Jerimiah's Gold

Chapter 2: So It Begins

We, Wiona and I, traversed through the heat waves and scorpions of Nevada. Ahead on the road was a stagecoach that had a wheel missing, or perhaps it was broken completely off. As I approached the wrecked vehicle, two Mexican men stood in front of me, blocking my path.

"Aside." I said coldly before spitting tobacco.

"Aye, senorita," the fat, small one spoke, "our wagons broken, see? You mind going into town and calling for help?"

"Which town?" My bison leather hat basked in the deadly rays of the sun as wind picked up sand and soil.

The fat Mexican paused for a moment before his thinner friend spoke for him, "Belle Haven," he said, "we were transporting some goods from the large store to Washington."

"Firstly," I dismounted Wiona, "Washington is North, friend. Secondly, I can't go into town right now. See, the constables there have a problem with people saving lives and doing their jobs for them. Your store was robbed, I saved it, but the deputy there wasn't so pleased with me carrying the bleeding robber out of the store." I tucked my thumbs behind my belt buckle and stood with a leaning posture, it was only a matter of seconds until I realised that I had been copying Fredericks stance.

"Oh, mierda, is everyone okay?" The fat man asked.

"Everyone besides the thieves and the deputy." I shrugged.

"Well, Hell," the thinner man exclaimed, "thanks for saving the shop, doesn't do us much good though if they're looking for you."

I nodded my head and all three of us stood in awkward silence before I excused myself and mounted Wiona once more.

The thinner man tapped my arm, "Wherever you're going," he had plea in his eyes, "tell them we're stranded."

"If I find the help, I'll send it." I said clearing my throat.

I spurred Wiona lightly to get her moving. I rode eastward, to the mining town. Guilt crept up on me and sank itself into the pit of my heart. Did I need to shoot the constable? I thought to myself as the sun beat on my hat and my arms, sweat occuring and evaporating just as fast as it trickled down my face.

Pete's Run wasn't far, I made it a point to send help to the travellers. Indeed, I'd need to go to a postal office to ask for a deputy to retrieve the men. I arrived not too long after my departure from the stranded strangers. The smell of fish punched itself into my nostrils and filled my stomach with disgust, the smell of gunpowder seasoned the foul odor. Wiona shook her head swiftly in annoyance to the stench.

"We won't stay long, girl," I whispered to her as I softly patted her nape, "just need a few things."

She grudgingly snorted in response and began stomping her hooves as she walked.

"Now's not the time, Wiona." I scolded her attitude.

She somewhat grumbled, I know it was only another angered snort, but this one sounded guttural. She was cautious in her steps now. But I could still feel the tension in her back as I rode along. I made it to the town's postal office and hitched Wiona outside. I entered the wooden building, and was immediately stopped by a constable.

"Where is your husband?" The constable asked without missing a beat.

"I don't have one, but-"

"Any woman without man is denied service." He spoke as if he were reading a script.

"Sure, but-"

He repeated himself, more condescending now. A constable began to shove me out of the office with his gun across his chest when I stopped him by grabbing the weapon.