#and then something happens deputy pulls the bandanna down from his face or he gets really up close in rhys' face | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

eleventhdoctorsangel · 4 years

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Too young too dumb to know things like love

Summary: I fell from a rift of reality. No memory of what my life was before. The only thing I seem to remember was my name. Now I live with the Winchester, Jack and Castiel. Along with training both Jack and I to become hunter I help Jack control his powers.

I decided to change out of my clothes while we were coming up with next step of action. I wasn’t the only one Sam, Dean and Jack change out of their suits. I was sitting on the couch in between Jack and Cas. I was helping Jack do more research on the case. Dean took a beer out from the fridge and opened it. “Can I just say that I’m getting real sick and tired of fighting things that look like other thing?” Dean said as he threw the bottle cap of the beer into the trash. “Maybe the ghoul is this Athena.” Cas suggested. “Yeah. A ghoul who owns a mortuary. That’s smart but.” Sam said. “No. She’s got access to the bodies before they’re ever in the ground. Anything she wants she would just take. She doesn’t have to dig ‘em back up.” Dean said. “Right.” Sam said. “I think I found something. I tracked the plates on the stolen truck from the crime scene and I went through the city’s traffic camera footage and look. This is it.” Jack said turning the laptop around to show Sam and Dean. “From yesterday before the deputy was killed. “ Jack said. “Well then who’s driving?” Dean asked. Jack pressed a key to zoom in. “Holy crap. That’s Dave Mather.” Dean said. “Who?” Sam and Cas asked at the same time. “Dave Mather. Cowboy. Outlaw. One of the Dodge City gang. “ Dean said going up to take a picture off the wall and handed it to Cas. Both jack and I looked at the picture. “He was one of the greatest gunfighters ever. I mean he died in 1886 which makes this a little weird but… Mysterious Dave Mather. I’m gonna get my boots on. One of the best gunslingers ever! Whoo!” Dean said as he hurried out of the room to get his boots on. I couldn’t help but smile and shake my head. “How bad is this going to be?” I asked. “I don’t know but whatever happened you need to stay behind one of us.” Sam told me. I just nodded my head. “So our ghoul ate some old west gunfighter and stole his face?” Dean asked as he walked back into the room with two guns and handed one to Sam. “That’s what it looks like.” Sam said. “Ha.” Dean laughed. “I think I’ve seen him before. There was a picture at the mortuary. Y/n do you remember?” Jack said. The more that I looked at the picture of him it hit me that there was a picture of him with Athena at the mortuary. “He’s Athena’s boyfriend.” Jack said. We all left the hotel room and got into the impala as we made our way back to the mortuary. Jack, Cas and I stayed in the impala while Sam and Dean went to go talk to Athena. They were gone for about ten minutes before they gave back and told us where Athena told them where Dave went.

When we got to the bank Dean told me what Sam had already told no matter what happens to stay behind one of them. I stayed close to Jack and Cas like I have been. I watched as the ghoul walked out of the bank. “Dave Mather. Robbing a bank. That’s a bold move.” Dean said as he pointed his gun a the ghoul. Dave remove the bandanna from his face as he made his way to his car. “You must be the hunter?” Dave said and pointed at Dean. “And you must like to play cowboy.” Dean said. “It’s my favorite suit. You know I like to keep a little piece of old Dave on me just to gnaw on.” Dave said. Sam cocked his gun which made him notice us. Dave laughed. “Let’s make it two, three, four Hunters! And look you have a little shrimp with you.” Dave said as he looked at us. I knew the little shrimp comment was meant towards me. “Whoo! Must be my birthday.” Dave said. “Look why don’t you come with us someplace else? We can do this quick and quiet.” Sam said. Dave just smirked as he pulled out and a gun making Sam shot at him hitting him in the shoulder. Then a shot out started to happened. I felt Jack grab my hand as pulled me over to the carriage so that we could take cover. “Are you two alright?” Cas asked the two of us. “Yeah.” Jack said and I nodded. “Okay you two stay here.” Cas said. “No, It’s okay. I’ve got this.” Jack said getting up and made his way over to the gunfire. “No Jack. Jack!” Cas said as he went after him. I wanted to go help but I decided it would be best for me to stay where I was since I was safer right here. “Hey!” Jack yelled to catch Dave’s attention. “Jack! Jack!” Cas yelled trying to stop Jack. I looked to see Jack get shot twice. I put my hand to my mouth as I screamed in horror. “What the Hell?” Dave said. Then this surge of energy left Jack making Dave and a security guard from the bank who happened to walked out and the wrong time back. The security guard hit his head on a metal column. I could hear a crack from where I was I knew that it’s wasn’t going to be good. “No.” Jack said as I got out from behind the carriage to go over to where he and Cas were. “Check the guard!” Dean said to Sam as he went after Dave who left on foot. “No!” Jack said as he ran over to guard and I ran after him. The guard was severely bleeding from the back of his head. “Cas I-I didn’t mean to. Castiel you have to heal him.” Jack said look at Cas with a pained looked on his face. Cas kneel down putting a hand on the man’s forehead. I then started to hear a ringing and thunder. Then nothing happened. Cas stood back up and looked at Jack. That is when I grabbed ahold of his hand knowing what Cas was more than likely about to say. “I can’t.” Cas said. “W- why not?” Jack asked. Sam checked to see if the guard had a pulse. “He’s dead.” Sam said as he looked up at us. I felt Jack squeeze my hand tightly.

After making an excuse of what happened we went back to the hotel. I stayed close to Jack because I knew that he was still really upset about what happened. We were still holding hands and my head was on his shoulder. It started to storm. I could tell that Sam, Dean and Cas were watching us as I comforted Jack. “Come on you two. We’re heading back to the bunker.” Cas said as he walked up to us. I looked over to Cas and nodded. “Come on Jack you heard Cas. It’s going to be fine.” I said as I took my head off of shoulder. Jack looked at me giving me a small nod and got up from the couch getting his things ready. I followed right behind him and packed. Dean left to go take care of Dave while Sam, Cas, Jack and I got in another car and started to journey back to the bunker. Jack and I both sat in the back seat for the ride we still were holding hands. Jack has barely let my hand go since it happened. I saw Sam look back to us. “Jack you uh. You okay?” Sam asked. Jack didn’t say anything he just keep looking forward. “Jack. I’ve killed people who didn’t deserve it my friends. I’ve killed people I loved. I wish I could tell you that it- that it gets easier that with time it hurts less but that would be a lie because it never gets easier. And those moments they never stop hurting. But that doesn’t mean that you should stop fighting. Doesn’t mean that just because you made a mistake and that’s what this is Jack. It’s a mistake. That doesn’t believe that you can’t- can’t be better do better. I believe that. I have to believe that.” Cas said. “And we still believe in you Jack. We uh-.” Sam said. “ Stop. Just. Please Stop.” Jack said as he squeezed my hand tightly.

The rest of the ride was quiet. By the time we arrived back to the bunker dean told us that he got ride of the ghoul with the help of another officer. Dean didn’t come back until, the afternoon of the next day. Jack hasn’t let me leave his side. He pushed Sam and Cas away whenever they tried to talk to him about what happened. Jack and I were sitting at a table by ourselves. Jack’s arms were crossed on the talbe and I had one arm linked with his and my head was on his shoulder. I heard the door open then closed. “Hey.” I heard Sam say to dean. “Hey.” Dean said back as he was coming down the stairs. “How’d it go?” Sam asked him. “Usual. Killed the bad guy saved the girl. “Dean said. “What about the uh-?” Sam asked. “Took care of it.” Dean said. “Good.” Sam said. “Good? How is that good? I killed someone.” Jack said getting up and started to walk towards the guys. I got up and followed him in hopes to calm him down if this goes south. “What was his name? The guard? Did he have a family?” Jack asked as he climb down the few steps that lead to where the guys were. I was standing by his side. “Jack don’t do this to yourself.” Cas said. “No did he?” Jack asked. “Yes he did.” Dean said. I went to grab his hand but he yanked it away before I could. “Jack look this life what we do it’s- it’s not easy. And we’ve all done things we regret.” Sam said as he walked slowly towards Jack. “Just don’t.” Jack said angrily. Sam put in hands up in defeat and slowly back away. “You’re afraid of me.” Jack said as his voice started to break. “Jack no.” Cas said. Jack turned around slowly walking away. “Jack please.” I said. “No maybe you’re right. Maybe I’m just another monster.” Jack said with a pained look on his face. “Jack no you are no monster do you hear me.” I said as I slowly walked towards him. “Just stand back y/n please.” Jack said making me stop in my tracks as tears started to form in my eyes. “No you’re not. I thought you were. I did. But. Like Sam said we’ve all done bad. We all have blood on our hands. So if you’re a monster we’re all monster.” Dean said walked over towards us. “No you don’t. Every time I try and do something good people get hurt. I thought I was getting better. I’m not…I don’t know what I am but I know I can’t make the world a better place not like this. I can’t even do one good thing. And I know that if I stay I’m gonna hurt you. All of you. And I can’t. You’re all I have. “Jack said. By then tears were running down my face. “Jack listen.” Sam said. “I have to go.” Jack said. “No Jack.” Cas said. “Jack please don’t.” I pleaded. “I’m sorry.” Jack said as he raised his hand.

I was flung back and was slammed against the floor as I heard a whooshing sound. “Jack.” Cas said. The guys all got up and started looking for jack while I stayed on the floor in tears. “Jack!” Cas yelled. “He’s gone.” Sam said standing were jack just was. I started to cry and that is when Sam came over to me. “Hey it’s ok y/n.” Sam said kneeling down to me pulling me into his chest as I cried. “I have you. It’s ok we’re going to find him ok.” Sam said putting a hand in my hair and started to stork my hair in hopes to calm me down. I felt Sam pick me up setting me in a chair that was by the table he and Cas were just sitting out. “Are you hurt kiddo?” Dean said as he walked over to me. I shook my head as I continued to look down at the ground. “Look at me y/n.” Dean said as he kneeled in front me. I looked up at him with hair front of one side of my face. Dean reached out and moved the hair that had fallen in front of my face so he could see my face clearly. “Jack is just upset about what happened ok. We are going to find him. Everything is going to be fine.” Dean said. I nodded. Dean kissed my forehead.

Taglist: @darkqueennox

Overall taglist: @the-broken-halo-writer

#supernatural imagine #jack kline imagine #dean winchester #sam winchester #castiel #kelsee's works #Do not reblog unless it's from me

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fc5holidayexchange · 4 years

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Far Cry 5 Holiday Exchange 2019 Fic

‘Aim for the Heart’

-John sets a trap for the deputy-

Deputy Emily Rook/John Seed

@oh-the-bliss

“My gift to you, hope you like it! Happy Holidays! - @sleepydaydreamz

Static came through the other end of the radio as Emily Rook set her sniper on the outpost in front of her. It was night and the stars began to show themselves as Emily took another drag of the joint between her lips. She ignored the noise and continued to count the Peggies surrounding the Jessop Conservatory in Faith’s region. Emily had dreaded coming to this place with Bliss barrels scattered everywhere but she knew she had to get it over with eventually.

“Depuuty,” sang out a voice from her radio. Emily’s shoulders tensed as she ignored it and looked through her scope, counting a total of fifteen cult members.

“You really should pick up your radio, dear,” sighed John. “Fine, I guess I’ll have fun with my new friend here. Such a cute and cuddly creature.”

A dog’s whine could be heard through the radio and Emily instantly dropped her weapon and grabbed the radio from her belt. She was about to press the talk button when a thought struck her. Just because there was a dog with him didn’t necessarily mean it was Boomer. There were plenty of strays roaming around Hope County, it wouldn’t be too difficult for John to catch one and lie about it.

“You’re lying,” she muttered through the radio. The last time she had seen the lovable dog, she had left him in the hands of Sharky. Emily knew that he wouldn’t let anything happen to that dog; even promising he would die just to keep him safe.

“Oh, I would never lie to you, Emily,” said John and she winced at the way he said her name. “I’ll prove it to you. Your little dog just so happens to be wearing a red bandanna with a tag on it. It says Rocky on one side, but it seems to be scratched out. Looks like someone tried to etch the name ‘Boomer’ on the back. Sloppy writing if you ask me.”

The color drained from Emily’s face as she quickly packed up her gear and ran toward the truck parked behind her. As she started the car and slammed on the gas, she snatched the radio and let out a deep growl.

“If you so much as touch him-”

“You’ll what? Actually, you can tell me in person. Meet me at my ranch within the hour.”

His voice sharply cut out, making Emily step on the pedal until it hit the floor as she weaved between the few passing cars on the winding road. John had done plenty of things in the past to get her attention, but he did nothing this drastic. Her mind went back to how she blew up five of his silos yesterday and now she was starting to wish she hadn’t.

As Emily pulled up the long driveway, she slammed on the brakes and threw the door open as she ran outside with shotgun in hand. After kicking the doors open, she aimed her gun around crazily, searching for any sign of movement.

The house was silent and now that she thought about it, there were no guards posted outside or parked in the driveway. A fire flickered in the dim lighting as Emily’s heart rate began to pick up, her ears straining for the smallest of noises.

The sound of a door slowly opening upstairs nearly made her jump as she quickly turned around and walked up the staircase. A light shown through the half-opened door and she could hear soft noises coming from within.

Emily crept down the hallway and stopped right outside as she used the end of her shotgun to carefully open the door.

“Boomer!” she gasped. Boomer was crawled up in the corner of the bathroom, happily chewing on a bone. Emily set her gun down and crawled to him as she rubbed his ears when she felt something poke the back of her head.

“So happy that you came,” said John above her. “Don’t try to make any sudden movements. I might miss and hurt your friend here. Now, hands up.”

Emily scowled as she slowly raised her hands and stood up on her feet. John’s hand wrapped around the back of her neck as he pulled her out of the bathroom and shut the door behind him, locking Boomer in.

John hummed as he took away the two knives strapped to her legs and a small pistol tucked in the back of her pants. She hated herself for not bringing in more weapons but the fear of something happening to Boomer overrode all common sense.

“Move forward.”

John shoved the gun against Emily’s head as she walked down the hall and felt his hand push her into a different room. Emily recognized it as his bedroom and she already knew where he wanted this to go.

“You blew up my silos yesterday,” said John in a dangerously low voice. “I have to admit, you’re the only woman who has ever made a dent in my wallet. It’s starting to annoy me.”

John hit her in the back with his gun and she grunted as she fell to the floor. As Emily got up to her knees, she looked up and felt his gun press against her forehead.

“I would first like an apology,” said John. “Go on then, I don’t have all day.”

Emily narrowed her eyes at him, wondering if he really would kill her this time. In the past, he had always let her off with a warning, although those warnings included getting marked or enduring his baptisms.

The click of the safety switching on grabbed Emily’s attention as he tilted his head down at her.

“I really don’t feel like putting a dog down today,” threatened John. It could’ve been just another one of John’s sick tests, but Emily didn’t want to take a chance on it. She leaned back on the heels of her feet and held her hands in front of her, hoping to look as demur as possible.

“I’m sorry, John,” she breathed. “I didn’t mean to annoy you.”

John studied her as he pressed the gun further into her head but Emily made no movements. It seemed like their staring contest was going to last forever until John let out a low chuckle and holstered his gun onto his belt.

“See? That’s all I wanted,” said John. He offered her his hand and she begrudgingly took it, knowing there would be severe consequences if she didn’t.

“You look tired,” he noted. “More than usual.”

Emily shrugged as he grabbed her chin and gently forced her to look at him. She couldn’t help but stare into his eyes and loved how they reminded her of the Montana sky.

“My men have been dismissed for the night,” said John softly. “They won’t be back until morning…”

Emily knew where this was going and part of her wanted to run away as far as possible. However, the way his hand trailed down to caress her collarbone stopped her from doing so. She knew it had been a mistake to kiss him the last time they had met.

It had been his second attempt to try and baptize her, this time, without Joseph interrupting. He had drugged her by using the Bliss bullets again and she had woken up in a drugged haze by a river. He had stood waist-deep inside the water and was completely shirtless, his sins and tattoos exposed for the world to see.

Emily remembered how sad he had looked and how his face changed when he realized she was looking at him. The face she presumed he saved for his old days as a lawyer came on, a small smirk with a slightly raised eyebrow. She hadn’t planned on going into the water on her own but her legs took her to him anyways.

Just as she approached him, she took his face into her hands and looked carefully at his face. It could’ve been the Bliss that was making her so vulnerable, but she wanted to see that face again; the one that showed the slightest hint of humanity among the madness.

“What are you doing?” he had whispered to her.

It was at that moment she saw it; the slight expansion of his pupils, the sharp intake of breath and the way his hands rested on her hips. For one full minute, they weren’t the cult’s Baptist or the rookie cop. They were just two people, holding each other in a moment of peace.

Emily’s lips had found his before she could even think twice about it. She remembered the small moan he had let out after finally breaking their brief kiss and she had never heard such a pleasing sound.

The sound of Boomer’s barking brought her back to the present and she tried turning away from him.

“I can’t stay here,” said Emily. She shook her head, hoping it would clear her mind of the past.

“No one will find ever out,” assured John. “When was the last time you slept in an actual bed? Or even took a nice, hot shower? I know for a fact you haven’t had a decent meal since this whole thing started.”

Emily shook her head again and took a step back but John quickly grabbed her hand and pulled her into him.

“Please, Emily. Just one night, that’s all I ask,” he said. She could feel the slight trembling in his body as he held her. With all the promises he had made her, what was one night after all?

#fc5holidayexchange #john seed #john seed/deputy #deputy oc #gift: fic #oh-the-bliss #submission

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mindfulwrath · 6 years

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Stick ‘Em Up

The final prize fic for the MWDF works contest! For @southlovesowls, who requested "your take on what a heist would look like with the deputies (Geoff, jack, Jeremy, Ryan, ray) when they were outlaws."

Words: 3,509 Warnings: Casual misogyny, violence, blood & gore, alcoholism

It began, as it so often did, with a train.

"Anythin'?" Geoff asked, laid out on his belly on a rocky scarp.

"Not a puff," said Jack, squinting through her cracked spyglass. "Maybe they hit a real rockslide or somethin'."

"Or they're just late."

"Or they're just late. I'll holler if I see anythin'."

Geoff clapped her on the shoulder and shimmied back from the ledge. He dusted himself off, resettled his hat on his head, and made his way back to the wagon. It was looking more busted up than usual, long overdue for some maintenance. The horses were all hitched up a few yards away, munching saplings and farting. As Geoff approached, Gavin heaved himself up from under the wagon and trotted out to meet him.

"Hey pal," said Geoff, taking a knee to scratch him behind the ears. "You ain't comin' with us, li'l buddy."

"Yeah, I didn't so much figure I would be."

Geoff looked up. Dooley was hovering by the horses, looking awfully disappointed.

"I was talkin' to the dog," Geoff said.

"Oh," said Dooley, his cheeks reddening. "Yeah, I—I knew that."

"'Course you did."

"I did! I was—answerin' for the dog."

"Sure you were." Geoff stood up again and nudged Gavin with his foot. "Mosey on, Gavvy. Where's Ray and Ryan?"

"Two guesses," Dooley said sourly, cocking his head at the wagon.

"Can't say as I'm surprised," Geoff grumbled. "Good damn thing the train's late, or else we'd miss it. Those horses all saddled up and ready to go?"

"Yessir. Went ahead and watered 'em, too, since it's gettin' hot already."

"Good thinkin'. If it's too much longer, you might wanna walk 'em around a li'l, make sure they don't get stiff."

"Will do, Boss. Uh—you think it's gonna be too much longer?"

"Hell if I know. All the shit that's been goin' wrong lately, wouldn't surprise me if the damn train didn't show up at all."

"Train's always late."

Geoff jumped about a foot in the air and whipped around. Ray was standing right behind him, his poncho hanging crooked over his double bandoleers, a permanently sardonic expression affixed to his face.

"Jesus, Ray!" Geoff cried. "How long you been there?"

Ray shrugged. "Couple minutes," he said. "Train's always late, don't know why you're gettin' all chicken-shit about it."

"Go fuck yourself, pal," Geoff said, rolling his eyes.

"Shit, right now? All right, Mr. Boss-man sir, but it's gonna take me a couple minutes to get it up again. Hope that train's real late or else I'll be shootin' with three guns."

"Harr-harr, ain't you a goddamn riot."

"We got smoke," Jack called from the scarp.

"Awright, time to go," said Geoff. "Jack, come on back, our li'l rockslide ain't gonna hold 'em up for long!"

"Comin'!"

"Guess I better go fuck myself real quick," said Ray. He ambled off to the horses, where Dooley was making final preparations, and was joined shortly by Jack.

"Jackass," Geoff muttered. "Ryan, where the hell you at?"

Ryan popped out the back of the wagon, pulling his hair back. He flashed a grin at Geoff as he stepped down.

"He was behind you 'bout thirty seconds, at most," he said, heading for the horses, too. "If you were wonderin'."

Geoff caught his arm. Ryan hung back, expectant. There was a fresh set of bruises blooming on his neck.

"Hey, you gonna be all right?" Geoff asked, keeping his voice down.

Frowning, Ryan said, "Sure thing. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Well—I don't know, just I figured you mighta been a li'l shook up after last time, that's all."

"Ain't nothin' bad happen to me. Ain't nothin' to be shook up about."

"You sure? 'Cuz I don't want you freezin' up in the middle, or God forbid, anythin' worse happenin' to you."

"I won't freeze up and won't nothin' bad happen to me," Ryan promised, patting his hand. "And even if it does, I got the ol' Kentucky Ram hisself lookin' out for me."

Geoff smoothed his mustache. "Don't get to countin' on me, now."

"No, suh, wouldn't dream of it," said Ryan. He slipped out of Geoff's grip and started off after Ray, tossing a left-handed salute over his shoulder before breaking into a jog.

Shaking his head, Geoff let out a sigh.

"Damn fool's got ten times more luck than sense," he said to himself.

"Hey, uh, Boss Ramsey?"

He turned. Dooley was back, hat in hand.

"Oh, right. Uh—stay here, make sure the wagon don't go nowhere. And keep an eye on Gavin. And the other horses. And if we get caught—"

"Come and get y'all?"

Geoff blinked, pursed his lips, and inclined his head.

"Uh, yeah," he said, rerouting from the threat he'd been about to make. "Yeah, you come and get us, if we get caught. Just don't spend too much money doin' it. And don't let Gavin get ran over or nothin', neither."

"Yessir. I'll keep an eye out."

"Two eyes, Dooley."

"Yessir."

"Good. Now go make sure nobody's gonna see that wagon."

He snapped out a salute and scurried off. Geoff joined the others. Once he'd mounted up, he pulled his bandanna over his mouth and nose.

"Awright, boys," he said. "Let's go rob us a train."

Jack shoved her way into the first-class car, her gun pressed up under the conductor's jaw. Ray whisked in behind her, drawing both revolvers before anybody could get up. Geoff came after him, and Ryan brought up the rear.

"Afternoon, folks," Geoff said to the sea of waxen faces. "I'll be conductin' y'all's holdup today. Now if everybody stays calm and quiet, won't nobody have to get hurt, and y'all can go on y'all's way not much the worse for wear."

"This is outrageous," a woman spat. She was dressed like a peacock, only ten times as frumpy. "Where is the security on this—"

"Nice hat, bitch," said Ray, and shot it off.

She screamed and dove for cover under the seats. The car erupted in a clamor of gasps and shouts. The conductor wriggled in Jack's grasp, and she dealt him a ringing smack with the butt of the gun, not quite enough to knock him out. Geoff clenched his fists and breathed deep. The longer this took, the worse it would wind up. There was bound to be security somewhere on the train, U. S. Marshals or Union Pacific's own hired goons, and they'd figure out pretty quick that the Western Union car wasn't the one being hit.

Especially if there was any more gunfire.

"And let that be a lesson to y'all!" he called out, raising his voice to be heard over the clamor. "Next dumbass who talks outta turn is gonna get shot! Now my associate here—" He tipped his head at Ryan— "is gonna come down the aisle, and y'all are gonna hand over any valuables you got to hand, and then we'll be on our way."

"Everybody get up, c'mon, get off those doughy asses," said Ray, gesturing with his guns. Ryan took out the first burlap sack and offered it to the first seat on the left—an elderly couple, the man nervously wiping his glasses and the woman clutching her pearls.

"We'd be ever so much obliged if y'all could donate t' our cause," he said, sweet as a peach. "We won't take nothin' essential, such as your spectacles, suh—but ma'am, I think you will most likely survive without that necklace. C'mon, now, divest yourselves of your worldly wealth."

With trembling hands, they complied. Ray paced up and down the aisle like a coyote trapped between two fences. Geoff watched the passengers as they took off their watches and jewelry, keen for any hint of a weapon.

"Thank you kindly," Ryan said to the elderly couple. "Just think of it this way: the Bible says it's well nigh impossible for a rich man to get into Heaven. We're doin' y'all's immortal souls a favor. Have a blessed day, now."

He moved on, keeping up a running litany of platitudes in that soothing voice. The bag filled steadily. The conductor fidgeted. Jack kneed him in the leg, warning.

"Boss, they're startin' to get suspicious," she said, with her eyes on something out the window. "We better keep this short."

"Kid!" Geoff snapped. "Quit proselytizin' and get the damn money!"

"Oh, yessuh, so sorry, suh," Ryan effused. He rounded on the next pair like a rabid dog, snarling, "Put the fuckin' money in the bag!"

The two young women yelped and shoved their valuables into the bag. Ryan tipped his hat to them, grinning under his bandanna, before moving on.

The car filled with a low murmur, frightened glances tossed back and forth across the aisle. Geoff drummed his fingers on the butt of his revolver, watching, waiting, praying. A bead of sweat crawled down his back. He caught Ray's eye as he paced up the aisle and flicked a glance out the window. Ray followed his gaze, and his face hardened.

Vagabond's gonna get y'all.

Geoff's blood ran cold. The voice had come from nowhere, low and vicious and hateful, like a diamondback creeping underfoot—

"Who the fuck said that?" Ray snarled, whipping around with both revolvers. The whole car ducked, amidst muffled screams and cursing—all except one man, tall as a pine tree with a mustache like an oil slick and eyes like steel.

"I did," he said—or more squeaked, because both Ray's guns were pointing at him now.

"You wanna say it again to my fuckin' face?" Ray asked, walking up to him.

The man gulped. Towards the back of the car, Ryan tied up the burlap sack and hung it on his belt. Instead of starting to fill the other one, though, he eased out his gun.

"Naw, c'mon, say it again," said Ray. "Make my fuckin' day, you beanpole-lookin' ass bitch. Say it so's everybody can hear you."

With a great mustering of grit, the man said, "The Vagabond is gonna get y'all."

"Theeee Vagabond!" Ray hollered, and laughed. "Dumbass. You think the fuckin' tooth fairy's gonna show up, too?"

"Maybe not today," said the man. "Maybe not tomorrow. But y'all's day is comin'."

"How 'bout in the next ten seconds?" Ray asked.

"Don't you do it," Geoff hissed. Ryan was watching, quiet and curious. His finger was on the trigger of his gun, ready to pull. The goons down by the Western Union car had gathered together and were making eyes in their direction.

"Six," Ray said. "Five. Four. Three. Where's he at, hombre? Two. One and a half! Vagabond, hey, you dumb bitch, come get me!"

"Don't you do it, Ray!"

"One. Zero. Sorry, hombre, looks like he ain't comin'."

BANG. BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG.

The man's body jiggled like a pudding before collapsing in a puddle of blood. There were more screams. Ray blew the smoke off his revolver, popped it open and tipped the casings out.

"Anybody else got somethin' stupid to say?" he asked, reloading. "'Cuz I got a whole 'nother gun and a shitload more bullets."

Nobody said a goddamn word.

"Fine. Hand over all the fuckin' money and jewelry you got, and I prob'ly won't shoot nobody else."

"Fuck!" Jack spat. She shoved the conductor to the ground, kicked open the car's door, and took a potshot down the train. Somebody shot back. "Boss, we gotta go, now!"

Geoff grabbed her by the arms and hauled her into the aisle. Ray leapt up into the dead man's seat and shot out the window.

"Go, go!" Geoff said, pushing Jack down the aisle. He whipped out his gun and set his back against hers, keeping an eye on the passengers. "Well folks, it's been real fun, but we gotta be headin' on now! Thanks much for y'all's generosity, and have a good trip!"

Ray emptied his revolver and swapped out for the other one. A bullet smashed through the window in front of him, spraying glass. He flinched, cursed, and shot back.

"Get the kid out," Geoff said to Jack. "Ray! C'mon, we're leavin'!"

"I'm comin'!" Ray snapped. He reloaded one revolver one-handed from his bandoleer while he kept shooting with the other one.

"Don't wait for us, just go," Jack said to Ryan. "They're gonna shoot, but you just ride."

She ushered him out the door, pausing only to yank the purse out of a man's hand on her way out. Geoff backed towards the door, one eye on Ray and one on the passengers.

"Ray!"

He leapt down and dashed for the door. Geoff bolted for the horses. Jack was already mounted up. Ryan's horse was kicking up a fuss, dancing and tossing its head. Geoff snagged its reins and it nearly yanked him off his feet.

"Shit, fuck, goddammit—"

A gunshot snapped out behind them. Geoff whipped around. Ray was backing out of the train car, reloading again. A window exploded. Ray shot back before the glass even hit the ground.

"Put him on my horse!" he yelled over his shoulder.

"You don't—"

Ray fired off another couple shots before sprinting to them. He grabbed Ryan around the waist and threw him up onto his own horse. Ryan scrambled to get situated. Ray jumped up after him and sat down backwards. He popped off another volley towards the train cars.

A pair of hulking enforcers clambered out from between the cars farther down the line. Geoff dashed to his horse, firing from the hip. They ducked back, but as soon as he stopped shooting, they popped out again. Geoff leapt into the saddle and wheeled his horse around.

"Let's go, move, move!"

They lit out like bats out of hell. Bullets whizzed by, muzzle flashes lit up the clouds of dust behind them. Ray dropped to one gun, keeping his elbow locked through Ryan's to stay on the horse. A bullet smacked into Jack's horse and it screamed, tumbling into the dust. Ray tried to jump off after her. Ryan didn't let him.

"Sonnuva—"

"I got her!" Geoff shouted, doubling back. "Y'all go, I got her!"

She was on her feet and shooting by the time he got there. He heaved her up onto his horse. One of the goons had grabbed Ryan's abandoned horse and was riding after them, hellbent.

"Take us under the scarp, I got an idea," Jack said. Geoff kicked his horse and shouted. Ryan and Ray started up the switchback trail up to their encampment. A bullet whizzed past his ear.

"Come on, Blue, come on!" he said, leaning down over the horse's neck. Jack shot back at their pursuer, missing every shot. "Is he gainin'?"

"Of course he's gainin', just keep goin'!"

"Where the hell—"

"Just keep goin'!"

The horse's flanks heaved. Foam flecked its mouth. Dust covered everything. Geoff's ears rang with gunfire. He glanced back over his shoulder. The goon was bearing down on them, gun drawn, teeth bared—

CRACK.

He toppled sideways out of the saddle, bounced, rolled, and did not get up.

"Yeehaw!" Jack cried, punching the air. "Atta boy! C'mon, Geoff, let's get that dumbass horse back."

Geoff reigned in. Jack hopped down. While she hurried back to catch Ryan's horse, Geoff shaded his eyes and looked up to the ridge.

A familiar, poncho-clad silhouette raised a carbine rifle in salute.

Geoff flipped it off.

"Awright, Ray," said Geoff, dropping himself down next to the campfire. "What in the goddamn hell is wrong with you?"

Ray looked up from his dinner. The sun had set, and they'd thrown together a little camp about fifteen miles from the railroad. Firelight danced off of slender pines, and the glittering haul from the robbery. The smell of cooked meat and pine straw filled the air. Dooley was off tending to the horses, and Jack was walking Gavin around to keep him from getting into the food. Ryan had settled in a ways off, absorbed in his whittling.

"What?" said Ray.

"You know what. Back at the train."

"Thought I was savin' y'all's lives. You're welcome."

"It wouldn't've been needed if you hadn't started shootin'!"

Ray shrugged. "Sometimes a bitch needs killin'."

"No, he didn't. And you ain't have to go out on that whole damn monologue, neither."

"Oh, all right, yeah, so that's what you're all fucked up about," said Ray, rolling his eyes. "Grow a pair, Ramsey."

"Maybe on the day you grow some common goddamn sense, you trigger-happy fuck! Maybe on the day you learn to keep your fuckin' mouth shut!"

"Suck my dick, you don't pay me enough to keep quiet. You know what you do pay me for? To shoot folks. Sorry for doin' my fuckin' job, I guess."

Gavin came trotting up from the darkness, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. He climbed into Geoff's lap and tried to lick his face. Geoff shoved him off.

"Get the fuck outta here," he snapped, before returning to Ray. "It ain't your job to shoot first. It is your job to shoot second, once they're already shootin' at us. It sure as hell ain't your job to go engagin' in dumbass stunts like the one you pulled in there!"

"Fine, fuck you, whatever. Next time I'll let the motherfuckers ride your bitch ass down, how'd you like that?"

"Ray," Geoff growled.

"C'mon, now, Boss, ain't no call to get worked up about it," Ryan said. His eyes were on his hands, his voice casual. "Even if the Vagabond's real, it ain't like he was there to hear it."

"I don't got a problem with Ray disrespectin' the Vagabond, Ryan, I got a problem with him fillin' folks with lead just for openin' their damn mouths!"

"Oh, sure," said Ryan. "S'pose that's the reason you been lookin' over your shoulder all evenin', too."

"Marshals," said Geoff, heat rising to his cheeks. "Could be the Marshals are gonna come after us."

"Geoff, it's all right," Jack said, coming up and settling down by the fire. "Ryan's right, there ain't no call to get worked up about it. Gavin and I been all over hell and gone, and there's nobody out here but us. We got our cash, we got away, we're all in one piece—that's a good day!"

Geoff wiggled his mustache. He folded his arms and heaved a sigh.

"Fine," he grumbled. "Good job, everybody. We'll head on for Osceola in the mornin', see if we can't get this shit pawned off. How much we got in cash, meantime?"

"'Bout twenty bucks," said Ray. He tossed the remainder of his cooked rabbit to Gavin, who snapped it up in a heartbeat.

"Ain't great, but it'll hold us for a while," said Jack. "We'll prob'ly get twice that from the jewelry."

"Might almost cover the cost of ammo," Geoff muttered. "Gonna need another horse, too."

Ray got up, licking his fingers. He went over to Ryan and pulled on his hair.

"Hey," he said.

"Hm?" said Ryan, looking up at him.

"C'mon, I need some goddamn unwindin'."

Ryan smiled and put his knife away. "Sure thing, honey."

With another, rougher pull on Ryan's hair, Ray stalked away into the woods. Ryan blew the wood chips off his whittling, stuck it in his pocket, and followed.

With the two of them gone, quiet descended. Gavin slunk over again and sniffed around Geoff's face, looking for more rabbit. Geoff scratched him behind the ears absently.

"You all right, Geoff?" Jack asked.

"I don't know," Geoff sighed. "I don't know. I'm startin' to wonder if maybe...."

"Maybe what?"

He shook his head. Gavin climbed up into his lap and sat down, despite the fact that he was two sizes too big for it. He licked Geoff's ear, tail thumping hopefully.

"Maybe it oughtta have stayed just us," Geoff said.

"What, and set those funny fuckers loose on the world?" said Jack. "Hell naw. We'll temper 'em down in time, just needs a li'l more workin'. Ryan's already got Ray about half as hot as he used to be."

"Yeah, I guess."

Another, longer silence, filled with the crackling of the fire and the distant snorting and nickering of the horses as Dooley brushed them down. The exhaustion was catching up with Geoff, laying heavy on his shoulders, grim and foggy in his head. His heart had not yet stopped racing. His ears had not yet stopped ringing.

It was either going to be a sleepless night, or a drunken one.

"It's all right to be scared," Jack said softly. "You got every reason."

"It ain't that I'm scared, Jack. It's that there ain't a damn thing I can do about it. So long as we're outlaws, it's ... always gonna be there. He is always gonna be there. Waitin'. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but ... someday."

"Well," Jack said slowly. "What if we wasn't outlaws?"

Geoff blinked. He tugged on Gavin's ear. He sat forward and fixed her with a look.

"I'm listenin'," he said.

#MWDFContest #mwdf #ahfic #wild west au #it feels nice to get back into the cowboysthetic #like coming home #misogyny /#violence /#blood /#gore /#alcoholism /

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