FOR HE WAS OUR FATHER

Strawberry, West Elizabeth

Slayer's hide was dirty. So, at the moment Lemy was brushing his coat clean of all dirt to make him shine. Campsite was quiet and tidy, despite the fact it was located in an area covered by trees. It looked clean and well tended to. That was probably Lyle and Bobby keeping it clean however.

Once finished, Lem lit up a cigarette and inhaled the smoke into his lungs. Would he possibly get sick down the line because of it? Maybe, but right now he is as young and healthy as one could be. The only thing that could ever kill him would be a bullet to the back of the skull. And he ain't planning on dying anytime soon either.

Taking a seat on his bed roll he grabbed a deck of cards of his and shuffled them out of boredom. Re-calling back to the job assignment from earlier that morning, he wondered if they could have hustled that station clerk for more cash than what had been given to them? A measly ten dollars was too low for him and his brothers. Maybe some more jobs can spring up for them in this small town, but eventually they would have to move on. Lincoln's letters should provide more information once they arrived, if any actually did to begin with.

"Damn, I'm bored." He proclaimed to no-one, but himself.

His mind did linger back to a previous thought, one harassing him with an uncomfortable itch. Once Bobby got back from the stables and Lyle ended his unexpected date with that city girl could all three have this conversation together.

Back in Strawberry, Lyle the callous and pessimistic outdoorsman who despises human civilization was making a hypocrite of himself before the eyes of this young girl by his side. Here he was attempting to appear somewhat civilized to Gloom, who in return was silently giggling at his courteousness. Both currently ate lunch at the Bed and Breakfast his brother Bobby had rented out enjoying the sweet meal of hot smash potatoes and bacon with a side dish of fresh grapes and berries alongside a glass of grape juice to quench their thirsts.

"I love the juice. It's delicious." Gloom said.

"Yeah...it's good. Don't really have much of it." Lyle placed down his fork, gulping down his chewed bacon, "I normally just drink water. Liquor when in town. Fruit juice is a luxury I can't afford to enjoy very often."

Both enjoyed each other's company, a rare trait for the mountain dweller. He would much rather stick to his cabin and keep the company of four legged critters over the ones that walked on two legs. It was nice however, being around her, it felt…really great. Not a feeling he is accustomed to that very often, but with Gloom it felt so relaxing, especially so since those two weren't around to spoil his midday lunch. He sewers he will knock them both on their asses if they dare show either of their faces, nah, just Lemy will do, Bobby is a good kid.

"My train arrives tomorrow. I'll be gone by the evening before 9am." Gloom wiped her mouth with a napkin as Lyle observed her.

"Oh…" This was unexpected to hear for him, "Where…where were you heading off to? If it's alright for me to ask?"

"Well…" Gloom raised her hand and began to count with her fingers, "I was originally supposed to return back to Saint Denis where my mother and sister are currently staying, but I'm taking a detour out into the heartlands for the time being."

"Its' beautiful country out there. You may just fall in love. Leave behind that city life for one a simple cabin in the woods." Lyle smiled.

"That does sound nice. But what would poor little ol' me do all by herself deep in the frontier?" Gloom returned the smile, egging him on.

"Some company never hurts. Got someone in mind?" Lyle smirked mischievously, much to Gloom's satisfaction.

"Maybe. Someone to share the bed with and help out with the washing would be lovely." Gloom leaned over to him, revealing a small glance of her cleavage. She was a very well-endowed young woman and Lyle resisted against all his urges to not break eye-contact and stare below.

He was enjoying this side of her and they've only been around each other for a mere two days. Hopefully more could come about this friendly interaction, but that was just his own dirty mind making up scenarios. He still had time before meeting up with the others, Gloom was making this extended stay a pleasant one.

At the postal office Lemy and Bobby met up to talk with Hector. The mail carriage had just arrived in town and both were eager to see if any correspondence for their father had come about. Both waited for the small crowd of townsfolk to disperse from the office before they walked in. Avoid any curious eyes that may seek unwanted questions from the two cowboys. Once inside the lingered about as one last person was having an argument with Hector.

"Why should I pay an extra .10 cents for this letter? It's only being sent to Atlanta, not bloody New York City!" The man exclaimed.

Before the argument could carry on, Lemy grabbed the man by the shoulder and forcibly dragged him out of the small office, "Get lost peasant!". With a single shove he threw the man out landing flat on the muddy street.

"What are you two doing? That man will notify the sheriff and I'll-'' Bobby retrieved his revolver and calmly placed it on the counter, finger on the trigger, shutting up Hector.

"It's mail day and we have been very patient about it." Lemy notified the concerned clerk, "Show us the bag. Now."

Across town Lyle walked Gloom back to her hotel. Both spoke on various topics all ranging from the smallest details to the bigger picture. The longer he remained by her side the softer his heart was becoming. It was strange, yet he liked it. A raw feeling he hadn't felt in a very long time. He was beginning to wonder what it could all mean?

"We're here." Her voice called out to him.

"We are." Lyle nodded.

The sun was still high above them. The cool breeze escaping from the mountain engulfed them with a satisfying sensation. Lyle kept his eyes on her blue eyes admiring her beauty much to the younger woman's bashfulness. Gloom stood about twirling her fingers with anxiousness, her mouth attempting to carry out a given sentence, but she herself was hesitant to allow it.

"Is everything alright?" Lyle asked, noticing her rare behavior.

"I was just...well what I want to say is…" A heavy color flared up across her countenance, eyes unable to match his as the words struggled to escape her savoring pinkish lips.

"Do you…want to come in? My room, that is?" Lyle himself now had an understanding idea of what was happening and he himself developed a similar behavior as the nervous girl before him.

"Oh. I...that is…" Lyle had never felt so excited, granted there was a hint of actual shyness from his part rearing its face, but it was all the same to him.

"Please forget I ever said that. I'm so sorry for even speaking so brashly!" Gloom took off in humiliation, but Lyle stopped her before she could disappear inside the hotel.

Holding on to her hand he spoke sweetly at her, "It's all okay. Don't be ashamed of yourself, you are perfect. I would love to-"

His confirmation was rudely interrupted by the obnoxious voice of his older brother beckoning from across the street. Snapping his head towards the direction of that damn voice Lyle glared murderously at Lemy who continued to shout his name without care. Bobby was beside him, keeping quiet and holding a letter in hand which he waved for Lyle to see.

"Hey we got to go!" Lemy shouted, earning more hatred from his brother.

"I guess we'll leave it like that for now. " Gloom smiled and let go of his hand, "I'll be waiting."

Lyle smiled graciously at her and never took his eyes away from her figure until she disappeared past them doors. Once she was gone his serene countenance morphed to one of petty anger and he quickly marched over to his two brothers. They had cost him what could have been a sweet night alone with her and he was itching to strangle Lemy to death. Whatever was in that envelope had better be worth this cruel intervention or else he would be in an extremely foul mood.

Back at camp the brothers gathered around the fire. Bobby held the letter in both hands as Lyle and Lemy sat on opposite sides reading on their own. The letter was indeed for their father and it had come directly from Chicago. The same destination he was originally planning to flee to.

"Lincoln, I do hope you are safe and sound, your last letter was the most urgent one I had read so far and the thought of you being in mortal danger keeps clawing the back of my mind. I have been gathering as much evidence as possible to nail the bastard down. Your good work will bring peace to the many suffering under his tyranny." Bobby read aloud for the other two to listen even though they were reading along.

"The fuck was dad getting himself into? This sounds like he was working on a corruption case of some kind." Lemy asked.

Bobby kept on reading the letter meant for their deceased father, "As for this treasure of yours, I'm afraid you will have to postpone the hunt. Your safety is our number one priority and I cannot have you, our key witness running around in the open wild while carrying a massive target on your back. These good deeds unfortunately carry a weight that will be hard to remove. He wants the map and your silence and Everett wil get them both one way or another. Stay safe. Sincerely your best friend Clyde." Bobby finished reading and lowered the letter to reflect on the contents it had provided them.

"Clyde. That's the same person from the previous letter." Lyle pointed out that fact, "Can't get any answers from him since he's clearly in Chicago and a letter would take about a week to reach him and another for him to write back to us."

"Can't rely on a telephone since we have no idea how to get ahold of him either." Lemy added to the discussion.

"So…we're still on our own then." Bobby concluded. It had been worth a shot, but at the very least they had a name. The name of the man who had been hunting down their father for the treasure map, a man called Everett. There was only one problem now.

"Who the fuck is Everett?" Confusion surrounded all three brothers as the question remained unanswered and up in the air.

That name did not resonate with the three of them. Another mystery that they would need to solve along the way, but not one that was their primary focus at the time. Other pressing matters needed to be addressed as well and with them all gathered around the camp they could kick back and discuss the next steps to their journey. Lyle went over to feed Liena as Lemy roasted some beef and Bobby continued to examine Clyde's letter for any misinterpretations or possible hidden messages.

"So, have you already laid down with her?" Lyle froze at the question, hearing Lemy snicker behind him.

"I think he was about to, but maybe he's just too shy." Bobby joined in on the fun.

"Are you still a virgin little brother?" Lemy chuckled as he watched Lyle slowly turn his face towards him and give him another deadly glare.

Lyle was resisting the murderous urge to throw his knife at Lemy's stupid grinning face. That manchild should consider himself lucky that they are family as much as it annoyed him to admit else he would already be dead. They never got to be around each other much. The years have kept them all apart, so it is strange, almost bizarre to behave like actual brothers. He still had much to learn and overcome or risk being the same isolated person his mother never wished for him to become.

Taking a deep breath Lyle fixed his composure, "This is coming from the same guy who almost got his cock surgically cut off because he didn't check who he was sleeping around with?"

Bobby let out a holler while Lemy let out a sigh of exasperation at the reminder of that old memory, "Fine you pretty little shit. I'll shut up now."

After having supper the boys sat around the campfire, basking in its warmth as the air began to cool down as the moon began to rise up. Each sat quietly. Each of them off in their own little worlds within their minds, exploring many gateways of possibilities through brain power alone. All of them sharing the same idea in regards to their father's hidden treasure.

"I say we write back. Regardless of the time it may take. This Clyde McBride has a better understanding than us. He could tell us everything." Bobby suggested.

"Just because father trusted him doesn't mean I have to as well." Lyle said.

"You think he double crossed dad? That makes no sense? This letter was written a few days before his death, no way he switched his mind that quick!" Lemy challenged Lyle's hypothesis.

"There's too many variables that we are still not fully aware of. I'm not just going to trust anybody without some proper background check. Alot is at stake." Lyle pointed out the details of his thought process.

"So...what now?" Bobby asked.

"I have no idea who this Everett guy is, but I may have an actual idea as to how was responsible for killing dad." Lemy lowered his tone. Staring into the fire, his features were calm, but a hint of retribution was cracking the surface.

"Talk then." Lyle said.

Lemy reached for his satchel and dug out a folded paper and displayed it for the other two to bear witness to. It was a wanted poster, an old one to be exact as the date printed was of eighteen-ninety, four years ago. The man on the poster was fully detailed as it was a photographed mugshot. Being black and white the photo lacked his hair color, eye color and any other features that may have been lost to the bad lightning, but his face was clear to see.

"Chandler McCann." Lemy spoke the man's name with displeasure.

"The Wolfman…" Lyle immediately recognized the man in question, even his stoic attitude took a back seat to this revelation.

"Wanted in seven different states. His reputation goes far and wide. His followers are a bunch of fanatics. They're more of a murderous cult than a proper outlaw gang. Those two 'wolves' gang members that I killed a few days back, it made me realize that they've been in the area for a while now." Lemy pressed on, certainty in his voice.

"How are you sure of this?" Bobby asked, unlike his two seasoned older brothers, Bobby lacked the understanding of the inner workings of many established criminal elements.

"Just like actual wolves, they travel in a pack. Nomads by nature." Lyle answered back, sharpening his hunting blade, "Scavengers and carnivores. If those two were nearby then the rest shouldn't be that far ahead. You know what Lemy, you may have finally put that waste of a brain of yours to actual good use."

"Wait. Hold up so if this gang has the other half of the map then how are we supposed to get it back?" Bobby asked, but he already knew the answer in his mind, he was just hoping that it wouldn't actually be said out loud.

"The only way we can Bobby." Lyle looked right at him, half his face obscured by the shadows as the other half remained in the light of the fire, his expressionless countenance giving the younger man goosebumps.

"You guys can't be serious? This is too crazy? A whole crazy gang of ruthless killers that worship an equally crazy man that believes himself to be a wolf?! This is too dangerous!" Bobby jumped up from his seat and pleaded to his brother's for reason.

"You don't have to come, Bobby." Lemy replied. His tone wasn't harsh, but it also wasn't showing restraint either.

Lyle stood up from his spot and placed a hand on his younger brother's shoulder, "Go home Bobby. This is as far as you've come. Stay by your mother's side, she needs you. Lem and I will track them down."

"Hunt them down." Lemy venomously spat out those words.

"No. You can't. Don't do this." Bobby pleaded.

"They killed our father and as much as I don't care for the man he was still your father and I know you loved him dearly. They need to answer for that crime. Besides that treasure is rightfully ours by default. Don't you agree?" Lyle spoke facts, and it was hard for Bobby to find any faults.

"We'll be careful. No stupid wannabe pups are getting the drop on us both." Lemy rose last and joined the two, his hands resting on his trusted sidearms for emphasis.

"Guys-" Bobby's attempts at reasoning with the two was cut short.

"We'll be fine. You on the other hand, your life is far more precious than some shiny rocks and metals." Lyle leaned over and gave young Bobby a quick hug, patting him on the back.

"It may take a while but we'll get our gold…" Lemy patted his younger brother's head, playfully ruffling his hair, "and our justice."

The oldest two were now committed and there was nothing on this earth to distract them from this newly dangerous objective. Going after the notorious Wolves outlaw gang was going to be a daunting task that would test their wits and convictions. Those men must have the second half of the map and they must still be within the county or the next one over. Bobby didn't want to lose his brothers, but he had no right to dictate their lives. For Lyle it was about gaining the wealth they deserved, for Lemy it was about avenging a man he regretted not making peace with, for Bobby it was about being close to his brothers again, but now it was much more than all of that.