[REWRITTEN] Wanted for Protagonizin' [a West of Loathing fanfiction]

Chapter 2

''You mentioned errands ?''

''Yeah, this foresaken burg is always fallin' apart in one way or another. The Hostler's always needin' help since he hurt his leg, and that no-account Sherf could certainly stand to have somebody doin' his job for him.''

''Anything else ?''

''For now, nah. Well, asides that, we welcomed a brand new'ol gal from... dunno actually. Name's Cory.''

''... I see. Thank you, barkeep,'' she tipped her hat before leaving the saloon.

''... So if I understand : there are two other horses left. One at a snake pit, and another one to the graveyard. Correct ?''

''That's it,'' Horace told her. ''If you manage to bring them all, I can cover you the prize for the buying. Just, only if you wanna, that is.''

''Of course I want to help ! I'll be back as soon as possible.''

''You have a kind heart, Cory. Oh, and before you go, take this,'' he handed her a bag of oats. ''You'll need this to attract them to you.''

''Right ! See you soon !''

She waved him off before Coraline left the stables. She looked at her little map she made of the region, according to Horace's descriptions. She headed to the closest to her reach : the graveyard. While she did so, the woman in red saw her crossing her way west. She looked at the reach of her destination that was the horsery. She entered it.

''Afternoon, ma'am. What can I do for you ?'' Horace asked her.

''Greetings, horstler,'' she started. ''How does business work out for you ?''

''Oh, you know. Everyday, I'm hostlin'. To tell you the truth, though, it's pretty terrible. All of my horses keep running away... well, except for this completly ordinary one,'' he waved his hand to it, which neighed.

''Oh... and why don't you look out for them ?''

''I mean, I'd go fetch them myself. But there was rhat young lady that errupted sooner in the saloon, coming to my aid. What a golden gal, really. Name of Coraline-"

"Oh," she clapped hands together. "What a truly valuable lady, really. Perhaps could it be possible to... hear more about her ?"

"Well, uh... all I know is that she's kind and such ? Cute lil' gal with freckles and brillant red hair. Couldn't ask for more, she came in after Bonnie, the barkeep at the saloon next door, talked about me to her and-"

The woman left without saying anything else. Horace looked at her doing, rising doubtfully an eyebrow.

***

Coraline soon arrived at destination. Now she passed the fence, she scurried the many tombstones around her. Everything seemed quiet... she walked forward without any difficulties. As soon as she passed the first tomb, she fell face to face with a fancy looking skeleton ! It rose up from the ground, clacking it's teeth, the action providing the sound of a xylophone.

''Eek !'' she shrieked, protecting herself with her arms. ''N-No. This time, you won't cower, Cory,'' she muttered to herself. ''Think... what would do if you were like this...''

She whined as the skeleton now approached her, it's saber rising in the air. She was doing weird gestures with her hands. It almost felt as if she was playing charades. She then did a ''gun'' gesture with her right hand and pointed it at the skeleton. It suddenly jumped and rose it's arms up, making it's saber fall on the floor. She stared at it. She made a pew sounding noise with her mouth, and the skeleton exploded in pieces just in front of her. That made her jump. She then watched as her victim was on the floor.