Across the Barren Landscape: Across the Barren Landscape, #2

By Pete Clark

The continuation of the interconnected stories of the people in Barren Landscape, a town in the Old West where rules don't apply.

• Language: English
• Publisher: October Leaves
• Release date: Mar 17, 2015
• ISBN: 9781502268853

Book preview

1.

The Twilight’s Bleeding

Buchman’s body was still twitching, like a fish drowning in the sunlight, when I heard the gunshot. It zinged far off into the distance. Somebody was getting shot at; I was pleased to discover that it wasn’t me. From the sound of things, the shooter was aiming for Green Hat. He had to be out of range, but just to be safe, I tucked myself back against the bar, beneath the overhang.

I scanned the rooftops. He had to be up there.

A voice came from inside. Uh, is anyone around who could untie me please?

The prisoner. That poor bastard had been tied to the dead lawman for a good hour by now.

I cast a final look at the rooftops. The sun was still up but she was about ready to settle in for the evening. Not much light left. Our sniper wouldn’t have much luck then. I kept my pistol drawn and went back into the bar of Barren Landscape.

The heat still hung thick in the air and the bodies were already starting to stink. I stepped over Ted’s corpse first on my way toward the prisoner.

Hemmingway, he called out to me, practically weeping. Let me out, huh? I can help you.

And how can you help me?

I’m a doctor. Sort of. And I know this land well. I can help you track down that guy in the weird hat.

I work alone mostly, my friend. I strolled up toward him, keeping him under my iron just in case. As I got closer, I realized there wasn’t any need. His left arm was pinned beneath the Law and his right was mostly just a lump of mangled bone. He couldn’t hold anything with that mess. What happened to your hand?

Misfire.

I nodded. Shit luck that was. Let me see your arm. He held up the chained arm and I aimed my pistol at it.

Wait a second! Wait! he shrieked.

What now?

His keys. Just use his keys. They’re on the other side of his body. I can’t seem to reach them. This guy is a heavy.

Why was I wasting my time? I should have been chasing after Green Hat. Or maybe Shell. In a way, he screwed me, too. He should have made sure it was fair. That’s two guys on my list.

My knees squealed in disagreement as I squatted down and searched the Law for the keys. I found them and tossed them to the prisoner. When I stood, my kneecaps fired off a few quiet shots of their own.

The unfortunate bastard couldn’t manage the lock with that screwy hand of his. Give it here. I took the keys and freed the idiot. Why did he arrest you anyway?

He picked up the Law’s gun with his good hand and tucked it into his belt. For nothing. He ain’t law for sure. He shot my friend, and then when I tried to shoot him, my gun exploded and here I am.

You seem like bad luck, boy. Not sure I should keep you around.

I’m not bad luck. Just this one time. He paused. Okay, maybe a couple of times. But listen, huh? I’m a doctor. Very useful. Call me Portson. I wonder if-

Shhh. I held my hand up. I heard someone moving about outside.

I ducked down by one of the tables out of the line of the doorway and kept my gun ready. A minute slipped by and the shadows started to creep up on the entrance, right alongside this sneaky whore. I kept waiting. In situations such as this, a man without patience was a dead man.

The moving stopped. The silence started to sweat. Then there was a voice. Thomas? Thomas, you still in there?

I debated whether to answer, shoot, or stay silent when Mr. Lucky himself decided to speak up.

I don’t think there’s anyone named Thomas in here.

Who are you?

Portson.

Were you in the game?

No. I was a prisoner with the-

Shut up, Portson, I whispered but too loud. Way too loud.

Who’s that now? How many people are in there anyway? Where the hell is Thomas?

Settle down, fella. Did this Thomas fella have a big green hat?

What? No. I saw that little shit running away.

So you’re the guy who took a shot at him then? I asked.

Yeah, why? Friend of yours?

Far from it. Did you hit him?

Naw. I couldn’t get a bead on him ‘til he was near a mile out. I’m not afraid to admit that I’m a top shot, but he was too gone.

Listen, fella. I don’t know what your deal is, but I won my way into this game fair and then I won just as fair with the dead man’s hand. Green Hat, cheating shit, stole the map and took off. What’s with you?

I got ahold of a ticket and me and my pal, Thomas, decided to give it a try. I been on the roofs in case something was to go down outside. He was in the game. Is he in there? In fact, I need to know... is it just you two guys?

I hated to be the one to say it but somebody had to. I got bad news for you. It’s just me and Portson in here. Everyone else is-

Don’t be so sure, tumbleweed. I turned and had my gun shot out of my hand. That shit had never happened to me before. Quiet voice and quick gun.

From out of the shadows came the sixth member of the game. I had gone ahead like some senile fool and forgotten all about him. He had just been pinned in that deep shadow waiting the whole time. This person was a serious player. Not to mention a quick and accurate shot.

You been there the whole time? asked Portson.

The person emerged from the shadows, dressed all in black, with his hat pulled down low and pistol in hand.

Holy shit, said Portson. You’re a woman.

You weren’t lying, she said. You are a doctor.

What the hell is going on in there? the voice from outside called.

You just stay outside, bird boy. I’ll let you know when you can come in.

Clever hanging back like that, I said.

Not really. That fancy dan got away. But I figured with you and Buchman getting all shooty, I’d wait it out. She glanced about. You kill Buchman? I nodded. Good. He was a crazy prick.

"You knew him?’ Portson asked.

When you have the gun, you can ask the questions, she said.

Fair enough. I thought I’d try to smooth this out if I could. What exactly can I do for you?

Nothing. You’re washed up, old man. If you had a time machine, I could use you as my partner on the trail after Greeney. But you don’t have much left, do you?

Well, ma’am. You got the jump on me just now, I have to admit. That is plain to see, but trust me, I got a little something left. I have more left than most people could ever dream of having. I just need to scrape the bottom a bit to find it. I didn’t like talking like some kind of drunk fool looking for a gunfight, but she seemed the type to want to hear it.

Maybe. It doesn’t look like I have a lot of options. She stepped over the dead body of the guy who had tried to kill me with a flintlock pistol back before Green Hat made his escape. What a shithead he must have been to carry a flintlock.

Listen, lady, the voice from outside called again. I’m coming in. Don’t shoot me. I got my rifle out but I don’t plan on using it. I just want to come in and see about my friend.

The lady considered it. Okay, birdy, come on in, but don’t get fancy or I’ll cancel your ticket.

The doors swung open with a slow shove. The tip of a Spencer rifle came into view first. Then there was a pause before a young man stepped through, crouched low, his rifle up. Don’t you shoot now. He looked around; his eyes squinted as he must have