𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑷𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝑻𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒔 ☆ The Glorious Series ｟ BOOK 1 ｠

A Town Called Mercy [Part 4 - FINAL]

Inside, Marshall's office, Night...

Jupiter entered and looked at Jex in his cell before then putting her right leg up on the rail to untie the holster.

"Fresh coffee, Marshall." The undertaker said as he entered with a steaming cup. "For what it's worth, I know you're gonna save us. Isaac made you Marshall for a reason, young lady. And if you're good enough for him, you're good enough for me. Reckon you should know that."

"Thank you." She nodded, toasting with the cup and taking a sip of coffee before setting the cup down and leaning on the railing.

The undertaker gave her one last look before leaving.

Jupiter sighed, removing her cowgirl hat and rubbing her forehead.

"Let me guess." Jex spoke up. "The good folk of Mercy wanted me to take a little stroll into the desert. You could turn a blind eye. No one would blame you. You'd be a hero."

"But I can't do that, can I?" She responded, turning around and walking towards the cell as the Doctor entered the office. "Because, then, Isaac's death would mean nothing! It'd just be another casualty in your endless, bloody war!" She exclaimed as Jex laid down on the bunk in his cell. "Do you want me to hand you over? Is that what you want?! Do you even know?" She shook her head and turned away in frustration.

"You think I'm unaffected by what I did? That I don't hear them screaming every time I close my eyes?" Jex asked, propping himself up on one arm. "It would be so much simpler if I was just one thing, wouldn't it? The mad scientist who made that killing machine, or the physician who has dedicated his life to serving this town. The fact that I'm both bewilders you."

"Why don't I take this one, Jupiter?" The Doctor offered before walking up to Jex. "We know exactly what you are. And we see this reformation for what it really is. You committed an atrocity and chose this as your punishment." He himself then started pacing. "Don't get me wrong, good choice. Civilised hours, lots of adulation, nice weather. But, BUT, justice doesn't work like that. You don't get to decide when and how your debt is paid."

The Doctor then just sighed before leaning against the wall, back to the cell.

Jex sat up. "In my culture, we believe that when you die your spirit has to climb a mountain, carrying the souls of everyone you wronged in your lifetime. Imagine the weight I will have to lift." He said as Jupiter and the Doctor both turned back to look at him. "The monsters I created, the people they killed... Isaac. He was my friend." He stated, walking up to the bars of the cell. "Now his soul will be in my arms, too. Can you see now why I fear death?" He then looked to Jupiter. "You want to hand me over. There's no shame in that." He told her. "But you won't. We all carry our prisons with us. Mine is my past, yours is your morality." He then laid back down on the bunk.

Jupiter stood up a bit straighter.

"'We all carry our prisons with us.'" She muttered quietly to herself before glancing over at her father and grinning when she saw the look of an idea on his face.

Outside, Town, Day...

Jupiter stood alone in the center of town right in front of the bank. She cracked her neck as the clock moved closer to noon.

Inside, Church, Day...

The preacher kneeled in front of the altar with a group of parishioners.

"Help me. Help me to..." The preacher prayed as all the parishioners prayed quietly, including a little girl.

Outside, Town...