Ol' BootHill (A Doc Holliday fic)

The Smell of Silver

DO NOT SKIP THE PROLOGUE ITS VERY IMPORTANT

"Wooohooo!" I yelled from the top of my lungs as I raced Archie on horseback. He's my best friend, I've known him since... well I can remember. He was only about two years older than me, making him 24, which could be the reason we're such good friends. I rolled the spurs against Canela's sides causing her to run faster. Her splashed white coat reflected in the sun as we kicked up dirt and rocks from the ground. Georgia was one of the favorite places we had gone to on our hunt for silver and gold. We follow the money. I took in the scenery around me as it quickly passed by. The mountains and the valleys of the Georgian countryside were beautiful.

I soon came to a stop, waiting for Archie to catch up with me. "You've done it again Victoria, Canela never fails to beat me," he laughed. I took in a deep breath, feeling the crisp spring air in my lungs. Speaking of, it was starting to get very cold and almost winter. Without proper supplies the horses couldn't take this climate.

"Hey, what do ya say we go back to camp huh? It's gettin a lil late," I asked.

"... first one back to camp gets extra beans!" Archie exclaimed.

"Oh you set yourself up this time," I laugh.

* * *

The horses caught their breath while we slowed into camp. I hopped off Canela's saddle and went off to find Pop. The sound a guitar played by the campfire as I circled a tent listening for who was inside. I settled in front of the opening and peeked inside. "Boo!" I giggled. Papa turned around from the tent wall to look at me, and then smiled.

    "There's my girl!" He greeted. He reached over and hugged me.

    "So what is the great cowboy Cliff doing now?" I questioned.

    "Oh just fixing up some amo, you should go on and help Jim and Benny with supper. They work hard feeding all of us," He spoke.

    "Oh yeah, really hard. Canned beans are very complex," I laughed. I got up from the ground and began moving towards the tent exit.

    "Wait I forgot to tell you! There's word of silver in Arizona,".

    "Arizona? I thought that place was made up of two buildings and rocks,".

    "It's a town called Tombstone, it's gettin to be real big. Just wait. We should be headed there tomorrow, it's best we get there as soon as possible,".

    "Alright then, I'll go help now. Bye Pops," I then crawled out of the tent and out into the cold climate. From the corner of my eye I saw the head of my fiddle leaning up on my tent. I haven't played in a while. Walking over I picked it up and took a seat by the fire. I scanned my brain of things to play till I finally picked one. Old Johnny Boys Bones (not me picking a random Colter Wall song cuz I'm lazy💀). As I began to play I heard Archie sit beside me and start to sing. (PLEASE LISTEN TO THE SONG WHILE READ OR ITS GONNA BE REALLY AWKWARD 4 ME AND  U)

     "Well I... wish I was in the land of cotton. Old times they are not forgotten.

     Look away, look away... Dixie land,".

     I picked up on his slower tempo and decided to make it a bit more lively. I played the bridge for a bit and then quoted down for him to sing.