The Decay

Chapter 6 - The Stranger

6  

It was dusk by the time they reached Mountain Side. The gate opened as they approached it. On the other side stood Sam, a wide smile on his face. "Well I'll be damned. The boy did it!", he exclaimed. "Yeah... even though I did get shot in the process said Mike.", half-smiling and raising an eyebrow. The wound had stopped bleeding but the bandage was soaked with blood. He was going to have to get it changed by the local doctor. "Mike, go get that patched up properly at the clinic. Then come to the sheriff's tent. Cassandra, follow me.", said Sam.

Mike walked over to the tent with a large red cross on it and stepped inside. Dr. Alexia Ortez was a young woman with long, brown hair. She wore black, thick-rimmed glasses and a lab coat. A stethoscope hung from her neck. "Hello there. I'm doctor Ortez. I'm guessing you want that gunshot wound treated?", she said. "A keen observer, doctor.", said Mike. "The sheriff told me to take care of you if needed. This one is free of charge." Mike had a surprised look on his face. "Oh, that's nice, thank you." After stitching the wound and putting on a fresh bandage, Mike exited the tent and headed for the sheriff's tent. He saw Cassandra leave together with Sam.

Mike entered and saw Steven. "Ah, there you are. A job well done Mike. And I see our doctor patched you up as well.", he said. "Yes, indeed. Thanks for telling her to take care of me.", replied Mike. Steven gave him a curious look, then said "I have no idea what you're talking about." Mike looked surprised. "Anyway.", he continued, "you did what I asked of you. Take this, you have earned it." Steven threw a small leather purse at Mike. He caught it. "70 gold coins for your service. Furthermore, feel free to come back here any time. I've told the shopkeepers to trade with you." "Thanks a lot.", replied Mike. "Oh, and what about the information?", he asked. "Ah yes, I nearly forgot. I apologize.", said Steven. "Stonegate town. It's North of here, quite far. Around 10, maybe 12 kilometers. Chances are they will be able to accommodate you." "I don't guess I have much of a choice.", said Mike. "I can offer you a bed for today. Take a break, enjoy the town for a few hours and sleep well tonight. Prepare yourself and buy things you might need for the journey.", said Steven. "I'll do that.", replied Mike. With that, he left the tent and headed towards the shops.

 A large, single tent stood to the right of the clinic. There was a sign hanging from a pole next to the tent which read 'supplies'. Mike headed inside. On entering, he saw a young woman sitting at a desk, scribbling on some paper. She looked up from her desk, straightening her glasses. She couldn't be more than twenty. She was quite short and had long, blond hair. Her eyes were deep blue and she had a ring in the shape of a butterfly on her left hand. Her white dress had a small stain on the right. "Good morning, my name is Michelle. How can I help?", she asked. "Good morning, I'm Mike.", replied Mike. "I was wondering if you could show me what you have for sale." "Are you looking for anything specific?", asked Michelle, smiling. "I'm going to need medical kits. Adrenaline would be great too.", said Mike, shrugging. "Oh, and ammunition for this gun." Mike pulled out his .45 Caliber pistol and showed it to her. "Give me a moment.", she said, before passing through a pair of curtains behind her.

A few minutes later, she returned. "I have these three different medical kits." She proceeded to open each of them. Two were roughly the same size. The third was significantly larger and held a number of bandages together with four red and four green syringes. "I also found this box of rounds. They're the right caliber. I checked with my dad.", she said, cheerfully. Mike smiled. "That's great. I'll take that large kit and the bullets." "And that reminds me", he continued, "I have these that I want to get rid of. Do you buy things too?", he asked. Michelle took a look at the items Mike had placed on the desk in front of her, among them two packs of cigarettes, a broken gun and a gold necklace. "Yes, we do. Let me calculate the prices real quick.", she said. "That would be 12 gold coins, please." Mike counted out the coins and handed them to her. He took the kit and bullets. "Thank you." He put out his hand. Michelle took it and, after a brief handshake replied, "You're welcome. Is there anything else I can help with?" "Actually, there is something else.", said Mike. "I'm looking to buy some clothes. Any idea where I can find any?", he asked. "Well, we don't have anyone in town who sells clothes, but speak to Giovanni next door. He often makes apparel out of animal leather. Maybe he can help you.", she replied.

"I'll do that, thanks Michelle, take care.", said Mike, and with that he left.

Upon exiting the tent, he saw Sam. "Hi Sam, how's it going?", he asked. "Great thanks. How about you? Your backpack seems heavier.", replied Sam. "Can't complain. And yes, I bought some gear. Do you know where I can get something to eat? I am starving.", asked Mike. "See that tent next to the clinic on the left, boy? That's the Jolly Hopper. Definitely your best bet.", said Sam. "Back to guarding for me. Catch you later Mike." "Thanks Sam, enjoy.", said Mike.

Mike went into the tent next to the store. An old man was sitting down, head back and eyes closed. "Excuse me?", said Mike, almost whispering. The man's eyes shut open. Drool was dripping from the corner of his mouth, through his white beard and onto his black and white striped shirt. "Ah, who are you?", the man asked, visibly disoriented. "My name is Mike. Michelle told me to come speak to you.", replied Mike. "Ah, Michelle. What can I do for you?", said the man. "I'm looking for something to wear. As you can see, my clothes aren't in the greatest of conditions." The man stood up and picked up a measuring tape from a nearby desk. "Hold still.", he said. The man began measuring Mike, both his height and waist. "Come back tomorrow. Bring me 20 gold coins. I'll have a fine, durable leather vest, a linen shirt and maybe even some cotton trousers.", said the man. "Will do, thank you.", said Mike, leaving the tent.

He started towards the Jolly Hopper. His feet were sore from all the walking and he was very hungry. In front of him he saw a green tent with a sign saying 'The Jolly Hopper'. 

Mike went into the tent. "Hi there, what can I serve you?", asked a young woman with blond hair. "I don't know. Just throw some food on a plate and tell me how much I have to pay for it. I'm too hungry to think.", replied Mike, smiling. "As you wish. Please, have a seat, I'll be back soon.", said the woman.

A few minutes went by and she returned with a plate containing two scrambled eggs, some meat and carrots. "Where did you get eggs?", asked Mike. "Believe it or not, but we have two chickens out back." "I'm surprised any chickens have managed survive this long.", said Mike. "They are rare yes, but occasionally you might see some around.", she replied. "That will be 2 gold coins please." Mike handed the coins to the woman and started eating. When he finished, he thanked her and left.

As he was strolling through town, he suddenly felt exhausted as he remembered that he hadn't slept since running away from his old home. He walked into the big tent on the left with a sign next to it which said 'common tent'. Inside, he found a mattress on the right side that was empty. There was an envelope on the mattress. He picked it up and saw it had 'Mike' written on it.

Mike opened the envelope and pulled out a small piece of paper. 'Hello Mike. I heard what you did for the sheriff. If you're interested in a quick job, meet me at the gate tonight at 10pm. - John.'

Mike put the paper back in the envelope and put his backpack next to the mattress before lying down on it himself. It didn't take long before he was fast asleep.