner. Is that the sweet smell of coffee ah smell brewin'?"

en	"Not sure I'd so call it sweet."

en	You looked into the pot at the dark brown, tar-like substance, regretting the large snoutful you got of its acrid, bitter scent.

en	"Well, the idea's sweet ta me at least. Stuff's damn near magic far as I'm concerned."

en	With surprising energy for someone who had just woken up, Joseph whipped the blanket off of him, standing and dusting himself off.

en	You watched still as he stretched.

en	His fingers locked together, wings pushed and pulled, in front and behind.

en	The way the feathers of his neck parted and ruffled as he rolled his head around his shoulders.

en	The hem of his shirt, usually tucked in but now loose after a night's sleep, rising ever so slightly as he twisted his body.

en	He sighed as he finished, wings on his hips, and met eyes with you.

en	"...What're you lookin' at?"

en	"Nothing."

en	"Uh huh."

en	A shy smirk crept across his face as he tucked his shirt back in and walked over to you.

en	"Whatcha eatin'?"

en	"Salt pork. There's some in my bag if you want."

en	"I think ah will, thank ya kindly."

en	"Can you get some cups too? This coffee looks 'bout done."

en	You looked behind you at Joseph, crouched as he dug into your bag, giving you a quick thumbs up.

en	You turned to the pot again and stirred it with the spoon a little.

en	Joseph came back round and sat beside you, setting two tin cups on the ground with one hand.

en	His beak tore at the piece of jerky in his other hand, hungrily swallowing it down after a few chews.

en	He picked up the pot and poured you both a hot cup, eagerly tapping his cup with yours before drinking.

en	"Cheers."

en	You both sipped quietly. You could feel the heat of the coffee travelling all the way down your gullet, burning in your belly.

en	"How did ya sleep?"

en	"Hm, good. Like a pup. Didn't wake once."

en	"Me too. Slept better than even that hotel ah stayed in one time."

en	"Ah swear, the sheets on that bed were the softest darn thing I've ever touched."

en	"Sounds nice."

en	"It was. Last night was nicer, mind you."

en	Another silence between you now.

en	Likely you were both thinking the same thing. Thinking about last night, what you talked about.

en	Silence, because if neither of you spoke, maybe nothing would happen.

en	Maybe the world would stop turning, and the sun would stop rising.

en	Of course, it still does. You can see it, charting its course away from one horizon to the next.

en	"So."

en	"...So."

en	"What's our plan?"

en	Joseph shuffled a little, legs restless.

en	"We kill Curly Wolf and Black Vulture."

en	"That's what we said, right?"

en	You nodded.

en	"...Maybe, we don't hafta."

en	"We could just run away."

en	"We... talked about that Joseph."

en	"If we run we'll spend the rest of our lives looking over our shoulders. We'll never really be safe."

en	"...Yeah, yer right."

en	"Besides, have you never thought about it?"

en	"'Course ah have. It's... not that simple though. Everyone around him is loyal, it'd be hard to even get the chance."

en	"Even if ah killed him ah wouldn't get away with my life."

en	"And even when I've thought about it, thought about that ideal world where he's got a bullet in his brain and I'm home free..."

en	"There's nothing after, $Player. Ah could never see what would happen in the rest of my life. It was blank."

en	"Just a desert."

en	"If you were to kill him now, what do you see?"

en	Joseph looked ahead, thinking. The feathers on his face fluttered in the wind.

en	"...Something, ah suppose. Not nothing, at least."

en	"...Ah think maybe I can trust that."

en	"Are we really going to be able to kill them, though?"

en	"I don't know. They bleed and die like anyone else, it's just hard to get a chance."

en	"At some point, our gangs are going to go to Clemency and take us with them, whether we like it or not."

en	"I think we should try to use that to our advantage... unfamiliar place, for them at least."

en	"What about everyone in town? They... shouldn't hafta be involved with this."

en	"They're already involved. We can't change that."

en	"I just wonder if any of them would help us. I doubt it."

en	"Do you think..."

en	You looked at Joseph, and he turned to look at you too, his brow furrowed.

en	"Sheriff?"

en	You felt a cold dread wash over you, even in the heat of the morning sun.

en	"No, I don't think Sheriff wants anything to do with us. We'd be dead before we even crossed the town line, remember?"

en	"Ah know, ah know, it just... there was something about it. How Sheriff was when we were told to leave."

en	"I don't know if ah fully believed it."

en	"Sorry Joseph, I think that's just wishful thinking."

en	"Hey, you listen to me now, I ain't makin' it up."

en	His voice was suddenly sterner, the timidness that had been in his voice now gone.

en	"I'm telling you, Sheriff... ah don't think Sheriff wanted to tell us to leave."

en	"There was something far too sad about it."

en	"You saw it too, right? I'm not imaginin' it?"

en	You thought back. It had hurt too much to dwell on it, but now you thought about it, you had to agree.

en	It wasn't like other times, when you'd been exiled or barred from places. There was anger but there was also... frustration.

en	Disappointment.

en	That wasn't normal.

en	"...You might be right."

en	"Even so, I don't think we can go waltzing back in to Clemency and expect Sheriff to welcome us with open arms."

en	"We still don't even have a plan."

en	"Ah think we need to talk to Sheriff. Even if we don't have a plan, Sheriff needs to know what's comin'."

en	"Yeah. Yeah, you're right."

en	"I just don't know how."

en	"We'd need to get to Sheriff without being seen, ideally. I don't want to risk getting shot, however unlikely."

en	Without being seen...

en	You set your coffee down, getting up and walking to the edge of the cliff.

en	You didn't need binoculars to see the shape of the town from up here, how the land moved and shallowed down towards the buildings.

en	You looked along the cliff, in the opposite direction to where you'd gone yesterday.

en	"Hey Joseph."

en	"I think... if we ride our horses this way, we could maybe get to the town from the back."

en	"Sheriff's office is at the back of the town there. If we surrender ourselves, we might get to talk to Sheriff."

en	Joseph got up from where he was and walked over to you, looking along the cliff where you were pointing, sipping his coffee.

en	"Ehh... ugh, yeah. That could work."

en	"What, not a fan of the idea?"

en	"Oh, no we can do that, this coffee is just mighty vile."

en	He held the cup over the edge and tipped it upside down, the brown sludge falling into the sand below.

en	"Less get going. We don't have much time 'fore both of us'll be needing to head back to our gangs."

en	"Yeah, 'course."

en	You took one last look along the cliff face, then started helping Joseph clear up the camp, making haste to get on your horses.

en	You rode as quick as you could down the cliff face, taking a long route around the back of the town.

en	Climbing off your horses, you tied them up out of sight behind a rocky outcropping.

en	You started your cautious walk to the edge of the town together, cautious about being spotted.

en	Sheriff's office was right in front of you, the squat building backing up onto this side of the desert.

en	Two square windows were cut into this face of the building, holes in the frame from where bars once were.

en	As you got closer, you listened out for anything that might tell you where Sheriff was.

en	The rhythmic tapping of wood carried on the wind to you from the front porch.

en	Carefully, you and Joseph sidled up to the building. Sticking close to the side you shuffled along the stone wall, cold in the shade.

en	At the edge, you slowly peeked your head out, squinting through the morning sun.

en	Sheriff was sitting on the porch outside, looking out into the town, cane tapping idly on the wooden boards. You hadn't been noticed yet.

en	You pulled your head back and nodded to Joseph, him nodding back in turn.

en	You both drew your guns, backs to the wall, and called out.

en	"Sheriff?"

en	You hear the panicked shuffling of someone getting out of their chair, and the cocking of a gun.

en	"Who goes there!"

en	"It's us, Sheriff, Joseph and $Player. We mean you no harm."

en	As you heard Sheriff's footsteps coming towards you round the corner, you both put your hands up, guns hanging limply by the fingertips.

en	You stepped back from the building and out of the shade as Sheriff came to face you, a gun loosely pointed in your direction.

en	"...What am I lookin' at here, why are you back? Are you surrenderin'?"

en	"Yeah, kinda... Sheriff, we need to talk. For real, this time."

en	"Oh yeah? And I'm s'posed to believe any collywobble you say now, am I?"

en	"No, we..."

en	"We know we betrayed yer trust."

en	"We lied to ya about why we were here, but we didn't lie about the danger to the town."

en	"We're askin' you fer a chance to explain ourselves."

en	Sheriff's brow was furrowed, you could see that even under the tough and scaled skin. A few moments of silence passed between you.

en	Sheriff holstered the gun slowly and calmly, the click of it uncocking letting you breathe freely again.

en	"Come into the office then, if we have things to discuss."

en	You gave each other a look of relief as Sheriff turned to walk back. You put your guns away as well and followed the lizard round.

en	The office was darker inside than yesterday, the morning sun not quite shining in the same way.

en	Sheriff stood with both hands on the cane, face curious and stern, still untrusting.

en	"So, boys. What do we need to talk about?"

en	You looked at Joseph, and he met your eyes. They were darting about in the small way they do, even when you're focusing on a point.

en	He gave you a little wink. That was all you needed.

en	"Yesterday, when we told you about those outlaws heading here, that... wasn't a lie. Or I guess it was a white lie."

en	"Our gangs know about this place, and they're gonna be coming here, gold or not."

en	"So you were scoutin' our town out. Makes sense."

en	"Still, I don't see what's stoppin' you from lying about this town. You both know we can't do much to defend ourselves from a whole gang."

en	"So frankly, if I'm picking up what you're puttin' down - and you don't want to hurt us - then just lie to 'em."

en	"Tell 'em we're armed to the teeth. Scare 'em off, they won't be stupid enough to still try."

en	"I... guess we could, but-"

en	"But what? Look I appreciate you tryin' to come clean and help somehow, but this ain't our business, you see."

en	"It's not one gang, it's two. I'm from the Curly Wolf gang."

en	"And I'm from Black Vulture's."

en	"...You're from two different gangs? Well, I'll be damned. You seemed so friendly with each other."

en	"The thing is Sheriff, we..."

en	"We don't wanna work for 'em anymore. Curly Wolf and Black Vulture. We wanna kill them."

en	"We need each other's help to do that, we can't do it alone, y'see?"

en	Your heart was beating fast in your chest. Saying it out loud, saying it to Sheriff, changed things.

en	Before you could convince yourself otherwise, you took Joseph's hand in yours, squeezing it tight as you stood next to him.

en	"Yeah. Besides, there's no guarantee we'd be able to convince them not to come here even if we did lie to them."

en	"We need your help too, Sheriff."

en	Sheriff's face remained stern, or maybe concerned you thought. Eyebrows flat across the eyes. Thinking.

en	"...You boys are sure about this? This is what you have to do?"

en	"Yes."

en	"Yeah."

en	Joseph's hand moved, ensuring the grip of his fingers interlocked with yours.

en	"Psh... getting a little old for things like this, but alright."

en	"I can't in good conscience endanger the people in this town, but I think I might be able to help."

en	Sheriff got up and started pacing.

en	"So your two gangs, they're both gonna come here?"

en	"Yeah, I know Curly Wolf will for sure."

en	"Black Vulture is bored, ah can tell. He's itching to do somethin'."

en	"Hmm. Any history between 'em, any scuffles?"

en	"Would they fight or make a truce if they met?"

en	"Black Vulture has said before he'd fight Curly Wolf, but ah dunno if Curly even knows he exists."

en	"Curly Wolf wouldn't work with another gang unless he had to. I don't think he'd give up this place so easily."

en	"Seems to me like them meeting up would be beneficial to your goals, don't you agree?"

en	"A fight between them would be chaotic... but maybe that's what we need."

en	"Someone might even finish them off for us."

en	"It would be dangerous for us though, too."

en	"Well now, hold on. When do the lookouts get caught in the scuffle? Almost never, unless we start it."

en	"If anythin', we should be the safest ones of the bunch."

en	"You're right, you're right."

en	"If you can delay their arrivals, then I might have a solution for you."

en	"Clemency gets supplies, monthly. They arrive by train about a day and a half's ride from here, that's where the nearest station is."

en	"Since it's a whole town's supplies, and the trip is long, everyone in Clemency goes in a wagon together."

en	"Easiest and safest for alla us."

en	"As luck would have it, that's in three days."

en	"...So the town'll be completely empty?"

en	"Not a soul, I can guarantee that. We ride early in the morning and ain't back till the next day."

en	"You get your gangs here on that day, and do what you need to do. Best I can come up with on short notice."

en	"That could work. Not like we have any other plan, and anything could happen, but it's better than nothin'."

en	Things were happening so fast. Sheriff really wanted to help, this was incredible.

en	Was this really happening? Was this something you could do?

en	"Three days, right? We need to both be here in three days."

en	"Yup. Do you think you can do that?"

en	"I think we can."

en	Joseph looked at you, both of you holding each other's hand tighter.

en	"We have to."

en	"Good, good."

en	"And, thank you. For trusting me with this. You took a real gamble comin' back here."

en	"No, thank you, Sheriff. Really and truly."

en	"I hope to see you again, when this is over."

en	"God willing, you'll make good on that promise."

en	"Fer sure."

en	"Ah think we both needta get going, now. We'll be expected back today."

en	"Yeah, we need to start riding soon."

en	"God speed, then, both of you. Keep yourselves safe."

en	You felt sick to your stomach and light on your feet. You nodded at Sheriff, and left, still holding Joseph's hand.

en	Back with your horses, you made last minute checks of your bags, ensuring everything was secure for the long trip back.

en	Three days from now... three days from now you'd be back. Both of you.

en	Some part of you dreaded needing to start this journey. Lingering on the feeling of standing here, not moving.

en	So much had changed since you got here. Now, you might be risking it all.

en	Doesn't feel fair. The idea of losing something you only just found, only just got the chance for.

en	You shoved it down, though. The ride back was long, you didn't need that kind of worry gnawing at your heart.

en	Pity for you, that every time you saw his face, even a glance as you checked your saddle - it all came rising to the top once more.

en	Like a drowning man, pushed under the waves, breaching the surface again as he refuses to sink.

en	"Ah think I'm all ready."

en	"...Me too."

en	Joseph stood by your side now, waiting for you to turn and look at him.

en	You contemplated just getting in the saddle, not lingering for longer than you had to.

en	You felt the light touch of his hand on your shoulder.

en	Twisting, pressing your face now over his shoulder, arms clinging round his side, you were holding him before you could think.

en	Joseph said nothing. He did nothing too, for a moment, until you felt the weight of his arms on your back tightly clinging to you.

en	Your hand took a great fistful of his clothes between your fingers where they lay, and as you held him tighter, he squeezed you even more.

en	You wouldn't care right now if he squeezed you hard enough to break a rib.

en	Feathers on his neck tickled your face and poked your closed eye. You could feel the way his back bent as he leaned ever so slightly over you.

en	You don't know how long the hug lasted, but eventually you let go.

en	You could feel imprints on your skin from where the hardness of his clothes, his buttons, his belt, had dug into you. Still, you didn't mind.

en	He held you still, facing each other. Holding each other's arms, looking at each other.

en	Joseph's eyes flicked around your face, and to the top of your head, holding his gaze there for a moment before leaning in.

en	You felt the gentle prod of his beak on your scalp, the sharp edges tugging at your fur.

en	He preened through a few more times, pulling gently and spitting the loose hairs to the side.

en	Done, he pulled back, his face a little sheepish.

en	"There, that's better. Need to look yer best when you go back."

en	"Thought your mama said it was impolite to use your beak, hm?"

en	"Well, she's not here. 'Sides, ah think you fit the, uh, criteria."

en	"...Thank you."

en	Your cheeks were hot and flush with what felt like all the blood in your body. You were sure you could see the same under his feathers.

en	"I'll see you in three days, y'hear?"

en	"Yeah."

en	"We'll kill those bastards."

en	"Yeah..."

en	You nodded. His hands trailed your arms as he walked away to his horse.

en	You got up in to your saddle too, the reins familiar in your hand.

en	Joseph trotted his horse round up alongside you, facing the opposite way.

en	"Well, pardner. Time to go."

en	"Wait, Joseph, just... promise me, if something goes wrong, you'll run."

en	"Promise?"

en	"Killing them isn't worth it if you die too."

en	"If you run, ah run. They ain't worth the effort of dyin'."

en	You smiled at him with the same type of smile as when you left home. Weak and worn, but relieved all the same.

en	"G'bye, $Player."

en	"See you soon, Joseph."

en	You both started your horses moving, gently trotting until you were no longer beside each other.

en	You heard Joseph give a "Cyawh!" and his horse set off at speed, kicking up dust into the air when you looked behind you.

en	You set your own horse into a gallop, the rush of the wind in your ears as you rode through and out of Clemency.

en	Back to your gang.

en	Back to the man you were plotting to kill.

en	The midday sun hung harsh and bright in the sky as you made it back to the camp, you and your horse both tired from the ride.

en	The current hideout of Curly Wolf and co. was a ramshackle affair, nestled in the depths of rolling hills, hidden from the sight of any passerby.

en	Riding slowly in, you climbed off your horse onto the sun baked ground, and led it over to tie it up with the others.

en	The smell of food wafted, but you could see people cleaning up already. You'd missed lunch.

en	As you made to leave the horse, a sudden thought struck you, and you doubled back to scramble about in your bag.

en	Where was it? You hadn't left it behind, surely.

en	The trickle of panic that had started to leak into your chest thankfully stopped, as your fingers felt the soft brush of what you were looking for.

en	You pulled the feather Joseph gave you out of your bag, holding it closely to yourself. You let out a short gasp of a sigh.

en	"Oi! Tomboy!"

en	Your ears pricked up and you stood up straight at the sound of Curly Wolf shouting at you. You hastily tucked the feather away in your pocket.

en	You turned and made your way over to Curly, eyes down at the ground, avoiding the looks of the others.

en	"You know how things work around here, don't you tomboy?"

en	"...Yes."

en	Curly grabbed a handful of your poncho, pulling you forward, stumbling, before roughly shoving you off your feet onto your back.

en	You'd learned how to take a fall by now. You didn't scramble, you just let yourself lay in the dirt for a moment, waiting.

en	"Get up."

en	You pressed your hand to the ground and got up, not too fast and not too slow.

en	The others still got a laugh out of this routine, but you were too bored of it to be embarrassed anymore.

en	"If you know how things work, then I shouldn't hafta punish you for not doing what you're told."

en	"When you come back, you come straight to me with what you found. You don't stand around playing with your little horsie."

en	"...Yes, boss."

en	"Right. Come on then, spit it out."

en	"I found the town. Place called Clemency. It's got some gold, from mines, but no bank or anything like that."

en	What would you say now? If Curly knew Sheriff was the only person there who even resembles a lawman he'd just go barging right in.

en	This lie was crucial. He couldn't catch you out.

en	"Place looked armed to the teeth, even so. All the townsfolk had some way of defending themselves, no gun laws like other places."

en	"Well, shit. Was hoping it'd be a breeze, we need an easy win right now."

en	"We- I, found out from Sh- uh the Sheriff that. That the place is gonna be empty soon."

en	You were focused on a hill in the distance, not daring to look directly at him.

en	Still, on the edge of your vision you could see Curly's eyes narrowed, staring at your face. Studying it.

en	"How come?"

en	"Overheard that they retrieve supplies for the town every so often, and the next caravan drive is in three days."

en	"Whole town is going to be going, it'll be empty and unguarded."

en	The suspicion in Curly's eyes melted into a smugness, and a grin split his face from ear to ear.

en	"Hot damn. Now that is an easy win."

en	He turned his face away from you, shouting into the air of the camp.

en	"Boys! Three days from now, we're gonna be rich!"

en	He walked away around the camp, kept talking, hyping it up, riling everyone up for what was to come.

en	You didn't need to listen anymore. Your job was done for now.

en	You went back to being invisible. Staying out of the way. The usual.

en	That night, the hills were full of the sound of howling, cheering, drunken songs as the Curly Wolf gang prematurely celebrated their victory.

en	This was a bigger deal than you had maybe anticipated. In any case, your goal was the same, and they didn't know what was coming.

en	Curly Wolf, didn't know what was coming. He was the cockiest you'd ever seen him.

en	The days after were a blur. If you weren't needed to help with some menial work somewhere in camp, you were just sleeping in your tent.

en	Trying to avoid the blazing heat, keeping out of everyone's way, like you always did.

en	Waiting, just like everyone else, for the day you'd ride out.

en	On the night before you were due to leave, you snuck out of your tent, out to where no one would see you.

en	Away from the camp, the sounds of it echoing lightly through the air, you clambered halfway down a hill and sat.

en	You didn't do this often. Who knew when someone might come to your tent, needing to drag you away for something.

en	You couldn't risk it often, being unfindable. But you thought it important enough to do tonight.

en	To come out here and breathe in the cool night air. To stare into the sky, across the horizon, at the blanket of stars in the sky.

en	Trying to pinpoint constellations you were told about when you were much younger.

en	You wondered if Joseph knew any... you didn't think about it at the time.

en	The feather was in your pocket still. The safest place you could think to keep it.

en	At night, when the lights were out, and the tent was filled with the sound of someone snoring, you'd hold it in your hand.

en	Flicking through it with the claw of your thumb, feeling the smoothness against your fingers, just for a bit, before you put it back.

en	It helped you get to sleep.

en	Again, now, while you were alone and sitting under the stars, you pulled it out of your pocket.

en	Fiddling with it in your hand, feeling it tickle the pads of your palm.

en	Your mind wanted to wander, to think about important things. To think about all the ways tomorrow could go wrong.

en	To think about what might happen to you both.

en	You didn't let it. The feather helped, too. For once, you just let yourself be calm.

en	You'll see him tomorrow. Until then, worrying would do you no good.

en	You imagined that was the kind of thing he'd say to you, if he were here. Sitting next to you.

en	The imagined weight of his head on your shoulder. The thought of his warmth sidled up next to you.

en	All the things you wouldn't feel again, if you lost him.

en	...

en	You'll see him tomorrow.

en	It's the morning.

en	You're awake early. You didn't sleep much anyway, as much as you tried to.

en	The sun was as bright as always coming through the yellowed fabric of the tent.

en	You laid awake, waiting for others to get up. Waiting for Curly Wolf.

en	He'd start rallying guys together for the ride to Clemency soon enough. You needed to make sure you were there.

en	The minutes ticked by, and you heard more people get up, the camp coming to life once more with the sounds of work and talk.

en	You got up and got yourself ready, sitting on your bedroll after and waiting more.

en	Then, the voice of Curly Wolf.

en	"Alright, boys, gather round! We're heading to the town of Clemency this morning."

en	"I need ten or so men with me to haul valuables, it's around a half day's ride from here."

en	"Who's comin' to get our gold?"

en	You heard all this as you were leaving your tent, making your way to the small crowd of canines.

en	Instantly there were people joining, eager to prove themselves, to get their hands on real gold. One, two, three already...

en	You subtly pushed your way through the crowd, trying to reach the front.

en	Pushed out the edge of the crowd by the huddling bodies, you found yourself standing in front of Curly.

en	He stared at you even as he clapped the hands and shoulders of other guys walking past, joining the excitable group.

en	"What you standin' there for, tomboy? We don't need any little pups to help shift the goods."

en	You needed to be on this crew. You... couldn't talk back to him though, you didn't know what to say. What could you say?

en	You just kept standing there.

en	"You think you're gonna be of any help with this scrawny stick?"

en	He grabbed your arm, raising it up and down, shaking it by the wrist.

en	Every inch of you was screaming to snatch your arm from his hand, but you knew what would happen if you did.

en	He threw your arm back at you, making you stumble a little.

en	"Go make yourself useful someplace else. I only need real men for this trip."

en	You had to say something. You had to. You had to. You had to be there.

en	"I... You'll need a lookout."

en	He was looking at the assembled group, doing a quick headcount.

en	"Alright boys, that's ten, be ready to move out in five minutes."

en	He didn't seem to hear you... your words were quiet, whispered.

en	You tried again.

en	"You'll need a lookout, Curly."

en	His ears twitched. He still didn't turn to face you.

en	"I heard you the first time. Stop yapping at me about bullshit."

en	"We don't know when the townsfolk will be back."

en	"It'll be bad if they come back while you're there, and even worse if there's no one keeping an eye out."

en	"Y'all will have your hands full already."

en	You heard him sigh, and a little growl rose in his throat, before it subsided into nothing.

en	"Fine then, tomboy. If you're that eager to come, I suppose I'll hafta let you."

en	"You're riding in the wagon. You don't need a horse."

en	No, you didn't get that privilege when other people needed them, you supposed.

en	The wagon was fine by you. You knew it was a punishment of kinds, that you'd be riding in it on the way back too, along with everything else.

en	Boxes and sacks and supplies and whatnot, all bumping about, hoping none of them fall over and hit you.

en	Cramped space with nowhere to sit or lie, just standing for hours waiting for it to stop.

en	"Get a move on."

en	You followed after Curly to get ready.

en	Of course, what Curly didn't know, was that you weren't gonna be coming back here.

en	Neither of you were.

en	From where you sat, slumped in the corner of the wagon, the wind whistled through the gaps in the canvas next to your head.

en	The edges flap, the wind ruffling your clothes and your fur, drying up your nose as you sit with your knees up.

en	The wagon rocks and bumps as its dragged by horse through the desert, and this corner is the only place you feel safe enough to stay.

en	You could at least keep yourself steady even as it tried to knock you about, clinging onto the wooden frame.

en	Looking toward the entrance of the wagon, where the covering split down the middle, you couldn't see much.

en	Or rather, what you could see were great clouds of dust, billowing out from the wheels and into the dry air.

en	As uncomfortable as the wagon was, at least it provided you shelter from the sun, unlike riding on horseback.

en	The winds coursing past your ears were welcome too, cooling your head that was swimming with thoughts.

en	You knew you were close to Clemency now. The entourage had been travelling long enough.

en	As you got closer and closer, the minutes stretched on, you felt sick to your stomach. Less so butterflies, more like hornets.

en	This was going to be it. This was what you'd been waiting for - not just for days, but... years, really. A chance like this.

en	All the anxieties and concerns you'd pushed down last night were rushing back up, like geysers.

en	What if Joseph wasn't there? What if his gang wasn't there? What if you reach Clemency and Curly realises you were lying?

en	What if you couldn't kill them both? Or they demolished the town, and Sheriff came back to find nothing left?

en	To find you'd broken your promise? What if you were killed, quickly, or slowly? You'd seen Curly kill traitors before.

en	The simple fear of dying took hold of your heart. The chill of the reaper's shadow.

en	...No. This wasn't going to be it. This isn't all there was going to be.

en	You'd see him again, soon. You'd do what you had to, together. This wasn't going to be it. There would be more, after.

en	It was hard for you to imagine, but you knew it to be true. There would be days after today. You wanted to see them.

en	And if you die, at least it was for a reason. You sure as Hell weren't going to go out without a fight.

en	This was a risk you'd always be willing to take. You and Joseph would take it together, and you were going to see it through.

en	You steeled your resolve, locking the furnace of your heart so that no one may put it out.

en	The rumble of the wagon started to slow.

en	The rocking back and forth became gentler and gentler, until everything came to a stop with a small lurch.

en	The constant motion that had been in your body was gone all of a sudden. Everything seemed impossibly still.

en	Like when the many conversations in a bar all died down suddenly, leaving it quiet in a strange moment.

en	You heard the thud of Curly jumping off of his horse, and crawled the floor of the wagon to the front.

en	Curly came and opened the low wooden door, letting you slide out of the wagon and jump out.

en	The light of the late morning sun was blinding, and you held your arm over your brow to shelter your eyes.

en	As your eyes adjusted, the bright desert became clearer. Hazy rock formations in the distance became familiar.

en	Walking round the wagon you saw the shapes of buildings that set your teeth on edge. The town of Clemency.

en	"Here we are, boys! What a shithole. No one here, at least."

en	"We'll take what we're here for and leave sharpish. Won't know what hit 'em. Ain't that right, tomboy?"

en	He slapped you hard on the back.

en	There was an anticipation in the air amongst yourselves. This was the place they'd been waiting for.

en	You'd been waiting for it too, but, the anticipation was not one of eagerness.

en	Even in your brief visit here many things had happened. In some way, being back in Clemency was comforting.

en	Despite that, you couldn't ignore the chill in your veins at the prospect of what will come next. There was no backing out now.

en	It felt like those few times in the past, when the fuse on a stick of dynamite had been lit, and you were still holding it.

en	There was only going to be a few moments more until the spark reached the end of the wick.

en	Curly started walking into the town, and you followed suit with everyone else, staying close behind him.

en	Clemency was dead quiet, not a soul in sight - just like Sheriff said it'd be.

en	He studied the town as you walked down the main street, peering through windows, drawing up plans in his head.

en	Every building you walked past filled you with a little more fear. You were still waiting for something to happen.

en	For anyone else to appear. Soon enough, Curly would want to get started for real, and ask you where the gold was supposed to be.

en	Then, at the end of the street, you saw what you were waiting for. Who you were waiting for.

en	A hazy, clumped group of guys, making their way up onto the main street from the other side of the town. As they got closer, it became clearer.

en	The figure of a tall and slender bird, with many others in tow straggling behind him, much like you behind Curly.

en	Curly stopped as he spotted the group too, staring them down.

en	"...Now who the Hell is that in my town?"

en	He started walking again, with purpose and menace, and they quickened their pace in turn towards you.

en	You felt your heart beating in your chest now, reaching up to your throat, blood rushing. Adrenaline starting to build in you.

en	They were really here, and you could see Curly wasn't happy about it.

en	Both sides slowed as they came closer to each other, coming to a stop halfway down the street, a few dozen paces between them.

en	Not too close, not too far.

en	You saw Black Vulture much more clearly now, and he was looking with intrigue at Curly.

en	You looked past him though, desperately searching the small crowd of people following in his wake, until you saw the one you'd been waiting for.

en	Joseph, stony-faced and stern, blending in with his compatriots.

en	It was almost funny to compare to the laidback and jovial man you'd gotten to know.

en	After a few moments longer of staring each other down, Black Vulture spoke.

en	"Well, well, is that who I think it is? The infamous Curly Wolf?"

en	"What's it to you, and what are you doing in my town."

en	"Well, I'd imagine we're both here for much the same reason! I've heard tales of your exploits."

en	"Can't say the same. Who are you."

en	"I'm Black Vulture, gentleman outlaw of the-"

en	"Doesn't ring a bell."

en	The feathers of Black's neck clearly ruffled at Curly's rebuttal, but he waved it off.

en	"More fool you, I say."

en	"You here for the gold, then."

en	"Yes, and how strange that we might run into each other like this. I'm willing to bet you're not a sharing man."

en	"Like I said, this is Curly Wolf property now. So you best go on and fly away."

en	"No, I don't think we will be, Curly. I think it would be a shame for so much gold to be wasted on scum like you."

en	"Should keep that highfalutin beak of yours shut 'less you want the barrel of a gun inside it."

en	"Let us see then, Curly Wolf! To the victor go the spoils, and I intend to spill that tiny brain of yours across the dirt."

en	"Fine by me. Don't need much a brain to shoot you."

en	This wasn't how you'd wanted things to go. You and Joseph were still in the thick of it, facing each other. You thought you'd be out of the fight.

en	The air was still. Hands came to hover over guns, every pair of eyes trained on the opposing side. Waiting.

en	In a standoff like this, it was a test of the boss' mettle, their mental fortitude. How long would anyone last before pulling the trigger?

en	Trying to psyche each other out. Being the first to take the shot wasn't always the best call, but having to react to that first shot could be worse.

en	It was a test of loyalty, too, for everyone following them. Your underlings couldn't step out of line, or take the shot themselves.

en	To break rank early would be a betrayal, but when bullets went flying it was unpredictable. Staying meant a risk to yourself.

en	You knew Curly was a good shot. He had the upper hand here, but you were reminded of something Joseph told you.

en	Black Vulture wasn't the shootist, he had someone else for that. He could brag but he wasn't the real one.

en	You thought about whether Curly should know.

en	Keep quiet

en	Tip him off

en	The seconds dragged on.

en	It felt as though your very breath may tip the scales, chest heavy from breathing the air of people who wanted to kill you.

en	There was safety in numbers. In the crowd. Even so, you found yourself for the first time thinking about running.

en	Never before had you considered it. This time was different, of course. There wasn't going to be a next time.

en	Running would tip the scales for sure, but you couldn't know in whose favour.

en	Play it safe with the gang, or run and let all Hell break loose.

en	Stay

en	Run

en	No, it was better if Curly didn't know about the shootist.

en	As dangerous as it was to leave someone like that hanging around during a fight, it was more a danger to him.

en	An expert shootist in a fight was a danger, for you, as well as Joseph if things got hairier.

en	It was risky, but if Curly knew then the fight may be over sooner.

en	"Boss... I've heard about Black Vulture."

en	Curly side-eyed you, like someone would a child that had spoken out of line.

en	"Tch... What about?"

en	"He's not the shootist. He's got someone else for that, is what I heard. Can't shoot straight himself."

en	The slight contempt in Curly's face toward you disappeared, morphing into something more contemplative, studying the crowd.

en	"I see him... I got his number now."

en	"Maybe you're not so useless after all, pipsqueak."

en	A cruel feeling of pride rose in you that you wanted to burn and bury.

en	...No, if you ran you might make yourself a target. Better to stick with the gang till they scatter.

en	Curly spoke up in a low voice, cast to those behind him.

en	"Watch and learn, boys."

en	He flexed the wrist of his hand, holding it out, before clutching his gun in its holster.

en	You saw Black Vulture react in turn, reaching for his gun. Curly liked to play with his food, to show off.

en	He waited for the moment Black grabbed his gun the same, then quickly and expertly pulled it free, pointing it dead straight.

en	He knew he'd always be quicker on the draw.

en	You had to run. Staying wasn't worth the risk of getting shot; not here, not this time.

en	Across the impossibly long feeling gap between Curly Wolf and Black Vulture's gangs, you looked closely at Joseph, catching his attention.

en	You nodded once at him, and he nodded back, understanding. If one ran, you both ran, together.

en	To your right side, you spied a gap, an alley, between two buildings near to you.

en	Heartbeat pounding like a drum in your chest, you set your feet steady in the dirt.

en	You ran out from behind Curly as fast as you could, letting the momentum of your legs pounding the ground carry you.

en	You were down the alleyway and out of Black Vulture's sight before almost anyone could react.

en	Looking back, you saw Curly's expression vacillate between a moment of surprised anger, then a snarl, before landing on gritted teeth.

en	The shot rang out - a bang that made your heart jump - and you saw Black Vulture double over, clutching his side.

en	The smoke was barely rising from the barrel of Curly's gun when another shot rang out.

en	Full on ego and admiring his handiwork, he hadn't noticed one small bird hanging on the edge of the crowd that had raised his rifle.

en	Curly's face instantly twisted into a full-toothed cry of pain, eyes clenched shut, staggering back a step as he clutched at the side of his chest.

en	"Fuck!"

en	A moment passed before the crowd behind you dispersed, everyone running to take cover as the fight broke out.

en	On the other side you saw the same, the clump of figures scattering like ashes to either side of the street.

en	You couldn't see where Joseph went, and you couldn't afford to hang around as more shots were fired.

en	Curly was struggling to move, and he turned to see you still standing there, alone. A bullet whizzed by, striking the ground.

en	He gave you a look and slumped over onto you, one arm slung over your shoulder, much of his weight bearing down on you now.

en	You had no choice but to help carry him out of the street, knees shaking as you walked as quickly as you could.

en	Your compatriots fired a volley of rounds down the street, providing you enough cover to drag your bleeding boss between two buildings.

en	He was heavy on your neck, and wobbling as you walked together, his strides still outpacing you as you tried to keep up and push him along.

en	You kept walking through the long clump of houses that lined the main street, pushing through to the other side where it gave way to a hill.

en	At a corner that led out of the shade, he rested against the wall, lightening the load off of you as he craned his neck to check if the way was safe.

en	Again without a word he reslumped onto you, and you walked around the corner together.

en	Curly used the houses as support too now, bloodied hand dragging across the walls as he used you to drag him ever forward.

en	Gunshots continued to ring out, bouncing through the alleys and streets next to you.

en	The acrid smell of gunpowder grew stronger, even as your nose was full of the scent of Curly's sweat-laden fur.

en	You stumbled along this back path a little more before Curly's weight on you suddenly became crushing, like gravity itself had become stronger.

en	The full weight of Curly lay on you for a moment, before your knees buckled and he slid off with a grunt.

en	He threw out a hand, trying to catch himself, scraping it on the wall of a house as he fell, coming to sit in the dirt.

en	He sat with his back flat against the slatted wooden wall, one hand reaching across to grasp his side so hard you could see the tendons.

en	The other hand clutched his gun, finger resting next to the trigger.

en	He breathed slowly and heavily through gritted teeth, staring out over the edge into the rest of town, across rooves and into the desert.

en	His ears twitched with the pop of guns around you, seeming to come from every direction.

en	This was the best chance you were going to get, you thought. He was so... vulnerable looking.

en	Some part of your mind, though, said you couldn't. You can't kill him. Something will go wrong. He's a hurt and cornered animal right now.

en	"Staring real hard at me there, tomboy. Worried I'm gonna croak on ya? Don't. I'm not going anywhere."

en	You could feel the weight of your gun in your holster as you shifted on your feet. The space where your hand needed to be to grab it.

en	Curly fidgeted about, like it was impossible for him to get comfortable where he was, before giving up and sitting crooked.

en	"We'll hide out here for the time being. The boys'll take care of things."

en	"You're not much good in a fight, but you're better protection than nothing."

en	"Some of Black Vulture's lot might come this way so keep your eyes peeled."

en	You gently unholstered your gun, letting it dangle on your fingers by the handle.

en	You didn't want to stick around. You didn't know how the fight was going. You didn't know if Joseph was alright.

en	You were just wasting time, standing here, with this bastard bleeding on the ground next to you.

en	Just shoot him. That's all you had to do, just shoot him and be done with it.

en	You've killed people before. He deserves it more than most.

en	And still, you can't bring yourself to do anything.

en	Your ears prick up. You hear the sound of someone running this way, thudding fast against the dirt, and look up.

en	You swing your gun up hastily, ready for whoever's coming your way.

en	You don't see anything for a few more moments until a bird comes running out, looking around frantically.

en	It was Joseph.

en	Panting, holding his shotgun in both hands, and as he looks your way and his eyes land on you, they light up like the brightest fireworks.

en	"Ah shit, there's one."

en	The glint of Curly's gun shone in the corner of your eye as he moved, arm crossing his body, pointing upward.

en	Joseph's eyes widened, pupils becoming pinpricks, trying to turn tail and run as he saw Curly take aim.

en	It was all so quick and felt like an eternity as you yourself lifted your gun, aiming directly at Curly's hand as it steadied itself.

en	Before doubt and fear could take ahold, you squeezed the trigger and saw his hand explode.

en	The sound of the shot rattled through your head, Joseph staggered and stopped as it went off, Curly snatched his hand away.

en	His gun dropped to the ground with a dull thud, and he buried the hand into himself, crying out and growling.

en	"Graaah fuck! What the- what..."

en	He looked bewilderingly at Joseph, failing to understand what had blasted the fingers off his hand; before looking to his side, at you.

en	Looking at the wisps of smoke from the barrel of your gun.

en	You felt yourself panting heavily, hand shaking; in fact your whole body, shaking with adrenaline.

en	You heard the thump of footsteps again and looked up to see Joseph run over, slowing as he neared you and Curly.

en	The two met eyes, anger and disgust spilling onto Curly's face in equal amounts, while Joseph's became... pitiful, you thought.

en	"So this is him, huh? The great Curly Wolf?"

en	Joseph came down from your eye level, crouching to Curly, studying his face.

en	"Hah... all makes a lil' more sense now. Found yourself a little buddy, did you?"

en	"He won't stick around... I can see it in his eyes."

en	"Shut yer trap, Curly."

en	Anger flitted across Curly's brow, but he wasn't stupid. He knew he wasn't getting out of this situation. He was as good as dead.

en	"You really are two peas in a pod... traitors and cowards who just run... from everything..."

en	His breaths were haggard, throat hoarse and harsh. Holding on out of spite more than anything else.

en	"Whatever he told you... promised you, tomboy... it's not real."

en	"I know people like that when I see it..."

en	"When things get tough, he'll leave. He'll run... like all the other times."

en	"Or will you run first... haha..."

en	"You might say that's not so, but... I know you're a liar... always have been."

en	"Shoulda known you'd betray me sooner or later... saw it in your eyes all those times... never liked you."

en	"Do you even know his name."

en	Joseph regarded Curly coolly, but his anger wasn't concealed by the sharp spite in his voice or the clench of his jaw.

en	"Does it matter?... What's a name, anyhow. If I call someone and they come... that's their name."

en	"Answer the question. Do you know his name."

en	Curly squinted up at Joseph, the sun shining in his face, you and Joseph's shadows cast up the wall beside him.

en	"...No, 'course I don't, wh-"

en	The deafening blast of Joseph's shotgun cut him short, and you flinched away, averting your eyes from the peppered red mess of his chest.

en	You followed the momentum of your flinch, turning around, gazing out across the hill and down into the town, breathing in and out.

en	You heard one last breath of sorts behind you, a gurgle of blood from the mouth, and the rustle of clothes as he fell limp.

en	"Wrong answer."

en	"$Player?"

en	You gingerly reached a hand behind at him, tugging at his shirt when you found purchase, pulling yourself in.

en	His arms caught you as you took a weak step toward him, returning his embrace as he held you close, your heads over each other's shoulders.

en	There was a pit in your stomach making you nauseous. You closed your eyes as you breathed in, focusing on his smell, so close to you.

en	"Are you alright? Are ya hurt?"

en	"I'm fine, I-I'm fine."

en	You pulled away from each other as you heard more gunshots, the fight starting up again, no doubt caused by Joseph's shotgun.

en	"We need to get somewhere safe, wait for this to blow over."

en	"Once they realise Curly's dead the guys'll probably hightail it out of here."

en	"Where's Black Vulture?"

en	"Not sure. Lost him when the fight broke out, ah was more concerned 'bout finding you really."

en	Holstering your gun, you stooped down and picked up Curly's revolver from where it had fallen.

en	You grabbed Joseph's hand and placed it on your shoulder to pull him with you, walking briskly, keeping on the way you'd been going already.

en	"We can skirt around the edge of town and make our way to the saloon, safest place I can think of."

en	Joseph nodded and followed you, trailing by his arm, your gun held firm and ready in your hand, cautious of every alley you passed.

en	You kept following the edge of the hill, heading for where the street bent, Sheriff's office being across the way.

en	You were aiming to loop round the back of the office and avoid the firefight in the street, but as it came into view, a tall figure started to pass by.

en	He didn't notice you at first, but the sound of you both stopping short caught his attention, and you met the eyes of Black Vulture.

en	"Well, well. What do we have here? Taking a prisoner, Joseph?"

en	You could see the blood staining his coat, his shirt, on the side of his stomach where he pressed a hand, but he seemed surprisingly unfazed.

en	Following Black from behind the building came the bird you recognised as the shootist, the one who shot Curly.

en	He stood behind Black, rifle firm in both hands, a mask covering his face, small eyes watching keenly.

en	The grip of Joseph's hand on your shoulder grew tighter, and he pulled you toward him a little, continuing to walk you forward slowly.

en	"Yeah. Thought he might be useful. Should have some knowledge about Curly Wolf's hideouts and whatnot."

en	Black grunted, hunched over but now standing taller, his crooked neck raising his head above you.

en	"Always so quick on your feet, Joseph. It's good thinking. I'm just curious as to why you're not holding him to gunpoint."

en	He took a few steps closer to you both.

en	"Or indeed, why I had to take a bullet for your actions."

en	"My actions?"

en	"You ran, you slimy traitorous coward, you ran with your tail between your legs and now I'm bleeding from the stomach."

en	Your palms were sweating, your head down, faced away from Black and his shootist, hiding the gun in your hand. It was a bad time to be caught in the act.

en	You thought about whether this was your chance to kill Black, but he was so close to you both, with his own gun drawn still.

en	And you knew now, how hard it would be for Joseph to try kill him. The fear dripping inside his chest.

en	"We shouldn't stick around, Curly's guys might find you."

en	You dared to look behind you, look at where they were standing, but you saw in Black's eyes you'd made a mistake.

en	The glint of a gun in your hand, hidden and now revealed as you twisted your body ever so slightly too much.

en	Joseph must've seen the connection too, the spark of realisation in Black's eyes.

en	He swung his arms suddenly toward Black, bashing him upside the head with his shotgun and knocking him to the ground with a grunt.

en	The shootist, even while watching closely, was caught off guard, and though he readied his rifle quickly, you had already been looking at him.

en	You aimed the revolver at his head and fired a shot clean through. His mask flew off, twisting in the air.

en	As the shootist fell, his dying trigger finger squeezed enough to let loose a final shot from the tilted rifle.

en	You heard the telltale wet thud of a bullet hitting someone and Joseph cried out for a moment, hand snapping to clutch his thigh.

en	"Damned little... son of a gun. Still got me."

en	Black was already starting to stir from being knocked down, and you pushed your head under one of Joseph's arms.

en	"Come on, we need to go, now!"

en	Joseph held his arm around your shoulders, using your help to take some of the weight off, but still limping as fast as he could with the pain.

en	You abandoned your plan to go around town and ran down the nearest alley, toward the main street, and toward the fight.

en	You couldn't afford to get caught out by someone again, Black or otherwise. Joseph was too hurt, you just had to get to the saloon.

en	As you reached the street everything had lulled once again, the air deadly quiet all of a sudden.

en	You poked your heads out, but wherever people were hiding, it wasn't anywhere near you.

en	The saloon was just across the street. You looked to Joseph, his face so close to yours, and he nodded.

en	You pushed off together, running and walking as fast as you could to get across without being seen.

en	Halfway across the wide street, the saloon porch so close, you looked behind you, only to see Black coming to a halt as your eyes met.

en	Wiping blood off his face from his cracked beak, he aimed his gun at you both from the alley entrance.

en	Your heart skips a beat and you crash to the ground, pulling Joseph with you, hoping you might dodge the bullet.

en	A shot rings out. But it didn't come from behind you, and in fact you quickly look toward Black to see him ducking down.

en	His hat was knocked off by the unknown shot, and he grabbed it before scuttling back, hiding further in the alley.

en	The shot spooked the hiding gang members too, as a couple shots were fired back, and then many more adding to the cacophony.

en	You picked Joseph and yourself up off the dusty ground, seeing down the street that many were shooting up at some attackers on the rooves.

en	You took off running in a crouch, with your hand balled into a fist around your gun and the back of Joseph's clothes, dragging him with you.

en	Both stumbling up the stairs of the saloon porch, you flung open the doors and helped Joseph inside with haste.

en	There was a loud crack as the wooden doorframe was struck and splintered near your head.

en	As you turn and slam the doors shut, you see Black pull away from aiming at you, now having to reload.

en	With the doors shut, your eyes adjusted to the dimly lit interior, the sun not quite shining in the same as last time you were here.

en	Joseph stood with his injured leg slightly off the floor, leaning on a table with one hand.

en	You go over to him and unholster your gun, handing it to him by the barrel, handle pointed upward.

en	"You take it, you need something better than that shotgun."

en	"Ah have it for a reason, $Player, I'm a real terrible shot. More likely to hit you than who I'm aiming at."

en	"Then take it for good luck. I've had it for a long time and it's always done me well."

en	He gave you a hesitant look still, you both knew time was of the essence, but he didn't want to put you in danger.

en	You trusted him. You knew this wasn't dangerous.

en	"Two revolvers isn't much good to me."

en	"Just take it and hide, Black's still coming after us."

en	Joseph took the pistol from you and slid his shotgun across the floor to the end of the bar, limping over to hide behind it.

en	You ducked down yourself and scuttled over to the nearest window, listening to the shootout happening outside.

en	You needed to know where Black Vulture was. You pulled up and peeked over the windowsill.

en	As soon as you pulled your head far enough up, your eyes landed on the distant figure of Black, rifle aimed directly at you.

en	You immediately snapped away from the window and pressed yourself against the wall, holding still as one louder shot echoed in the street.

en	The window next to your head broke with a shrill twang, the panes falling on the sill and shattering either side, the floor covered in glass.

en	You felt a sharp pain pierce your ear and reached up for a moment to feel the tip missing, your fingers slick with blood as you brought them down.

en	The side of your face started to feel wet, you could feel your fur matting and sticking to itself inside your ear.

en	He'd known where you were, he'd almost got you - but you knew where he was now, and he'd probably try to move and throw you off.

en	You reared your head up along with your gun, spotting Black sneaking away from where he was as he tried to avoid errant bullets.

en	He saw you as you took aim through the window, but you weren't going to falter and let him get the jump on you again.

en	You followed his movement with your hand, watching where he was going, and squeezed the trigger just ahead of him.

en	The gunshot echoed through the saloon and a single moment later Black fell with a small spray of blood, kicking up dust as his legs splayed out.

en	You stood up a little, still crouched, peering more clearly over through the window to get a better look at him on the ground.

en	He didn't seem to be breathing.

en	You kept watching for any sign of life, any movements, but even as bullets from the fight hit dirt and wood beside him, he didn't seem to stir.

en	You gingerly kicked the broken glass under you aside, taking a deep breath.

en	You slunk down and sat with your back to the wall, ears down, not wanting to attract any of the shootists still outside.

en	The wary head of Joseph poked out from the end of the bar, looking at you, his eyes then flicking around the window.

en	"I got him. He's dead, Black's dead. We should just... lie low here for a bit."

en	Joseph nodded, shuffling out from behind the bar a bit more.

en	"Made a bit a mess of the saloon. Hope Bart won't be too mad about it."

en	You hoped so too. You guessed Sheriff must have told people about what was happening, but you weren't sure.

en	You'd help fix it up if you could.

en	You sat there, waiting, listening still as the fight outside died down.

en	You could hear some distant shouts, sounds of people running, the wind howling through the open window.

en	The crunch of glass.

en	You ears flicked towards the noise as a feathered hand shot through the window, grasping at your face.

en	The arm grabbed under your chin and pulled and jerked you up. Breaths became caught and strained as you were half-choked to the window.

en	You dropped your gun and desperately pulled at the arm, claws digging into the skin of Black's wing as you tried to break free.

en	Another arm threw itself in as he got to his knees, pressing your head against the wooden windowsill and tilting your head back.

en	You could see his face close in your periphery, and his other hand now came to your throat, something sharp and cold resting against your skin.

en	The shard of glass glinted in the sun and refractions danced around the dim saloon. Your claws hurt from scratching feathers out of his arm.

en	You didn't want to die. Your head forced back, neck thrust forward, exposed, looking at the nothing of the ceiling above you.

en	"This is gonna hurt you much more than it's hurting me."

en	The words brushed past your ear. You felt the arm move, the glass start to prick into your skin.

en	A loud bang went off, reverberating around the room and vibrating deep in your body for a moment. You fell to the floor.

en	You crashed into the shattered glass beneath you, twisting to look up at the window, running your hand along your throat with subsiding panic.

en	The arms that had been around you went limp, hanging through the window along with Black's long neck, his face motionless and frozen.

en	The bloodied shard of glass in his hand fell to the floor with a tink. The blood from his head started to drip next to it.

en	You looked over at Joseph and saw him sitting lopsided on the floor, your revolver in his hand still pointed towards the window.

en	He was looking past you at Black, breathing heavily, and then looked in your eyes, his head not moving an inch, just the flick of his stare.

en	He blinked after what seemed like an eternity and you felt the roughness of breaths in your throat. A hoarse cough every so often.

en	You pushed your hand against the floor and sat up, Joseph putting the gun down carefully beside him.

en	"Ah think we got him for real, then."

en	You gave a small nervous chuckle, as did he. More gunshots started up outside, only less than before.

en	You got on your knees, holstering the gun you'd dropped, and crawled carefully over the broken glass, across the floor to Joseph.

en	He took a gentle hold of your shorter arm, a warm squeeze.

en	"We might be in danger here still if someone sees us, 'specially with ol' big beak there being a window ornament."

en	"Uh, yeah... we could go in the storeroom for now I suppose."

en	He looked over the bar at the door to the store, the gentle curve of thinking on his brow, before meeting your eyes again.

en	"The saloon has rooms don't it? Think that's what Bart said."

en	"Yeah, must be upstairs."

en	"...Should we go? Up? Would be a darn lot safer and comfier than down here."

en	You thought about it, for a moment. Your only worry was whether you might get blood on something for when Bartholomew came back.

en	Though considering the state of the saloon already, you thought, what the hell. You'll deal with it later. Together.

en	"Yeah. Let's."

en	You stood up and helped Joseph, with his stiff thigh still, to get up too. You walked briskly together past the window, out of sight.

en	You took your time getting up the stairs, taking it slow for Joseph, who was huffing and breathing through gritted teeth as he made his way up.

en	You stumbled along the landing, one arm around each other, towards the furthest room.

en	Curly tried, with a quick and practiced motion, to reach for his gun, but it was too late.

en	A shot rang out and a sharp whizz in the air was cut short by a wet thud and Curly flinching hard.

en	That was all you saw before you took off, as did everyone else in the town it seemed. You heard the scuffle of many shoes.

en	Curly was the most dangerous person here right now, even when hurt, so you were glad to be making distance from him.

en	As you ran through the houses that lined the main street, many gunshots started to fill the air, loud cracks that echoed down the alleyways.

en	You kept running through the maze of houses, as far away as you could get, slowing down as you reached the last of them.

en	These houses led to a hill that sloped into the rest of town. You stopped in the shade and leaned against one of their wooden walls, panting.

en	The fight continued, and you listened. It didn't seem to be moving away from the street much. You would be safe elsewhere in town.

en	You needed to find Joseph now, that was all you focused on. You'd be safer together, he ran when you did as well.

en	You slid your gun from its holster, the grip of the metal a small comfort in your hand.

en	If you followed the curve of this ledge along, you'd reach the other end of the street where Black and co. were. Joseph can't have gone far.

en	You started walking, carefully, listening and looking at each alley before crossing, steadily making your way past the houses.

en	It wasn't long before you heard someone near you, shouting. Familiar.

en	You heard the scuffle of feet in the dust before two figures burst out from behind a house, one chasing the other.

en	It was Black and Joseph, Black hot on his heels, and you saw him grab the back of Joseph's shirt as he tried to run away.

en	He kept running and crashed into Joseph, sending them both tumbling down the rocky incline, kicking up clouds of dust as they did.

en	You ran over to the edge of where they fell, watching for a moment as they tried to get ahold of each other in the dirt.

en	Clothes stained with brown patches of desert dust, their guns tossed and laying discarded near them. Joseph grabbed at Black, punching his side.

en	You hastily holstered your gun and slid down the hill towards them, stumbling as you hit the bottom.

en	You carried the momentum of your stumble into a run, then swung your leg towards Black, foot connecting hard with his stomach.

en	He let out a grunt and a retch, clutching his stomach, giving Joseph the chance to throw him off.

en	Joseph rolled away on to his arms and knees, standing up quickly.

en	Black tried to get up too despite still being winded, but Joseph easily kicked him down onto his back with one foot to the chest.

en	Joseph shuffled over to you and you both stood over Black, who slowly propped himself up on his hands, leaning back and looking at you.

en	He eyed you over, catching his breath back, trying to mask the fear in his eyes with a smug smile that spread across his face.

en	"Well, well now. Who's your little friend, Joseph?"

en	"...I'm $Player. I'm another lookout."

en	"So you're in league with this treacherous scumbag, then? What a twist!"

en	"You're very much going to regret this, Joseph, when this is all over."

en	"Punishing people is so... distasteful, but sometimes it must be done."

en	"Sorry Black, but you ain't gonna get the chance. This is the end of the line."

en	Black's smile softened a little at Joseph's words, either not having listened or simply not believing him.

en	"Joseph, don't be foolish. Help me up and I won't punish you too harshly - then we can forget all this nasty business."

en	"Your... friend, can even join us if you'd like. Let's go take care of Curly, and then we can search for that gold."

en	You saw Joseph waver for a moment. The offer ticking over in his mind, his breath hitched for a moment. Steeling the resolve of his promises.

en	"You really don't listen, do ya? I'm going to kill you, Black. For everything you've done."

en	Black scoffed, brow knotting in anger and indignation.

en	"For everything I've done? You ungrateful little whelp."

en	"I'll tell you what I've done, I've been a gentleman and shown you nothing but kindness ever since you joined me."

en	"I fed you, mentored you, brought you under my wing - and this is how you repay me?"

en	"By threatening to kill me?"

en	"...Ah can't tell if yer lying to my face or really just that delusional. You don't care about me."

en	"You don't care 'bout any of us. You just like havin' a posse that'll talk you up in saloons and do all the work for ya."

en	"A city slicker playing cowboy for the sheer Hell of it."

en	"Maybe you can fool other folks, but none of us ever bought all this gentleman shit for a second."

en	Black's face was pure contempt, the face of someone used to always being told what he wanted to hear.

en	You unholstered your gun, handing it to Joseph on top of your palm. He took it, holding it by his side and cocking the hammer.

en	"How absolutely dare you. You have no idea what I've sacrificed!"

en	"I gave up my life in the lap of luxury to rough it out in the desert with people like you. To live the life I was told stories about."

en	"I made a name for myself. Black Vulture, the gentleman outlaw of the West."

en	"You're not a gentleman. You didn't do anything. Your gang made your name for you."

en	"Joseph made your name for you. He's more of a gentleman than you'll ever be."

en	Black's brow furrowed and his eyes squinted at you, filled with the rage of a man who was never told no. The wind died down for a moment.

en	Everything was impossibly still. Not a movement, not a sound, the whole world seeming to take pause. Waiting.

en	The stillness was broken as Black's body twitched, and he threw himself towards his gun, scrambling in the dust to try and grab it.

en	Joseph shot at him, missing, then shot again as Black just touched his gun, the bullet passing through his head with a spray of blood.

en	Black's frantic body fell limp, settling. A few moments passed, the sand under his head becoming a stained dark brown.

en	Joseph turned to you. He was trembling, his hands fluttering. He grabbed the gun by the barrel and gave it back to you.

en	You took it and holstered it again quickly, stepping closer to put your arm around him.

en	He was warm, and as he put his arms around you too, you felt every shake and tremble of his head on your shoulder, arm tight across his back.

en	"You're alright, you're alright. Are you hurt?"

en	"I'm... no, I'm just fine. Few bumps n' bruises is all."

en	He pulled back, gently grabbing you by the shoulders, eyes meeting.

en	"Are you awright? What happened, where's Curly Wolf?"

en	"Yeah I'm not hurt. I don't know where he is, I ran before he could follow me. I think he got hit."

en	"Ah would say the same, he got shot by Black's shootist. They both tailed me after I ran too."

en	"Ah put the shootist down with my shotgun but then Black was right on my behind, that was just before you found me."

en	"Right... I think we should get to the saloon. Safest place in town I can think of, we can keep a lookout for Curly."

en	"Sounds like the fight's died down too, y'think we can sneak across the street?"

en	You nodded. Joseph picked his shotgun up and you both climbed back up the short hill, cautiously approaching the street.

en	You both sidled up against the wall before an alley, staying out of sight, looking and waiting to make sure it was clear.

en	You saw and heard no one, not from the street, and if you cut through here you could get to the saloon quickly.

en	Joseph thought it a safe bet too, and nodded at you to go. You left the cover of the buildings, walking close to each other.

en	As you round the corner, you walk past the thin side door of a house. You take no note of it, or of it being slightly ajar.

en	Not until you hear the creak of its hinges as it opens more.

en	Not until you feel a hot, piercing pain in your side, and the vice-like grip of a clawed hand on your shoulder, pulling you into the knife.

en	You cried out at the sharp metal invading your flesh, flailing to try and grab onto Joseph, who snapped around to look your way.

en	Enveloped in the shadow of the dark house against the midday sun, Curly Wolf crouched in the doorway, dragging you down.

en	Without a second thought Joseph bounded toward you both, leaping past you to bodily tackle Curly.

en	You felt the relief and the searing emptiness of the knife slicing its way out of your body. The flesh below your ribcage staining your shirt.

en	You fell to the ground, any twisting of your body pulling at the new injury with new pains.

en	Joseph had pushed Curly to the ground, and was rightly wary of the knife, but his hesitation gave Curly too much of an opening.

en	Attacking without thought like the hurt animal he was, he swung the knife at Joseph, and Joseph recoiled out of the door with a cry.

en	He clutched at his eye as he fell next to you and sat straight up, taking deep, tearful breaths, backing up further.

en	You were on your hand and knees, and stood up more, hand scrabbling against the nearest wall to help you get to your feet.

en	You reached for Joseph's hand and he eagerly grabbed you by the wrist, both tightly holding on as he got up and started running with you.

en	"Traitor! You can keep running but I'll kill you! There's nowhere to hide in this town!"

en	You hunched over slightly as you ran, trying not to put any stress on the cut to your side. It didn't seem to be too deep but hurt like hell.

en	You ran through the many houses until you reached the main street, pelting forward to the saloon, not stopping for anything.

en	The street was quiet. Glancing down it you saw the shapes of people tucked into doorways and behind buildings and fenceposts.

en	Still waiting for someone else to make a move.

en	As you ran to the saloon with Joseph in tow, both of you breathing ragged and your feet stumbling, you tried not to make too much noise.

en	Leaping up the short stairs of the porch, you charged into the doors, barrelling through into the dim interior.

en	You turned round and slammed the doors shut, giving yourself a moment to breathe with your head down and hand flat against the wood.

en	"You're bleeding."

en	You turned to Joseph, getting closer to him. His stony expression was fixated on your side, where blood continued to soak through.

en	"So are you."

en	You reached up to his hand on his face and took it away slowly, his arm resisting for a moment before he relented, letting you look.

en	The feathers of his right eye were stained and matted with blood. Blood seeped from a red slit that traced from his cheek up to past his eyebrow.

en	His eye was closed, and before you could check it further, he clasped your hand in both of his.

en	"I'm alright $Player, don't worry 'bout it now. We've got a fight on our hands still."

en	He gave his best confident smile, and a wink with his good eye, the reassurance somewhat lessened by the red stain down half of his face.

en	"Alright, yeah, you're right. You should go hide somewhere, he's gonna come looking for us."

en	Joseph gave your hand one last tight squeeze before looking around and crouching over to the bar, hiding at the end out of sight.

en	You crouched down too, walking low down to the window, peeking over it to see what was happening outside.

en	As if on cue, Curly stumbled out of the alley you'd just come from, wildly searching with his head swinging back and forth.

en	A growling bellow broke the silence of the street as he shouted into the air.

en	"Come on boys! We've got a traitor in our midst! Start searching!"

en	It was hard to see from where you were, but a few of your fellow gang members crawled out from the woodwork.

en	The Black Vulture gang had seemingly been taken care of already, save for Joseph, and one other bird who sprang out from a doorway.

en	You saw him start running down the street, towards the entrance of town, his only panicked thought being to try get out with his life.

en	Curly pulled his revolver and aimed a single shot that whizzed down the street and felled the running bird.

en	He hit the dirt like a sandbag and lay there, unmoving.

en	Although he didn't see you, Curly turned to the saloon afterwards, and your eyes saw his.

en	You jerked back from the window, head against the wall and covered your mouth to stop the yelp you'd been about to let out.

en	Perhaps it was just the stress, the sheer animosity of the situation, but you could swear those eyes made you feel like you were already half dead.

en	You heard Curly make a hacking cough before calling out again.

en	"Spread out and search around! They can't have gone far. It's the tomboy and some other bird."

en	You peeked over the windowsill again. The small group of canines left to listen to Curly dispersed, walking with their guns drawn.

en	A couple started heading your way. Toward the saloon.

en	This was bad, this was really, really bad, they couldn't find you here, not now. Your eyes searched around the saloon for another way out.

en	Before they could reach the porch, however, shots rang out in the street once again.

en	You couldn't tell where they were coming from, and seemingly neither could the others. There was a panic as people took cover.

en	After a few moments you saw some fire shots back, shooting at the rooftops somewhere.

en	Some stragglers from Black's lot must've gotten on top of the saloon at some point, and were now raining fire upon the street.

en	Curly had taken cover too, he wasn't stupid enough to stand out in the open still, but as he looked around, yours eyes caught upon his.

en	This time, the eyes caught yours too, you saw the flicker of recognition at what must be beady eyes poking from the darkness of the saloon.

en	Without hesitation he levelled the gun up towards the window and shot. A loud crack of the wooden wall made you recoil to the floor.

en	He'd missed, but now he knew where you were hiding.

en	There was no need to look out the window again to know he was coming, undoubtedly striding across the street towards this place.

en	You didn't have the time to waste either to make sure, scurrying in a crouch past the door with the bared flesh on your side screaming.

en	You hopped on the first couple steps of stairs to the upper floor, and crouched by the door, waiting, waiting.

en	Gun drawn and mouth dry, your mind was ticking a million times a second like an anxious metronome, waiting, the short moments so long.

en	You heard him now, the cadence of footsteps you knew well, ones that kept you wary and ready and still.

en	The thumping of wood stopped at the door.

en	Slowly, the door on your side started to open, sunlight pouring into the saloon, and the gunshots cracking the air outside so slightly clearer.

en	You didn't dare move, feet planted on the stairs, your arm held close to you and your gun pointed just past the door.

en	As you listened and watched, focused on door and figure behind it, you didn't expect the loud shot that came from behind it.

en	The bullet lodged itself in the floorboards at the other side of the room, but the noise was what broke your focus.

en	You couldn't react in time to Curly's hand sharply reaching around the door to grab your gun, roughly yanking it from your hand.

en	You didn't hold on to it for fear of breaking a finger, and Curly stepped out from behind the door with your gun held by the barrel.

en	His own gun was pointed your way, arm outstretched and the revolver so close you could see the pitch black of the inside of the barrel.

en	He chucked your gun away into the room, eyes still trained on you, it clattering against the floor and sliding out of sight.

en	Your heart now felt like it was trying to beat out of you and disappear into the desert, like your chest would burst.

en	The rhythm of it pumping was loud in your ears, relentless inside you, as if you'd been sprinting for hours.

en	Curly took a step towards you, and you tried to take a step back of your own, only to fall over onto the stairs, your back colliding with the edges.

en	He took another step, and another, gun still pointed out toward you as far as he could, and you clambered backwards up the steps.

en	Your hand scratched and scraped the wood and your legs bumped against the stairs as you tried to get away on your back.

en	Curly just kept looking at you all the while, savouring the moment, his face a smile of unmatched malice. Teeth bared and eyes wild.

en	"Isn't this just the turnabout, huh? The pathetic yellerbelly of the gang decides to stick up for themselves for once."

en	"Only to end up at my feet, once again. Quite ironic, don't you think?"

en	He let out a short bark of a laugh.

en	"I never fuckin' liked you. Not sure why I even kept you around."

en	"You're stupid but I guess you have enough a brain rattling around in there to know I didn't like you."

en	"In the end, this is for the best. For the both of us."

en	"Putting a bullet in your skull will put my mind at ease with what to do with you, finally."

en	"If I'd killed you before now, might've put down morale, killing a pathetic sap that did no harm."

en	"I was just looking for an excuse all this time, wasn't I?"

en	He cocked the hammer of the gun with his thumb, a theatric to strike fear in you. His hand was shaking ever so slightly, swaying.

en	Despite playing it cool, you could tell it was an effort for him to pull it back, the click of the chamber a relief in his arm.

en	You saw now where he'd been shot, just next to his gun arm, a small red hole below his collarbone.

en	"And don't think I've forgotten about the bird you ran in here with. Once I've taken care of you, they'll be next."

en	The panic in your heart coalesced as he spoke. You thought about Joseph. Your breath settled in your lungs for the next moment.

en	In that moment, you twisted your body and kicked, your leg swung through the air and your foot collided with Curly's hand.

en	The momentum of the kick through his arm, stretching on his injury, sprang the gun from his grasp.

en	His arm bent inwards and your foot carried the gun away over the bannister to bounce and clatter against the floor.

en	You didn't hesitate to scramble around onto your front and start trying to run up the stairs, Curly still reeling in anger at what just happened.

en	A few clambering steps on your hand and knees were all you made before you were jerked back, your leg held aloft and dragging you.

en	You fell onto the stairs, trying to claw at the landing you'd just reached.

en	Slipping as you were dragged, you collapsed and bashed your chin on a step, teeth clattering together in your skull.

en	Curly had a firm grip of your ankle, and the panic in your heart once again was spreading through your body, like blood clouding water.

en	Your ears twitched at a familiar sound. The sound of Curly's knife being pulled from its sheath.

en	No, this wasn't it, this wasn't how you were going to die, scrabbling around on the stairs of a saloon.

en	Being pulled up by the leg for a butchering, like a piece of wild game.

en	He wasn't unbeatable. He wasn't unkillable. You saw it, he bled, just like any other mortal man. He hurt just the same as you.

en	You hurt even more than him. Every day for years. Even now, the tear of flesh next to your ribs being pulled on as you clung to the stairs.

en	Pushing off of the stairs, you balled your hand into a fist and twisted your body, carrying the momentum into your arm and thrusting forward.

en	You focused your eyes on Curly's face and heard a crack as your fist connected with the end of his snout, knuckles hitting bone.

en	Again you fell onto the stairs as Curly cried out, letting go of your leg to clutch at his nose.

en	You weren't sure if he was more hurt by his bleeding nose, or simply his pride for being caught off guard like that, but it was enough.

en	In the few moments he had reeled back you scrambled up the steps again, making it onto the long landing of the first floor.

en	Running wasn't so easy, with the cut in your side and your banged up legs after falling onto the stairs.

en	Even so you moved as fast as you could, looking for something to help, some way out on this floor.

en	You barely had the time to think about your next move before you heard footsteps bound up the stairs behind you and across the landing.

en	Curly was upon you again, and you turned yourself, arm up, trying to shield against him as he flew into you, tackling you to the ground.

en	His full weight hit you like a stampeding horse, your body slamming into the wooden floor to knock the wind out of you.

en	Your head bounced off the floor as you fell hard, thankful for the rug underneath that softened a little of the blow.

en	On your back, your vision swam for a few moments, coming to, you see the ceiling, and then the snarling bloodied face of Curly Wolf above you.

en	He pushed himself up to straddle you, kneeling either side, pinning you down before you could think to wriggle away.

en	You still pushed up and tried to get away, but it quickly became apparent to be fruitless as Curly just started to chuckle with a growl.

en	"Where was this fight all this time, eh? This fire and attitude, anyone would think you'd grown a spine finally."

en	"Might've been useful if you'd been like this more often. Not that it would change your fate now."

en	"Traitors don't get any special treatment, no matter how good they been. Have to set an example. You know that, dontcha?"

en	Curly raised his hand with the knife in it, twisting it in his palm to point downwards and grasping tighter.

en	"Say yer fuckin' prayers, kid."

en	He raised the knife level with his shoulder, aiming it at your chest, and plunged downward.

en	No thoughts could even pass through your head before your arm shot out, grabbing at the knife.

en	Your hand slid past it and caught onto his fist, locking your arm straight, desperately keeping it away despite his immense strength.

en	Every muscle in your arm was screaming with the effort to keep him away, shaking, the struggle of force between you swaying the knife.

en	All the bones and tendons in your wrist felt like they were going to snap as Curly still pushed downward, forcing your arm to bend.

en	You didn't want to die. There was nothing you feared more right now than the thought of the metal plunging into your heart.

en	Every second felt like it stretched on. Curly's snarling, sharp toothed grin was gone, now just a steely gaze that stared towards the knife's goal.

en	You weren't strong enough. As you kept putting up the fight you just got weaker, and his arm got lower, and lower with yours in tandem.

en	The blade so close now you could smell your own blood still on it.

en	You closed your eyes. Your jaw ached from your gritted teeth. Your arm felt like it was on fire.

en	With what might be your final breath, you gave one last hard push, stretching toward the sky, the knife edge pressed on your arm.

en	You pushed and pushed and pushed against the vile knife, breath held deep in your lungs. A final prayer.

en	Your arm sprang out and your eyes snapped open as Curly's arm jerked, and you shoved it away with all your might. Your ears were ringing.

en	Two gunshots had gone off, and to the immense relief of your arm Curly rolled off you, bullet holes in his stomach and chest.

en	He tried to stay on his knees but couldn't stop himself from falling against the wall, the side of his shirt staining with red.

en	You rolled to your side without another moment's hesitation, grabbing at the bannister to hastily pull yourself up and get away.

en	Curly was still bewildered, and before he could decide what to do next, you carefully kicked the knife out of his hand down the landing.

en	You looked over the bannister to the ground floor where the shots came from, and saw Joseph in the middle of the saloon.

en	One arm propping him up on a table, the other pointing Curly's revolver up to you on the balcony.

en	He was panting and out of breath, but a smile lit up his face when you met eyes with him.

en	Curly was still against the wall, trying to cover up the holes in his side with a hand, but didn't seem to be trying to get away.

en	He knew he was too hurt, you had the upper hand now. You waved over the balcony for Joseph to come upstairs.

en	He did just that, shakily standing up and then slowly climbing the stairs, still wary of any tricks Curly might have up his sleeve.

en	Joseph kept the revolver pointed at Curly as he walked over to you, passing it to your hand, keeping it level all the while.

en	The metal of the gun was warm in your hand and sticky with Joseph's blood. You held it firm, wrist straight.

en	Finger on the trigger. Curly's face was no longer angry, or focused, or anything else you'd ever seen. It was just tired. Defeated.

en	He had nothing left and he knew this was the end. What else was there for him to do?

en	He was at your mercy and it left a great pit in your stomach, a bottomless well that made you sick to think about.

en	"What are ya waiting for. End it."

en	"...Say your prayers then, boss. We both know you're going to Hell anyway."

en	He grinned at you, weariness in his eyes, but a smugness in his smile.

en	"Don't worry, I'll save you a spot down there. Not that you'll need it after all you've done."

en	You squeezed the trigger, slowly, and felt the click and pop of the chamber before the deafening bang that left a hole in Curly's head.

en	He slumped against the wall and sat limply, like a child's discarded doll.

en	"...Ah guess that's it, then."

en	"Pretty much. There's still a fight going on outside, but it's not ours."

en	You looked at Joseph. One eye bloody and swollen and staining his feathers red, the other wide and staring at Curly on the ground.

en	You holstered the gun and gently touched your hand to Joseph's, brushing his palm. He felt your hand in turn, fingers intertwining.

en	"We should wait up here till it's over. Safer. Ah think these here are the rooms Bartholomew mentioned before..."

en	"You wanna rest in here?"

en	You thought about it, for a moment. Your only worry was whether you might get blood on something for when Bartholomew came back.

en	Though considering the state of the saloon already, you thought, what the hell. You'll deal with it later. Together.

en	"Alright. That seems good."

en	Already a bit along the landing, you walked together towards the furthest room.

en	The deafening noise of a gun going off did not come as expected. Curly kept his arm locked straight down the street.

en	Black pulled his gun too, but that wasn't what Curly was waiting for, not quite.

en	In the huddle behind Black, a small masked bird brought their rifle to rest on their shoulder, aiming down their eyeline towards you all.

en	Towards Curly.

en	"Gotcha."

en	Your whole body jumped as the shot rang out. The telltale whiz of a bullet down the street was cut short as it hit the small shootist.

en	He flailed and fell back with a spray of blood from his head, falling into the crowd.

en	The tension in the air shattered like glass as all sides scattered, kicking up dust in their wake.

en	Black started to run too, but Curly stayed just as he was, gun held out. His arm swung and tracked Black's movements as he ran.

en	He fired another shot, and Black stumbled and fell, tumbling across the ground and out of sight behind a building.

en	"You know what to do, boys! Take 'em out for me. I'm going hunting."

en	Curly turned and slinked away before the fight started for real, the air now filling with the cracks and pops of gunshots.

en	He walked down an alleyway, heading away from the main street, and you quickly followed, catching up to tail him.

en	You followed him into the maze-like clump of houses that lined the street, trailing his shadow as he headed to the other side.

en	Emerging at the edge of a hill that sloped into the town, Curly had stopped just around the corner and noticed you as you came out too.

en	"Huh. You really are eager today. Help me find that dandy playin' cowboy, and I might reward ya if he gets a bullet atwixt the eyes."

en	He kept on walking, along the curve of the hill, past the many houses, with you in tow close behind, your guns both drawn.

en	Maybe this would work out for the best. Curly taking out Black for you would be mighty convenient.

en	Curly strode with cautious bravado, even as you neared the other end of town where Black's gang was holed up in.

en	No one was around to spot you, the air becoming laden with the smell of gunpowder from the fight in the street.

en	You couldn't know where Black had retreated to exactly. You were behind enemy lines at this point, so he had to be close by.

en	As you started to approach the end of the street, a large figure scurried out from behind a house, walking away from you.

en	Looking closer you realised, it wasn't a figure, but two figures, one carrying the other with their arm slung across their shoulder.

en	It was Joseph. He was helping Black away from the fight, seemingly headed for Sheriff's office at this end of the town.

en	Curly muttered.

en	"There you are."

en	He started walking again, softly and quickly, sneaking up closer. You followed suit, the pace of your heart starting to pick up.

en	The two birds slowed down as they passed the town well, the low chatter of voices making its way to you on the wind.

en	Curly stopped. He raised his revolver slowly, arm held straight, taking his time.

en	Reminding you of a hunter in the woods, calm and collected as he raises his rifle, sights set on skittish creatures.

en	By luck or circumstance or just fear, Black took a glance behind him, just a moment. You saw the glint of the sun in his eyes.

en	Even as he turned his head back he realised what he'd seen and made panicked movements, grabbing at Joseph and stumbling about.

en	He pulled Joseph in front of him to face you, grasping a shoulder with one hand, his other arm wrapped across Joseph's neck.

en	Using him as a living shield without a second thought. Joseph himself went wide-eyed, struggling for a moment before thinking better of it.

en	Curly's arm went a little limp, the gun tilted towards the ground, but his gaze was still fixed on his target.

en	Almost like he was looking through Joseph.

en	The beat of your heart was thumping now in your ears, almost drowning out the loud shots echoing from the street.

en	Curly grumbled with a low growl as he squinted at Black's sorry display.

en	"Coward."

en	His arm straightened again, elbow locked, his head cocked a little to the side, lining up the barrel with their heads.

en	A chill ran down your spine so cold that you forgot you were in the desert. Fur standing on end, body stiff but trembling.

en	You stared at his back. It was like a rock wall. Immovable. You were scared of the possibility of even approaching him, even with his back turned.

en	You felt like you were going to pass out. Your whole body swaying, as if the ground underfoot was shifting, fear taking ahold in your heart.

en	You slowly lurched forward, your sense of balance giving out as you started to fall to the ground.

en	As your whole body started to tilt, you felt your feet that had been rooted to the ground, spring forward.

en	One foot stopped your fall, the other following and launching you toward Curly. Before you knew it you were running at him.

en	There were only a few paces between you and him, but in that moment, you knew he wasn't unstoppable.

en	He was the most dangerous man you'd ever met, and you were going to stop him. You were going to kill him.

en	Right now though, you stooped into a crouch as you ran, opening your arms wide, and crashed into his legs.

en	Your head and shoulders knocked into the back of his knees and you threw your arms around his legs, pushing against the ground.

en	Almost instantly Curly fell over, his balance so caught off that all he could do to help himself was twist around as his massive frame toppled.

en	He fell beside you, hitting the ground face and hands first, his legs falling out of your hold as he twisted.

en	Your body was filled with a rush when you heard him hit the ground, you jumped up on your knees and sprang to your feet.

en	There was no time to waste while you had an upper hand. You were just running on instincts.

en	You took a step toward him and kicked hard at his hand, foot connecting with his revolver and spinning it across the sand.

en	It span away to the edge of the hill, resting and tilting for a moment before tumbling down.

en	Curly was still trying to figure out what was going on, and you didn't give him the chance to catch up before you started running.

en	You ran at full pelt towards Black and Joseph. Joseph kept still, Black's arm still tight around his throat and head pressed behind his back.

en	"Joseph, move!"

en	Joseph tugged at the arm around his throat, and to his surprise Black relinquished, even pushing Joseph aside.

en	The side of his shirt was stained red, hunching and holding a hand to himself.

en	His face was one of relief, but quickly changed as he laid eyes on you - a frantic and sprinting coyote who somehow knew Joseph's name.

en	He'd thought someone who knew Joseph's name would have to be another lackey of his.

en	His confusion remained deep-seated on his brow even as you ran fast and punched him hard in the gut, making him collapse to his knees.

en	Your hand ached a little in your joints and you shook it off, looking at Joseph whose eyes were wide in surprise but lit up with delight.

en	"Holy Hell! Howdy to you too!"

en	You looked over your shoulder at Curly. He was already slinking off down the hillside to get his gun, tips of his ears just disappearing.

en	"No time for howdys, we've gotta kill this guy and get outta here. Curly waits for no one."

en	Joseph understood what you meant, his face becoming solemn. His hand reached up to his shotgun but froze as it touched the stock.

en	You could see the trepidation in his eyes. The figure of Black keeled over in pain reflected in his keen gaze.

en	You understood the thoughts, the doubts you were also wrestling with about what you were doing.

en	Dreams of putting down the people who made your life miserable didn't quite match up to the reality.

en	You gingerly reached your hand out onto his, squeezing gently.

en	"We can do it together. Like we promised."

en	Joseph, still looking at Black, took a deep breath - and sighed even deeper. He nodded.

en	His hand shifted under yours as his fingers wrapped round his shotgun, pulling it from its holster, and you pulled with him, stepping closer.

en	Your arms crossed where your hands held on the stock, Joseph's other hand holding the barrel.

en	The wind whistled in your ears, the feathers of Joseph's neck ruffling. Your shadows cast across Black as he knelt in the sand.

en	He didn't raise his head as he spoke.

en	"Who are you?"

en	You thought for a second. It felt like there were many things you could say. You weren't sure any of them were true anyhow.

en	"I'm another lookout. That's all."

en	Black scoffed.

en	"That's all? You're a stranger about to kill me, and you won't even give me the dignity of a name."

en	"I'm not sure you ever earned that kinda right, Black."

en	"I don't think I earned an execution at your hands, either, Joseph. Yet here we are."

en	Standing so close to Joseph, shoulder to shoulder, you could feel him freeze up. His face was blank, but his eyes gave him away, flitting about.

en	"Whatever cockamamie plan your friend has come up with here, you don't have to go along with it, Joseph."

en	"You're smarter than that. Point that gun somewhere else, and help me, so I can help you. We can move past this."

en	"..."

en	"Ah don't believe you. You must think I'm real stupid to try and get me to go along with you."

en	"Maybe ah was grateful to you, once. We're way past that now, the idea that you're gonna help me? That dog don't hunt."

en	"This has been a long time comin'. There ain't an honest bone in your body, Black, and you deserve every pellet of this."

en	Black was silent, head still bowed, face covered by the brim of his hat.

en	"Yes, I suppose you're right... I don't think you're as smart as I gave you credit for."

en	"You rode with the best. You know that Joseph, don't you? The gentleman outlaw of the West."

en	"Stupid boy. Wouldn't know a kindness if it spat in his face."

en	You couldn't even tell if he was talking to anyone but himself anymore.

en	Joseph's brow furrowed. You felt his hand shift underneath yours as a finger passed over the trigger and squeezed.

en	The blast was deafening, the buck of the shotgun rocking you both. Your ears were ringing even as the gunsmoke rose into the air.

en	Black fell hard on the sand, his punctured and bleeding body leaving a streak of blood where he landed.

en	His arm moved for a moment, like it might've been grabbing at the ground, at the dry grass of the desert.

en	There was a tension to the way he lay there, but as the dirt was stained a dark brown, it disappeared. Lying totally still.

en	Joseph turned and pulled away from you, wrapping a hand around his beak. His whole chest heaved with quiet breaths.

en	"Joseph..."

en	You reached your hand out to him, but your whole body tensed as your ears flicked to the sound of something down the hill.

en	"Don't move a muscle, beaky. I know you see me."

en	Joseph was still now, too. He was looking out across the hill, but to his right, a dozen or so paces away, Curly was just peering over the ledge.

en	His gun was drawn, and Joseph dared not to move, as Curly clearly knew he'd seen him in the corner of his eye already.

en	"Botha you turn around, hands up, face me. No funny business."

en	You both turned slowly, backing up a little as Curly climbed up the hill, revolver trained on you all the while.

en	He took a few steps away from the edge, gun now held lazily with his elbow on his hip, pointed between you two.

en	"Shouldn't have to tell you to drop the gun, birdbrain."

en	Joseph flicked his wrist and tossed his shotgun aside, eyes locked with Curly's.

en	Curly reached a hand up to his face, rubbing his chin and flexing his jaw. Thinking, some confusion running across his brow.

en	"Real pain in the ass stunt you pulled back there, tomboy. Care to explain?"

en	"Who's your friend here?"

en	You shifted your weight from foot to foot, full of nervous energy, racking your brain to think of what to say.

en	He hadn't immediately assumed you betrayed him, not yet. You'd be on the ground begging for mercy by now if that were the case.

en	You'd been still playing along till this point. Helping him out, backing him up, tipping him off.

en	He didn't like you, but you'd just about wormed your way into his good books. You can use that.

en	Just keep playing along.

en	"This is Joseph, he's one of Black's lot. We met a few days ago and made a truce."

en	You relaxed your arms in the air a little, slouching too and putting on airs that you were less tense than you really were.

en	"He didn't like Black much, so we set up a plan to kill him, and he'd come join our gang."

en	You looked at Joseph for a few moments, meeting his eyes, seeing that he understood where you going with this. A reassurance.

en	"I know he's... not our usual fit, but he's a goodun. Smart, hard worker."

en	"When it looked like you were gonna shoot him I panicked, I had to stop you."

en	"I can only apologise for that."

en	A silence hung in the air. The gunshots in the street had died down, and as you stopped talking, Curly didn't reply. He just looked at you.

en	His gun shifted in his hand, fingers fidgeting about with it as he thought. Contemplating what you said.

en	You didn't know if he'd believe it, you were just stalling. It was a lie that broke down under any real scrutiny.

en	But it might be enough.

en	Beside you was the well, a simple build of stone and wood. Sand was piled up around the base, swept into mounds against it by the wind.

en	You hoped that would be your ticket out of here. You just had to wait.

en	"So you conspired to lead us both here, and then Black would be taken out, leaving the rest for us."

en	"Putting everyone in danger just for the sake of... him."

en	A lump formed in your throat. You squinted your eyes as the wind blew in your face.

en	"...Tch, it's a stupid gambit, but I can't complain that you showed guts for once."

en	"Sounds like something I woulda done when I was younger."

en	"S'all well and good to have you vouch, but I wanna hear from beaky boy himself. Why do you wanna join us?"

en	Joseph looked at you, unsure, a little panic in his eyes. You just nodded at him, and nodded in Curly's direction.

en	Joseph stalling for you was perfect. It let you focus on what was more important right now.

en	The wind. That's what you were waiting on.

en	"Uh, cahw, well, sir, a-ah was just. Sick of the way Black treated me. There was no respect."

en	You felt the wind whipping around you, blowing into the town. Whistling through the alleys.

en	"Ah was hoping for a fresh start, I s'pose. New gang."

en	Curly's face remained the same. Contemplative, a little bored.

en	The wind was dying down. A new gust, soon.

en	"Ah can make myself useful, ah know a lot abou-"

en	Curly waved his hand at Joseph and shook his head.

en	"Save it, kid. You've given me a lot to chew on, but I'm not a patient man. I've made my mind up."

en	The wind was picking up again, blowing past your ears.

en	"You're a traitor, Joseph. I don't have time for that."

en	The wind was rushing at your back now, the whistling of the alleyways gone. This was the moment.

en	You stuck your foot behind the mound of sand next to you, piled against the well, and swept your leg to kick it all as hard as you could.

en	The sand and dust exploded as you cleared through it and sent it into the air towards Curly.

en	The desert wind you'd been waiting on rushed in his direction, the grit and rock forming a cloud that covered him.

en	He didn't realise what was happening till it was too late, his guard down. It was a momentary sandstorm, in his eyes, in his mouth.

en	Joseph and you didn't wait as the dust cloud swallowed Curly, turning tail and running past the well towards the main street.

en	Joseph was ahead of you, jumping over Black's body as he ran. You slowed down and stooped to grab Black's revolver from his holster.

en	A shot rang out behind you, and another, and another. You ducked down, and there was a loud crack of rock as one of the bullets hit the well.

en	Curly, usually a cool and collected shootist, was firing blindly in the direction you ran, just trying to hit anyone he could.

en	With Black's gun in hand you peered over the well at Curly. He was standing in the same spot, covering his eyes with his arm, gun held out.

en	He couldn't see again yet, but he was listening for if he'd hurt anyone.

en	You knew how good his hearing was, just like yours. He was waiting for you to move.

en	Crouched on one knee, you leaned forward, feet poised to launch you from behind the well.

en	You pushed hard and sprinted from your standstill, running at Joseph who was cautiously waiting round a corner for you.

en	Another gunshot, striking the ground near where you ran, and you stumbled as all the momentum of your run propelled you forward.

en	You glanced at Curly as you ran and saw him start walking towards you both, round the edge of the building.

en	Joseph's hand tapped you on the back and pushed you forward as you ran past, running behind you as you headed towards the saloon.

en	Two more shots rang out. A window on the saloon burst and shattered glass fell out of the frame. You heard Joseph cry out behind you.

en	There were more shots now, but not from Curly, as you cleared across the street. The fight started again, bullets flying.

en	Joseph and you slammed into the doors of the saloon as you leapt onto its porch.

en	There was a red gash on Joseph's shoulder. You couldn't stop yourself from staring at it, a deep pit suddenly opening in your stomach.

en	Joseph snapped you out of it as he opened the saloon door and rushed inside. You made to follow him, but looked behind yourself first.

en	Curly was standing at the end of the street, wary of the shots going off, staring you down all the while.

en	Something in his eyes changed when he saw you looking at him. He looked at his gun before tossing it aside, not waiting to reload.

en	He pulled his knife from its sheath and started booking it towards the saloon.

en	A chill of ice ran down your spine as he started running at you, and you hastily threw Black's revolver across the floor towards Joseph.

en	"Hide!"

en	He looked at you, then saw Curly past you, then looked at the gun on the floor and grabbed it after a momentary pause.

en	The last thing you saw as you slammed the saloon door shut was Joseph sliding to the end of the bar, before Curly was upon you.

en	You swivelled around in time to see Curly reach toward you as his hand closed around your throat, shoving you against the wall.

en	A dull pain throbbed at the back of your head as it bounced off the wood, Curly gripping your neck and keeping you there.

en	Your hand snapped to his arm and pulled, claws digging in and scratching the muscles of his arm straining against his skin, drawing blood.

en	He had no patience for that and snatched his arm away, snarling, before snatching your wrist and holding your arm up, pinning it to the wall.

en	Your back was flush with the wood, forced onto your tiptoes by his pulling on your arm, bringing you to his height.

en	His grip was tight around your wrist, your hand starting to feel numb and prickly.

en	He came up close to you and brought his knife up, tracing the blunt side around your face before turning it around to threaten your cheek.

en	The blade cold and hard through your fur, just below your eye, held still to your skin by Curly. He was so close now, face to face.

en	You could smell the days of coffee on his breath and see your own tired, fearful face in the pinprick blackness of his eyes.

en	Your mouth dry, your panting breath hurting in your throat.

en	"Always knew you'd turn traitor. I never fuckin' liked you. The way you looked at me sometimes... hate, I think I'd call it."

en	"Had me going for a moment back there, though! Thought you'd finally seen some sense, in your own screwy way."

en	"Too good to be true, hah. But what should I have expected. It's always been your game, blending in."

en	"You knew what you were doing. Never giving me an excuse, never giving me a chance, cuz you know what I do to traitors."

en	"How I like to make 'em squeal. You're stupid, but not stupid enough to let that be you."

en	"Till you blew it today, of course."

en	You felt the knife twist so slightly in his hand, toying with it. Thinking of what to do with you.

en	"Shame that I don't have time to give you the proper traitor's punishment, but I have your feathered friend to finish off after you."

en	"Say yer prayers, kid."

en	The beating of your heart pitched into the rhythm of a stampeding horse at the thought of dying, of the knife about to slice you open.

en	The thought that Curly was about to kill you, but... what scared you even more was the thought of what he might do to Joseph.

en	Time felt like it was at a standstill. Curly was going to make his move. You had to do something.

en	You weren't going to let this happen, you couldn't, you came here to kill him. You weren't going to die.

en	The fear propelled you now as your head lunged forward, you stuck out your neck with the speed of a cracking whip, snapping your jaws open.

en	Curly hadn't even pulled the knife back yet and it sliced through your cheek as you stuck your head out and clamped your teeth on his snout.

en	You bit as hard as you could on Curly's face, teeth meeting bone and cutting through flesh, all the tension in your body locking up your jaw.

en	You tasted blood as it hit your tongue and knew you'd done enough, throwing your mouth open wide and pulling away as Curly recoiled.

en	He let go of you, staggering back a couple paces, and your feet fell flat on the deck.

en	His hand covered his maw immediately, feeling the damage, wincing, blood starting to pour down his chin.

en	You kept your mouth open, not daring to breathe yet, sucking on your teeth and spitting a red glob to your side that splattered on the floor.

en	The taste of blood in the back of your throat made you want to be sick.

en	Curly was breathing heavily through his fingers, hackles raised, growling, eyes flitting around you but absolutely focused.

en	In an instant he rushed towards you, the knife in his hand twisted downwards now, and he raised it up to stab at you.

en	You were frozen still for a moment before you threw yourself out of the way and ducked as Curly plunged the knife where you had just been.

en	It buried itself deep in the wooden wall of the saloon. You stumbled, hand landing and steadying yourself on the edge of a window.

en	Curly tugged at the knife, once, twice, but it wouldn't come loose. You made eyes towards the saloon door, thinking of running.

en	Curly gave up on the knife as soon as he saw you make a move, snarling and throwing his weight out to catch you.

en	His arms stretched out and grabbed you, both hands digging in under your armpits and pulling you back, lifted up in front of him.

en	He held you aloft for a moment in his fit of rage, your feet clear off the ground.

en	He swung you one way, then swung you back with all his strength, the inertia lifting your stomach as he hurled you at the window.

en	You shut your eyes tight as you were thrown and your whole body tensed as you crashed through, the glass cracking at your back.

en	Your senses were overwhelmed as you sailed through the window, the sound of shattered glass deafening in your ears.

en	You were in the air for what felt like minutes, totally weightless, before you crumpled upon the ground.

en	Your body screamed at the bruises, the cuts, the scrapes covering your body. Your back felt like it was on fire, your face wet and sore.

en	You were curled up, lay on your side. You wanted to get up, to move, but you couldn't, your limbs were too weak, your head swimming.

en	It was all you could do to crane your neck and lift your head up enough to look towards the window.

en	The sunlight was streaming in, so bright from your view on the floor. You heard the sound of wood creaking and cracking.

en	Curly walked slowly into view of the window, holding his knife again, breathing hard still, muzzle stained and matted with blood.

en	He wiped his arm across his face, getting the blood out of his nose - relaxed, like a boxer who'd won his fight, just cleaning himself up.

en	His frame filled the window, silhouetted by the sun, shadow spilling into the saloon. He looked at you with smug relief, and sighed.

en	"...Getting too old for this."

en	He started carefully climbing through the broken window when a loud bang went off behind you, echoing off the walls of the saloon.

en	Staggering back a step he clutched at his chest, and another bang went off, a second gunshot that made another small red hole.

en	He stumbled, trying to catch himself on the porch railing but sliding off, falling out of sight past the window with a series of thuds.

en	You heard shuffling behind you as Joseph crawled from the end of the bar over to you.

en	His gun rattled on the floorboards next to you as he discarded it, hands gingerly touching you, trying to find some purchase to help you up.

en	You could tell he was trying not to hurt you, but you were hurt anyway, there wasn't any avoiding the searing soreness as you tried to sit up.

en	Your head was clearing and everything became less muddled, the pain in your body also more noticeable to you.

en	Cuts and tears in your back screamed in protest as Joseph helped push you to a sit, and you hunched forward, legs straight, taking a moment.

en	"Uh, ah don't know if you should move yet $Player, just stay put."

en	You could hear the worry in his voice. You didn't know how bad it looked, only how it felt. You'd live.

en	The other thing you heard concerned you more. Past the cacophony of guns outside, past the wind howling through the broken windows.

en	You shifted your weight to the side, pressing your hand to the ground and rolling onto your knees. You took another moment to breathe.

en	Your back was on fire every time you moved but you could deal with it, you just had to take it slow.

en	Facing the floor, you saw yourself reflected in the shards of glass scattered around you. There were gashes on your face, on your cheek.

en	A large red wound went around the top of your snout, and you resisted the urge to scrunch your face and see how it felt.

en	"$Player where are you goin', yer gonna hurt yourself."

en	"I... I'm alright."

en	It wasn't very convincing that you winced as you said that, a long pain-relieving exhale as you slowly stood up.

en	Straightening your back felt better even as the many cuts flared up, soreness fading as you stood to your full height.

en	You turned to the window and walked gently over to it, stepping between broken glass, towards the sound of struggled breathing outside.

en	Your hand passed over the handle of your gun and you pulled it from the holster, pointing it down past the window as you peered over.

en	Sure enough Curly was lying there on his front, shirt stained with blood. He met eyes with you as you peeked out, still wary of him.

en	"Hah, came to finish me off did you... Surprised you can stand like that, you look like shit."

en	You didn't respond. You had nothing to say to him. You fidgeted with the gun in your hand, fingers readjusting.

en	Joseph approached carefully behind you, feeling him close at your back, looking at Curly over your shoulder.

en	Curly's eyes studied Joseph for a moment, and flicked back to you, before turning them to the sky, staring at the porch ceiling.

en	"What did he promise you, huh? Sex, money; safety. Whatever it is, he's lying."

en	"Life makes liars of us all, sooner or later."

en	"You don't know the real world, pup. You can't trust other people."

en	"At least I was honest with you, wasn't I? Never lied about anything, you knew the stakes."

en	"Can you say the same for others? I don't think so."

en	"You'll miss me when I'm gone. You'll regret it."

en	He'd accepted his death already. There was a bottomless well in your stomach as you aimed at Curly's head.

en	You shook away the thoughts nesting in your mind, the little fear that he might be right. Taking a deep breath in, and out.

en	You didn't know if there was credence to a dying man's words. You just wanted this to be over.

en	"Go to Hell, Curly."

en	You squeezed hard on the trigger and let your arm jerk as the gun went off, a bang that made your heart jump.

en	Curly's head whipped to the side with a wet thud, a hole in his skull. Blood started to pool, dripping to the sand, and his arms fell limp.

en	You put the gun back in your holster. You wanted to be sick. Stepping away from the window, walking over to a table, something to fall on.

en	A little stability, your fingers tapping the varnished wood, staring at nothing at all.

en	"Hey, hold still."

en	Joseph walked over to you, close behind, a hand reaching up to your shoulder.

en	"Don't move, ah mean it."

en	Something in your back, below the shoulder of your shorter arm, you felt it move for a moment. Suddenly a flash of searing pain.

en	You barked and covered your mouth, biting a little on a finger to distract from the pain.

en	It felt like someone was dragging a white hot poker through the left of your back; it only lasted a couple seconds, but it felt like minutes.

en	Joseph's other hand on your opposite shoulder held you in place, and you resisted the urge to struggle until finally it stopped.

en	You panted like you'd just run the length of the town. The back of your shoulder felt molten.

en	"Sorry, sorry about that, s'why ah told you not to move in the first place. Real nasty bit of glass in there."

en	"It's alright... thank you."

en	Your back did feel different, less stiff. You hadn't noticed it before, even if it really hurt now.

en	You turned around to face Joseph, your eyes gravitating towards the gash in his shoulder, a great red tear through his shirt and skin.

en	"Are you alright?"

en	"Yeah, I'm fine, I'll live. Yer in way worse a shape than I am."

en	He gave you a gentle, worried smile, then looked behind him, through the window.

en	"We should probbly get out of sight, someone sees us in here we might be in trouble, 'specially with that freak of nature out there."

en	"Yeah we should, uh... freak of nature?"

en	"Curly! The man tossed you through a window, I'd say that's pretty freakish! I'm just glad you made it through that."

en	"Maybe I'm the freak, huh? Anyway, you're right, we should hide and wait for this to blow over."

en	You looked around, your eyes dancing across the saloon for somewhere to nestle into, looking up and seeing the upper floor.

en	Joseph followed your eyeline up, and you looked at each other.

en	"...Bart said the saloon had rooms, didn't he?"

en	"Yeah, he... did."

en	"...Should we go? Up? Would be a lot comfier than hiding down here ah think. Safer too."

en	You felt your face warm, and thought about it a moment. You were both bleeding a lot. Would Bartholomew get mad?

en	The saloon was a mess already. You'd deal with it later, together.

en	"Yeah. That would be good."

en	You had a minute together of trying to help each other, trying to link arms or put an arm over your shoulder.

en	You were too hurt and sensitive to really be touched by Joseph though, and his shoulder too busted up to hold your weight.

en	Together you just walked up the stairs, closely, side by side, holding yourself steady on the bannister, Joseph watching you with keen eyes.

en	You knew he'd be there to catch you if you fell, your legs a little shaky as the adrenaline started to subside, and your heart beating slower.

en	The landing stretched across the saloon, and you walked towards the furthest room, Joseph trailing close behind you.

en	Curly's hand reached for his gun, but something he saw had him hesitate. Hand hovering over the holster.

en	He ducked and ran, throwing a hand up in the air to signal for the gang to scatter, his large frame running away from you across the street.

en	He dived out of sight as one unlucky coyote behind him was cut down by a whizzing bullet, blood spraying across the dirt.

en	You didn't hang around as the fight started, but you knew, you saw, as you took off between the houses of the main street.

en	You knew Curly had seen you as he'd sat up, eyes piercing from the other side. He was coming for you.

en	The clump of houses lining the street made a maze that you could hide in as you scurried through.

en	You heard many sounds of gunshots now, starting to fill the air, cracks and pops.

en	You ran haphazardly through the alleys, past the many empty houses, catching glimpses of your panting face in dusty windows.

en	The shelter of a long house with a porch that shaded you from the sun was where you stopped, catching your breath.

en	Listening to the sounds of people running, shouting, shots going off in cascades.

en	You were safe here for the moment, but that didn't matter. You needed to find Joseph. He must have run when you did.

en	Staying here wouldn't help you find him. You needed to get out of all these houses, out somewhere clearer.

en	You looked round the corner of the building you hid in the shade of, seeing the edge of a rocky hill that went down into the rest of town.

en	If you skirted this side you should be able to avoid any trouble.

en	You slinked out, now sliding your gun from its holster, the metal a comfort of sorts in your grip as you emerged into the sun again.

en	You started walking past the houses, the sheer wooden backsides of buildings looming over you, following the curve of the hill.

en	Your pace was brisk and cautious, listening for anything or anyone nearby, but the fight continued to rage away in the street.

en	At this rate you'd be behind enemy lines, on the side of town Black's gang had come from.

en	You needed to be careful. You couldn't know how many guys Black had brought with him, if there were more waiting elsewhere.

en	Your steps were cut short and you jolted as a figure jumped out from behind the house you were passing, and you stuck your gun far out.

en	The barrel was exactly eyeline with Joseph as you regained your footing, the tension in your shoulder giving way as recognition sparked.

en	You felt the panic melt from your face the way it did from Joseph's as you met eyes. He was holding his shotgun, poised and ready.

en	A few moments passed as you both lowered your weapons and your faces tried to find the right shape to take.

en	Surprised, incredulous, almost not believing you were seeing each other, like a missed connection showing up again suddenly.

en	A warmth started to fill your heart, like sweet coffee, and you couldn't stop yourself from jumping at him, throwing your arms around him.

en	Joseph didn't miss a beat in catching you, scooping you up into an embrace, your heads over each other's shoulders.

en	Squeezing each other so tightly, like the desert wind might take you if you let go.

en	"I'm so glad to see you again."

en	You couldn't help but laugh a little, the chuckle caught in your throat that was pressed against his shoulder.

en	You pulled back, getting a better look at his face.

en	"Little formal of you, but I'll take it. It's nice to see you again too."

en	"Aw come on, $Player, what were you expecting me to say? I'm mighty happy to see you, but my heart's beatin' like a jackrabbit."

en	"Ah barely got outta there before all Hell broke loose, what made you run?"

en	"I'm sorry Joseph, things just... weren't turning out how I thought they would, I thought running was safest."

en	"Yeah, probably. We're alive so I'd say it was a good call."

en	He twisted his head sharply, looking around with his piercing eyes, squinting in the sun.

en	"Ah think we should hide out a lil', wait till the fight dies down some. They can pick each other off."

en	You let go of each other and he led you round the corner of a house, walking close to the wall, careful and alert.

en	The sun at your backs as you walked closer to the fight, back into the maze of houses on the main street.

en	"We should head thatta way to the end of the street, where Sheriff's office is, keep an eye on things from th-"

en	Joseph halted as he approached the front of the house, coming up short before the porch, you almost walking into him as he stopped.

en	Breath caught in his throat, slowly taking a step back, then another, one wing protectively reaching out as if to cover you.

en	You looked past him, confused, only seeing the tall wood slat walls of the houses next to you - until you looked at the ground.

en	Seeing what Joseph had seen, what made him hesitate, made him take steady, fearful steps backwards.

en	The barely peeking, almost unnoticeable shadow spilling just past the edge of the house's own shadow.

en	Unmistakably canine, a snout and the half-shadows of whiskers, a hiding face poking out just enough to give itself away.

en	The shadow of a face that you felt you recognised, ice creeping down your spine before your mind could even settle an answer.

en	The joints of your hand straining against your skin as you gripped your gun tighter, finger resting next to the trigger.

en	Your advance backwards stopped as the shadow recognised it had been spotted, and emerged, knife first.

en	Curly Wolf, stepping out into the sunlight that streamed through the alley. Even through his squinting, you could see his eyes trained on you.

en	He stood a few paces away, blocking the end of the alley, filling up the space between the two houses.

en	A cocky grin spread across his face as he spoke.

en	"Well, whadda we have here? Not just one traitor, but two by the looks of it!"

en	Curly eyed Joseph over, his wing still held out past you, a feathery gate keeping danger at bay.

en	You couldn't see Joseph's face but his whole body was still, like a statue. Your own wanted to crumble as Curly looked past him.

en	The glare of a predator waiting to strike. You didn't want to hide behind Joseph, but your resolve was withering under Curly's stare.

en	His eyes flitted back and forth between you as he spoke.

en	"Alright beaky, I've got no beef with you. You can walk away safe and sound from this."

en	"Yer Black's problem, not mine. Just... make this easy and hand over that miserable excuse cowering behind you."

en	Joseph didn't move. Even though you knew he wouldn't, there was still a small fear, that understanding of self-preservation.

en	Maybe he would. Maybe he'd step aside, wordlessly, and let Curly take you away, because it's his best option.

en	But as you stood there behind him, that small fear slipped further and further away. Joseph didn't move a muscle.

en	In fact, as he was he was hunched a little, frozen in the pose he'd stopped in. Now, he stood taller, rising up, puffing his chest out.

en	You didn't know if it was brave or foolish, but Joseph took a step forward, standing firmly in front of you.

en	"Sorry Curly, but ah don't think I can do that."

en	Fear and pride swam in your chest as Joseph stood between you and Curly. His large hands gripped his shotgun close to him.

en	Curly growled a little, the smirk on his face slipping into the starts of a snarl, his knife twisting a little in his hand as he spoke.

en	"Maybe you didn't hear me right, birdbrain. You can walk away right now."

en	"Or you can end up with a knife in your gut. What's it gonna be?"

en	Joseph didn't hesitate to retort.

en	"I'm not gonna let you take $Player. Ah think you're the one that's got wax in yer ears, so let me make it clear."

en	"Go to Hell, Curly."

en	You barely had a moment to be afraid for Joseph before Curly launched himself, snarling and swinging his knife overhead.

en	Joseph hefted his shotgun upwards, holding it sideways and clashing it against the blade, knocking Curly's arm off course.

en	Surprised at Joseph fighting back, he also didn't anticipate Joseph then throwing the shotgun at his head, bashing his muzzle.

en	Curly's knife dropped from his hand and he stepped back, trying to distance himself, but Joseph ran straight at him, ducking his head down.

en	Joseph crashed into Curly's stomach, wrapping his wings around the wolf's back, pushing hard to try and topple him.

en	Curly gave a deep growl, swinging his foot back and digging into the ground, regaining his footing to push back against Joseph.

en	He wiped blood from his mouth and let out a sharp, snarling bark as he brought his hands up into a fist, then down hard on Joseph.

en	One blow, two blows against Joseph's back, but he continued to cling on, wrestling with Curly's weight.

en	Curly grabbed Joseph's sides with both hands and thrust one leg up, knee digging deep into Joseph's stomach.

en	Joseph grunted and let go, winded and trying not to double over too much as he held his hands to his stomach.

en	Your heart sank as he tried to stand up straight and defend himself, but Curly took the advantage to score a punch across his face.

en	Curly pushed him down, and he staggered a moment before falling into a heap on his hands and knees, clutching an arm across his stomach.

en	You didn't move, you didn't dare. You stayed where you were, watching it happen. Blood running cold against the desert heat. Mind racing.

en	Stiff but trembling, the chill of fear was creeping into your heart. You had to help but what could you do?

en	You were watching Curly beat Joseph to a pulp. Your hand clasped against the metal of your gun.

en	You stared at him. This indestructible man, a beast in his prime. What chance did you ever stand against him?

en	Even now, a small voice in your upstairs was telling you to turn tail and run. Grab a horse and ride away.

en	Curly looked down at Joseph, watching his movements. Satisfied, he reached for his holster, cleanly pulling his revolver free.

en	He opened the barrel out, checking it over, flicking it back in. You wondered if he was showing off for you.

en	That he had the upper hand, that he could take his time. You'd seen it before. You didn't want to see it again.

en	Your heart was beating hard and fast in your chest, breaths hitched and faltered in your throat as you panted.

en	You wanted to raise your gun, try and take a shot, but you could feel how much your hands were shaking.

en	Curly cocked the hammer of his gun back, an unnecessary display, bringing it up to aim at Joseph.

en	No, no, this couldn't be happening, this wasn't it. You were supposed to do this together, with Joseph.

en	You stared at the small drip of blood coming from Curly's nose. He wasn't indestructible. He was just a man, like any other.

en	The fear inside you pitched high, as you took off running, feet pounding the ground. In your heart of hearts, you knew you would kill him.

en	You ran full pelt towards Curly, his gun still trained on Joseph, and as you got closer his ears twitched, taking notice of you too late.

en	You didn't slow down as you sprinted at Curly and lunged at him, jumping forward with all your momentum to throw yourself at him.

en	You caught onto Curly like a hangman's noose, wrapping your arm tight around his neck, clutching past the shoulder.

en	Your whole weight bore down on his throat, and you clung tightly, squeezing his neck in the crook of your elbow, trying to drag him down.

en	You flinched as a shot went off, Curly firing as you had jumped on him, and heard the crack of wood struck by a bullet.

en	Curly staggered and stumbled backwards, you felt the struggle of his throat to draw breath past your arm.

en	Your face was pressed tight against his back, feet barely scuffing the ground as you let yourself be heavy, weighing him down.

en	The beat of Curly's heart inside his chest was clear in your ear, another rhythm next to yours.

en	Curly kept stumbling backwards, now starting to thrash around, wrestling against your weight on his back.

en	Your stomach lurched and your arm strained as you were thrown around behind him, holding on with all your might.

en	You felt his desperate hand clutch your elbow, claws digging into your skin, and pulled wildly as he swung his body.

en	You let go, the strain on your arm too much, and felt yourself in freefall for a few moments. The whole world turning.

en	You hit the ground flat with a thud that bounced from your head through your body, the breath knocked from your lungs.

en	From where you lay, looking up, you saw Curly looming over you before he stood straight, rubbing at his neck.

en	He coughed raspily, a great glob of spit flying from his mouth to hit the dirt.

en	You lay there as Curly stood over you, regaining his composure; getting his breath back, as you did yours.

en	"Fuckin'... brat."

en	"I never liked you. Always knew you'd pull a stunt like this someday. No loyalty."

en	His words came out with a breathless, frustrated venom.

en	He turned suddenly, facing behind with his gun held out, and moved away a few steps, seemingly searching around the houses.

en	He walked slowly back to you, leaning over, face upside down. A smirk crept across his lips again, crueller and cockier than before.

en	"Looks like I could say the same thing about your friend, tomboy. He's turned tail."

en	What. What was he talking about, Joseph? Where did Joseph go?

en	Joseph wouldn't run away. He wouldn't leave you, not now, right? He wouldn't leave you here?

en	Thoughts swirled in your head. Chest tight and breaths short at the thought that you might be alone.

en	You sat up urgently, hand and elbows scraping through the dirt, twisting round to look where Joseph had been.

en	He was gone. You didn't know what to think, staring unblinking, eyes starting to water.

en	"Gonna cry, little pup? Not surprised, but that's what you get for trustin' people."

en	He crouched down low, bouncing on his heels - bringing his gun gently to your chin, tilting it to bring you eye to eye.

en	"I'd say be more careful next time, but, there's not gonna be a next time. You know that, don't you tomboy?"

en	"I don't have all day, so as much as I'd like to give you the full traitor's punishment - I need to cut to the chase."

en	Even with your faces so close, eyes to piercing eyes, you glimpsed something past his shoulder.

en	Two figures huddled at the edge of a house, watching. When your eyes came back to Curly, he had noticed, his own eyes flitting to the corners.

en	His ears flicked and tilted back, listening intently for a moment before he stood up sharply, swinging round to level his gun at the strangers.

en	Two bangs, one after the other, his shots skimming the house into the alley - you heard birds squawk and curse, scrambling to hide.

en	As Curly was focused on the birds hiding from him, nearby, you heard the scuffle of someone sprinting from a standstill.

en	You pushed yourself up and turned around to see Joseph burst from behind a house, running at Curly with his knife raised.

en	Seeing him again your whole body lit up in excitement, in relief, a wave washing over you.

en	His face was stony, determined, whole body tilted forward as he ran past you and grabbed at Curly, plunging the knife in his back.

en	Curly cried out to the sky, letting way to a guttural growl from his belly that rumbled through the air like thunder.

en	Joseph jumped back, wide-eyed, seeming shocked that he'd been able to do it.

en	Curly desperately clawed at his back for a few futile seconds before giving up on reaching the knife.

en	He swivelled, eyes full of rage, teeth bared, his gun arm snapping out to point straight at Joseph.

en	Panic filled your chest, eyes flicking between Curly's straining arm and Joseph's own panicked face.

en	You had only one thought in your mind, and acted on it, scrambling off the floor. Your only thought of Joseph, and keeping him safe.

en	You pushed off the dirt hard, up onto one knee and reached up to grab Curly's arm tight, pulling yourself up on it.

en	Your jaws opened wide as you pulled with all the strength you could muster to bring the arm in reach, clamping down and biting hard.

en	Curly cursed and shouted, you felt the muscle of his arm flex and tense around your piercing teeth, the tang of blood reaching your tongue.

en	You heard Curly's gun clank as it hit the ground, dropping from his hand, and quickly relented from biting his arm to drop to your knees.

en	Joseph wasted no time in following up, lunging forward and swinging his fist into the side of Curly's face, grunts coming from them both.

en	You got up on one knee, facing Curly, looking for an opening. You held nothing back as you threw your fist at his stomach.

en	Your attempted punch seemed fruitless, it felt like your fist had smacked into the dense hide of a bull and your knuckles ached.

en	Curly took no notice and had no patience for you, his eyes blazing with fury, and he grabbed your wrist and threw you to the ground hard.

en	You held your shorter arm out and squeezed your eyes shut to try and soften the fall, but your face scraped the dirt all the same.

en	"Get your fuckin' hands offa him!"

en	Joseph and Curly grunted and growled behind you, you heard the shuffle of shoes in the dirt, the dull thud of a punch hitting.

en	You picked your head up off the ground, shaking the dust and rocks off of your sore face, craning your neck to look around you.

en	Looking for anything to fight back with, you needed a gun, you'd dropped yours during the fight. You spied Curly's revolver.

en	It had fallen under the porch of a house, the black metal hard to see in the shadows. You crawled over and stuck your hand under, reaching for it.

en	You pressed your face against the wood, stretching your arm out as much as you could, your fingertips skimming the handle.

en	Pushing and reaching desperately, your muscles protesting as they stretched to their limits, your claws found purchase on the handle.

en	You flicked the gun towards you and hastily grabbed at it, clumps of sand in your hand that gripped the gun tight.

en	Gun retrieved, you scrambled off the floor, looking for Joseph. He was next to a porch now, slamming Curly into the wall, the wood rattling.

en	You ran over and raised the gun, but Joseph was too close to Curly, you couldn't find a clear shot.

en	The two wrestled for control, grappling each other's arms, gripping tight, neither willing to give up.

en	Joseph's heels dug into the dirt as he pushed against Curly, sand piling at his heels as they scraped backwards.

en	You caught a glimpse of Curly's eyes. He knew what you were trying to do, that he was backed into a corner, filled with furious fear.

en	He wasn't going to die without a fight. Your heart beat fast and loud in your ear, he was going to overpower Joseph any second now.

en	"Joseph!"

en	You cried out at him, voice cracking, a plea for him to do something, to at least get away safe. You knew he understood, his body shifted.

en	Joseph pulled back, Curly faltering forward, and threw his arm over his shoulder, grabbing at the knife.

en	He yanked on the knife, hurting Curly enough to get away from him. Curly barked loudly into the sky, breaking his hold on Joseph.

en	Curly, in his fit of pained rage, swung his hand at Joseph as he tried to back away - but Curly's claws still reached, slashing wildly.

en	Joseph stumbled back, falling to the ground, you saw great red gashes on his stomach through his torn shirt.

en	You dragged your eyes off of Joseph, whole body running cold, and looked at Curly again. Standing there, panting, wildfire in his eyes.

en	He pushed off from the wall with a strong arm, taking a large step your way, a faltering confidence driving him forward.

en	With the gun raised to his head, you saw clearly in his eyes, as he tried to run toward you - this was the end. He must've seen it in your eyes too.

en	You squeezed the trigger, a click before your hand bucked with the crack of the gunshot, a spray of blood from Curly's head as it snapped back.

en	Curly fell, hitting the floor with the scattered thuds of an uneven fall, as if he'd tripped. You kept your eyes elsewhere, averted from him.

en	Moments passed, wisps of smoke left the barrel of Curly's gun that you held in the air, you waited, listening.

en	The pops and bangs in the street reaching you still, and the dying breath of your boss on the ground. Fading, fading, till he was still.

en	You turned your head back, not looking down at Curly's lifeless body, but at Joseph laying on the ground, scared to move.

en	You rushed over to him, stepping over Curly, stooping to kneel next to him. Through his torn shirt you could see his stomach, raw and bloodied.

en	"Joseph, Joseph! Joseph, I'm here."

en	"How... how bad is it?"

en	You leant over, gingerly pushing aside the cloth over his belly, examining the best you could how badly he was hurt.

en	The feathers of his stomach were stained and matted, but you saw nothing that made you worry more than you already were.

en	The gashes looked painful, but not too deep, slicing through the fat but no more. A deep relief settled in you that you held onto tight.

en	"I think I'd say you're lucky, if you can believe it. Tore the skin and such but everything else seems fine..."

en	"You sure? Lady Luck's got a sick sense of humour is all ah can say. Feel like I've been split open."

en	"Can you sit up? We need to move, we can't stick around here too long."

en	"Think so. Just... gimme a second."

en	You stood up first, offering your arm out to help. He looked up at you, taking a deep breath as he braced for the pain.

en	He reached up, feathered hand grasping your wrist, and you leaned back against his weight.

en	He groaned as he sat up, eyes shut, leaning forward now with one hand pressed flat to the ground, fingers digging into the dirt.

en	"Ow... Ah think I'm alright. Help me get up."

en	You pulled on his arm again, helping him shift to his feet, and as you did you looked up.

en	You saw the two figures from before, walking towards you. Two birds, their guns out.

en	"Joseph, we need to go."

en	As Joseph hefted himself off the ground with your help, he looked up at you, hearing the panic in your voice.

en	He looked behind him as he stood up, squinting, holding onto you.

en	The tension of his hand around your arm relaxed as he seemingly recognised the birds walking over.

en	"Don't worry, ah know these guys. They're fine."

en	The two fellow gang members jogged over, slowing down and eyes growing wide as they saw Curly's body.

en	The shorter bird spoke first.

en	"What the hell, is that Curly Wolf?"

en	"Yeah, that's him. Sorry for dragging you two into this, but we needed the help. Saved me and $Player's life here."

en	"Oh, er, $Player, this is Vic and John. I flagged 'em down earlier to help us."

en	The taller bird shrugged, wiping his beak on his arm as he spoke.

en	"Fat lot of good we were anyway. Bloke shot me hat off, scary good he was. Could barely see us!"

en	Sure enough, you could see a small hole in the fabric of his hat.

en	"Who killed him?"

en	"...I did."

en	"Well, shit! You got him good. Right through the eye."

en	You felt your stomach twisting, a little knot inside. Your eyes were firmly away from Curly. You didn't want to see.

en	"Listen, fellas, we don't have time to waste. We're gonna kill Black too."

en	Vic and John's faces dropped, becoming grim. Discomfort played across Vic's features.

en	"...I don't... that's... not gonna happen Joseph."

en	"Why? You gonna stop us?"

en	"No, I just..."

en	"It's fucking suicide, Joseph. I thought you were smarter than this."

en	"Ah am smarter than this, but it ain't about doing the easy thing. Where has that gotten me?"

en	"Look, you guys should get outta here, no point dying for a man like that."

en	"...Are you really gonna kill him?"

en	"Yeah. We will."

en	"If you're really set on it... we won't stop you. Black's still a dangerous man, Joseph, much as we like to joke about him."

en	"I hope you know what you're doing."

en	"You should come back this way, Black's been going down the street picking people off. Hopefully you can take him by surprise."

en	"Alright. Thank you both, really."

en	"Good luck..."

en	"Yeah, good luck. See you around, maybe."

en	They both ran off past you, down towards where the fight had moved. Joseph shouted after them.

en	"That ah should be so unlucky!"

en	Vic disappeared behind some houses, and John, just before following suit, gave Joseph the middle finger as he ran.

en	The wry smile on Joseph's face softened, disappearing as he thought ahead to what you needed to do next.

en	The show of bravado for his friends fading.

en	You stooped down, holstering your gun and snatching Curly's off the ground, still avoiding looking his way.

en	"We should head to the saloon. Safest place in town, I think. Wait for our chance."

en	"...Yeah, ah think so too. Let's go."

en	You both walked as briskly as you could down to the end of town, sticking close to the houses, away from Black.

en	Gunsmoke filled the air now, sharp and acrid in your nose.

en	Rounding the end of a house, you were back on the main street, peeking past the wall to get a look at the saloon.

en	It seemed clear, no one inside or outside.

en	"Come on."

en	You started running, close behind Joseph, feet pounding the dirt, wind rushing in your ears.

en	Please, God. Please God let us get there safely.

en	As you neared the saloon, Joseph suddenly slowed down, his head snapping, skidding to a stop in front of you.

en	You saw what he saw, people down the street, Black's gang, but one person was facing the other way. Facing towards you.

en	Black Vulture, gun drawn. He'd spotted you both, Joseph caught up short by fear, and you couldn't quieten the desperation in your voice.

en	"Joseph, move!"

en	You kept running and bumped into him, pushing him to get moving again. He tore his eyes away from Black and stumbled back into a sprint.

en	You both knew you'd been seen. As you bounded up the stairs of the saloon porch, a wooden post cracked, struck by a bullet.

en	Another splintered the frame of the doors as you flung them open, scurrying inside the dimly lit bar.

en	You slammed the doors shut, crouching down, Joseph following suit. You held out Curly's gun to him, balanced on your palm.

en	"Take this and hide, quickly."

en	He looked at you, and then the gun, for a moment, his uncertainty plain in the furrow of his brow.

en	Still he took it, hurrying over to hide behind the other end of the bar, sitting on the floor. You shuffled over to a window, peering out.

en	Black had moved back up the street, opposite the saloon, bringing a few men in tow as the rest fought what was left of Curly's lot.

en	As they cautiously walked to surround the saloon, new blasts sounded in the air, the ground being peppered with shots.

en	Black and a small masked bird near him took cover, split from the rest of the men who backed up, shooting up at the roof.

en	You didn't know how anyone got up there but you were thankful for it.

en	Black was still determined. He pointed at the window. At you, you realised, as the small bird took aim with a rifle.

en	You ducked down, a second later hearing the echoing shot of the rifle before the window shattered.

en	You covered your head with your arm, the glass falling and breaking on the windowsill, falling to the floor and over you.

en	You looked up when the glass stopped, small cuts covering your hand. Your felt your heart beat hard in your throat.

en	Peering back over the ledge, you saw Black and his shootist still taking cover down the side of a house.

en	The shootist was reloading, and you took the chance, aiming your gun at the small bird through the broken window.

en	You squeezed the trigger hard. The gunshot was loud in your ears, and the shootist recoiled a moment later as he was struck down.

en	He fell to the ground, clutching at his chest, the rifle he dropped spinning on its stock and falling too.

en	Black stared at the bird dying on the ground in front of him for a second, before realising your eyes were still trained on him.

en	He levelled his gun at you and fired, once, twice, and you ducked again. Bullets struck the walls outside.

en	You thought to look again, but more shots cracked in the air outside the saloon, and you kept your head down.

en	A few seconds passed, you waited a little longer until you were sure the shots had stopped.

en	Warily you poked your head past the window again, looking where Black and his fallen shootist were.

en	Black was gone.

en	You looked around again, down the street, but you couldn't see him. Surely he couldn't have run off with the fight still happening?

en	You kept looking, but there was no sign of him. You holstered your gun, anticipating you'd need a free hand in a moment.

en	He must've retreated behind the houses, but that gave you time to breathe.

en	Ducking down again, you stared into space, studying the grain of the wall, thinking on your next move.

en	It was then that you felt a movement, a whisper of air on your whiskers, and looked to your right.

en	Your eyes flitted around the scene - someone's dusty legs, the deep green of a wine bottle in their hand, the open door of the store room.

en	Black was upon you now, and you were too slow, too surprised, to stop him as he swung the bottle, striking you in the mouth.

en	A new tang of blood slipped onto your tongue, the fresh sharp pain of a broken tooth shooting through.

en	The bash of the bottle knocked you over, sprawling you on your front across the ground. Your jaw ached in your head as it lied on the floor.

en	Your mind was reeling, you couldn't believe he'd weaseled his way round to sneak up on you. You pushed yourself up off the floorboards.

en	You did your best to try and get up quickly, but it was met with another blow of the bottle, hard against your back, knocking you down again.

en	Now on your hand and knees, bruises bristling on your arched back, you tried to crawl away, knees crunching on the scattered glass.

en	You heard Black walk at you, your fur standing on end, you reached out for help, heart galloping in your chest as he stepped forward.

en	The bottle whacked you on the back again, below your neck, and you hit the floor again, head resting by the leg of a table.

en	You rolled over, pushing through the pain in your bones, hoping to protect yourself, but too late as the bottle came down on your midriff.

en	All the breath in your lungs left in a painful tensing of your stomach. You felt like you were going to be sick.

en	Black, standing over you, tutted disapprovingly, his face as he regarded you like the one of a curious zoo patron, speculating on captive animals.

en	"I do quite hate getting my hands dirty like this, but when needs must, I suppose."

en	"You've given me some real trouble, haven't you? Clearly you had some arrangement with Joseph, wherever that low-life is."

en	"And then you shot my best shootist! You know how hard people like that are to come by? So many hopped up on their own egos."

en	You sat up a little, tried to roll, wanted to crawl, but the nausea kept you glued to the floor. Black crouched down, stooping over you.

en	"Where do you think you're going now? I've still got a lovely bottle here with your name on it."

en	"I don't like doing this, I really don't... but I may as well make the most of it while I'm here."

en	Black climbed on top of you now, and you screamed in your mind to push him off.

en	He sat with knees either side, straddling your stomach, pinning your arm to the floor under his leg.

en	You struggled with as much as strength as you could call on, but you couldn't move him. And as he didn't move, you fought back less.

en	Your skin crawled as Black relaxed his full weight, sitting happily atop you.

en	The strength to fight back left your body. What was the point now? You couldn't see a way to get out of this.

en	The pain in you flared, you felt it so clearly as you lay your head back. You deserved to feel this. This was all your fault.

en	"My boys outside are cleaning things up. This town'll be ours soon, and I'll take care of Joseph too when I find him."

en	"No doubt he's nearby, but he wouldn't dare lay a finger on me."

en	He put both hands on the neck of the bottle, raising it high above his head.

en	"I'll make your death as quick as I can. I'm not a monster."

en	His voice was light and quivering. You weren't sure if he was even talking to you anymore.

en	Fear pitched high in your heart that beat like a drum in your chest, staring up at the vulture about to bash your skull in.

en	You didn't want this to be it. You didn't want to die, battered and bruised. Dreams of a better life floating away.

en	You shut your eyes tight and made a prayer.

en	Your eyes snapped open as you heard the telltale shatter of glass, wetness splashing on you. The sound of a gunshot echoed off the saloon walls.

en	Another gunshot, before Black could even think what was happening. The wet thud of a bullet hitting someone, the bottle dropped.

en	Falling off of you onto the floor, clutching at his neck.

en	You felt the floorboards shudder a little under you as Joseph walked over, still cautious of Black, his face tense and wide-eyed.

en	He stooped down to you, grabbing you by the arm, hand trembling as he helped pull you to your feet.

en	You leant against him as you stood up, holding onto his shoulder for balance, and twisted your neck to look down at Black.

en	He was sprawled on his front, face to the ground, legs curled up. Hands held against his neck.

en	Feathers and clothes shining with wetness and stained red, dripping to the floor.

en	His eye was trained on Joseph, staring up at him.

en	"I'll spare ya the slow death, don't worry. Not that you deserve that kindness."

en	Joseph opened his mouth again as if to speak, but nothing came out, just wordless words. He raised the gun to aim at Black's head.

en	You gave him a reassuring squeeze on his shoulder. Your nose was filled with the smell of his blood, so close.

en	The shot rang out in the saloon as Joseph squeezed the trigger. With a hole in his head, Black fell limp, tensed arms swaying to the ground.

en	"That's it then, I guess."

en	"...Yeah."

en	"Fight's still goin' on outside, mind you. We should try lay low till it dies out."

en	"We can hide in here I'm sure."

en	"...Bart said the saloon has rooms, don't it?"

en	"Uh, yeah, I think he did."

en	Your face warmed as you looked up in the saloon, towards the upper floor.

en	"We could hide out in one of 'em."

en	You mulled it over for a moment, your body tired and bruised. You worried whether Bartholomew would get mad if you got things bloody.

en	...It would be fine. The saloon was already a bit banged up, what was some blood on a carpet. You'd help clean it up. Together.

en	"Yeah. I think that would be nice."

en	You both shuffled, arm in arm, over to the stairs, taking slow steps up them, trying to help each other even if it hurt.

en	Reaching the landing, the beat of your heart still slowing, you walked together towards the furthest room.

en	Twisting the handle, you opened the door with some haste, shuffling inside together.

en	You turned and closed the door as quietly as you could, still bumping against the frame, the handle creaking as it turned beneath your hand.

en	You waited there, facing the door, giving yourself a moment. Breathing slowly, feeling the metal in your palm. Gripping it tightly.

en	With the door closed, the peppering of gunshots from outside was much softer.

en	You could imagine them as raindrops against the window.

en	"Nice room."

en	You let go and turned to look around the room. You agreed. It was nice.

en	It was bright, the sunlight skimming in through the window, curtains open, fading onto the pillows. A clean bed, a side table, a dresser.

en	You wandered over to the bed, reaching out to touch, but thinking better of it when feeling the blood sticking between your fingers.

en	A large rug laid on the floor next to the bed, so instead you lowered yourself down to sit on it, leaning back to rest against the bed.

en	You rested your head against it too, at least feeling the softness of the sheets brushing your fur, meeting the curve of your neck.

en	Joseph still stood where he was, looking into the middle distance. After a few moments his glassy stare turned down to you, coming back to life.

en	"Whadda we do now?"

en	"...We wait. Wait for the fight to die out. Once they realise who's died, they should leave. Hopefully we won't be looked for."

en	"Right..."

en	He shuffled over to the bed and leaned down, groaning as he hit the rug, sitting against the bed as you did now.

en	"Sit here and hope for the best. As good a plan as we've had so far."

en	"You can get patched up when all the townsfolk come back. I hope."