This is Not a Game
A/N: Ah haha, since I'm writing an og western I figured I might as well write a fic version too. Yes, it's Shandy cause I'm predictable and the inspiration behind the idea came from Cop Car by Mitski and (where the title comes from) Don't Get in My Way by Zack Hemsey and I just ran with it.
The crash of bottles breaking made Kenneth quicken his pace towards the tavern, pausing to turn towards his daughter. "Stay out here, see if their leader comes." He said, hand briefly touching the gun at his hip.
Sandy nodded, eyes wide as the commotion in the tavern grew louder. The Onyx Untamed gang had arrived in Dallas about three months ago looking for a cattle hand that must've skipped town a while ago. According to the rumors around town, he had stolen a bag of gold they mined and took off with it to here.
So far, they haven't found him and usually end up staying at the tavern all day, except for their leader. Sandy had almost never seen him around town or much really, she had only heard about him. That the gang's leader was some sort of demon in disguise, and that one glare from him could kill. She turned towards the tavern doors as a shot rang out, heading inside as she heard someone scream.
"Pa," Sandy yelled, moving people out of the way to get to her father's side. She grunted as a large tiger grabbed her, slamming her against the table and holding her down.
Sandy hissed as his claws dug into the wood of the table, freezing for a moment as he said, "You know, I've never been with a sheriff's daughter before. Or someone so. . .small." she began to try and twist out of Clyde's hold, struggling faster as his other hand grabbed at the front of her dress.
Sandy winced as one of his claws dragged against her skin and drew blood as her dress was ripped, desperately grabbing at the hand that held her down and pushing one of his fingers back until it cracked. Kenneth's yelling for Clyde not to hurt her finally being heard by Sandy until her world went dark for a moment and blurred, voices now muffled and unclear as Clyde threatened to 'take care of her.'
Everything stopped as the door to the tavern was knocked into the wall and a man walked in. Clyde let Sandy go, turning towards the man. "Boss, I was just—." He stopped as a bullet lodged into his chest, staining his white shirt red.
Shadow walked towards Clyde, kicking the tiger's body away from Sandy and looking at the rest of his crew. "If anybody would like to join Clyde, speak up now." He said, clicking his tongue as no one responded. "You'll be joining him anyway if you don't leave me with the sheriff. Alone."
Shadow's crew avoided his piercing stare as they left and the barkeep sighed as he looked at his destroyed tavern. Sandy looked at Shadow, blushing as she realized the state she was in. He huffed, tossing his jacket at her and uprighting one of the overturned chairs.
"Sheriff's girl," he glanced at Sandy. "get out."
Sandy stood up, frowning as she adjusted the jacket to cover herself. "I ain't goin' nowhere." She said, meeting her father's worried gaze. She didn't care about what almost happened and she wasn't about to leave some outlaw alone with her Pa.
"Sandy," Kenneth started, watching Shadow take his hat off. "head on home."
"But—."
"Head on home," he repeated, voice firm as he took a seat in front of Shadow.
Sandy chewed at her lip for a moment, suddenly feeling the eyes of the bar's undisturbed or just awoken patrons stare down at them. She pulled Shadow's jacket around her tighter, looking at him as he waved her away with a grin.
Sandy turned and left the tavern, the sun beginning to set by the time she had made it home and collapsed into her mother's arms, quiet as Jodi asked if she was alright.