Chapter 1

The last moments of a sunset lingered as the sky showcased its colors. The yellows, oranges, and reds lit the horizon before it's fire was put out. Just like any other Friday night, the air was filled with the usual. Smoke was blown from the saloons, laughter was heard over the clinking of glasses, and trouble hid in the shadows. The alleyways, near The Long Branch, were the perfect host. The group of strangers waited patiently as the night of fun was just getting started.

"You shoulda been there, Matthew." Festus started his story, "If I hadn't seen it with my own two eye balls," he shook his head and laughed, "I just wouldn't never believed it."

"Do you have to tell this story again?" Doc pleaded.

"Well, Doc... Ol' Matthew has been gone." Festus explained, "I ain't had a chance to tell 'em about our trip."

Matt smiled and took a sip of beer, "Yeah, Doc." Matt teased, "This was one fishing trip I'm sorry I missed."

Doc swiped his mustache and shook his head in disbelief.

Festus continued, "Well, ya know we left yesterday afternoon. We got us a wagon and hit the road after lunch. We set up our poles on the bank and sat back while we waited. Boy was it hot. Hour or two passes, and I got me a whole bushel of fish." Festus pointed at Doc, "Ol' Doc here hadn't had one nibble all afternoon."

"It's because you kept scaring my fish away." Doc reminded him, "All that hootin and hollerin... and non-sense carryin on. They swam away."

"Oh Doc. That ain't true." Festus corrected, "It's because you wasn't puttin your worms on right."

"I know how to put a worm on a hook." Doc sat up, "I've been baitin hooks longer than you've known what one was." He sat back, "Hurry up with this story. My hair is greying by the minute."

Festus looked at Doc, "This story ain't got nothin to do with your hair." Doc wiped his hand across his face. Festus continued, "Back to fishing... Doc here finally got him a bite, Matthew. It was a big-in. We jumped up. He grabbed his pole and started pulling the line in. The pull was so strong it started pullin this ol' goat in." Festus pointed at Doc and started laughing. "Then all at once, the line snaps and Doc falls face first in the water." Festus collapsed in laughter.

Doc rolled his eyes. Matt smiled and chuckled as he took a swig of beer.

"Sounds like some trip, Doc." Matt picked. "I don't know what I would've done."

"Same thing he did," Doc glared at Festus as he still laughed, "absolutely nothing."

"I pulled ya out, didn't I?" Festus asked.

"After you knocked me down three more times." Doc recalled.

"Well if you hadn't been so dagblame stubborn and listen to what I was tellin ya, you wouldn't landed on your backside so much." Festus sugested, "What if I hadn't been there? That there snappin turtle would've had your hide for dinner."

"If you hadn't been there, I would have a pale full of fish and lower blood pressure." Doc reminded, "Instead, I have a bruised behind and a headache with nothing to show for it."

"Ain't cha got somethin for them there headaches?" Festus asked.

"Yeah, it's called time away from you." Doc swiped his mustache and took a sip of beer. Matt grinned as he did the same. Festus just shook his head.

Kitty walked over and stood beside Matt. She placed her hand on his shoulder, "I'm guessing by Doc's expression, you just heard about their recent fishing trip." Kitty smiled.

Matt laughed, "Yep. I got the condensed version."

"I got the whole story... detail by detail." Kitty winked at Doc.

"Well, I lived the story. I have now heard another two encores and a slightly embellished version." Doc stood, "Thanks for the beer Kitty. I'm calling it a night."

"Get some rest, Doc." Kitty encouraged. "We'll see ya tomorrow, refreshed."

Doc nodded and walked toward the doors. Festus stood and followed, "I'll go with ya, Doc."

Doc turned, "Why?"

"Make sure you take somethin for that head of yours." Festus answered, "Cant have you gettin sick and dyin on me. I wouldn't have no body to go fishin' with me anymore."

Doc swiped his mustache, "If I only had that kinda luck." He pushed through the doors. Festus followed behind, "Wait on me, Doc."

Matt and Kitty laughed. Matt stood, "You gotta minute?" and pulled a chair out.

"Sure." Kitty sat and propped her elbows on the table. "What's on your mind, Cowboy?" She smiled.

Matt hesitated, "I got a wire today from Salina."

"Is something wrong?" Concern replaced her smile.

"There's trouble. Wire said there's a rather dangerous group of outlaws on the run. Call themselves The Angels of Fire. Individual names haven't been released yet, and their whereabouts are unknown." Matt informed.

"Angels of Fire?" Kitty asked.

Matt nodded as he took a sip of beer. "They set fire to houses, businesses, and even people. While the town's protection is down, they rob whoever they can. Like if Festus, Newly, or myself, are putting the fire out, they will rob the bank or something."

"What do I need to look for?" Kitty knew from years of experience, Matt was asking her to keep her eyes on for drifters coming in and out if the saloon.

"Unfamiliar faces with boastful personalities to start with. They haven't figured out how The Angels are getting in and learning the ways of each town so quickly. They're gone long before any suspicion can rise. They may already be here. If they are, you'll be the one to know."

"If all these other law enforcers can't catch 'em... What makes you think we will have any better luck?" Kitty questioned.

Matt smiled. "Because I have something they don't have."

"What would that be?" Kitty grinned knowingly.

"A red head with brains and beauty." Matt winked. "Someone who can find dirt they didn't even know was there to dig up."

Kitty laughed. "I'm a expert in this game."

"I know." Matt smiled, "You know all the technicalities that go along with it."

"I'll keep my eyes and ears open.'" Kitty stood, "I have to finish up some things in my office. I have a new girl coming in tonight and she should be here anytime."

"Thanks, Kitty." Matt stood and placed his hat on his head, "Good luck. I'll see ya later?"

"I'll be here." Kitty smiled warmly. Matt did the same and walked out the doors.

A blonde walked down a quiet boardwalk. As she walked past the alley of The Long Branch, two men jumped out and grabbed her. A hand suppressed a faint scream. They pulled her in the darkness. Matt walked out of the batwing doors and started out. He passed the alley to begin his nightly rounds. The four bodies where as ghost and waited for him to pass...

TBC