Skeleton Cowboys

By Jason Griesse

Jacob Foster is the Sheriff of Avalon; a small town built around a fledgling silver mine in the middle of a barren desert. One morning tragedy strikes the town and Foster rides out to find help, only to return to find the life he knew completely destroyed. Introduced to a world of darkness, Foster must now do battle with unimaginable horrors as he fights to survive.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jason Griesse
• Release date: Jun 4, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301034000

Jason Griesse

Official Website and Contact info @ http://www.happyvampiremedia.com/

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Skeleton Cowboys

By

Jason M. Griesse

(C) Copyright Jason M. Griesse 2012

Published by Happy Vampire Media at Smashwords

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Count Lyle and his band Ghoultown for giving me permission to use the title Skeleton Cowboys, and Lyle for his kind words.

My best friends, Zoe and Karlin-aka Grote M.D.

And of course, Princess Emily

And Marelize, the sweetest, most unconditionally kindhearted woman I have ever known.

Writer/Director Kevin Smith - For encouraging me throughout all of my writing endeavors, and just being my biggest cheerleader.

The amazingly talented Franziska Oertel who sketched the cover.

And last but not least, Mr. Kane Hodder and Mr. Robert Englund, for scaring the crap out of me all throughout my childhood.

This book is dedicated to my grandfather, Jack.

For letting me stay up way past my bedtime, sitting on his knee while watching some of the best sci-fi and horror movies ever made.

Skeleton Cowboys

Chapter 1

Papa! Papa wake up!

The sound of the angelic young girl’s voice jerked Jacob Foster from his shallow, troubled sleep. He blinked his eyes a few times, his body feeling tense and restless as if he had been up all night, despite being in bed early for a change the previous evening.

The smell of freshly baked bread and bacon and sausage sizzling in a large iron skillet drifted up from the kitchen downstairs and the scent of the delicious food and promise of a hot meal motivated the lawman to rise from his bed. Jacob reached over to the stand beside his bed and picked up his silver pocket watch and flipped it open, his eyes blinking again as his body and mind slowly awakened from their restless stupor.

It was 7:30am on a Monday morning, Jacob remembered clearly because today there was going to be an inspection at the town’s fledgling silver mine. All the miners and local employees would be present at and inside of the mine as the investors toured the operation. It had caused no small headache for Jacob, who was the town of Avalon’s sheriff, and Thomas, his deputy as they tried to corral the rowdy miners from both shifts into behaving.

The Silver Sun Mining Company had enacted a curfew of sorts in light of preparation for the mine’s inspection. The miners weren’t allowed their regular trips to the saloons, brothels and gaming houses along the main drag for the one night. Needless to say, the miners and laborers were more than a little unhappy, downright mutinous was more like it.

However, the outraged miners were assured of two things, the first being, that should anyone leave the camp and enter the town proper, the Silver Sun Company would revoke any claims or benefits of the curfew breaker and promptly terminate their contract. The second, only after the loud mummers of discontent, was the promise of a small bonus if the investors were impressed with the operation.

Thus, both shifts were relieved for the night to rest up for the following day. With luck, and the lack of hangovers and any of the usual injuries from tempered exchanges fueled by drink or the presence of women, the mine would have a record production day, all in time to show their investors.

Are you feeling okay Papa? The angelic voice chimed again.

Jacob looked down at the side of the bed and was greeted with the sight of his five year old daughter Christie, who was already dressed for the day in an elaborate little dark red cotton dress trimmed with white ruffles and lace at the hems and cuffs. She was clutching a small rag doll with stringy, hay colored hair as her big, green eyes peered up at her father. The young lady had a neatly brushed mane of thick, natural black curls that hung nearly to the small of her back.

With the wavy hair she so much resembled her mother and Jacob couldn’t help but smile at her.

I’m fine little darling. Only, I hear tale that there is a monster about… He grinned as his daughter tensed as if she knew what was coming. He likes to jump out and tickle pretty little girls!

Christie yelped and giggled as her father reached out with both of his, tickling the squirming little girl on her sides, all the while growling in a playful manner and making a polite mockery of a ‘scary’ face.

After a moment the sheriff threw his legs out of bed and sighed, leaning to kiss his daughter gently on the top of the head. Tell your mother I will be along shortly.

Yes Papa. The young Christie gave a clumsy, though very sincere curtsy to her father and then skipped out of the room.

Foster rose and stretched with a soft groan, his mind waking up ever faster as the delicious cooking smells from downstairs wafted up into his bedroom. The lawman strode out of his room and into the bathroom where he found everything laid out for him, including a kettle of piping hot water.

Using the hand towel wrapped around the handle of the kettle, he poured some of the steaming water into a basin that sat below the mirror and began to wash his face. His tanned face was handsome, a few lines that showed not only hardship, but experience, were etched into the flesh around his sky blue colored eyes. He had short, neatly trimmed dark blonde hair and a face that was clean shaven, save for the thick moustache that sat perched on his upper lip.

A few minutes later he was washed and dressed, emerging downstairs with his boots on, clad in a pair of black pants and a dark red dress shirt covered by a black vest with white embroidery. He was tucking his freshly wound watch into the pocket of the vest as he entered the kitchen and sat at the table.

He could smell the flowers in the planters just below the windows out front, the fresh fragrance rolling in through the open doors and windows that let the summer breeze freshen and cool the room.

Good morning darling. The voice belonged to Kate, Jacob’s wife who was busy finishing the morning cooking. She was still at the stove as Christie moved over to the table, placing forks and knives carefully at the three places that were set at the table before going for the loaves of freshly baked bread.

Jacob smiled and accepted the small basket with the small loaves of bread and set it in the center of the table as his daughter climbed up onto her seat. He leaned over and pulled the stopper out of a jug of fresh juice and poured some into a glass for first his wife and then daughter before pouring himself some coffee.

They ate mostly in silence, save for Kate stopping to correct Christie who seemed more content to fiddle and play with her food than to actually eat it. Jacob just smiled; it irritated Kate to no end sometimes when Jacob would let her slide with things. The young girl was far from being spoiled, she was quite well mannered. But still, her father was more than willing to encourage her antics from time to time which simple drove Kate up the wall.

Anything special planned for the day, dear? Kate asked as she silently sipped her juice and then dabbed at her soft, rose colored lips with a small napkin, her thick ebony curls cascading down her back and held together just behind her head with a baby blue satin ribbon.

Jacob was content to just watch his beautiful wife for a few moments, enjoying not only the company, but just the very sight of her before answering. Can’t say that there is darlin’, can’t say that there is. Going to make my rounds and go see Thomas. I still need to talk to the Mayor, but I think most everyone will have their petticoats in a bunch over the inspection. He shrugged indifferently.

Language! And at the table no less! Kate scolded him as Christie giggled at her father’s improper display.

Finished with breakfast, he kissed his wife and then daughter before heading over to the door. He paused to pull on his tooled, brown leather belt and holster around his narrow waist, the weight of the heavy gun resting on his hip as he pinned his polished sheriff’s badge to his breast and collected his hat.

Though still early in the morning, the heat was already beginning to rise; residents of the small town of Avalon were already loitering in the shade on the covered boardwalks in front of shops and buildings along the main drag. Jacob tipped his hat politely as Mrs. Johnson, the school house’s teacher, passed with several young children in tow all of them holding hands as not to get separated.

Oh but damnit! Is it going to be hot today! Exclaimed a heavy set middle aged man as he waddled over from the front of the Dunmore Brother’s freight company office. The large, bald man was fanning his face with the fancy grey hat he was holding as he joined the sheriff on the street.

All around them the tiny town was bustling with activity, a piano was playing in the distance at the local saloon, the smell of fresh hay and the less pleasant smell of horse shit drifted in from the livery and mixed with the other smell coming from the various storefronts.

Well this is the desert Mr. Dunmore, it does tend to get hot. Jacob nodded as he strode through the rows of merchant stalls set up on either side of the street, the large, sweaty man keeping pace despite the sheriff’s long strides.

Have you talked to the Mayor yet Sheriff Foster? About the railroad? Dunmore asked as he continued to fan himself with the hat.

Jacob did his best to suppress his annoyance at the badgering. The nearest town to them was a good 3 hour ride away by horseback, and the town was much larger as it directly benefited from being placed along the rail line. Avalon was still small, built around the silver mine which just barely been opened and begun to be mined.

No railroad meant fewer people coming in and out of town; supplies were slightly more expensive to have brought in and took longer over the land routes. It also meant that Dunmore had to send his shipments and couriers out on horseback, making them vulnerable in the hot desert sands to bandits and road agents. Dunmore’s concern was less about the safety of the people he employed and more about the money he could be saving, along with the additional profit of sending his goods directly through the rail line.

Everyone in town could benefit from a rail extension, the Sheriff agreed it would do wonders for the quality of living and the economy, but he knew Dunmore’s interest was motivated by greed and the pestering was getting to wear on him.

Mr. Dunmore it’s 8 o’clock in the morning, I’ve barely had my breakfast, much less the time to conduct any business. I am on my rounds now in case you hadn’t noticed. Jacob sighed, irritation showing in his expression as he eyed Dunmore.

Well you see Sheriff- Dunmore began.

But he was cut off as the figure of Thomas, the town’s deputy made his way over through the crowd. Sheriff! Sheriff Foster you are needed over here. He called out.

Jacob tipped his hat to Dunmore who became flustered and stormed off from having been so promptly dismissed.

What is it Thomas?

Heh nothin!’ I seen how ol’ bug eyes was pestering you and reckoned I would save you. Thomas snorted a laugh and Jacob couldn’t hide his amusement.

Well you guess right. Jacob licked his lips as he looked around the town square, his deputy falling in step beside him.

Thomas was a younger man than Jacob with a shock of neatly trimmed black hair and a clean shaven face. Despite the light hearted way the deputy usually carried on, with his jokes and remarks that sometimes landed him in hot water, he was a sincere and honest man.

One that Jacob had taken to friendship with very quickly after moving in to take up the post of Sheriff. He found not only a friend, but a companion who was utterly reliable that he could trust to watch his back.

Any trouble from the Silver Sun hands last night? Jacob asked as they walked.

Some of those boys were about as happy as a mule with its balls caught in a crank wench when they were told about the curfew. You better believe there was a bit of racket, but it quieted down when the overseers were threatening to pull claims and cancel contracts. Thomas quickly spit from the corner of his mouth and shook his head.

Thankfully it’s just for one day. I’m sure we’ll have a hell of a night while these boys are blowing off steam, makin’ up for lost time. Jacob pushed up his hat for moment, using the back of his hand to whisk the sweat from his forehead.

I reckon so Sheriff, I reckon so. Thomas agreed as the pair paused on the porch just outside of a pickle barrel shop. The fragrant smell of the spices and barrels of pickling juice wafting over their senses and mingling with the other smells lingering over the street.

Did you feel that? Thomas asked suddenly, the pair looking at one another and then slowly around.

The awning overhead creaked quietly and then let out a more audible groan as the ground began to shake violently. In a matter of moments they could hear the rough clattering of jars shaking and practically trying to jump out of their crates in the store just behind them. The glass windows of the shops rattled and several startled people cried out.

Suddenly there was a loud bang, but not like a revolver or a rifle, it was much, much louder. The resulting explosion rattled windows and teeth alike as a towering, white pillar of dust rose up from the opposite end of the small town, from the mining camp.

Son of a bitch! Jacob growled when the violent tremors ceased.

He pulled his hat down tightly around his head and Thomas did the same as the sheriff and his deputy dashed down the muddy thoroughfare towards the mining camp, yelling for people to clear the way as they narrowly avoided running head long into the still dumbstruck and terrified residents.

What the hell was that, dynamite? Thomas asked, one hand up holding his hat in place on his head as they ran with great haste, growing ever closer to the edge of the camp.

The thick pillar of smoke continued to roll up into the sky, but rather than growing in size, it was already noticeably beginning to thin and disperse. At least, the sheriff thought, there was no fire.

There isn’t supposed to be any damned blasting materials, all the shafts were excavated manually damnit! Jacob barked as the two entered the camp.

Surprisingly enough, they found the camp completely deserted. There were numerous white canvas tents of all shapes and sizes, not to mention condition. As well as numerous permanent wooden buildings like the mess hall, store goods stock pile and the offices of Silver Sun Company.

Thomas darted into the main office and then returned moments later, shaking his head. Nobody home.

It was quickly becoming obvious that the entire camp was abandoned, and Jacob, along with Thomas, approached the mine itself as numerous town folk made their way into the camp, eager to catch a glimpse at what had caused the disturbance.

Jacob’s heart sank in his chest as he seen the damage, the side of the small hill seemed to of had its face sheered away by the explosion, the tons and tons of rocks sliding down and completely burying the one and only entrance to the mine.

Oh Jesus Christ. Jacob swore, his voice catching in his throat.

Thomas pushed up the front of his hat as he pressed his palm to his forehead, staring in disbelief.

This was no accident, that was an explosion damnit! This wasn’t some natural landslide. Jacob clenched his teeth.

By now a crowd had gathered behind the two lawmen, cries of shock and outrage poured from within, a few women weeping as some of the men respectfully pulled off their hats and clutched them to their chest.

Jacob began to pace, his eyes darting quickly around, his mind scanning through all of the possibilities faster and faster. "Thomas, take two men and search the eastern part of the camp, look for tools, shovels, pickaxes, anything we can use to start digging.

Right sheriff! Thomas turned and pointed to the two nearest men. Mr. Johnson, Mr. Levy, you heard the sheriff, let’s git!

The three men dashed off as the sheriff again surveyed the damage. Mr. Mayor! Mayor Bradford! Jacob turned, shouting into the crowd.

The Mayor was down in the mines! With the people sent by Silver Sun! Called back a man in the crowd.

Thomas returned a few moments later, he and the men were empty handed, the deputy shaking his head. We couldn’t find a damn thing in the store houses or the sheds; it’s like all the tools and equipment are gone sheriff.

Jacob turned and stepped up onto a crate as he looked out over the crowd. It was loud as a hundred or more people were trying to speak at once, some louder than others, the gathering becoming more and more restless by the moment.

Be quiet! The sheriff barked loudly, his hands in the air as he tried to call for order.

After a few moments Thomas drew his gun and pointed it up into the air, firing a single, very loud shot. This caught the attention of the crowd which stilled almost immediately. Satisfied, the deputy holstered his weapon and winked up at the sheriff.

There could be 200 or more men trapped down inside of that mine. Honest, hardworking men with families waiting for them. We have to assume that, for the moment they are alive and trying to dig their way out. Well I aim to help them.

We can’t dig them out of there! They’ll all die in a matter of hours if they aren’t dead already! Called one man.

There aren’t enough tools to go around; there is no way sheriff, just no way! Cried another.

Mr. Stone! Mr. Stone step forward! Jacob called out, scanning the crowd as a tall, broad shouldered man with thinning brown hair stepped from the gathering. He was the town’s only hardware merchant.

Sheriff?

Open your supply of lumber to the town and you will be compensated. Take as many men as you need and start building beams and braces. If we ever get to diggin’ we’ll need to support and brace the rocks so it doesn’t just slide in and bury our work every few feet.

The man nodded and turned, pushing his way through the crowd, a handful of people following him as they dashed back towards the shop to begin work.

I need everyone to scour the town for anything that can be used for digging. Spades, picks, hell even buckets to form a line and haul away the rocks. Someone needs to go fetch the Doc and help him set up here, if we do get through to the other side, we can expect to find wounded, if not dead… Jacob turned and looked back over the small mountain of rubble and shook his head, his expression grim.

An idea struck him and he turned back to the crowd. As of this moment, Thomas is the acting Sheriff and in charge. Find whatever implements you can and he will organize things here! The sheriff leapt down off of the crate and headed into the gathering back towards the main street of the town.

Where are you going Jacob? Called Thomas as he hurried to catch up.

"I’m taking a horse and riding to the next town, it’ll be a few hours, but I should be able to rouse some help. Bring back some men and tools, it might be too late by