Chapter 2:Dashed Hopes and Memories
Daybreak came with good and bad news for Milly and the workers. They had all gathered together in the tavern to discuss the looming problems.
"Well, does anybody have any suggestions?" Milly asked the worried looking workers. It was just last night that they had penetrated the water line, only to find that it was completely empty. Even though Vash had said that there was definitely a flowing water line directly below the old well. Milly gave a pleading stare to the still silent workers.
They were all tired, and very discouraged, all this time and work, seemingly for nothing. With a small sigh Milly hung her head, and tried to think of what they should do. She didn't doubt what Vash had said, but if what he said was true, where was the water? She didn't have the answers and her tired brain couldn't give them to her even if she did. She found herself wishing that Vash was there to help, she missed him, and she knew Meryle missed him even more.
Milly returned her gaze to the workers, and put a smile on her on her face, hoping the workers wouldn't see how fake it really was. "Well there's no sense worrying about it today. All of you go home, and get some sleep. Tonight we'll meet again and talk about this more. Okay?" she tried to sound cheerful even though her heart was as heavy as lead. It seemed to fool the workers though, for they all gave her a smile, and slowly began to file out of the tavern. As the last man disappeared into the hot desert sun, Milly sank down into her chair and tried to think about what to do.
"Milly? It'll be okay Milly, you'll find it soon. I know it's there, Vash said so, you just have to stay positive." Meryle offered encouragingly. Milly just sat and stared at the table top, saying nothing. Meryle sighed and took the chair opposite of her friend. At first they just sat enjoying each others company. Then Milly broke the silence.
"Oh Meryle, I wish Mr. Vash was here. He'd know what to do." Milly sobbed.
"I do too Milly, it's been so long sense he left, I wish he would come back, or that I would at least know if he's okay." Meryle agreed quietly.
Don't worry Meryle, Vash knows how to survive. I'm sure he's fine, probably headed back here as we speak.," Milly replied with a beaming smile.
"I sure hope you're right Milly," Meryle sighed.
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Vash sank against the tiny outcropping of rocks, and watched as the stars began to appear in the darkening sky. He was tired, and hungry, but he hardly noticed. His thoughts were on long trail that lay ahead. Tomarrow he would come to Dagger Ridge and the city of Augusta. Dagger Ridge, a place few people ever walked in and proceeded to come back out alive. Folk said that there was something in the deep shadows of the ridge, something as old as the universe it's self.
Vash smiled as he began to recall the ghost stories he'd heard over the years. Tales of terror, evil spirits, and black magic. They were of course, only tales, Vash knew what the monster really was, and had always been. Vash's smile widened, yes he knew what it was, and in truth it was nothing more that his own shadow.
Long ago when he had first run away from Knives, he had gone to Dagger Ridge to hide, only to find it had become a pass for travelers. He didn't want to hurt anybody, and knowing how superstitious the people were, Vash began to "haunt" Dagger Ridge. It didn't take long for people to get the idea, of course a few harmless shots, spooky appearances, and rock slides, proved to take care of the brave of heart.
Vash's thoughts suddenly turned and he began to think of Meryle. He loved her, and wanted to be with her forever. "But does she love me?" Vash wondered aloud. He thought she did, no, he was certain she did. They wouldn't be able to have the wonderful wedding she had so often talked about. Vash knew it wouldn't be good to have to engage in a gunfight, while trying to say his vows. No the wedding would have to be small, and secretive.
"If she even says yes," Vash thought. He wasn't sure what he'd do if she did say no. He was tired of wandering, and running. Now with Knives dead, there really wasn't any real reason too. He wanted a family, kids, a life. Life, something that had been denied to him for over 130 years. Vash leaned back on the rocks and closed his eyes. Sleep did not come readily, but eventually Vash fell into a dreamless sleep, again, for the first time in 130 years.
Daybreak came with good and bad news for Milly and the workers. They had all gathered together in the tavern to discuss the looming problems.
"Well, does anybody have any suggestions?" Milly asked the worried looking workers. It was just last night that they had penetrated the water line, only to find that it was completely empty. Even though Vash had said that there was definitely a flowing water line directly below the old well. Milly gave a pleading stare to the still silent workers.
They were all tired, and very discouraged, all this time and work, seemingly for nothing. With a small sigh Milly hung her head, and tried to think of what they should do. She didn't doubt what Vash had said, but if what he said was true, where was the water? She didn't have the answers and her tired brain couldn't give them to her even if she did. She found herself wishing that Vash was there to help, she missed him, and she knew Meryle missed him even more.
Milly returned her gaze to the workers, and put a smile on her on her face, hoping the workers wouldn't see how fake it really was. "Well there's no sense worrying about it today. All of you go home, and get some sleep. Tonight we'll meet again and talk about this more. Okay?" she tried to sound cheerful even though her heart was as heavy as lead. It seemed to fool the workers though, for they all gave her a smile, and slowly began to file out of the tavern. As the last man disappeared into the hot desert sun, Milly sank down into her chair and tried to think about what to do.
"Milly? It'll be okay Milly, you'll find it soon. I know it's there, Vash said so, you just have to stay positive." Meryle offered encouragingly. Milly just sat and stared at the table top, saying nothing. Meryle sighed and took the chair opposite of her friend. At first they just sat enjoying each others company. Then Milly broke the silence.
"Oh Meryle, I wish Mr. Vash was here. He'd know what to do." Milly sobbed.
"I do too Milly, it's been so long sense he left, I wish he would come back, or that I would at least know if he's okay." Meryle agreed quietly.
Don't worry Meryle, Vash knows how to survive. I'm sure he's fine, probably headed back here as we speak.," Milly replied with a beaming smile.
"I sure hope you're right Milly," Meryle sighed.
******************************************************
Vash sank against the tiny outcropping of rocks, and watched as the stars began to appear in the darkening sky. He was tired, and hungry, but he hardly noticed. His thoughts were on long trail that lay ahead. Tomarrow he would come to Dagger Ridge and the city of Augusta. Dagger Ridge, a place few people ever walked in and proceeded to come back out alive. Folk said that there was something in the deep shadows of the ridge, something as old as the universe it's self.
Vash smiled as he began to recall the ghost stories he'd heard over the years. Tales of terror, evil spirits, and black magic. They were of course, only tales, Vash knew what the monster really was, and had always been. Vash's smile widened, yes he knew what it was, and in truth it was nothing more that his own shadow.
Long ago when he had first run away from Knives, he had gone to Dagger Ridge to hide, only to find it had become a pass for travelers. He didn't want to hurt anybody, and knowing how superstitious the people were, Vash began to "haunt" Dagger Ridge. It didn't take long for people to get the idea, of course a few harmless shots, spooky appearances, and rock slides, proved to take care of the brave of heart.
Vash's thoughts suddenly turned and he began to think of Meryle. He loved her, and wanted to be with her forever. "But does she love me?" Vash wondered aloud. He thought she did, no, he was certain she did. They wouldn't be able to have the wonderful wedding she had so often talked about. Vash knew it wouldn't be good to have to engage in a gunfight, while trying to say his vows. No the wedding would have to be small, and secretive.
"If she even says yes," Vash thought. He wasn't sure what he'd do if she did say no. He was tired of wandering, and running. Now with Knives dead, there really wasn't any real reason too. He wanted a family, kids, a life. Life, something that had been denied to him for over 130 years. Vash leaned back on the rocks and closed his eyes. Sleep did not come readily, but eventually Vash fell into a dreamless sleep, again, for the first time in 130 years.