Hey guys sorry I haven't updated in forever. Hope you enjoy Thx so much for your patience.
Chapter 5 Reunion
"HARUMI?!"
"What are you doing here?!"
Her guard was down and Wrayth was so close to bolting out the inn door he could already feel his boots and socks taking off without him.
"What am I- What are you doing here?!"
Surely he could make it past the blonde idiots before they recovered. Archie was his only real obstacle.
"I'm- Since when did you become a sheriff?!"
Maybe Archie still had a soft spot for him. Eh probably not ,but it was worth the risk if he could just-
"Is this what you've been up to all these years!?"
Ok on the count of three.
"Lloyd I- This isn't what you think!"
One.
"Is someone threatening you, are you in danger?! "
Two.
"No, it's hard to explain."
THRE-Oh !
Wrayth choked on his own gasp as Harumi suddenly muttered a brief curse before slamming the end of her gun into his throat. He fell over as the need to gag overwhelmed him, meanwhile Harumi brandished another strike.
"Stay down!"
Princess,Soldier,Sheriff
As Wrayth crumpled to the floor with a loud groan, Mr. Shaw forcefully stepped forward.
His weapon's aim never left the disgruntled criminal whilst he focused back to the two blondes.
"Look I don't know whatever horseshit is going on right now ,but in case you've suddenly forgotten Sheriff we just found the idiot responsible for my wife's kidnapping."
"Who you calling-" Wrayth hesitantly trailed off as Mr. Shaw's harsh gaze snapped back over to him so hard there was an audible crunch in the air.
"Quiet. I'll get to you soon enough."
The criminal's bronze eyes turned back to the curves in the wooden in the hell did he let this weasel get one over him again?
"M-Mr. Shaw this is- I don't know how to explain this correctly ,but this here is Harumi Jadeson. She's the daughter of our mayor. She's been missing for-" The boy cut himself off as the old man held up a single crooked finger to signal silence. "Don't care. Like I said Sheriff we got something a few notches higher on the priority list dontcha think?" He let the click of his gun rotator speak for itself.
Throughout the entirety of his stay in Jamanikaitown Archer had never seen the lad look so uncertain. His earlier confidence might as well have been one of those corny church plays now that the fear beneath the bravado was staring the old man in the face.
Lloyd looked back to the girl. "Ok ,but…..Harumi can you please tell us(me) what you were doing with him here?"
Harumi's eyes darted between the two. Her posture seemed relaxed only by wariness- a wariness she seemed to know well. She crossed her stiff arms and used scruffy fingers to play with the frayed fabric of her dress then,
"Is that really a question you have to ask? I promised to bring Morro home, Lloyd."
All at once the flow of confusion and anger in the room slowed to a stuttering halt. Wrayth looked back at her like she sprouted wings. A frown slowly etched itself across Lloyd's face as a low sigh left him.
As for Mr. Shaw, the vision of a young man, covered in blood entered his mind. He vividly remembered the look he received that night, the kind enraged enough to banish a saint into the most desolate pits of hell.
She couldn't be serious.
"Harumi?"
"I know what you're gonna say."
"I just- What does this criminal even have to do with it?" Lloyd looked eager to change the subject.
"He's not just a criminal Lloyd. His name is Walter Anderson he's the last surviving member of Morro's squadron, he's the only person who has any idea what happened out there!"
"I-What did he tell you?"
"I was about to get that before you all came barging in!"
"Would you two shut the hell up already!?" All eyes turned to the crouching criminal. His own gaze was focused up at Harumi. " Sorry to disappoint ,but I already told the brod that good for nothing idiot died in a grenade strike. End of story."
Archer closed his eyes.
Those hushed whispers weren't hush enough. They should have shut the doors just a little tighter or just talked a little damn quieter.
"I won't." A voice sobbed.
"I can't." They sobbed again.
"I can't go back!"
The crying stopped. She came out a moment later with the sharpest grin he'd ever seen decorate her face.
"Looks like we've just received a new member."
"Wait." Mr. Shaw suddenly commanded. Everyone's stance turned rigid.
"He's lying."
Wrayth's bronze gaze turned fiery in an instant. Archer had no doubt he'd tackle him if he could.
"Archer."
"The boy's alive."
"TRAITOR!" The bandaged man shot to his feet quicker than a rattlesnake. The blonde idiots both reached for their weapons ,but he was already on the old man.
"YOU MADE A PROMISE! YOU SAID YOU WOULDN'T TELL!"
Archer simply snarled, prying the burn victim off by his elbows.
"All bets were off the moment you took Bonnie!"
"YOU-"
Whatever else Wrayth had to say was cut short by the blunt end of a gun being rammed into his head. Harumi stretched out a hand to help the old man to his feet. As he dusted himself off Archer continued. "I think our goals are actually quite aligned here. Young lady wherever my wife has been taken she'll be waiting. And if she's there I can guarantee you the one you've been searching will be too."
"How do you-Who is she?" Lloyd stuttered.
Mr. Shaw sucked in a breath. " My old boss."
PrincessSoldierSheriff
Bonnie startled. Her awakened eyes rummaged the train seat as Sackhead leaned back with his outstretched hand.
"We're getting off at the next stop. Be ready."
The old woman swallowed. How could they be this close already? What in the hell were they feeding this damn death trap.
Seemingly able to read minds her captor spoke. "We aren't anywhere near the boss yet, we're only stopping to meet with someone."
"Who's someone?" Bonnie asked as she was led to her feet. The usual hustle and bustle of a station was nowhere to be seen as they exited. The old woman quickly realized they were the only ones getting off.
Sackhead didn't bother to reply, only gripping her forearm again as if she'd choose now of all times to make a break for it.
With careful footsteps they entered into the only visible structure within a ten mile radius. An old shack that probably used to be a ticket booth when there was still a town to go with it.
The inside was predictably bare and dusty, but at the very least a mild escape from the scorching heat.
Bonnie scanned the place in befuddlement. Who in the hell would wanna hold up all the way out here? Why would the train even waste the time to stop at this place?
"Good. I was afraid you'd forget to tell the conductor where to stop after you bribed him."
The old woman stiffened. She knew that voice.
A moment later a familiar figure appeared leaning against the wall adjacent to the window seals.
She watched as he regarded Sackhead with practiced ease.
"Our rides are out back. We better get a move on."
He didn't bother addressing her. Figures.
Instead the bastard was busy fiddling with the charcoal black cloth resting just above his right eye socket. Bonnie couldn't believe he still kept the same one all this time. Idiot.
The strange look she bestowed him must have been noticeable because within the next second he approached her.
Bonnie held her breath as she stared into the empty green void that was his left eye.
"He treated you alright, Bansha?"
"You know damn well I hate that name." Even so she still sighed in relief. "And anyways he got me here in one piece if that's what you're asking, Morro."