Isabel seldom had time on her own. Everyone was always looking out for her. She never complained about it. She wanted to let everybody feel that she appreciates all the acts of kindness done for her. In fact, everyone in their small village have been very kind. No one dared tease her about her incapabilities. No one laughs when she accidentally trips or hits something. No one was ever rude to her. Sometimes Isabel wonders if all the respect is because of their genuine concern for her or because of her mother. Mathilde can be very cruel but she will always be the best mother to Isabel.
Isabel's smile suddenly widened. The feel of the sun on her skin was getting warmer. She especially loved this time of morning when the air just felt right- neither too hot nor too cold.
"Mr.! Sir! What are you doing? I'm just a newsboy!"
The scream startled Isabel. Who could be screaming so loud this early. The voice was unfamiliar and Isabel was sure it had just woken up everyone in the neighborhood.
"Sir! Where are you taking me?"
"Perhaps you need a proper introduction!"
The loud burly voice was very known to Isabel.
"Mr. Holster? What's happening?"
"Good Morning, Isabel. You look exceptionally beautiful today. Just like other days!"
Isabel had to smile. She heard the footsteps stop in front of her. She was always fond of Mr. Holster and she knew the feeling was mutual. Mr. Holster lives on a very big house just across the street. She isn't entirely sure how big it is but she remembers getting lost inside it all the time when she was still little and her mother would leave them there so she could work in the farm. But Mr. Holster wasn't just a neighbor. He was like a father to all of Mathilde's children, especially to Isabel.
Everyone in town calls him Sheriff Matthew Daniels. Everyone, except Isabel. She was the only one that he allowed to call him differently because when Isabel was still a little girl, she recognized him by feeling the engravings of his name on his gun holster. He has been the town sheriff for almost 30 years now. Everyone expects him to retire any time soon but Sheriff Daniels shows no sign that he is willing to leave his most loved work. For him, watching over the Town of Gnarly is life. He once had a wife and a very beautiful daughter. Adelaine and Isabel were best of friends. Sheriff Daniels remembers how much her daughter loved Isabel and how she looked after her as her own sister. Everytime he looks at Isabel now, he would always remember his darling Adelaine. She was so sweet and full of laughter. She was her father's joy. Sheriff Daniels had it all- a caring wife and a good daughter. He was contented. He was happy- until fate took away everything he loved. On a dark stormy night, his wife and his daughter died in a car he was driving. It was all too sudden and too quick. The car swerved uncontrollably and fell off a cliff. Everything went black. When Sheriff Daniels awoke, he was oblivious to the pain of his wounds. The pain in his heart was killing him. He only had one thing left- one thing he loved. He was just a lonely sheriff. He was still a sheriff. And he planned to die as one.
Sheriff Daniels was starting to get lost in his thoughts when he felt the young man tugging at his shirt forcing its way out of his firm grip reminding him of his business at hand.
"Is your mother up, Isabel?"
The question was unnecessary. He knew Mathilde was an early riser. He was asking it for the sake of the young man. He couldn't stop himself from smiling when he saw the young man's eyes widen at the mention of Isabel's mother.
"Oh yes! But today I was up earlier than her Mr. Holster. She was so worried. I didn't mean to scare her though. I just wanted to catch the sunrise."
"There's nothing to worry about darling. I'm sure your mother loves you. Just so much."
They both laughed. Mr. Holster has always been Isabel's confidante. She could just tell him everything and he always knew what to say to make her feel good.
"But why are you looking for mother this early Mr. Holster? Is something wrong?"
Mr. Holster said matter-of-factly, "Oh nothing's wrong Isabel. I just made a new friend here that your mother might like to meet."
Just as Isabel was starting to form an 'Oh' with her mouth, the front door opened and made a loud 'bang' sound when it hit the inner wall of the house.
Michael Fischer wondered if anyone else could hear his heartbeat. Coming out from the door was the most fierce, unfriendly, and angry looking woman he had ever seen.
