The chill of the desert night seemed sharper now, cutting through the quiet as tension mounted between the three men. Charlie's hand went to his revolver, the metallic scrape loud in the stillness as he drew it and cocked the hammer. His eyes burned with defiance as he pointed the weapon directly at Jose.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIXF28DokG
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTs5CgQyid
"Charlie," Jed barked, his voice low but commanding, "don't."
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJagzAklV1W
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTAJhDloHx
Charlie didn't budge, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the handle. "Jed, I can't keep lettin' him go. You know what he's done!"
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKOrrx5TX5
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFHWttXPNt
Jose smirked from atop his horse, unfazed by the gun barrel aimed his way. "Go ahead, boy," he drawled, his tone dripping with arrogance. "See if you've got the nerve. Or better yet, see what happens after."
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8t24AqJZv
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3BLjJGgXE
Jed sighed, pushing back his hat and glaring at Charlie. "Put it down, boy. You're wastin' energy you don't have on someone who ain't worth it."
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMftm9V0zqX
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Y8EkkrMqc
After a tense beat, Charlie lowered the gun, though his jaw was clenched tight with anger. "This ain't over," he muttered.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUGCpawQyu
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDEXP0ocrm
Jose chuckled, his voice a low rumble. "Oh, it never is with you two, is it?" He shifted in his saddle, the movement casual, almost lazy, as though he were a king addressing peasants. "Now, before we get all sentimental, let me tell you somethin'." He nodded toward the distant village. "That town yonder? Built-in a week. Just one man, out here in the middle of nowhere."
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2nPW8CWPS
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEig4JmnFK
Jed squinted his skepticism plain on his weathered face. "How would you know?"
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeW19nnkxTX
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHDLVK50hT
"Well," Jose said, leaning forward as if relishing the attention, "last Monday, I was ridin' through these parts, mindin' my own business when I saw it. Figured it was just another ghost town, but when I got closer, there he was. Big fella—pale, bald, looked like he'd never seen the sun. Out here all alone, buildin' like it was a holy mission or somethin'. Kept mutterin' 'bout makin' humans 'evolve.'"
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgZpreLByp
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrbBJJH3D7
Jed raised a brow. "And you just happened to stumble on this guy? What'd you do, rob him blind?"
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8ffnjU6H8
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaTI99QWYD
Jose's grin widened, his teeth glinting in the moonlight. "Well, you know me."
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRs373EljH
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFvl9Eg04b
Charlie snorted. "You're full of it. No way some man just up and builds a whole damn town in a week."
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tdoHJCRAP
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsIizq6kxO
"Believe me, don't believe me," Jose replied with a shrug, his tone mocking. "Doesn't make a lick of difference to me."
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6mRRsVo1K
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMUyoDWrnk
Jed leaned on the horn of his saddle, his expression unimpressed. "So why're you tellin' us this fairy tale?"
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqBJ0GonFH
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQ3vPpTHbw
Jose's eyes gleamed with mischief. "Because I figure we can make a deal. Work together. Find that Holy Crystal everyone's whisperin' about."
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2dP0kaEnx
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKF3FWAhnL
Charlie let out a bark of laughter, shaking his head. "You serious? That's the funniest damn thing I've heard all week!"
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoysy7kLk7i
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bTeLy1SJI
Jed chuckled too, though his tone was darker, sharper. "You're somethin', Jose. A snake in the grass. No, scratch that—you're a damn rat."
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdAGgz90pt
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTm6O49V7s
Jose's smile thinned, his voice dropping to an icy tone. "Fine. Laugh it up. But you'll regret this." With that, he pulled on the reins, his horse turning smoothly. He cast one last look over his shoulder before riding off toward the village, his figure swallowed by the night.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYlJi68Dto
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZdekfnNig
For a moment, the only sound was the wind.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9pDB9G6KT
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGgEpNe7kr
Charlie glanced at Jed. "So, Uncle Jed… should we head into that town?"
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2bCWUbyk5
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnv0atrKMld
Jed adjusted his hat, his gaze lingering on the village lights. "Yeah, might as well. Could use a roof over our heads for a spell."
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwm17C2098
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYoh9seFrM
Charlie hesitated. "What about Jose?"
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL73a1ie8Nn
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhujDWshdFI
Jed snorted. "Jose's like a rattlesnake without venom. He makes noise, but he ain't bitin' tonight. Just another man tryin' to act bigger than he is."
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CQrPNX95V
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTzoKjB6oO
With that, the two men urged their horses forward, their silhouettes cutting through the shadows as they approached the strange, unmarked town. Charlie and Jed finally arrived at the village after a long, quiet ride under the pale moonlight. The air hung heavy, carrying a faint chill that seeped into their bones. The homes ahead were squat and sturdy, built from rough-hewn stone and clay, their domed roofs blending into the earth like they'd been there forever. Narrow paths wound between them, cobbled in places, packed dirt in others, the kind of place where time itself seemed to slow. Smoke rose in thin spirals from a few chimneys, though the village itself was eerily still.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuj7dswUey6
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bFohlpmhJ
The two dismounted in front of a small, two-door structure tucked into the shadows. Jed glanced at it, squinting like the place owed him money. "Well," he grumbled, "if this ain't cozy. Looks like it could collapse if you sneezed hard enough."
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNhdF7BQWv
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jWZnrxClP
Charlie, ever the optimist, chuckled. "It's better than sleepin' out there with the coyotes and the cold. Let's see if it'll hold the horses."
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlI4wDQfmY
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKl2I1rm79w
They opened the creaky double doors and led their steeds inside. The room smelled faintly of hay and damp stone—a stable of sorts, though far from luxurious. Charlie patted his horse on the neck before turning to Jed. "Silver'll be fine here. Not like there's much trouble to get into."
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50pg0vWJFQ
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA38p2escHV
Jed snorted, adjusting his hat. "Speakin' of trouble, keep an eye on your saddle. Last thing we need is Jose creepin' back to pick us clean."
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNQjbmmSlt
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo82VhmZ8gG
With the horses settled, they stepped out the back door into the open air. The village stretched before them in the faint light of lanterns flickering in windows. Charlie paused, his gaze drawn to one house in particular. It had a faint glow spilling out from inside, and even from a distance, he could see the glass panes were clean, the walls well-kept. It stood out against the general weathered state of the village.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2t4H3OjSX
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sVq8Pvk6R
Charlie nudged Jed. "Hey, look at that one." He pointed. "It's got lights, nice windows… hell, I think I even smell food. Thought this place'd be all creepy and abandoned."
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEy0mhi9JL
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RqVwYPfRX
Jed sniffed the air, his expression turning sour. "Nice on the inside, sure, but the outside? This whole damn place stinks."
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pzFo7lZqz
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2ORifUzBz
Charlie gave him a confused look before sniffing the air himself. "Stinks? I don't smell nothin'."
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrUrGQNivD
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcacRZEGcnW
Jed scowled, waving his hand dismissively. "Figures. You got the nose of a damn mule. Smells like mold and desperation out here. But you do you, kid."
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LfgV5yLGc
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQg0gUUbsrF
Charlie laughed under his breath, shaking his head. "You're somethin' else, Uncle Jed. What're you gonna do, sniff every house in this village?"
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnviLDDuhv1
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKE7ZPmVLD
Jed smirked, his humor dark and sharp. "If I do, it'll still be more productive than whatever nonsense you're thinkin'. I'm gonna check this place out. Get a feel for it."
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBhPW4aWqF
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinS0rZNDqg
Charlie nodded, adjusting the brim of his hat. "Alright, I'll see if this place's got any food worth takin'. No point sleepin' on an empty stomach."
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1A2H3egjY
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhzx9x5wTf
Jed tipped his hat and started walking down the narrow path, his boots crunching against the dirt and stone. "You don't die of food poisoning, you let me know," he called over his shoulder.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9hhiSFUqA
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJRosAdmfG
Charlie grinned as he turned toward the house with the glowing windows, his curiosity leading him closer. Meanwhile, Jed disappeared into the shadows, his figure blending into the stillness of the strange village. Charlie stepped into the house, pushing the creaky wooden door open with a hand on his holster, just in case. The dim light from a single lantern in the corner cast flickering shadows across the room. His eyes scanned the shelves, quickly picking out rows of canned beans, loaves of bread, candy bars, and bottles of whiskey and tea.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJqrPK860Z
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SSqkpQ36p
"Well, damn," Charlie muttered, stepping further inside. He grabbed a can of beans, shaking it slightly, then set it down in favor of one of the whiskey bottles. "This ain't half bad. Place like this, I was expectin' rat droppings and cobwebs."
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfAVTxEHVL
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqt5kRXhZ60
He twisted the cap off a tea bottle, took a cautious sip, and smirked. "Decent enough," he said to himself, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5D0RL92rR
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbAEU2dL9C
As he walked further into the house, his boot nudged an empty tin can on the floor. It rolled lazily before stopping near the window. That's when Charlie noticed it—a shadow flickering outside. His breath hitched for a second, and his instincts kicked in. Slowly, he stepped toward the window, peering out cautiously from the side.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3ntw8w0HW
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTNvpPr02U
What he saw made his stomach turn. A dead coyote lay sprawled in the dirt just beyond the house, its belly torn open, blood pooling around it. The fresh wound glistened under the faint moonlight, and jagged teeth marks covered its neck.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYrAm2zbT1
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelt0qBDfKO
"What the hell…" Charlie whispered, leaning closer. He scanned the area around the coyote but saw nothing else. It didn't look like something natural. Whatever killed it wasn't just hungry—it had been messy, almost careless.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxCQVugzq4
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCp0iQNc4SS
A knock at the door snapped Charlie back to reality, and he instinctively reached for his revolver. Relaxing slightly, he muttered, "Jed, finally. Took you long enough."
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlUJhkqwZA
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGKBzCvBEL
He strode to the door, unlocked it, and yanked it open. But instead of Jed's grizzled face, there stood Jose, his sly grin almost glowing in the lantern light.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIDUkwu4vM
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhgM3chIyh
"Mind if I come in?" Jose asked smoothly, his tone deceptively casual.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAfn8SHCS4
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZseoeWNDM
Charlie didn't hesitate. "Yes." He slammed the door shut, putting his weight into it for good measure.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9WIAhTH6E
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaybQdZAJaE
But it didn't close. Jose's fingers were wedged between the door and the frame, holding it open. Charlie stared, waiting for a yelp of pain or some kind of reaction, but Jose didn't so much as flinch. His grin only widened as he forced the door back open with surprising strength, stepping inside like he owned the place.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVYHDVe4ET
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXPvz4Yonc
Jose brushed some dust off his coat, looking around. "Nice little setup you got here," he said, his eyes scanning the shelves. "Food, tea… whiskey, even. You sure know how to pick 'em."
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfO22ZWPn4z
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJHv9jOXhj
Charlie muttered, "What the hell? I slammed the door on his fingers," his mind raced, spiraling through a mix of confusion and unease.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9z3vLhMJ3e
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyauxytmb6
How the hell didn't he scream? Didn't even blink… His thoughts churned as he glanced at Jose's hand, expecting to see blood, bruising—something—but there was nothing. Did I imagine it? No, I felt the damn door hit. So how's he actin' like it didn't even happen?
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRU8tZoMJW
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2dytX75ag
His eyes flicked up to Jose's face, searching for a wince, a flicker of discomfort, but all he found was that smug, unbothered grin. That ain't natural. Either this bastard's tougher than anyone I've ever met… or there's somethin' seriously wrong with him.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL30UAovYon
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA548cQKvUH
Charlie's fingers hovered near his holster. Could be he's one of those folks that don't feel pain, but even then… the way he walked in, like he owns the place? Ain't no normal man acts like that.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOLFA3ZjQg
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KlqsI5RkT
A bead of sweat slid down his temple as his unease deepened. Stay calm. Play it cool, he thought, forcing himself to keep his breathing steady. But beneath his calm exterior, a gnawing instinct whispered: This man's dangerous.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LSrrryLzI
ns3.137.210.249da2
