Shadows of the West

Chapter 2: Lowry

The gentle breeze blew the girl's long black hair as her long beige jacket got caught in the wind, flowing out behind her. Pina, her horse, galloped down the path from Valentine towards her house. Her father had just been hung for mass murder, known as the serial killer across the land. She, however, was now associated with her and was assumed as suspect as well. Never knowing what her father had done; she had made a run for it as soon as his crimes were readout. Being only 19 and with no other family, she made her way to what was left of her old, broken home. As she arrived she pulled on Pina's reins, causing her to skid to a halt. As she dismounted her, she smiled as she noticed the sky reflecting off her blue coat. Pina was one of a kind horse and she loved her to pieces. Hearing more galloping in the distance, the young girl ran to the basement and pulled on the metal handles and immediately backed off. The stench from the basement was overwhelming let alone the sight. Blood, limbs and other body parts lay strewn across the ground in a bloody mess. Picking her steps carefully, she lifted her skirt to ensure it didn't get covered in the red liquid as she tiptoed over to the table where a lockbox lay. Using the knife next to it, she used the blade as a lever and pried the lid open to find her father's revolver inside. It seemed to have blood markings engraved into the weapon with lines such as "you're next" inscribed on the top of the barrel. As the galloping drew closer, she grabbed the revolver and the gunbelt hung up next to the table. Strapping it around her waist; she holstered the revolver and headed up the stairs and ran to Pina. Quickly mounting her steed, she kicked her heels into Pina's side and made a quick getaway, galloping down the path. Only to turn around and see her house in flames and the smoke billowing up into the blue sky.

Bonnie handed each of the siblings a revolver, Knight had one with a black hilt, Kaos a white hilt and Snips an orange/brown wooden hilt. Each of them examined their revolvers as Bonnie began to explain. "It's about time you people head out into the big wide world," she began "You all have so much potential. It just seems a waste to keep you here when you could be doing so much more." she explained as the trio holstered their weapons, smiling at Bonnie as Snips walked over and gave her a tight hug. "Please, take the horses you've been taking care of as well. They deserve to go with you and not to be stuck here on the ranch. We have Storm and Spirit that we can use if we need them for work." She said with a smile and a small tear in her eye as she looked at the small group of people she'd raised since they were young. "Oh and Knight, your shotgun is already in the cottage, it's freshly polished." She added which caused Knight to run up to her and hug her as well, tears streaking down his face. 

"We'll come back and visit, I promise," He said softly into her as he pulled away and smiled, allowing Kaos to go and hug her as well before Kaos and Snips made their way to their horses again. Knight ran into the cottage to find his shotgun, no Mykayla's shotgun sitting by the fireplace. The black metal of the barrels, clearly polished, was reflecting the fire which glowed a bright orange. Smiling, he picked it up and slung it on his back and then his rifle on his shoulder as he made his way outside and towards the horses. Mounting Lunist he took Bonnie's hand. 

"I'm not sure if you people would want to be involved but I've heard rumours of someone planning a job at Saint-Denis in Lemoyne," Bonnie said with a smile. As she took Knight's hand and looked at them all one more time. 

"We'll check it out, it might give us the money we need," Knight said as he turned to look at his friend's behind him who all nodded in agreement. "All we need is money at the moment."

"Speaking of which, take this," Bonnie added quickly, reaching for a pouch on her belt which she handed to Knight who opened it. Inside was a fair amount of notes of money, causing Knight to smile. "You'll need some if you're to survive out there. It should be enough to keep you going until you reach Lemoyne," She said in a hopeful voice

"Thank you, Bonnie," Knight replied as he let go of her hand.

"Is there any way we can repay you?" Snips asked, still smiling through tear-filled eyes

"Just be the god-darn best people you can be, that way I know I've done something meaningful in my life" Bonnie replied happily as she wiped her tears away. "Now get going you three!" 

The three siblings smiled and nodded, kicking the sides of their horses and making their way up North towards Blackwater and the Great plains. 

"You'll be alright girl." The young lady said soothingly to her horse as she walked it through the great plains, the sun beating down on her exposed arms. Her face was luckily protected by the hat she'd brought but she had run out of food for her and her horse. After watching her house be set alight, she had managed to flee down to Blackwater where she had grabbed some supplies and new clothes, keeping her father's revolver on her at all times. She didn't care what he was accused of, he had been the only one to raise her after her mother passed away at her birth. They were nearing the edge of Hennigan's Stead but she wanted Pina to rest. They had only been sat under a tree for 5 minutes at most when she spotted a group of 3 people riding up the path towards her. No harm in trying to ask for some provisions she thought to herself as she got up. "Um excuse me!" she yelled, her voice weak from her dry throat. 

The three horses stopped in front of her. At the front, it was a young boy with longish black hair. He wore a black hat with a metal top, a long black duster with a black shirt underneath and black trousers with some black boots. Behind him was a young girl who also wore a black hat but with a bright red blouse and a black skirt which had gold trims around it. Behind her was another young man, this one had stubble and also short black hair, he wore a blue jacket and a black shirt and light blue trousers as well. He had a very similar hat to the girl.

"Can we help you?" the boy at the front asked curiosity in his voice with his hand on the grip of his holster.

"I'm only looking for provisions!" she replied, trying to look as friendly as she could, gesturing to her exhausted horse.

"Do you have a name?" the boy at the back asked, he also looked tense

"Alice..." she began "Alice Lowry."