Another update. Weehoo. Sorry if it's been awhile. I just had two big
tests to study for.and a lot of family stuff to get through! *Bows* gomen!
Warning: um, all the usual stuff, violence, sex, bad words, everything a growing boy needs.
Disclaimer: I don't own. You don't sue.
Wild West Outlaw
Chapter 3
She was beautiful.
An unpretty beautiful that no one wanted.
Her body was small, thin, and pale.
She danced slowly, feeling the wind flow through out her soul.
The petals from nearby flowers whirled around her like an aura.
Her hair flowed like an ebony river.
Her eyes shone like stormy water, silver and brown.
A soft haunting whisper poured from her lips.
"Maiden."
Melfina woke with a start, flinging the thin sheet covering her off the bed. A trickle of cold sheen trailed down the small of her back, tickling her slightly.
"Mel?" a confused and disoriented voice murmured.
Melfina whipped her head around to see Jim, propped up on one elbow, staring at her with tired yet concerned eyes.
"Are you alright?" Jim asked.
"I'm fine." Melfina said a little to quickly, taking a deep breath she forced a smile and added, "don't worry. Just go back to sleep."
Melfina drew in a long shuddering breath, mentally calming herself.
'I can start to cook at least.' Melfina thought, a small smile creeping it's way onto her face.
She soon was completely awake, nearly all spare thoughts dwelling on her nightmare were gone, and her full attention was focused on the flapjacks and coffee she was planning to make.
Melfina stopped in mid-thought as she realized that she, Jim and Gene were actually in a local inn, and there would be no need for her to cook. She almost wilted in disappointment.
Now Melfina faced three problems, she now could not cook, which also left her mind idle enough to dwell on her nightmare, and also meant she would remain hungry unless she went to the bar downstairs and ate an early breakfast, provided by the innkeeper's wife.
Though her stomach was growling Melfina felt extremely hesitant about going down to the bar, especially alone, and this early in the morning.
Melfina hesitated then peered through the window to look at a tall clock tower in the western area of the small town. It read four a.m., Melfina could see it clearly even though it was still dark outside.
Melfina bit her bottom lip hard, now the idea of going downstairs seemed even less appealing. Melfina had at first guessed it to be at least five or five thirty. But if it was only four, some of the night loners might still be around in the bar, looking to pick up a young girl.
Melfina shuddered. Hilda had told her all about such things, things like night loners, and prostitutes, and gamblers, and barmen. Where to go after dark, or better yet where not to, and who you could most likely trust and who you couldn't.
Melfina felt a sad pang in her heart; Hilda hadn't deserved to meet such an awful end.
Melfina started slightly as Gene let out a particularly loud snore, and turned over onto his side violently with a mumbled curse.
Melfina's eyes, already wide and naturally innocent, softened even more when she looked upon Gene. A warm glow spread through her and she placed a thin pale hand upon her breast, feeling her racing heart.
'Why am I so flushed?' she thought, feeling the heat radiate from her body.
She stared at Gene for a long time, and suddenly felt an amazing urge to do something for him.
'I just know he'll want some strong coffee.' Melfina thought, an eager to please syndrome coursing through her suddenly.
She pulled on her delicate lace up boots, and set off downstairs, keeping her eyes downcast and her hands clasped in front of her.
*****************************
Melfina peered over the thin wooden railing, looking out onto the hazy bar, which was nearly empty except for one table of three men in a corner.
Melfina leaned over a little farther and was able to see a petite woman with blonde hair so pale it could only be called a silvery white, setting out foods of sort onto a long table at the far end of the room.
Melfina gulped and quickly but quietly hurried down the stairs in a flurry of blue skirts.
She forced herself to walk calmly across the room toward the woman setting up the table, her wariness of the stranger men in the corner the only thing keeping her from breaking out into a run.
"Do-do you have any c-coffee?" Melfina stuttered out, keeping her face half hidden by her hair.
The young girl turned around, revealing a round lovely face, with large blue-green eyes and deeply tanned skin. Melfina blushed at the daring of the young girl's blood red dress. The neckline, usually low, had been altered to where her breasts were practically indecent. The skirt and bodice had been wrapped in a sort soft shimmery black material, and was intertwined with black ribbons in the back in a series of complicated tucks and ties. A black choker with a single ruby in the shape of a teardrop, which glimmered seductively at the girl's throat, were the only jewelry she seemed to possess.
Despite her daring attire, the girl had a sweet smile and appeared to be Melfina's age. So Melfina tried once more, this time slowing her voice, "Do you have any coffee? That I can take up to my room?"
"Well, I'm really not supposed to let you do that, but for some reason I like you, so I think I'll let you take this nice little pot of fresh coffee with you. But you gotta bring the pot back ok?" The girl added with a grin and a wink.
"Thank you so much!" Melfina said happily, cradling her newly acquired pot in her hands.
"Anytime." The girl said, before she once again busied herself with setting the table.
Melfina quietly smiled and rushed upstairs, eager to see the happy look on Gene's face when he saw what she'd gotten for him.
**********************************
Jim awoke, the sharp smell of coffee tingling his nose. He slowly rose from under the warm covers to peer sleepily in the corner, where Melfina was sitting, next to a table with a coffee pot and two cups sitting on it.
"Morning!" She exclaimed brightly.
Vaguely, Jim remembered awakening in the night from Melfina's sobs, and although he knew better than to pursue the subject, Jim hoped she was feeling much better.
"Where'd you get this coffee?" Jim asked, slowly getting out of bed and walking toward the cup, which, he noticed happily, was full of hot rich coffee.
As Jim gratefully took a gulp of the bitter brew Melfina brightly supplied, "the bar downstairs, from a serving lady."
Jim choked on his coffee. "What?!" he exclaimed. The though of a pure and innocent young girl like Melfina wandering around in a bar made Jim feel sick.
"It's fine Jim. A barmaid helped me." Melfina said, with a smile.
"Huh?" Jim muttered, still stuck on the thought of Melfina in a bar.
"The barmaid in red, downstairs, she helped me." Melfina said.
"Hmm. I'm gonna go thank her. You wake up Gene ok?" Jim said, and with a half wave, he was out the door.
********************************
Jim stepped down the last stair, and he was in the dirty grimy bar, at a little before six thirty in the morning, right at the breakfast time rush. He steadied himself, setting a look an aloof indifference upon his face, and began to walk over to the bar.
"Hey. Is there a barmaid in here wearing red?" Jim asked the barman, absentmindedly rapping his knuckles on the high polished bar surface.
"Hmm." The old barman pondered for a minute, "You must mean Ruby."
"Ruby?" Jim asked, confused.
The barman answered by simply pointing to a barmaid Jim hadn't noticed earlier, dressed in all red, in a corner serving some miners.
"Thanks." Jim said with a tip of his hat.
As he walked closer to the group, he could see the barmaid peering down at a table of about five men playing cards and drinking whiskey. He smirked when he noticed she was trying an old trick, positioning her arms to push up her breasts even more.
He was close enough now to hear snatches of their conversation.
"How 'bout, if I win, I take you upstairs tonight?" one of the miners said with a leer toward the pretty barmaid.
"Not a chance." She said with a sweet smile and she turned around, running promptly into Jim.
"Oh!" she said, peering down at Jim with a grin. "Well aren't you cute."
Jim blushed, for some reason women always found him cute.
"I just wanted to thank you, for lending my friend the coffee pot. We'll bring it back as soon as our other friend wakes up." Jim said, staring at his foot, his cheeks stained pink.
"Oh yea! I remember. No problem, she seemed like a sweet girl, so it's no big deal. I'm called Ruby around here." She said, adding a wink for flair.
"I'm Jim. Jim Hawking."
*****************************
"Gene! Please wake up." Melfina pleaded.
She was already having trouble being so near to him, when he was lying on the ground. And the fact that he was such a deep sleeper didn't help her at all. And to top it off he was having some sort of wild dream, and kept trying to grab Melfina and pull her towards him.
With her face on fire from blushing, she tried again.
She reached a tentative hand towards Gene's shoulder, and began to shake it. She let out a soft cry of surprise when Gene grabbed her by the wrist and proceeded to roll over, taking Melfina with him. It was the second time she'd been caught by Gene in his sleep since Jim had asked her to try and wake him. But the first time she had at least been able to wriggle out. Now she was stuck steadfast, pinned between the floor with Gene's right arm draped over her and his left one under her, cradling her slightly.
Gene mumbled incoherently in his sleep and pulled her closer.
Melfina gulped, and attempted to move, to no avail.
Then just as suddenly as he'd grabbed her, Gene released his hold on her and rolled over once more.
Melfina quickly scrambled onto the bed, out of Gene's reach, and put a hand over her mouth, to try and smother her loud breathing.
'I've never been so close to any man before.' Melfina thought. 'Well, that I can remember.' She added sadly.
Suddenly the door slammed open and Jim stepped in. taking one look at the blushing Melfina on the bed and the flailing Gene on the ground, Jim took one step and kicked Gene in the side.
Gene let out a howl of pain and bolted upright.
"What the hell was that for?" Gene yelled at Jim.
"You wouldn't wake up." Jim stated calmly.
"You stupid son of a-!" Gene started but suddenly stopped. His brow furrowed, Gene pressed his ear against the door and listened.
Melfina looked at Jim, with confused eyes, but Jim simply shrugged.
"Get down!" Gene suddenly yelled, and he lunged for Melfina and Jim, pushing them to the ground.
A sudden cracking noise filled the air, and bullets riddled themselves through the thin wooden door. Melfina, unable to squelch her fear, let out a shriek, as bullets and pieces of wood flew across the room.
A rough voiced yelled a command and three men pushed their way into the room.
"Give us the maiden!" one of them roared, aiming his pistol at Gene's temple.
"Fuck off!" Gene shouted, and with surprising agility he slid down and kicked his leg up, hitting one of them men in the thigh hard with his boot.
Jim, now no longer under Gene, got up and ran toward the Winchester Rifle, propped against the wall. But one of the men caught Jim by the scruff of his neck and hurled him against the wall, which he hit full on then slumped to the floor, motionless.
"Jim!" Gene yelled, trying to reach Jim, but two of the men quickly restrained them from behind.
The other man quickly picked up Melfina, who until then had been trying to sneak toward the rifle, and held her securely, with one arm wrapped around her just under her bosom. She was completely stuck, her arms pinned to her sides, her feet dangling uselessly at least a foot above the floor.
"Gene!" Melfina wailed, struggling to wrench free.
"Mel-Melfina." Gene croaked.
The man holding Melfina slowly backed out the door, but froze suddenly, his eyes wide, his back slightly arched.
"Not a chance of escaping now." A young woman's voice mocked sweetly.
A single shot rang out and the man fell to the floor clutching his shoulder, dropping Melfina in the process.
With the man fallen, there in the door way stood the barmaid, Ruby, who'd helped Melfina earlier. She was wearing men's clothes, but she was looking just as beautiful as always, wearing deep hunter green pants and shirt, with a long black coat, with her thick pale hair in a long plait behind her.
She was holding out two pistols, one in each hand, her eyes wary and cautious.
"Get behind me!" she yelled to Melfina, who immediately complied.
One of the men tried to aim his gun at the young heroine but was quickly stopped as she shot him in the shoulder, and his companion as well.
With the danger rolling on the floor in pain, Gene rushed to Jim, who was starting to sit up, rubbing his head.
"You ok?" Gene asked.
"Yea, fine. Just a little dizzy." Jim said with a lopsided salute.
"Come on! We've got to get out of here!" Gene said, quickly helping Jim up.
Gene grabbed his rifle, overcoat and thick leather pouch and slung them over his shoulder. With a nod the four started downstairs and were soon out into the morning sun.
Gene quickly saddled his horse and hooked up the reins. He hopped on and reached down quickly for Melfina, who hesitated for only a moment, then slipped her hand into his. He pulled and helped her to sit, sidesaddle, on his horse. She wrapped her thin arms around his waist and felt safer than she'd ever felt before.
A loud roar coursed through the air, as two more men, both in black, came galloping toward the horrified foursome.
"Bastard!" Ruby yelled and took aim. She hit one of them dead on, right in the chest, but missed the other, only skimming his face.
With a strangled cry Jim hopped onto his horse and was planning on riding away, but Ruby pulled onto the saddle and hoisted herself up, behind Jim.
"Hey!" Jim started to protest, but was interrupted when Ruby screamed, "Move it!"
Gene and Jim urged their horses, and both began galloping, with the man in black trailing behind.
Ruby turned around, clumsily balancing on the horse's haunches, and took aim, this time with a long rifle she'd pulled from a large loop in her coat. She aimed and smirked with satisfaction as the man pursuing them cried out in pain, and fell behind clutching his newly wounded arm.
"Great job Ruby!" Jim yelled, over the sound of the galloping.
"Yea." She said with a grin as she turned around, slipping the rifle back into the cloth loops in her coat, and situating herself again.
She wrapped her arms loosely around Jim and yelled for all three to hear, "You guys can call me by my real name! It's Aisha!"
End of Chapter three
Getting interesting? Now that Aisha is in the picture? Well I sure hope so! Review please!
Warning: um, all the usual stuff, violence, sex, bad words, everything a growing boy needs.
Disclaimer: I don't own. You don't sue.
Wild West Outlaw
Chapter 3
She was beautiful.
An unpretty beautiful that no one wanted.
Her body was small, thin, and pale.
She danced slowly, feeling the wind flow through out her soul.
The petals from nearby flowers whirled around her like an aura.
Her hair flowed like an ebony river.
Her eyes shone like stormy water, silver and brown.
A soft haunting whisper poured from her lips.
"Maiden."
Melfina woke with a start, flinging the thin sheet covering her off the bed. A trickle of cold sheen trailed down the small of her back, tickling her slightly.
"Mel?" a confused and disoriented voice murmured.
Melfina whipped her head around to see Jim, propped up on one elbow, staring at her with tired yet concerned eyes.
"Are you alright?" Jim asked.
"I'm fine." Melfina said a little to quickly, taking a deep breath she forced a smile and added, "don't worry. Just go back to sleep."
Melfina drew in a long shuddering breath, mentally calming herself.
'I can start to cook at least.' Melfina thought, a small smile creeping it's way onto her face.
She soon was completely awake, nearly all spare thoughts dwelling on her nightmare were gone, and her full attention was focused on the flapjacks and coffee she was planning to make.
Melfina stopped in mid-thought as she realized that she, Jim and Gene were actually in a local inn, and there would be no need for her to cook. She almost wilted in disappointment.
Now Melfina faced three problems, she now could not cook, which also left her mind idle enough to dwell on her nightmare, and also meant she would remain hungry unless she went to the bar downstairs and ate an early breakfast, provided by the innkeeper's wife.
Though her stomach was growling Melfina felt extremely hesitant about going down to the bar, especially alone, and this early in the morning.
Melfina hesitated then peered through the window to look at a tall clock tower in the western area of the small town. It read four a.m., Melfina could see it clearly even though it was still dark outside.
Melfina bit her bottom lip hard, now the idea of going downstairs seemed even less appealing. Melfina had at first guessed it to be at least five or five thirty. But if it was only four, some of the night loners might still be around in the bar, looking to pick up a young girl.
Melfina shuddered. Hilda had told her all about such things, things like night loners, and prostitutes, and gamblers, and barmen. Where to go after dark, or better yet where not to, and who you could most likely trust and who you couldn't.
Melfina felt a sad pang in her heart; Hilda hadn't deserved to meet such an awful end.
Melfina started slightly as Gene let out a particularly loud snore, and turned over onto his side violently with a mumbled curse.
Melfina's eyes, already wide and naturally innocent, softened even more when she looked upon Gene. A warm glow spread through her and she placed a thin pale hand upon her breast, feeling her racing heart.
'Why am I so flushed?' she thought, feeling the heat radiate from her body.
She stared at Gene for a long time, and suddenly felt an amazing urge to do something for him.
'I just know he'll want some strong coffee.' Melfina thought, an eager to please syndrome coursing through her suddenly.
She pulled on her delicate lace up boots, and set off downstairs, keeping her eyes downcast and her hands clasped in front of her.
*****************************
Melfina peered over the thin wooden railing, looking out onto the hazy bar, which was nearly empty except for one table of three men in a corner.
Melfina leaned over a little farther and was able to see a petite woman with blonde hair so pale it could only be called a silvery white, setting out foods of sort onto a long table at the far end of the room.
Melfina gulped and quickly but quietly hurried down the stairs in a flurry of blue skirts.
She forced herself to walk calmly across the room toward the woman setting up the table, her wariness of the stranger men in the corner the only thing keeping her from breaking out into a run.
"Do-do you have any c-coffee?" Melfina stuttered out, keeping her face half hidden by her hair.
The young girl turned around, revealing a round lovely face, with large blue-green eyes and deeply tanned skin. Melfina blushed at the daring of the young girl's blood red dress. The neckline, usually low, had been altered to where her breasts were practically indecent. The skirt and bodice had been wrapped in a sort soft shimmery black material, and was intertwined with black ribbons in the back in a series of complicated tucks and ties. A black choker with a single ruby in the shape of a teardrop, which glimmered seductively at the girl's throat, were the only jewelry she seemed to possess.
Despite her daring attire, the girl had a sweet smile and appeared to be Melfina's age. So Melfina tried once more, this time slowing her voice, "Do you have any coffee? That I can take up to my room?"
"Well, I'm really not supposed to let you do that, but for some reason I like you, so I think I'll let you take this nice little pot of fresh coffee with you. But you gotta bring the pot back ok?" The girl added with a grin and a wink.
"Thank you so much!" Melfina said happily, cradling her newly acquired pot in her hands.
"Anytime." The girl said, before she once again busied herself with setting the table.
Melfina quietly smiled and rushed upstairs, eager to see the happy look on Gene's face when he saw what she'd gotten for him.
**********************************
Jim awoke, the sharp smell of coffee tingling his nose. He slowly rose from under the warm covers to peer sleepily in the corner, where Melfina was sitting, next to a table with a coffee pot and two cups sitting on it.
"Morning!" She exclaimed brightly.
Vaguely, Jim remembered awakening in the night from Melfina's sobs, and although he knew better than to pursue the subject, Jim hoped she was feeling much better.
"Where'd you get this coffee?" Jim asked, slowly getting out of bed and walking toward the cup, which, he noticed happily, was full of hot rich coffee.
As Jim gratefully took a gulp of the bitter brew Melfina brightly supplied, "the bar downstairs, from a serving lady."
Jim choked on his coffee. "What?!" he exclaimed. The though of a pure and innocent young girl like Melfina wandering around in a bar made Jim feel sick.
"It's fine Jim. A barmaid helped me." Melfina said, with a smile.
"Huh?" Jim muttered, still stuck on the thought of Melfina in a bar.
"The barmaid in red, downstairs, she helped me." Melfina said.
"Hmm. I'm gonna go thank her. You wake up Gene ok?" Jim said, and with a half wave, he was out the door.
********************************
Jim stepped down the last stair, and he was in the dirty grimy bar, at a little before six thirty in the morning, right at the breakfast time rush. He steadied himself, setting a look an aloof indifference upon his face, and began to walk over to the bar.
"Hey. Is there a barmaid in here wearing red?" Jim asked the barman, absentmindedly rapping his knuckles on the high polished bar surface.
"Hmm." The old barman pondered for a minute, "You must mean Ruby."
"Ruby?" Jim asked, confused.
The barman answered by simply pointing to a barmaid Jim hadn't noticed earlier, dressed in all red, in a corner serving some miners.
"Thanks." Jim said with a tip of his hat.
As he walked closer to the group, he could see the barmaid peering down at a table of about five men playing cards and drinking whiskey. He smirked when he noticed she was trying an old trick, positioning her arms to push up her breasts even more.
He was close enough now to hear snatches of their conversation.
"How 'bout, if I win, I take you upstairs tonight?" one of the miners said with a leer toward the pretty barmaid.
"Not a chance." She said with a sweet smile and she turned around, running promptly into Jim.
"Oh!" she said, peering down at Jim with a grin. "Well aren't you cute."
Jim blushed, for some reason women always found him cute.
"I just wanted to thank you, for lending my friend the coffee pot. We'll bring it back as soon as our other friend wakes up." Jim said, staring at his foot, his cheeks stained pink.
"Oh yea! I remember. No problem, she seemed like a sweet girl, so it's no big deal. I'm called Ruby around here." She said, adding a wink for flair.
"I'm Jim. Jim Hawking."
*****************************
"Gene! Please wake up." Melfina pleaded.
She was already having trouble being so near to him, when he was lying on the ground. And the fact that he was such a deep sleeper didn't help her at all. And to top it off he was having some sort of wild dream, and kept trying to grab Melfina and pull her towards him.
With her face on fire from blushing, she tried again.
She reached a tentative hand towards Gene's shoulder, and began to shake it. She let out a soft cry of surprise when Gene grabbed her by the wrist and proceeded to roll over, taking Melfina with him. It was the second time she'd been caught by Gene in his sleep since Jim had asked her to try and wake him. But the first time she had at least been able to wriggle out. Now she was stuck steadfast, pinned between the floor with Gene's right arm draped over her and his left one under her, cradling her slightly.
Gene mumbled incoherently in his sleep and pulled her closer.
Melfina gulped, and attempted to move, to no avail.
Then just as suddenly as he'd grabbed her, Gene released his hold on her and rolled over once more.
Melfina quickly scrambled onto the bed, out of Gene's reach, and put a hand over her mouth, to try and smother her loud breathing.
'I've never been so close to any man before.' Melfina thought. 'Well, that I can remember.' She added sadly.
Suddenly the door slammed open and Jim stepped in. taking one look at the blushing Melfina on the bed and the flailing Gene on the ground, Jim took one step and kicked Gene in the side.
Gene let out a howl of pain and bolted upright.
"What the hell was that for?" Gene yelled at Jim.
"You wouldn't wake up." Jim stated calmly.
"You stupid son of a-!" Gene started but suddenly stopped. His brow furrowed, Gene pressed his ear against the door and listened.
Melfina looked at Jim, with confused eyes, but Jim simply shrugged.
"Get down!" Gene suddenly yelled, and he lunged for Melfina and Jim, pushing them to the ground.
A sudden cracking noise filled the air, and bullets riddled themselves through the thin wooden door. Melfina, unable to squelch her fear, let out a shriek, as bullets and pieces of wood flew across the room.
A rough voiced yelled a command and three men pushed their way into the room.
"Give us the maiden!" one of them roared, aiming his pistol at Gene's temple.
"Fuck off!" Gene shouted, and with surprising agility he slid down and kicked his leg up, hitting one of them men in the thigh hard with his boot.
Jim, now no longer under Gene, got up and ran toward the Winchester Rifle, propped against the wall. But one of the men caught Jim by the scruff of his neck and hurled him against the wall, which he hit full on then slumped to the floor, motionless.
"Jim!" Gene yelled, trying to reach Jim, but two of the men quickly restrained them from behind.
The other man quickly picked up Melfina, who until then had been trying to sneak toward the rifle, and held her securely, with one arm wrapped around her just under her bosom. She was completely stuck, her arms pinned to her sides, her feet dangling uselessly at least a foot above the floor.
"Gene!" Melfina wailed, struggling to wrench free.
"Mel-Melfina." Gene croaked.
The man holding Melfina slowly backed out the door, but froze suddenly, his eyes wide, his back slightly arched.
"Not a chance of escaping now." A young woman's voice mocked sweetly.
A single shot rang out and the man fell to the floor clutching his shoulder, dropping Melfina in the process.
With the man fallen, there in the door way stood the barmaid, Ruby, who'd helped Melfina earlier. She was wearing men's clothes, but she was looking just as beautiful as always, wearing deep hunter green pants and shirt, with a long black coat, with her thick pale hair in a long plait behind her.
She was holding out two pistols, one in each hand, her eyes wary and cautious.
"Get behind me!" she yelled to Melfina, who immediately complied.
One of the men tried to aim his gun at the young heroine but was quickly stopped as she shot him in the shoulder, and his companion as well.
With the danger rolling on the floor in pain, Gene rushed to Jim, who was starting to sit up, rubbing his head.
"You ok?" Gene asked.
"Yea, fine. Just a little dizzy." Jim said with a lopsided salute.
"Come on! We've got to get out of here!" Gene said, quickly helping Jim up.
Gene grabbed his rifle, overcoat and thick leather pouch and slung them over his shoulder. With a nod the four started downstairs and were soon out into the morning sun.
Gene quickly saddled his horse and hooked up the reins. He hopped on and reached down quickly for Melfina, who hesitated for only a moment, then slipped her hand into his. He pulled and helped her to sit, sidesaddle, on his horse. She wrapped her thin arms around his waist and felt safer than she'd ever felt before.
A loud roar coursed through the air, as two more men, both in black, came galloping toward the horrified foursome.
"Bastard!" Ruby yelled and took aim. She hit one of them dead on, right in the chest, but missed the other, only skimming his face.
With a strangled cry Jim hopped onto his horse and was planning on riding away, but Ruby pulled onto the saddle and hoisted herself up, behind Jim.
"Hey!" Jim started to protest, but was interrupted when Ruby screamed, "Move it!"
Gene and Jim urged their horses, and both began galloping, with the man in black trailing behind.
Ruby turned around, clumsily balancing on the horse's haunches, and took aim, this time with a long rifle she'd pulled from a large loop in her coat. She aimed and smirked with satisfaction as the man pursuing them cried out in pain, and fell behind clutching his newly wounded arm.
"Great job Ruby!" Jim yelled, over the sound of the galloping.
"Yea." She said with a grin as she turned around, slipping the rifle back into the cloth loops in her coat, and situating herself again.
She wrapped her arms loosely around Jim and yelled for all three to hear, "You guys can call me by my real name! It's Aisha!"
End of Chapter three
Getting interesting? Now that Aisha is in the picture? Well I sure hope so! Review please!