Chapter 3: The Law and The Lawless

Roland had accompanied The Sheriff and the exiles all the way back to the Sheriff's office order to understand more what this creature was that was terrorizing the town.

He had walked through the town many people gawp still at Roland obviously many of them had come looking for the Gunslinger that morning. He wasn't sure if they were more shocked to see him or to see a Gunslinger in the company of exiles. Generally the second either met guns started blazing and a vast devastating fight ensued. However Roland had never been quick on the trigger he didn't want to shoot first and talk later that wasn't his policy. However if he found substantial proof that these three exiles were in league with Walter he wouldn't hesitate to blow them all third eyes.

He was sat with the Sheriff and the three exiles in the office.

"Well firstly this thing only attacks at night." Luthor said from behind his feet. He had taken to resting his feet on the desk of his officer leaning back picking at his teeth with a match. Roland was stood leaning against one of the empty prison cell bars. Abel was sat properly on a seat his hood still down. Evan paced back and forth in the room and Imp was sat on the windowsill tossing a knife up and down catching it with ease each time.

"Yes it seems to be nocturnal, which has meant we've enforced a curfew on the townsfolk." Abel said a smile rising at the end of his sentence.

"However naturally people brake the laws to go and get one last glass of whiskey or are stumbling back from their lovers homes."

"Then the thing gets 'um and makes short work of them" Evan said his smile unfaltering almost as if he took pleasure from the thought of the dead.

"So are you sure it's a wolf?" Roland asked rubbing at the stubble on his chin.

"It must be I dunno what else it could be" Luthor replied in a matter of fact tone.

"I've heard of other inhabitants of the night" Roland replied continuing to rub at his chin.

"What might those be?" Abel enquired

Roland paused to take a pre-rolled cigarette out of his pouch and a match.

"Vampires" he said striking the match across his chin and lighting the cigarette. He noted the glance Abel cast Evan but pretended not to notice.

"Vampires?" Luthor repeated taking his feet of his desk to give an "are you stupid?" look to Roland.

"Yes, why not. There's plenty of darkness for them to hide in the forest during the day and survive. Then at night they could come waltzing in and get any one in the street."

Luthor looked around the room to his fellows. Abel had not showed any sign of interest. Evan had stopped his pacing and had actually stopped smiling for a while. Imp had stopped tossing his knife up and down and had slid round to face Roland.

"Hang on this can't be Vampires, they'd get someone every night this only happens once every so often." Imp added.

Roland nodded taking it into consideration.

"This town worships the man Jesus does it not?" he asked

"Yes and?" Luthor interrupted.

"Well if most people have the symbol of his cross then they probably couldn't get people all the time they have to wait for a no-worshipper or some one who isn't that into it." Roland continued.

"True" Imp said

Roland again noticed the glance from Abel to Imp. No doubt indicating him to shut up.

"I think we should set up a trap tonight" Roland said.

"What?" Luthor exclaimed

"A trap, to draw this creature out. I intend to be gone in a few days and I'd like to resolve this business as quick as possible." Roland repeated

Abel and Evan chanced another glance.

"We could use one of your deputies, Sheriff?" Roland suggested

Luthor looked very confused by the whole idea and he seemed to run it over in his head rather quickly. Roland was sure if you listened hard enough you would hear cogs grinding together.

"They'd 'av to agree to it first though" Luthor added.

"Hang how do we know this creature will show up any way?" Abel interrupted.

"If it is a vampire it'll show up" Roland confirmed

"What if it doesn't turn up?" Imp pointed out from his position on the windowsill.

"It'll turn up" Roland repeated, annoyed by the exiles doubt.

"Well 'e better" Luthor said.

"I think some how he will." He couldn't resist a glance at Evan, who was still smiling and he turned it into a grin when he realized that the gunslinger was looking at him.

"We shall meet back here an hour before sun down. Then we'll sort out a plan to catch and kill this thing." Roland continued. In the mean time he intended to dig up some information about the exiles. He knew exactly where to get it from as well.

"Great well I'm hungry, gonna go and get myself some grub" Evan eagerly put to the group licking his lips.
"I'll join you, Evan, I'm getting quite hungry myself. You okay here Imp?" Abel then added.

"Sure I'll take care of our guest" Imp replied looking at Roland and smiling. Roland wasn't sure whether Imp meant what he'd said to come across as it did, but he would've felt threatened if he knew that Imp wasn't capable of inflicting any damage to him.

"Well I could use someone to show me round the town. I preparation for tonight." Roland said, encouraging Imp to stay with him. This was going to be his source of information.

"Whatever ye're deciding to do I'm off to go and speak to me deputies about tonight." Luthor put to the group.

Then the group left the Sheriffs office. Abel and Evan left and headed towards the forest, as Roland assumed they would. Luthor waddled off down the main street and he and Imp were left standing on the edge of the Sheriff's office.

"Well what shall I show you first?" Imp asked, obviously not bothered by the fact that he in the presence of a Gunslinger, a title that was supposed to instill fear into all especially exiles.