A mans gotta do what a mans gotta do: by Sharon Bartko
(Chapter 1)
They say a good man always plays by the rules. Thou shall not lie, cheat, steal or kill. I believe in eye for an eye, but if a man truly atones for his crimes, should he pay for his past? I believe so. Once a man has a taste for blood, there is no changing the beast. I have seen things you can't even describe. When you come to a crime scene and you see a victim with his/her throat cut, you can only place one word for the bastard. Monster.
That is where I come in. I am a bounty hunter, Jake, not Jacob, I absolutely hate my full name. That's the name my mum called me whenever I was in trouble. And I was in trouble, alot. Oh damn it, I get distracted alot in this little story, so bear with me. I am Jake the bounty hunter. A bounty hunter of some renown because I have a particular way of going on hunts. The king realizes my expertise and I am of great value to him. Whenever someone commits a murder, I am the first he contacts. If I am busy, he sends another out to bring the murderer to justice. They don't come quietly, I have the kings consent to kill. Then I collect the reward. Although King Logan has been sending me on some odd hunts recently. A few times he asked me to come to the castle in person to tell me to 'see off' some protestors. Now, there is only one reason why you would contact a bounty hunter and that is not to be a crowd control guard. I tell him I only kill when necessary and of course he kicks me out of the castle. Not himself I add.
My history? I come from a family who was high on military statistics. My father and two brothers enlisted. All three died, leaving a widowed wife, one son and daughter with disabilities behind. My little sister, Jennifer who is five years younger than me, was left to grieve and survive. I became the man of the house, at the ripe old age of sixteen, a title I protected with my life, being responsible for income and caring for my mother and sister. My mother died later of a broken heart a year later. Of course the king may tell you otherwise...she got sick, age or whatever, but I believe she was depressed after her husband died. Call me a hopeless romantic if you will, but the military takes its toll on families and before you think that I don't support the military, save your breath. I never joined myself because I wasn't cut out for it. I was never punctual, clean cut or strict. Oh no. In fact, I am completely my own person, arrive when I want to, do it when I want to and be myself. The in-your-face-snap-our-fingers-and-it-better-be-done-or-else-we-punish-you agenda turned me off. I had a sharp eye though and I didn't want that Avo given ability to go to waste. At the age of eighteen I bought my first pistol. I would practice in the safety of the small wooded areas around Bowerstone Industrial shooting cans dead center off the tree stumps from seventy yards away. Pretty impressive, right? So I took that ability and performed various (and I can not believe I am going to say this) circus *cringe* acts. A few people watched in awe as a young man they never heard of shoot cans off of things. Upside down, with my opposite hand, with my eyes closed, standing on my hand...you name it. One man even challenged me to shoot with my feet but my toes couldn't pull the trigger. That wasn't a huge issue and I only got more popular as the days past. The crowd would only double and I was pulling in at least one hundred gold a day. More than enough to keep my little sister alive. I earned the nickname 'Bullseye Jake' by my adorers. That was ancient history. Fast forward ten years.
My latest bounty caught my eye. It was hand delivered to my doorstep by King Logan himself.
"This one may give you a challenge." I remember him saying. I held the parchment as he spoke. "He was last seen in Mistpeak Valley in Chillbreath Caverns. Kill if he doesn't come peacefully." He said no other clues as description, location or his crime but if the king wants him dead he must be one of the worst.
"What is that?" My long term girlfriend asked. "The king hardly ever gives you bounties in person."
Oh...she is so astute. That is one of the millions of things I love about her. Quick to the punch. Sharp on her feet.
"It is a bounty. Some bastard holed up in Chillbreath Caverns in Mistpeak by the name of 'Slash'. Could only mean he is a butcher of some sort."
"Sounds dangerous. Please be careful. I worry about you every time you are assigned these." She said as she approached me.
"You don't worry about me. I am 'Bullseye Jake', remember?" I say with a smile.
"You say I shouldn't but I do." She places her hands around my waist and I meet her lips in a deep kiss.
"I should get going." I say after we broke apart. "It is a three week round trip to Mistpeak and an even longer task of finding this scum. I will return to you a little after a month. I have a surprise for you when I return." I turned to pack a few essentials; food, clothes, and a gold ring I secretly pack in a duffle bag when she wasn't looking.
'I can't have her finding this when I am gone.' I thought.
One last thing before I leave. My fathers pistol. It was one of the most beautiful firearm I have ever laid eyes on. It had gold and silver trim along the barrel of the pistol and wrapped black leather handle. It almost glowed with a certain...history. All of my fathers have used it in war. My fathers fathers father used it in Hollowman attacks at fort Mourningwood. Passed down generations of Jake's and now I have it.
Throwing the bag over my shoulder and kiss the love of my life goodbye. I look to the open road and I can feel her looking at me as I disappear into the city.