It seemed like a long walk from the bar to my horse tied outside. I felt like a dirty pig. My brown trousers were covered with mud and holes, my black collared shirt and brown vest were equally torn, and my boots were worn and uncomfortable. They gave me blisters if I walked too much, but riding in the saddle all day wasn't any good either, if you know what I mean. The only thing that was in good shape was my brown cowboy hat, and my pistol, safely tucked into its holster on my belt.
My name is Sophia Marie Connar, although most people call me Noah. Why, you ask? My long, dirty blonde hair is tucked up into my cowboy hat. That, along with my boy's clothes, give people the impression that I am a young boy, of about eighteen, which is what I intended. My parents left me in an orphanage where I quickly discovered I was unwanted. I ran off to the local bar, disguised as a young boy, knowing that girls were not taken seriously. An older man showed me his gun, taught me how to use one. That's when I realized I could get revenge on the little town where everyone thought of me as scum. Ever since then, the sheriffs have been after me…I may have used that gun too much.
As I climbed onto my horse and gave him a quick pat on the neck, I heard horses' hooves coming fast. Now, normally, I wouldn't be concerned, everyone had a horse, but this noise was the noise of too many horses. I carefully turned in my saddle as I heard a gunshot.
"Shit!" I cursed to myself, kicking my horse into a straight gallop and pulling out my pistol.
As my horse took off, I turned in the saddle, shooting at the men. From my quick aim, I caught a glimpse of a silver medal on the lead man…a sheriff. My eyes widened as I realized who they were. I straightened back around in the saddle and turned my horse sharply. I wasn't quite sure where I was going, I just wanted to get away. I stopped my horse behind a nearby food store and jumped off, stumbling on my blistered feet. I couldn't run fast enough through the back door as I heard men jumping off their horses nearby.
My mistake was running while looking behind me as I bumped into irritated customers until the owner of the store hollered at me to leave. Before I could make it out the front door I ran into a man so hard that I actually fell to the ground. I panted like a dog, jumping back up to my feet, ready for a fast escape.
"Sorry, Sir." I apologized, about to run off but he caught my wrist.
"Come with me." He said calmly.
I froze, looking him over as men started storming in through the back door of the store. As I met the man's confident blue eyes, I traced a hint of sincerity. I didn't care, he was my only hope. He nodded and hurried me out the door where I climbed into his horse-drawn cart. He steered the horse out and eventually we managed to get far enough away, with me hiding in the back of the cart, to feel safe.
Before I could breathe a sigh of relief, the cart stopped. I sat up quickly.
"Wait, they could be following us...why did you..?" I started to ask.
"We lost them for now, but since you are safe, why don't you tell me your name."
"Tell me yours first." I retorted, my hand resting on my holster.
"No need to use that." He replied calmly, not missing a beat. "I am Mr. Tunstall. I own a ranch down the hill, where I have taken in a few wandering boys, turned them into men and in return they work and protect my land and me." He informed me wisely.
"Why are you helping me?" I snapped, still wary of him.
"Because you look like you need it, and I could use another hand at the ranch. Now, what is your name?"
"Soph…I mean, Noah." I replied. I frowned. It was unusual for me to almost give away my real name. I was so used to people calling me Noah.
"Noah." Mr. Tunstall repeated, but I could tell he knew something. "Take off your hat."
"I don't take it off…it's good luck." I lied.
He smiled. "I know what you're hiding, because I know who you are, Miss Sophia."
My jaw started to drop, but I quickly jumped from the wagon instead, pulling out my gun.
"Who the hell are you really and why do you know who I am?" I snapped, the pistol aimed at his heart.
He was very calm, but I heard a horse approaching the wagon. I didn't budge, more afraid of the man in front of me, then of one man on a horse.
"Drop the gun!" The man on horseback ordered.
I glanced over my shoulder, not recognizing the man's face in the least.
"Richard, I have the situation under control. Could you please escort this young man back to the ranch. His name is Noah." Mr. Tunstall informed the man on horseback while looking me straight in the eyes.
The so-called Richard nodded and continued to watch me with a hard look.
"Put your gun away." Richard ordered calmly.
I narrowed my eyes stubbornly and could've sworn I saw a small smile twitch across Mr. Tunstall's face.
I was about to put the pistol safely away, but I heard more horses and stepped back slowly, glaring at Mr. Tunstall and Richard.
"It's alright, Noah, it's just the rest of the boys." Mr. Tunstall informed me.
Five other men on horses came up the hill and stopped all around Mr. Tunstall's cart, scrutinizing my every move. I pointed my gun at each of them.
"Who's the kid?" Steve asked, his cheek full of chewing tobacco.
"Not a kid." I replied snidely, my gun aimed at his forehead.
Steve spit on my boots and I lifted my pistol, aiming to dislocate his jaw with the butt of the pistol, but I was quickly disarmed by a young, cunning boy.
"First rule you gotta learn, kid. We stick together…don't hurt nobody…so ease up."
I narrowed my eyes at the boy, irritated by the arrogant smirk he had plastered across his face.
"Thank you William." Mr. Tunstall smiled at the boy, turning to look at me again. "You see, Noah, they are not so bad. Allow me to formally introduce the boys; Steve Stephens, Richard Brewer, Charles Bowdre, Chavez y Chavez, Josiah Gordon Scurlock and lastly, William H. Bonney."
"Call me Billy," William cut in quickly.
"I'm not inclined to give out favors." I snapped back at him.
"Unless you'd like to lose a finger," Billy warned, pointing my own pistol at my hand which I quickly jammed into my pocket.
"Alright boys, let's head back. You will have plenty of time to chat with Noah, but there is work to be done." Mr. Tunstall dismissed.
They obeyed willingly and Billy gave me one more challenging grin, throwing my pistol back to me, before heading off down the hill with the rest of the boys.
"Hop in, I'll take you home." Mr. Tunstall instructed.
I nodded, holstering my pistol and climbing into the cart once again, letting this man take me to his home.