Cowboys & Ghosts

19. Invisible Immortality

The ghost riders had escorted Daisy to her hometown of Batesville, Arkansas. It was as if nothing ever happened, whilst she had been gone. "Before you go down," Korte reminded her. "Once you're there, they can't see you. Because you're a ghost. After one year, it's not the case." Daisy nodded and walked into town, and the ghost riders, including Rafael, Shaban, and Cody remained behind. Like she predicted, or what she had been told, no one seemed to notice that she was there. It was as if she didn't exist. Pounding hooves ran straight past her, and Dollar had just approached town without his rider. "Mrs. Martinsen's horse," said Sheriff Quinn Target, calming the horse. Daisy saw that a carriage had returned from the Federal Marshall, and came out Meredith, who remained in chains. "It's from Mrs. Martinsen," said Dr. January Golden. He had the piece of paper, that Daisy stuck into her saddle moments before her death. "Dear townsfolk of Batesville, Arkansas. I am dead. I died fighting for you. The ghost riders are on my side. I leave behind my journal and horse to whoever is interested. If you see Meredith, tell her I always loved her as a mother, despite her own actions. Tell Dr. Golden to take down the orphanage, and tell Sheriff Target to take care of the rest of the town for me. Be sure that my body is resting with my parents at the cemetery. Yours truly, Daisy Martinsen." Target looked around the town, who was just as normal as it was before Daisy's departure. He took off his hat, in honor of the girl. January did as well. Meredith appeared not to see why. That was when pounding hooves came around. Daisy whirled, and didn't flinch at the sight of outlaws approaching the town with or without permission. Slim James Harrison and his men halted their horses, surprising them all. "Well, isn't it pleasant to have a surprise guest like you here," said January. "Welcome to..."
"Batesville, Arkansas," Slim interrupted. To Daisy's surprise, the old man seemed convincingly surprised and mostly sad. "It breaks my heart to inform you that one of your townsfolk; Daisy Martinsen is dead." Gasps belonged to the townsfolk, followed by murmurs and questions of utter confusion. Daisy looked over to see Meredith crying hysterically. One officer came to console the woman. "You knew Mrs. Martinsen, sir?" Asked Target. Slim nodded, dismounting from his horse. "She called me 'Uncle Slim.' As it turns out, I had her work for me. For money."
"Sheriff," one officer said. "You might recognize that old bastard." He handed out a wanted paper, that had Slim's picture on it. Despite the hat and gloves he had for disguise, there was no need for Slim to back off and ride away. "Slim James Harrison, Arkansas's Most Wanted," Target finally managed. "We're turning you over to Federal Marshall." Daisy wanted nothing more than to not let them arrest her 'uncle,' but she had to stay back, as she was invisible to her people and immortal to her 'now fellow' ghost riders. Slim wasn't the only one surrounded by officers, as his men were forced to dismount and turn themselves in. "It also says in the girl's journal," Target went on. "That you chased her down right up to the very end." Slim's arms were placed in front of him, and his wrists tingled at the handcuffs, that were placed on him. "You bastard!" Meredith had approached the old man, slapping him across the face. Daisy was shocked. "You let my daughter to her death! Murderer!" A few officers had to pull her away from Slim, who bled from the mouth, due to impact from Meredith. "Now, both of you are leaving town!" January snapped, wiping the red liquid from Slim's bearded face. Daisy continued her observation, unnoticed, as both her 'uncle' and foster mother were taken to the carriage, followed by his men being escorted with their hands tied behind their backs. "Sick son of a bitch!" Meredith continued to rage. "I will kill you!" Tears stung Daisy's eyes, and she let a tear fall, when it came to her foster mother leaving town for the second time, taking Slim along. "What now, Target?" January asked. "Well," Target said. "There's a lot to do now." Daisy turned away, heart stricken. She returned to the sky, with Rafael awaiting her. "We saw it, too," he said, wrapping an arm about her. "I'm so sorry." Daisy looked at him, and finally, another kiss was shared. "Ghost riders also have empathy," came Korte's voice. "For the ones they loved, even if they have to face consequence." The subject was quickly changed. "Come along. We have endless skies to ride."