Young Guns: Fire and Steel

Chapter 12: Buckshots and becoming "Pals"

Weeks later the Regulators and the outlaw woman followed the Rio Tularosa to a small homestead at Stinking Springs. The group had requested room and board and offered to pay for the accommodations. They were given the bunkhouse to stay in as well as food to eat. It was pleasant enough and they all welcomed a warm bed. The woman was given the only extra room so she had her own private space per Dick's orders. To which, they all looked at him with shock --- even Kristal had been surprised half expecting him to take the room. It wasn't like she hadn't been sleeping out in the open with them all nearby anyway. Still, she relished the privacy.

That early evening, they were all having a nice dinner, or rather trying to. Billy and Dick seemed to be going at each other's throats more and more with each passing day.

Now, Dick was saying a prayer over the food with the others inside, while Dirty Steve stood watch with his dinner in hand, sitting on a ridge making sure nobody was coming for them.

The food was placed nicely on the table and the boys all had their heads bowed except Billy. The blond boy was growing more and more agitated as Dick continued the prayer. Kristal merely sat, glancing between the boys. She had never been the religious sort, but she would be polite enough as Dick continued with the prayer. Though, she too was getting awfully hungry.

"Lord, forgive us for our wrongdoings. For our misguidance by heathen religions. Thank you for keeping us alive..." Dick went on. He was a rather religious sort as John has been as well, so he felt the need to uphold the tradition.

Thinking Dick was done, Billy started to eat.

However, Dick then continued on without missing a beat. "Please guide us in doing the right thing. Our father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name."

"Please Dick, it's getting cold." Billy impatiently announced with a roll of his eyes. His groaning caught the attention of the other's seated there and they all looked up at the blond in surprise that he had interrupted Dick.

Dick suddenly moved, pulling his gun in the process. Seeing Dick move, Billy pulled his gun as well and got it out first. Both men aimed their weapons at each other with a frown.

Charlie appeared annoyed growing tired of this rivalry. All he wanted to do was eat the delicious looking food in front of him. But no, the two boys had to ruin even this nice moment.

"Good lord, y'all act like children." Kristal grumbled, leaning back in her seat with a biscuit in her hand. She wasn't going to wait. Her patience was running thin and she was hungry. "Amen..." She then muttered, feeling the need to finish the prayer - she didn't like leaving loose ends even if it was a prayer. With that said, she ripped a piece of her biscuit off and popped it in her mouth.

"I could've killed ya, Dick." Billy announced ignoring the woman. "I couldv'e killed you. But I don't wanna kill you. I'd rather eat."

The Mexican-Indian man looked to Kristal and smirked before annoyance crossed his face eyeing their leader and Billy. The woman was right. They were acting like children. He decided to take Kristal's movement as well as her end to the prayer as the okay to dig in and began filling his plate. He ignored the two men who still had their guns aimed at each other.

Dick was growing tired of Billy's shit. The man was a cocky bastard and acted like he didn't have a care in the goddamn world. "After we finish this meal, you little rodent. We're going to go out to the yard and see who has the right to run the Regulators."