The creatures of the dark

First clue

Sheriff Toofier hopped off his horse, Beau, who was a bit tired. "Stay here Beau, after this I'll get you some good grub." She neighs in agreement then nuzzles him. Chuckles erupt as he ties her to the wooden post. He had arrived at the Parkers' farm. Turning towards the home, he gets trampled by dogs. They lick him in excitement and he laughs happily. "Harry, Pat, Wool! Come here boys!" The dogs gets off him and runs to a boy.

"Sorry Mr. Sheriff."

"Heh heh, it's ok Carl. How do you do?"

"Great!" He pets his dogs then raises a stick in the air. The dogs goo over it and start barking. "Want it boys?! Then go get it!" He throws it far as the three runs to fetch it.

"Heh heh, is your parents home?"

"Yep, they're inside! We were gonna go bake some muffins with Lola while dad deals with the cattle!"

"Lead the way partner." Sheriff Toofier takes off his hat and puts it on Carl. Stars form in his eyes and he grips the hat as a toothy smile form on his lips. The boy just nods and runs inside as the man followed. "Momma! Lola! Swiz! Look! Look! I'm wearing Mr. sheriff's hat!" He runs up to his mother and siblings, who were in the kitchen gathering ingredients for a recipe and poses then points to the hat.

Another chuckles comes from the sheriff as he arrives behind him. "Hello Mrs. Parker. Howdy Lola and Swiz." The girl gasps as she runs up over and looks at him.

"You let him where your hat?!?"

"Yep and I'm letting you wear my bandana." He takes off his bandana and puts it on her.

"Oh my stars!! Thank you Mr. Sheriff!!"

"You're welcome sweetheart, have fun."

"Yay!!!" The two shout in joy as the dogs come back in with the stick.

"Let's be sheriffs!"

"Ah sweet!" The children and the dogs runs out of the kitchen to play. The mother giggles in joy while holding her third child, Swiz, which was a baby. "Looks like you made them happy."

"Whatelse can I do since we were friends back then?"

"Oh Mack, you're such a gentleman. What can I get 'cha?"

"It's inspection day remember?"

"Wow, time flies.... But go ahead, James is out with the cattle and e wouldn't mind."

"Thank you but pardon me darling, I have a request to make."

"It's ok, what is it?"

"Charles needs some milk so can you lend me some?"

"Of course, go ahead and inspect, I'll get the milk prepared."

"Are you sure? You seem to have you hands full." He points to the ingredients laid out and to the baby. She laughs and shakes her head while smiling at him. "Yes I'm ok with it, I can always put it away or bake it quickly or even let Swiz play with her toys."

"I can take her while I inspect the farm. It'll give her some more experience of this place." He winks as she laughs again and walks up to him.

"Sure but be careful, she might get into places you might not believe in."

"Don't worry Amy, she's now under baby-management of the sheriff. I'll make sure that she won't escape my sight." Mrs. Parker giggles and gets out all the supplies to make some muffins.

"Ok Swiz, let's go check out the barn first." The baby looks up at him and smiles. Smiling back, they walk to the barn and inspects it. As he inspect it, he had set down Swiz and she watched him. "Looks like this is clear." Turing around, the baby was gone and he looks around. "Swiz! Come on!" Laughter erupts from above as Sheriff Toofier looks up to see a baby on a beam. "What in darn nation???" It's response was a laugh.

"Swa Swa!"

"Heh heh, looks like it's time to show off my skill then." He climbs onto the haystack and reaches the second level as he grabs a rope that was connected to a pulley. "Woohoo!" Swinging, he grabs the baby and lets go as he lands into the hay. They get out of the hay, dust off and look at each other. "......."

"......." They erupt in laughter and leaves the barn.

• • • • • • • • • •

The duo had finished the inspection and goes back to Mrs. Parker. It was 9:00 when they finished. They entered the kitchen to see supper on the table as the other two kids were sitting down. "Hello Mack, hello Swiz." Sheriff Toofier gives the baby to her mother and sits on a stool. The dogs where at his feet nuzzling him. "Hello again Mr. sheriff!" Lola waves at him.

"I'm a cowboy now!" Carl gets down and poses like a cowboy would. Everyone laughs as Mr. Parker enters. "Wow wee! I didn't know you here Sheriff."

"Heh heh, yup. It's inspection day so I came by to check up on the farm."

"And he let me wear is hat daddy!"

"And let me wear his bandana!" His children runnto him and hugs him. He chuckles and picks them up. "Really now?"

"Really!"

"Well go on and eat your supper."

"Yay!!" They get down and eats their dinner as he hugs his wife then kisses her's and Swiz's nose. They giggle and sits down to eat the dinner. Mr. Parker smiles, sighs with happiness and walks over to the Sheriff. "Pardon me but there's somethin I need to show you."

"Ok James, show me." He nods as he takes him to the back of the ranch where the sheep were and fence that seemed broken.

"Woah, what happened?"

"Easy, something broke in. And it also took one of the sheep."

"Something? Really?"

"Yep and it also triggered Wool that night."

"What happened?"

"Well the following morning, when Wool came to me, he was hurt so patching him up is what came up first."

"So a creature attacked to grab a sheep and Wool came out to defend it but ends up harmed right?"

"Right but afterwards he showed me the fence so I'm going to patch it up once I get some wood."

"Well do you have anything that can lead me to it?"

"Actually yes, when he showed me the fence, Wool also pushed a ball of fur to me," James pulls it out a pouch then pulls out a ball of fur. "which was apart of the creature though it reminded me of hair too... Strange isn't it partner?"

"You're right about that partner."

"But another fact is that it came from and gone to that direction." He points east of his settlement. The sheriff nods at Mr. Parker.

"I'll deal with this, just be ready for anything."

"You got it chief." He tips his hat and walks away.

"A creature huh? Looks like I'll be visiting Farside tomorrow. It'll be good to see a old friend again."