A large gust of grainy wind hit Joe and Bill as the pair exited the warm interior of Clarksons. Four men stood lined up outside the building, some clenching rifles, others revolvers.

  As they descended the last of the wooden steps, Carl walked forward, separating himself from his goons.

  “Glad you could join us – Reaper” He cheerfully exclaimed, hands gesturing in the air. His wide smile made it seem like he was enjoying the situation.

  Bill eyed the men as he spat onto the ground

  “Enough with the circus”

  His dim red eyes glared intently at Carl “ I could arrest you for disrupting the public order”

  “ Or, I could just kill him” Joe added

  “Very scary” Carl said as he pretended to shiver. He put his hand over his face, slightly shaking his head “ But I'm not here to fight you Joe. You see, I'm just here to give a warning”

  “ That's not what we agreed!” Edward suddenly yelled, causing all the men present to look in his direction.

  “ I told you not to interrupt!” Carl yelled as he turned around

  Joe patted his holster “Don't blame him Carl, he’s still mad about me killing his brother”

  Edward's eyes bulged as he grinded his teeth, the man's face could be likened to a ripe and harry tomato.

  Carl stroked his chin as he eyed Joe “So It was you then”

  He stood still, looking down slightly as his eyes shrank

  “That changes things you see. Mayor of Carod is offering a lot of money for your head”

  Edwards eyes flashed upon seeing the shift in Carl's demeanor

  “ That's right. All you have to do is kill this bastard and my father will compensate you plenty!”

  Suddenly Carl laughed maniacally as he stared wide eyed at Joe “Funny how money changes things – isn't that right, Reaper?'”

  Carl lowered his hands towards his waist as he stared intently at Joe. Widening his stance, he spat onto the ground.

  “Reaper!” He yelled

  “ I challenge you to a duel!”

  Townsfolk cleared the streets in a hurry as several patrons from Clarksons stood outside the entrance, eying the duo.

  Carl began walking towards Joe as the latter stood still. He continued moving until they stood about 15 meters apart. Joe clenched his teeth as his eyes darted in between Carl and his goons like a pendulum. He slowly lowered his right hand onto his hip – the left moving in front so that it covered his fingers.

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  Without being ordered, all of the goons moved from behind Carl, as they walked to the side of the road. Bill backed away, as he kept his hand ready.

  Silence ensued as the softer but piercing afternoon sun met Joe in the eyes. The wind whined as it caused their hats to slightly lift. Both were wide eyed as they hovered their fingers above their revolvers. Like statues they stood perfectly still, waiting for any quick movement from the other.

  A minute passed as nothing but the wind could be heard. By this point, a large crowd had occupied all surrounding buildings, most townsfolk poking through their blinds . Hushed rebukes could be heard coming from parents covering the eyes of their children, as they tried to pry them away.

  Suddenly Carl drew his gun, firing once before a bullet hit his revolver – sending it crashing onto the ground.

  Cocking his head, he saw Joe leaning to the right, smoke flowing from his gun

  “ Fuck” He blurted out as he nervously fidgeted for his other piece

  Joe squinted as he raised his silver piece. Grimacing, he stared at Carl before pulling the trigger

  Carl gasped as the bullet hit him in the chest.

  Coughing he attempted to fire another shot but was struck in his left arm.

  “ Dammit” He groaned, collapsing onto the ground. Blood poured from his body as it was absorbed into the endless yellow sea beneath him

  Sounds of spurs could be heard as Joe made his way to carl

  “ STAY AWAY!” Carl blurted out, his voice noticeably weaker.

  Clutching his ribcage he tried to push himself up but fell down. The sounds of spurs only increased until a silhouette stood directly above him

  “I'm sorry, It was my mistake. Just let me leave and I’ll never show my face here again!” He yelled, voice cracking, but there was no response. Instead the metallic ringing only got louder until it stopped right next to him

  Carl felt the light disappear as his arms began relaxing involuntarily. Flashes of people he had met throughout the years appeared as he began to feel increasingly colder. Smiling he strained his eyes with whatever remaining strength he had left. What appeared could best be described as a hooded silhouette, akin to a demon – here to finally take his soul for all wrong he had done.

  “Reaper” Carl said, pupils quivering, as the figure disappeared and he saw the barrel of a gun pointed straight at him.

  BANG

  Joe blew off the smoke coming from the neck of his revolver then spinned it so that it landed in his holster.

  Looking at the man who had just been standing before him he felt his hand slightly shaking

  He had it coming

  Dismissing the odd feeling, Joe took a knee, proceeding to search through the deceased man’s belongings. Joe paused as he grabbed the black steel revolver he had just been facing. A fine piece, not any less compared to his own. Satisfied with his trophy, he put it into his jacket.

  He then grabbed Carl's cold arm, rolling up the sleeve to his stained suit as he eyed the wristwatch on his forearm. Army issue. He had once worn an identical piece, a long time ago.

  Feeling a sour taste in his mouth, Joe stood up again as he left the body.

  Bill approached Joe as the latter hovered above the dead man. “ You did what you had to do”

  By this point shocked onlookers were trying to see the corpse of Carl, some walking around trying to get a peek.

  “ Nothing to see here folks” Bill said as he faced the crowd “The threat has been dealt with!”

  People showed respect by quickly dispersing, everyone at least pretending as if nothing had happened.

  Only after the last people had left, Bill turned towards Joe again “ His goons have already left. So much for loyalty”

  “ That's to be expected. By their attire they'd probably be hired guns” Joe dismissed, Loyalty was a rare thing amongst his kind, especially when it had been bought by money.

  Bill looked beyond the border of the town, into the dry and arid lands that extended far into the horizon. He knew the reason for it being popular with outlaws was its desolate location, but that meant they were exposed. They had managed to ride out past gangs and criminals but his gut told him something had changed. The past few months had been more hectic than the last 20 years as a law man. Scratching his chin, he could not help but think back to something he was told a few months before

  “ As much as i don't want to admit it, I think those buckeyes will be back for more trouble”

  “ Ur Right sheriff” Joe said, pausing for a brief moment “ It's probably best I leave for the safety of your town”

  Bill eyed Joe, chuckling slightly as his hand grabbed the shoulder of the latter. “Trying to leave all the hard work for an old man?”

  Joe's eyes widened as he slowly looked away. Bill swore he caught a glimpse of a small crack on his lips, but looking back that might just have been the heat playing tricks.

  Joe stared into the eyes of Bill. He had stared down many men, but somehow the bright eyes of the sheriff gave him a bigger challenge than most.

  “You win sheriff, tell me what ya need help with” Joe exhaled, breaking eye contact from the happy looking older man.

  Joe had a soft spot for the elderly and children, and it seemed Bill was no different.

  Bill looked the happies Joe had seen him ever since their initial confrontation at Frank’s.

  “ You’ll need some new clothes and a badge. I’ll tell one of the deputies to deal with the bounty, we’ve got more important things to attend to”