Born to Die - Sheriff Callie

Chapter 1

It's around 10am when the town of Nice 'N Friendly Corners is fully awake. Shops began to open and kids were allowed out to play and socialize. Today was uncharacteristically hot as summer approaches, but it was thankfully balanced out by the cool gusts of wind that blew through the town no more than needed. Sheriff Callie in particular enjoyed the cool breezes, the scorching sun burning into her fur. When the cooling gusts blew over her, she couldn't suppress an inaudible purr that welled up in her throat, making her body vibrate as if she was shivering. It was refreshing, probably the best she could get at the moment.

Right now, she, Peck and Toby were doing their daily rounds of the town, saying good morning and greeting that had approached them. Callie found herself in an unusually (but welcomed) talkative mood. She complemented Priscilla's pretty new purple dress, who in response offered to get her one (which she had to politely decline, Callie herself wasn't that into dresses). She then helped Uncle Bun finish and win a game of chess against Tió, which the bunny was very grateful for. After that and a few more little conversations, the rounds were over. With the free time, she and her two best friends settled down at Ella's Saloon for some mid-morning milkshakes.

Upon entering the saloon, it was packed. She spotted a few of her closer friends among the townsfolk. It was understandable why the place was so packed, the sudden heat wave took a toll on many, herself included.

The three took their usual spots at the booth and placed their orders. Callie got her usual glass of milk, Toby and Peck also getting their usual milkshakes.

"Thank you, Ella!" Sheriff Callie purred thankfully to the brown cow as she slid her a glass of milk.

Ella chuckled, "It's no problem, really Sheriff." She grinned as she slipped Toby and Peck their shakes, who thanked her as well.

Peck gave the sheriff a curious side eye as she drank her milk, slim tail perked up and tipped in a hook-like shape. He then fully turned to her.

"What's got you all giddy, Sheriff?" Peck questioned the calico cat.

"Oh, nothin' really." Callie sat her glass down, "I'm just happy. We haven't had an outlaw in town for a good while now, I reckon I could get used to this."

Toby budded in, giggling, "I wouldn't jinx it, Sheriff! You never know who'll blow into town next."

"You're right about that, Toby." Callie took another swig of her milk, "I've got to stay on guard."

The two boys nodded, and the three of them finished their drinks.

˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗

"That cat's just too much!"

A knife was thrown at the wall of the saloon, the thrower being a huffing and puffing brown hound. His lip curled back into a snarl, roughing sitting back down. He dug his dull, black claws into the wooden table in front of him, the fur on his neck rising. The cat across from him: a long haired orange tabby with narrow amber eyes and long, black whiskers rolled her eyes. She rested her cheek on her paw, using the other to tap her claws on the scarred wooden table mindlessly as she listened to the bloodhound rant.

"She thinks she's so smart, but she's just some calico molly! Always throw'n me into the sorry excuse for a jail, I'll show her." He growled low, swiping up his glass of whisky and chugging the rest of it. When he finished he grunted, slamming it back onto the table with a sigh. There was a headache brewing in his temple, but he could really care less at the moment.

The tabby watched, a bit impressed. But not entirely.

"You're not the only one that's been locked up by that no-good sheriff, y'know. No reason to get your ears in a twist over it! If you can't do the time, don't do the crime." She shrugged, leaning back in her seat and kicking her worn boots into the table.

The hound's tail wagged maliciously, not listening to the other. "She'll get what's comin' to her. And I've already got a good idea how I'll go about it."
The orange cat perked up at that, curiosity brewing inside her. "Oh really?"

"Yup. All we need is a few other outlaws and we could pull it off flawlessly! You think 'ol Flick would be up to it?" The hound hummed, rubbing his gray chin.

"That old wolf? Not without a price, no." The tabby tilted her head to the side, "Gosh, Asher, don't tell me you're gonna pay some randoms to help you with this petty revenge plot!"

The hound - Asher - growled in a low voice, "It is not petty. That cat took what was rightfully mine, I stole it fair and square!" He barked, slamming a fist onto the table. "You don't get it, Jinx, you're too soft."

The tabby, Jinx, felt her tail twitch behind her. The fur along her spine rose in defense, and her eyes narrowed in resentment. "I'm not soft, I'm just not stupid. Knowing you, you're gonna make some elaborate plan that'll end up blowing up in your face."

Asher shook his head, "T's nothing to elaborate. Just lead the Sheriff away from town by actin' like we stole some gold, lead her to Friendship Canyon, get her cornered, and take her back to the saloon."

Jinx's eyes widened, "You're going to kidnap Sheriff Callie? You're out of your mind, Asher." She pinched the bridge of her nose, disappointed.

"No, I won't kidnap her! It's more of a... ransom."

"That's still kidnapping!"

"Whatever!" Asher barked, silencing her. "I just need to grab a few friends, get the sheriff a bit beat up, and send a ransom to Nice 'N Friendly Corners. I bet they'd pay a pretty penny for their dear sheriff's safety."

Jinx sighed, "You're sick." With a shake of her head, she continued, "How do you even plan to get the sheriff back to the saloon, let alone captured? Y'know how tuff she and that horse are."

Asher just cackled, "Already one step ahead of 'ya, Jinx."

"You're crazy."

He ignored her, pulling a little something out of his belt holster and sliding it over to Jinx. As it spun over, the fur on her body rose as the feeling of pins and needles strung into her body. The dangerous shiny object stopped right at her paws, and unconsciously she felt her claws dig down into the table.

A gun. A pistol, to be exact.

"This little guy is all I need to throw that cat off. Maybe a few warning shots into the air, perhaps a few shots into her arm!" A toothy grin grew onto his face, baring fangs and all.

Jinx swatted the gun back at him, standing up with a hiss. "This is too much, even for you." She makes her way to leave, but stops. I can't believe I'm doing this. "You wanted Flick and the boys, right? Ill uh.. see what I can do."

Asher perked up, "So you're in?"

"No." She quickly shot back, "I'm not 'in'. I'm just.. helping you. But if anyone asks anything, I was never associated with you. If you don't turn me in, I won't turn you in." Jinx sighed, "That's what friends do, I suppose."
Asher blinked, and then nodded. He stuffed the pistol back into his holster, eyes narrowing in thought as Jinx leaves the saloon.

[1261 Words]