I didn't dream of home. And I didn't dream of my day's in the west. But my dream still had a western taste to it. I was in a barn of some sort. Out the window was cliffs, not by fifty yards away. There was hey everywhere on the ground, in my hair. From what? Something small exploded next to my head in the window. I ducked down. Gee, well this made sence. I was being fired at. Someone outside. They had surrounded the barn, and were firing almost nonstop. To my left was and open doorway… and instinct told me to get away from that. I moved further back, and found an outlet of the barn, made of dirt clay and rocks.
Inside was another person, but through the smoke I could hardly make out their face. Smoke? Fire. They had set the barn on fire. Great. Only one way out. I pulled my guns, and aimed out the window next to the figure. Quickly and accurately I emptied both barrels out the window. I was aiming at black hats peaking up over the crevasses. I pulled a rifle leaning agansit the wall, and aimed. The figure said something. I couldn't make out what he said. He said it again, louder. "Duck the pigs!" he yelled. I starred at him, puzzled. A shot rang out, louder then usual, and not from either of our guns. We both turned to the doorway, where a man in black stood, his gun smoking. The person next to me was shot.
Two seconds later, the man was sent staggering backwards and out the door, before dropping dead, numerous bullet holes visible. I slammed my back against the wall, just below the window, to reload my pistols. The person next to me was bleeding badly… but still fighting. Something about the danger around me… the lead flying, and the fire roaring, made me smile. I shoved the bullets in one by one. As I did, the figure next to my shoved my aside, hard, knocking me over onto my side. I soon saw why. A torch flaming with hot fumes burst through the window, and hit the other side of the wall.
Quickly I grabbed it and through it back out, before it could start anything. It was a dirt floor in here yes… but you never know. I turned back toward the figure… but he was gone. I looked at the doorway to the small room… it was open.
I woke up. My mind played what I could remember about my dream. It didn't make sence at all. Was it a warning? Or just a dream? Like before, something just told me it was something to be taken serious. I sighed, and pulled the blankets off. The sun had just barely began to peek up over the horizon. I started packing. I through everything into the saddle bag, making a list in my head what to buy for the trip. As I slung the bag over my shoulder, and pulled on my boots, I stopped.
What trip? Why was I leaving? I sat there on my bed puzzled. I had just involuntarily packed my things, and started to think about the trip ahead of me. But what trip was that? I set the bag down, and leaned against the wall, thinking. Why did I just do that? Should I really be leaving? But were would I go? I sighed, and went outside, my packed bag still on my bed. I went outside, the streets still empty, and headed for the saloon. Well, really I just followed my feet. When I saw it led me to the saloon. I took a seat and ordered a drink… water. I couldn't stand anything to strong this early. Whatever man could, would be dry in his older days. There was no way it was good for you're health.
A man in the corner didn't think so. He was slouched in the corner chair, eyes droopy, and his arms limp on his side. The counter man came up to me, remembered me as the girl who shot up before, and asked me if there was anything else. I shook my head. I was going to figure out why I wanted to move. Why I had. There had to be a reason.
Everything out here had a reason… for ME at least. Not much was by accident thanks to the time warp. I sat and thought. What was it? Where was I going? I tried to think back, trying to remember if I had a goal in mind. I didn't. I just got ready. Maybe if I let my horse lead… make it's own path. Maybe I could get somewhere. I set down my drink, gave the man a tip, and left. It wasn't much of a plan, but I had a feeling I wouldn't come up with anything better if I kept at it.
I went to my room, gathering my already gathered things, and packed my horse. I saw the rifle in the saddle, and then remembered the guns on my sides. I starred at them for a second, then pulled the pistol's out, and stuffed them in the saddle bag. Mounting with a bit of hesitation, I pulled the horse back, then it stopped. Which way would I go? I didn't know. I kicked the horse forward, and it turned left. Looks like I was going this way. I let my horse choose the path. Completely roaming. Literally walking aimlessly out into the dry earth. I felt like I was wasting time, so I kicked the horse into a faster trot. I wondered if I was being followed, and at the thought, my stomach rose, and a smile threatened to turn my face bright.
But I I knew I wasn't being followed. Just instinct. Then I stopped in mid thought. Why was I thinking I was being followed. It was a reaction every time I left a town. An involuntary action I didn't instantly after leaving a place where people have seen a face. Because you were made for an outlaw, said one side of me. Ridiculous, I'm a cook in De Luna's Hotel, argued the other side.
Yeah, that's why you escaped from jail, stole a horse, stormed into town face covered and rescued men from the gallows, ran from posse's, shot at men, can handle a gun better them most towns men, even better with fists, rough attitude, and sharp eyes for trouble. You can track, battle bulls and cattle, play poker a little better then just good.
Uh huh that doesn't sound like an outlaw at all. Arg! Well it's not like I enjoyed doing those things! I could have lost my life! Yeah, but you were smiling. You were laughing, you felt like you could fly. Your mind was in a state of 'playing games.' And you wanted to win. You felt like a little kid playing with your favorite toy. All yours, nobody could stop you. You felt like the boundaries and fences were over. Nothing could stop you. Eyes wild, big smile.
Does that sound like the brink of death? I thought about it. Sounding like a new and better life if you look at it that way. But what about Keith? Lou? Sam and Mr. Kiggs? All the towns people? I mean, I couldn't just leave them, they were looking for me. And would continue until I disappeared. Disappeared. My mind went back to the last conversation I had with Billy. you want to disappear… outlaws are the ones to ask for help. They have to do it to ensure they appear again. If we don't completely disappear, posse's finish us off. You want to disappear… just ask. That's what he had said. I had to disappear, and the best way was to ask the pro's. I had to find them first. How? Easy. Just follow the gun shot's, the famous laugh of Billy's echo. I smiled. Easier said then done.