Chorizo woke up the next morning from another nightmare. He sighed and kept his eyes closed. They were lined in crusty sleep. He rubbed them and layed there. The nightmare repeated over and over in his head.
He snapped his eyes open when he heard a strange noise. He opened his tired eyes and found himself face to face with eight huge, glossy black eyes. Chorizo screamed and scooted backwards as fast as he could from the creature. When Chorizo felt his back brush up against the material of the wagon, he stopped and caught himself before he fell out.
He stared at the creature and didnt recognize it for a moment until he heard laughter from behind it. "Oh, Blanco really got you, si?" Nico laughed as he appeared behind the black spider and wrapped his arms around it. Chorizo clutched his chest, trying to slow down his rapidly beating heart.
Blanco made weird chirping noises before turning his head to Nico and nosing toward his pockets. Nico playfully shoved the spider away. "No, Blanco. I dont have any dead flies in my pockets. I'll get you some later for breakfast," he said as he rubbed the top of the black spider's head. The black spider chirped and leaned in to Nico's hand like a puppy.
Chorizo stayed where he was, staring at the spider. It was almost the same size as Nico, but it was the smallest arachnid in the gypsy tribe. (Chorizo was never officially introduced to the spider, but he didnt really want to be.)
Everyone else had tarantulas, but Blanco was the only black long legged spider with not a lot of hair all over its body. Blanco actually looked sleek, except for when he walked. The only hair Chorizo could see was the little tuft of hair on the top of the spider's head.
Suddenly, Blanco came over to Chorizo. Chorizo flinched and instinctively reached for his gun, but remembered that he didnt have it. Blanco chirped as he lifted his slender long arms up and began to touch Chorizo and then moved his head closer to him and nosed around as if he were sniffing.
Chorizo grimaced as he slowly began to scoot away from it. He didnt like Blanco, especially its' eyes. they were big, like pools of ink, or a hole that could suck you in.
"Blanco," Nico called before whistling. "Chorizo doesnt have dead flies on him either," Nico added and laughed. Blanco turned his head before turning his whole round body around and bouncing back to his master. Nico laughed and hugged his spider.
"Blanco is always looking for dead flies," he laughed. Chorizo nodded his stiff head, but kept his eyes on Blanco. Nico noticed and smiled. "He wont hurt you, he's really nice. I know his little teeth look threatening, but he only eats dead flies, and sometimes ladybugs," Nico said.
"Hm," Chorizo said and continued to stare at Blanco. "...Is he the only black long legged in the group?" Chorizo asked. Nico blinked. "What do you mean?" he asked. Chorizo looked up to Nico for a split second before staring back to Blanco. "Well...he's not a tarantula..." Chorizo pointed out. Nico nodded.
"Si. Blanco is a wild spider. The tarantulas are too, but the gypsies are known for raising their own tarantulas and breeding them to ride and climb walls. Some towns know us and call us The Tarantula People," Nico explained. "I found Blanco when he was this big, Nico said as he placed his hands about a foot apart from each other.
"Kristo allowed me, Sunset and Storm to come along on an exploration through the canyon and learn how to track down tarantulas who ran off. I found Blanco alone in the canyon. His foot was stuck under a boulder. I helped him out and gave him a couple flies." Nico explained. Chorizo looked down at the spiders legs. He spoted one that looked slightly crooked then the others and realized that the spider was actually limping when it walked.
Nico smoothed the tuft of hair down on Blanco's head, but it sprang back to its original state. Nico smiled and hugged it. "After that, he wouldn't stop following me. Kristo allowed me to keep him, as long as I took care of him...I cant keep him with the other arachnids because they tried to kill him when he was in the same pen with them...so he sleeps in the web above this wagon," Nico explained as he nodded his head up toward the direction of the web outside if the wagon.
Chorizo glanced over to where Nico nodded to, but realized he wouldnt be able to see it because of the cover over the wagon; but he knew what he was talking about. He turned back and saw Blanco touching Nico's head with one of his arms. Nico laughed and did the same.
"Kristo told me that Blanco might grow up to be taller then the tarantulas! Blanco's not big enough to ride, but we use him to pull the wagon sometimes," Nico explained. Blanco chirped as if he knew exactly what Nico was saying.
Just then, the flap from the wagon was lifted, bringing in morning light. Chorizo winced and placed his hand over his eyes. Nico looked away as well and Blanco shrieked a small shriek and hid behind Nico. Ezmera appeared staring at the three in the wagon.
"Rise and shine, boys. You ready for breakfast?" she asked. Nico looked up and grinned. Blanco came out of hiding and began to jump up and down and chirp excitedly. "Si! Let's go, Blanco!" Nico said as he started to get up. Blanco chirped as he hobbled around Nico before jumping out the wagon, followed by Nico.
"Come on Chorizo!" Nico called as he disappeared out the wagon. Ezmera laughed before turning back to Chorizo. "Nico is such a sweet thing," she said. Chorizo nodded before getting up and stretching. He followed Ezmera and Nico to outside where everyone was up and preparing for breakfast.
Chorizo watched everyone move about, along with the tarantulas as well. They moved fast and soundlessly along the dirt ground. Chorizo stayed away from them as he made his way to the two long tables and sat down. Sunset and Little Storm were already there. They were grinning from ear to ear, excited for always seemed to be there when there was food. Chorizo could hear there stomachs rumbling.
Across the way, near the boulder, Cronos slowly woke up from his sleep. Chorizo and Cronos made eye contact. They exchanged hateful silent glares before turning away. Chorizo couldnt help but smirk at the bruises he left on Cronos's face.
Just then, Kristo sat down next to Chorizo on his right and began to pull out some utensils from his pockets and hand them to Chorizo. "Take one and pass it down," he ordered gruffly as he took a spoon for himself. Chorizo did the same and handed one to Little Storm.
As he did, he couldnt help but remember back to when Kristo and his wife lied to their own tribe about him. They knew he was an outlaw, but he couldnt see why they would do something like that.
"Kristo?" asked Chorizo. Kristo turned his head to Chorizo. "Yeah?" he asked. Chorizo nodded his head to Ezmera. "How does Ezmera know about me? I have never met her, yet-"
"Ezmera is a fortune teller. She has a very special gift to see glimpses of the future, and the inner spirits of almost every living thing," explained Kristo. Chorizo nodded, but he still wasnt sure to believe it or not. It was somewhat strange of how she knew some things about him...but it must have been a coincidence...no one can really know people just by looking at them...
Kristo continued. "She told me of what she saw, and convinced me to make sure you are allright," Kristo said. Chorizo raised an eyebrow. "What does that mean? Make sure I am allright? Do I die in the future? Do I get captured by a sheriff of a town and get shot down?" he asked. Kristo shrugged.
"All she said is that you must be careful now. Since you are wanted. You are on the edge of where you want to go: Good or bad. You have had a hard past, and you are hesitant on trusting others. You must choose which path you want. We both hope you make the right choice. We care for you, just as much as we do for Nico," Kristo explained as he looked over to where Nico was.
Nico was seen feeding Blanco dead flies. Blanco would sit everytime Nico would place his hand down. Then he would toss the dead fly up into the air, and Blanco would jump up and catch it in his mouth. Nico laughed and hugged his pet spider.
Chorizo looked back to Kristo, who was smiling at Nico. Kristo was a great father to Nico, and Ezmera was a great mother to Nico as well. They were the kind of parents Chorizo wished that they had growin up a long time ago...
Chorizo turned away and stared down at the bowl of soup that was placed before him by Moth. He glared down at his dishwater colored reflection from the soup. He couldnt think anymore. He felt anger rising in him. He didnt have a choice. He was an outlaw! A horrible outlaw! He didnt mean to become one! it just happened! From the anger, Chorizo got out from his seat and stromed off.
...
Chorizo laid in the wagon that he and Nico stayed in at night. He hated how much of the past came back to him. It brought tears to his eyes, but he choked them back down and began to think about where he stood. It angered him immensely, but in some places, it made him grin.
Thinking back to when he and Rinzo ran from the law. It brought him thrill. It brought him excitement, something he would never have experienced if he were still working as a butcher with his real father.
Being an outlaw was what he had grown up to be. It was what was meant for him. He had the talents, the street smarts. It was meant from him. From the moment he got the gift of perfect aim. It was meant for him-
Suddenly, the flap opened, bringing in light. Chorizo winced and turned over on his stomach to see who was interrupting his thoughts. It was Nico and Blanco. "Hola," said Nico as he came in with two bowls of soup. Blanco rushed in and bounced around excitedly. Chorizo sat up and crossed his legs as Nico came in and sat down across from him.
Blanco sat down next to Nico and sniffed the bowls of soup before whipping his head backwards in disgust. Nico smirked at his pider. "This is not for you, Blanco," he said before turning back to Chorizo.
"Kristo told me that you left without eating your breakfast...so I brought it for you," he said as he handed one of the bowls to him. Chorizo accepted it and nodded a silent thanks and sipped the lukewarm liquid into his mouth. It tasted like watery cabbage with bits of meat, but other then that, it was something to keep the stomach from eating itself, so Chorizo swallowed it and tried to ignore the nasty, sour taste. After he was done, he handed the empty bowl back to Nico.
"What are you doing in here?" asked Nico. Chorizo shrugged. "Thinking," he said. Nico took a spoon from his pocket. Blanco grabbed it in his mouth. Nico pulled it out from the spider's tiny mouth and and began to slurp his bowl of soup.
"About what?" he asked. Chorizo stared down at the blankets at his feet. "...About my past...everything," he muttered. Nico stopped eating for a minute and looked up at Chorizo.
He had never looked closely before, but he knew Chorizo had really changed. Past his unwashed matted hair, and bloodshot eyes, and lack of clothes except for his worn boots, belts and serape, Chorizo had really changed from years ago. "What happened? When you left home?" Nico asked. Chorizo didnt look up as he began to rub his fingers against the blanket underneath him.
"I...I dont want to talk about it right now," he admitted. Nico stared at his brother with mixed emotions. Chorizo looked up and saw what he half expected his brother's reaction to be. After a couple seconds of silence, he shook his head. He stared down at the slingshot that he still had with him. Chorizo looked back to Nico and decided to change the subject.
"You want me to show you how to shoot some cans?" he asked. Nico's eyes instantly lit up as Chorizo pulled out the slingshot. "Si!" he said excitedly. Blanco chirped and jumped up and down. Chorizo smiled a small smile.
The two shrews and black spider ran outside and began to set up cans on the boulders on the outside of the camp. Chorizo showed Nico how to use the slingshot properly before stretching the band with the pocket inside, and letting the pebble in the pocket rocket out toward the rusty cans and lime green glass bottles. Unfortunately, Chorizo's aim was missing and he was unable to hit his target. Blanco chirped and limped around them.
Nico tried his luck, but wasn't as good. They took turns aiming for the cans, but nothing happened. Suddenly all the cans and bottles exploded in front of their eyes. Blanco shrieked in surprise and quickly climbed to his web and stayed in the middle of it, high up above out of harms way.
The two shrews gapped and turned around. Kristo stood behind them with his gun over their heads. Chorizo's ears rang loudly, but he ignored it as he stared up at the grey fox. "What are you two doing over here? Aren't you supposed to be getting ready to leave?" he asked them. Nico and Chorizo exchanged glances. "For what?" asked Nico. Kristo pointed over to where two gypsies were untying Cronos from the boulder and placing him into the wagon.
"Remember what I announced yesterday? We were going to exchange Cronos for our freedom," he said.
Suddenly, a loud sound was heard. We all looked up and noticed the twins, Grass and Kito, running toward them. "A bunch of guys on runners are coming!" they both said at the same time. Kristo, Nico and Chorizo all stared past the twins and gasped.
Around twenty to thirty sheriffs and their posse from different towns were seen riding down the canyon and toward the camp. The gypsy camp saw them and began to panic. Women grabbed their children and bolted into their colorful caravans. Men threw tarps over the tables and even Cronos who sat in one of the wagons.
Cronos began to shout and make noise, but stopped when he heard one of the gypsies say that if he made a peep while the men were there, he would cut the iguanas tongue out and feed it to the tarantulas. Cronos was dead silent after that. The rest of the male gypsies grabbed tin items and scrambled inside with their families in the caravans.
As if it were rehearsed, the tarantulas escaped into their holes in the canyon walls, and hid inside. They were trained to hide when strangers came, and knew to listen for the signal to attack if the gypsy camp was in danger.
Kristo motioned his arm for Chorizo and Nico to follow him. "Quickly," he ordered and began to enter back inside the gypsy camp ring. Nico turned to Blanco and told him to hide. Blanco didnt have to be told as he quickly crawled up the wall and into a small hole in the canyon wall behind his web, only he could fit into, and stayed.
Kristo stopped at an object hiding under a grey tarp. He threw the tarp over and revealed a big trunk. He unlatched the leather straps and opened it. "Get in," he ordered. Chorizo obeyed. When he did, he lowered his head so Kristo could lower the lid.
Chorizo was instantly engulfed in darkness and heard the sound of the tarp being thrown back over the trunk. The little bits of light from the small holes in the worn trunk instantly disappeared, making the inside of the trunk pitch black.
The bottom of the trunk began to rumble, as the thundering muffled sound of runners came close and finally stopped at the entrance of the gypsy camp. Chorizo tried making out the words the sheriffs were saying. He only caught little bits and pieces.
"What a pleasant surprise to see you here, sirs," Chorizo heard Kristo say to them. Chorizo listened as the posse began to enter into the camp and tip things over in the process. The items with tarps over them fell to the ground with loud crashes.
One of the sheriff men spoke. "Don't play games with us, Gypsy. We were informed that a wanted, illegal alien and a kidnapped Worthington child was 'ere."
"I have no idea what you are talking about," answered Kristo, trying to sound innocent and clueless as possible. An irritated spat was heard from the sheriff. "Yer a filthy liar, Gypsy. My men and I are gonna search through yer camp. If we find the boys, I'm gonna lock you and your disgusting hybrid family up to rot in the jail." with that, the sheriff snapped his fingers.
Behind him, the others with silver stars on their chests began to spread out and search throughout the camp. Kristo tried to stop them, but they just shoved past him and began to rip away the tarps and turn over everything that was in the camp.
"I told you! My family and I have not seen anyone in weeks! Stop this! You have no right to search my camp!" Kristo shouted angrily. The sheriff he was talking to glared up at the tall fox.
Suddenly he brought out a clean knife and slashed Kristo in the arm. Kristo yowled in surprise and gripped his arm as blood began to flow out of it. He fell to his knees in pain. Ezmera came rushing out of one of the caravans to him. The sheriff stared down at the two and shook his head.
"Disgusting filth," he muttered. Ezmera glared up at the sheriff with hatred. "Perfect words to be describing yourself," she threw back. The sheriff bared his teeth angrily and raised his knife again. This time, Kristo grabbed the sheriff's arm before he could think of slashing his wife.
"Leave my camp!" Kristo shouted angrily. Then he ripped the knife out of the sheriff's hand and tossed it aside. The sheriff glared down at the married couple and spat at their feet. Just then, Kristo turned his head when he heard one of the posse members walk over to the tarp that had Chorizo inside.
Chorizo felt the hairs on the back of his neck stick straight up when he heard the crunching steps of boots over eneven dirt and rocks come closer and closer to his hiding spot. The tarp was heard quickly pulled off the trunk-"No! Leave that alone!" Chorizo heard Nico shout and the sound of running feet was heard and in front of the covered trunk. Chorizo gasped and felt his heart stop.
"Nico," he whispered.
"Git out of the way, gypsy boy," said the posse member that was a porcupine in a dark blue longsleeve shirt and pants. Nico didnt move. His arms were spread out beside him, keeping the porcupine from getting to the trunk. "There's nothing in there but my supply of underpants," he quickly said. Chorizo bit his lower lip, trying not to make a noise for what Nico said.
The porcupine snickered. "Sure. Most likely underpants you stole from someone in town! Move out of the way!" he shouted. Nico wouldnt budge. "I told you what was inside! They are really nasty. Haven't been washed in days!" he answered quickly. The porcupine stopped smiling and glared down at the boy, getting very impatient. "I have had enough of your lies, Gypsy Boy. Move or I'll shoot!" he shouted.
Chorizo felt his whole body go cold.
"No," he said a little loud, but thankfully Kristo and Ezmera said "No" as well, drowning out his voice. "Leave him alone! He hasn't done anything wrong!" Ezmera shouted and began to approach Nico and the porcupine. Instantly, the rest of the posse grabbed her arms to keep her from interfering.
"Last chance, boy. Move," the porcupine commanded. Chorizo held his breath and listened for Nico to finally move. Silence. Chorizo heard the sound of a hammer being pulled back. "I'm going to count to three, an' if you haven't moved on three, I'm going to shoot..." the porcupine threatened.
"Just listen to him, Nico! Please move!" Ezmera pleaded. Chorizo tried to think of a way to stop the porcupine from shooting his brother without revealing himself, but it was hopeless.
Nico didn't move. Kristo, Ezmera, and the other gypsies in the caravans began to shout fro Nico to move, but stopped when a different gunshot was heard, nearly scaring the skin off Chorizo.
"Quiet you freaks!" shouted the first sheriff. Then he nodded his head to the porcupine to start the count. The porcupine nodded back and turned his attention back to Nico.
"One..." started the porcupine. He aimed the gun right at Nico's chest. Nico flinched in fear, but wouldnt move. "Two..." the porcupine continued. He began to slowly pull the trigger. Chorizo bit his lower lip in frustration. Right when he was getting ready to just spring out of the trunk, a chirping sound was heard.
Nico gasped as Blanco suddenly jumped down from above and onto the porcupine's head. "Blanco!" shouted Nico. The porcupine screamed in horror and pulled the trigger.
Bang!
Nico gasped in pain and doubled over. Blanco crawled on the porcupine's face. He got stabbed by a couple of the porcupine's quills. Blanco shrieked, but quickly made some damamge by biting the porcupine in the arm.
The porcupine screamed in pain before grabbing the spider by the neck and chucking him off. Blanco slid against the ground on his back and rolled till he stopped. His arms and body were covered in the porcupine's quills.
Chorizo jumped out of the trunk and looked around. His eyes adjusted from the light and saw what was going on. The posse began to advance forward toward him, Nico and Blanco. Kristo tripped one and grabbed his gun and shot the two holding his wife in the legs. Ezmera got up and quickly ran over to Nico to see if he was allright while Krisot stood in front of them all and protected them.
Then he whistled.
Suddenly, a whole bunch of tarantulas came tumbling and cralwing out of their holes as if from Hell and surrounded the camp. The sheriffs and posse members gasped in horror, stopping dead in their tracks. Instantly, the gypsies came out and held weapons in their hands and stood around Kristo and the others.
The porcupine guy was on the ground, clutching his arm where he got bitten. Blood seeped out of his arm and began to bleed on his sleeve. He looked over to his sheriff, who nodded his head to come back. He obeyed and disappeared amongst the others.
The first sheriff that spoke to Kristo glared at Kristo. Kristo glared back. "Leave. We don't have what you want," he answered as he blocked Chorizo with his body from the sheriff and the others. The sheriff and Kristo glared at one another for a minute. Finally he turned around and flicked his hand up.
"Let's go!" he announced to everyone else. The law men gradually began to turn around and head back to their runners. A couple of them gave the gypsy clan a look before turning around and walking along with the others.
Finally, it was just the porcupine guy. He held his bitten arm out to them and pointed to Blanco. "He aint poisonous, is he?" he asked. Kristo turned to Blanco, then back to the porcupine. "That depends. Put it under some ice for a while. If you don't weake up tomorrow, you have been poisoned," he said.
The porcupine guy's eyes widened in horror. "You bastards! I should lock you up for doing this to m-" "Come on, Quiv. Let's go and put ice on yer arm. I'm sure you are just going to swell up a bit an' that's it," a different sheriff said as he came up to the porcupine, named Quiv, and placed his arm around his shoulder and began to lead him away from the Tarantula People.
He looked over his shoulder and eyed the gypsies before turning back and walking with Quiv with the others. Soon, all of the law men were on their runners and rosde back up the canyon and were gone.
Nico groaned in pain. Everyone quickly turned their attention to him. "Nico! Are you allright-? started Painted Sunset. "Make room! Give him some air!" said Kristo as he waved everyone away. Everyone took a step back and made a big circle around Ezmera, Nico, and Chorizo.
Chorizo stared down at Nico in horror. He saw a red blot on Nico's shirt get bigger and bigger. Chorizo felt tears come to his eyes as he began to remember back to when he saw Edwardo and Rinzo in the same situations. He took a step back and felt his heart pounding loudly in his ears, muffling the voices of the gypsies.
It's...its happening again! his mind screamed. "N-Nico..." he squeaked and felt his legs give in. Chorizo fell to his knees as he stared at his wounded younger brother. Chorizo felt a hand clap down on his shoulder, but he didnt care, even when the person was talking to him, seeing if he was allright, but all he could hear was the blood rushing in his ears.
Ezmera picked up Nico and began to carry him to her caravan, Kristo followed. Everyone watched as they both walked up the wooden steps and into the painted wagon. Kristo stopped before turning around.
"Our plan to take the Worthington child has been postponed. Tomorrow, we leave this place and find another place...and Nico is going to be ok, do not worry," he said as he turned to Chorizo. With that, Kristo closed the door, and everything went dead quiet.
Gradually, everyone began to leave; One by one, till it was just Chorizo.
...
When night came, Chorizo didnt move from his spot. He waited outside of Ezmera and Kristo's wagon. Even when it was dinner time, he didn't join the others. He stood, too anxious to even sit down. His eyes were glued to the door, hoping that Nico would come out and walk down the steps, bandaged up and all right. He fingered his slingshot as he waited.
His stomach began to hurt and gave off a sharp twinge of pain every so often. He felt very guilty for not revealing himself and helping Nico. Why didn't Nico move out of the way if he knew he was going to get shot? Chorizo kicked the ground angrily. Then he lifted his hands up to his head and began to bash himself.
Stupid! Its all your fault Nico got shot! You murdered everyone close to you! Why are you alive?! A bitter voice shouted in his head. He continued bashing his head till his fists became wet in his own blood and he began to see stars dance in front of his eyes. He collapsed to the ground and felt tears run down his face. He stayed like that for a while till he struggled to sit upright on his legs.
Suddenly, he felt something nudge his shoulder. He turned his wet head and saw Blanco standing behind him. Blanco had a bunch of little white band-aids all over his body where he made contact with Quiv's quills. He was walking slower then usual since he was in some pain, but other then that, he was ok.
Blanco chirped a small, sad chirp. Chorizo stared at the big spider before turning around to face the spider. He hesitated before placing his hand on top of the spider's head. Blanco made a weird purring sound and acepted his touch and moved closer. Chorizo tensed up, but gradually relaxed and wrapped his arms around the spider for comfort.
Just then, Painted Sunset and Little Storm appeared. Chorizo quickly moved away from Blanco and looked away. He wiped the tears from his eyes and stared down at the ground. "Hey, Chorizo...you doing ok?" asked Sunset. Chorizo straightened up a bit and silently nodded.
Sunset and Storm exchanged sad glances before turning back to the shrew. "How's...how's Nico? Do you think he will be ok?" asked Sunset. Chorizo didnt move or say anything. He thought about Nico, with a bullet lodged into his side and losing blood. Screaming in pain and agony as Ezmera tried her best to help him...
He finally turned to the two indian boys, then looked down at the ground again. "I...I don't know..." he said. They exchanged sad glances again before walking up to him and patting his shoulder. "We are very sorry, Ojos Rojos Diablo...Nico is strong...he will pull through..." said Sunset.
Just then, Little Storn began to yawn tiredly. Sunset turne to him. He asked him a question in his language. Little Storm nodded. His eyes were half open as he tried keeping his head up. Sunset turned back to Chorizo.
"Sorry, Cho. Its time for us to head to bed, buenos noches," he said. Chorizo nodded his head, but didnt move from his spot. "Come, Blanco," called Sunset. Blanco hesitated. He turned to Sunset, then to Chorizo.
Finally, he sat down next to Chorizo and nudged his head against the outlaw. Sunset smiled a small smile before turning back and placing his arm around Storm to lead him to their wagon where they and Blanco sat on the cold dirt ground, waiting for the news on Nico.
...
An hour passed. Chorizo could feel his eyes getting heavy, but he blinked to keep himself awake. Blanco fell asleep a half hour ago and was curled up next to Chorizo, snoozing away. Chorizo sighed and got up. He didnt want to wait any longer. He needed to see if Nico was ok. With that, he began to quietly walk to the caravan.
He walked up the wooden steps and stopped at the closed door. He knocked quietly. Silence. He placed his ear to the door. Silence. Finally, he decided to go ahead and enter. He turned the handle on the door and pushed. The door slowly creaked open. Inside it was dark. Chorizo's eyes adjusted to the darkness. A little bit of moonlight came into the caravan, helping Chorizo peer inside.
Kristo and Ezmera were both sleeping on chairs next to their bed. Ezmera had her head resting on Kristo's shoulder. Kristo had his arm draped over his wife's arm as he snored away. Chorizo took one step inside and stared straight at the bed. Nestled in the bed, tucked in with covers, was Nico. Chorizo felt a lump form in his throat, but swallowed it down as he took a couple more steps closer.
He stared down at his brother. Nico laid in the bed, asleep. His breath was small and low as he slept. Chorizo felt most of his worries wash away from him. Nico was alive...thanks to Ezmera and Kristo. They made sure he was ok...no thanks to him...
This is all your doing. This is all your fault...
Chorizo looked away from his younger brother as he felt tears come to his eyes, but then felt them disappear again. He had lost so many tears over people he knew and died. It hurt him so much for what they have done for him...and for their repayment, they died...all because of him...
Chorizo placed his hands over his eyes. His shoulders trembled. He didnt want to live like this anymore. He wanted to stop seeing so many loved ones die in front of his eyes.
Run away... A voice said in Chorizo's head.
Run away from this place. Nico and the others will be safer if you are not around...the voice continued. Chorizo looked up from his hands. He had already done that. He has ran away countless times, and everytime he did, it got worse and worse..but what other choice did he have? If he stayed with Nico and the Gypsies much longer, the town sheriffs and law men will find them again and shoot them.
Chorizo cringed at the thought. It was settled. He turned back to Nico. His fingers brushed up against his slingshot. He turned his head down and lifted it up from the loop it hung from. He stared at the worn toy he had for many years...Chorizo turned back to Nico before sighing in sadness.
He left the slingshot on top of Nico's bed. "I'm sorry, Nico...I wish I..." he whispered, then bit his lip. After a couple minutes of guilty silence, Chorizo continued in a whisper. "I wish I was a better brother...but I'm not...I'm not the one you deserve. I am a horrible sibling to look up to...please understand what I am doing is for your own safety...I am a..." he hesitated on the last part. "I am a...wanted outlaw...and I cant let you risk your life for me anymore...I'm sorry, Nico...I love you..." he finally said.
With that, he turned around and began walking out of the caravan, and to the door. He quietly closed the door and walked down the steps. He began to walk out of the gypsy camp when he heard a chirp. Chorizo turned and noticed Blanco, awake and standing right behind him. Chorizo patted Blanco's head. "I'm sorry, Blanco...its what needs to happen..."he said, then wondered why he was even talking to a spider in the first place.
Blanco seemed to understand what was going on and chirped sadly as he grabbed the end of Chorizo's serape by his fangs and began to tug, telling him to stay. Chorizo pulled the serape out of Blanco's mouth and ruffled the little tuft of hair on top of the black spider's head.
"I will come back...soon...I promise...Take care of Nico for me, ok?" he asked. Blanco seemed to nod his head, then nudged his head against Chorizo. Chorizo hugged the spider. "Goodbye, Blanco. I will miss you and Nico, and the others," he siad in a low voice. With that, he straightened up and moved away from the spider. Blancostood there and watched Chorizo leave. He chirped sadly and laid down on the ground and rested his head on the dirt like a sad puppy.
Chorizo walked out of the gypsy camp and began walking toward the zig-zagged pathway that went up and out of the canyon. He looked out at the starry night sky and breathed in the warm air. He sighed and placed his arms out a bit as the breeze rustled his matted fur and tugged at his worn serape.
He lowered them and stared out at the flat desert land. The paper white moon hung there in the sky by an invisible thread, illuminating his path for him. He sighed as he searched as far as his eyes could see if there was a possible town in the distance. He guessed which direction to go and began to walk. He hesitated to a stop and looked down at the gypsy camp below him.
"Goodbye..." he whispered sadly. Then he began to walk into the desert night, hopefully going the right direction toward another town...
...