The Book of Common

Fort Morgan

Yeah you seen right, I'm at Fort Morgan. Don't
want ta be buts, I am so make the best of it.
Had to make my way here via Biloxi, had a few things to drop here. Not only is it a fort but a Ranger post also.

Brought down some map updates and such from Missasip. You know if we didn't do such things
hell every Ranger be lost. Truth be known we are
lost some form or another. Most Rangers till you
figure out the routes and such aren't sure what
they might find. Even with a map and all the notes
ya end up with. Kinda reminds of the time, I was
headed ta Dover Virginia's. Mind ya I wasn't lost
but, sure felt like it. I hadn't been to a Station nor
a Post in awhile. So I didn't know this whole town
and Station had packed up and left. Ghost town nothing no one. Almost no one that is.

Well I stood next to my horse lookin nothing at
all. Empty houses the Station empty, even the darn
Saloon was empty boarded up. Now I tie the horse
start to checkin the place out. Keep seein somethin
out the corner of my eye, least I thinks I do.
Well I just sit fer a spell in front of the Saloon.

Then I says I'm not seein thins, that was a lady!
I shouts hey lady! Ranger Common here! Don't
be a feared! Just want ta talk ta ya! Want ta know
what happened here! Nothing back into the shadows. Well you say what's this to do with Fort
Morgan. The maps and updates folks! I know still
what's this to do with Fort Morgan? Hell I got off
track Fort Morgan maybe later. It does have to do
with map updates, don't it. Lan sakes Common stay
on track talk about Virginia's now into to far.

How is she disappearing, I walk to the alley I saw
her in. Just empties into another street, where did she go? Again I sees her, I chase after her. Dear lady I yells. Ranger Common can we talks! I wasn't
more than five steps behind her. Damn she done vanished again! Down a side street. Well I figure best get back to my horse and that boarded up Saloon. Guess what I sees next to the horse, yep
that lady. I move quiets like a mouse, I manage to sneak up on her. Get a hold her arm, dear lady Ranger Common. Don't try and run! I'm a tryin to talk ta ya. Just want ta talk is all. What's your name dear? What happened here Ifin you knows.

She kinda looks off ta you know no where, likes
she's touched or somethin. Deary I says you ok?
Look at me now, can ya talk? Finally I,I am Mable
I live here, the sickness set in. The ones not sick
deemed safe were aloud to leave. I sa the only one
left. I am sick now you may catch it, I tried to stay
away Ranger. I truly tried. Where is the rest that was sick I say. She kinda looks off again, gets that
lost dumb look. Theys dead she says, all of them
I'll a show ya. Follow me then she gets a sad look about her. Then a flash back to half normal like
part of her is still inside her some wheres.

Now mind ya Ifin she is sick, this ain't good.
If she is a carrier even worse. She would live I might just die. Doctors every blame person left.
This isn't good I can't get help, nor can I leave
till I know nothing is wrong with me. Lan sakes
this is might past my job. Well I follow her, oh dear
the smell, they all been dead least a month not longer. For some maybe week or two longer for
others. I about loose it over the smell. Death blood
and such doesn't get me, the smell of decay and rotten flesh. Lets say is more than I can handle.

I have ta stay, got to try and figure out what killed
them. Lan sakes can't tell, to messed up I can't stand the smell. I step outside about loose my stomach. Damn it all I says why me, could of just
kept goin past Marydel Station. Dover has one lots better too, more like a Post. Looks at her asks Doctor he stay tryin ta help. She nods yep she
points to a small house just few feet away.

I rush in yellin Doc Ranger Common here! You in here? Hear coughin like some one coughin up
a gut. Rush in this old guy, looks pale wet, eyes
waterin just near death. Covered in four quilts
shiverin like he is froze to death its middle of summer mind ya. Doc tell me what you got?
What killed those people? Now I'm not touching him nor gettin closer than an arms length away.