| |
Rapists and murderers. Why's it that's all men seem to know how to do? They get within sniffin' range of a woman and they seem to think that she's theirs for the takin'. Ugh. It never ceases to amaze me the amount of men I have taken down for these same crimes. To think that they zeroed in on this woman while in her Werecoyote form and tore her apart sickens me. I'd shoot them on sight, but as a Bounty Hunter I have to give them the opportunity to come quietly. Whether they deserve it or not. Fortunately, they almost never do, and I get to mete out some real justice. The group is fast to get me the supplies I need. Two large caliber S&W revolvers and a big honkin' huntin' knife. But there is somethin' a bit different about all of it. The bullets are laced with wolf's bane, an herb that we Werewolves are allergic to, and the knife is dipped in silver. The legends of the allergy are true. While not exactly deadly, it causes wounds to stop healing and burns to the touch. Which I find out, by accidentally gripin' the blade. I'll have to be careful, but these weapons will come in handy now and soon. The clothes and hat from Aiolos have me feelin' like my old self again. Which is good as I'm only two days walk from San Francisco's epicenter. When I finish here I'm gonna get back to what I set out to do three years ago. I'm finally gonna get Jimmy Straights.
A horse is impossible, as none of them can get near one without it spookin', so I am led to the Neutral Township by Kale and Orion, in their wolf form. They are beautiful, with golden fur and deep brown muzzles and markin's. I realize that I have no idea what my wolf looks like, but if theirs are any indication, I am red as my hair. Probably look more like a huge fox. They circle the entrance and nudge me forward before retreatin' out of sight. So I am gonna be on my own, but they have given me a bit of fur as I was told to use the scent to find them. That they will probably be together. Find one scumbag, find ‘em both. That is usually how it works in my old world too. I notice that the place has a Marshall's office.
Fuck. I can’t go in as the Law if I didn't report myself as it to the municipality. I suck the air in between my teeth and head for the office. I get a few dirty looks and a snarl from a woman as I pass but I snarl right back and she cowers. Now I have a smirk on my face. I pick up my swagger and enter the Marshall's... Den?
***
I CAN SMELL ANIMAL all around me. The Marshall here must be a Were of some kind, but I can’t tell what. Process of elimination tells me it is a Mountain Cat. Well that and the smell of piss. That ammonia smell is sort of somethin' you never forget, or can get out of your clothes. I crack my neck and my knuckles. I hope that I ain’t going to run into any trouble. I don’t want to have to hurt anyone or not be able to collect my men. Perhaps I can get a bit of help here. I'm sure this cat doesn’t want some rogue wolves running the gauntlet in his Township.
“Hello?” I call out, looking around. The place seems empty except for the smell. “Marshall? I'm here to report my arrival per section 4 of the Bounty Clause?”
“You a Hunter?” A woman's voice breaks past my hollerin' and I turn to see that like me she has her guns slung at mid-waist. Which means she is either a Hunter, which is unlikely or she is the Marshall. I am betting on Marshall.
“I am Ma'am.” I tilt the dusty hat Aiolos gave me. “Name’s Danny Johnston. I'm passing through to San Francisco.”
“There are more direct routes.” She walks past me and heads behind the counter, her hips swaying hard and her movement fast and deliciously graceful. She has big green eyes and long blonde hair tied up in a messy sort of knot on her head. She sniffs the air. “Thought Bounties had to be male... And human. What's a wolf doing so far and alone?”
“I prefer to work alone.”
“I've heard that about you. Took down The Mauler all by yourself. They say you took his head off with a snap of your legs.”
“Not quite. It’s been exaggerated.” I shift my stance, my boots are a bit large and I don’t like the feel of the pants rubbin' my ankles.
“I see. Do you plan on huntin' while in my Township?”
“I am on the lookout for a couple of men. But I'll be sure to let you know if I find them.”
“Are they Normals?”
I shake my head. “Wolves.”
She nods, putting her guns down on the counter. “I had a feelin' you were gonna say that. Names Scarlet, I've got a few Beta's been roaming around here and there. Didn't think it was going to be a problem, but if you're here... What did they supposedly do?”
“The usual. For men.”
“I'd be happy to assist, when you find them.”
“That would be most helpful. Thank you.”
***
BACK OUTSIDE I QUICKLY catch the scent from the fur, it wafts and weaves its way through the Township. It is strong and leads me through the streets. Callin' out to me, fillin' my nostrils. The Township is larger than the outposts, but just barely. The big difference is the houses that are nestled back against the secondary road with a few shops on the main street for supplies. I can smell the manure of horses and cows alike, tellin' me that there is at least one farm, but I can’t pinpoint it. There isn’t any electricity here of any kind. Everythin' is lit up by torchlights. Young boys are just beginnin' to light ‘em up as the sun is goin' down around me. They walk on tall pegs that help ‘em reach the height of the gas lamps that burn brightly at the flames’ touch. It is rather pretty and I take the time to really admire it. It distracts me some but then I catch the scent again. It takes me to a small motel just near the endin' of the main road, almost back out of town. The people I pass seem to feel my determination and agitation, movin' and givin' me a wide berth as I approach. A few growls here and there, but mostly they just get out of the way. This wolf thing is super useful. Maybe there is somethin' to the Alpha talk too. I don’t bother checkin' with the manager of the place, since I have no idea what my Bounties look like. I don't think 'let me smell the place' will go over all that well. I follow the scent up a flight of rickety old steps, in major need of repair. My foot nearly goes through the top at the first landing. I put that in my head in case things get physical, I don’t want to go rollin' down into that mess.
The door in the middle, number 23 seems to be where the scent stops. There is laughin' and carryin' on comin' from inside. At least two girls are in with them. Am I gonna go in and risk hurtin' the girls or backtrack to Scarlet? I can use the back up, but I also don’t want to risk them fleein' while I am gone. I decide to peer in through the partly opened blinds as I walk by as though I am just headin' to another room.
A fast scan tells me what I need to know. Two men, moderate builds, and three girls. All half to nearly naked. The booze is flowin' and they are rowdy. Those girls are probably for hire. I guess their pimp is the manager. So I take myself back down the other set of damaged stairs and head back to find Scarlet. I don’t get far before findin' her at the Motel entrance.
“You are good.” Scarlet smiles, her hand to her gun. “I thought it would take you longer to find them. See, I can't let you take them. I looked into it and you, my beauty, are wanted in Columbine Spring for murder. Worth more than those two in there.”
“Scarlet, you don't want to do this. I don't want to hurt you.”
“You think you could?” She backs up and tears into her blouse. As I blink she is jumpin' on me, her massive claws diggin' into my shoulders. I grab her face as it turns to me full of razor sharp canine teeth. I was right; she is a Mountain Cat. Her weight is surprisin' as she lunges at me, tryin' to get a foothold with her hind legs. I snarl and spit as she hisses. I use my forearm to hold her head up and away. I pull my blade and slice her chest crossway. She leaps back, the silver burnin' her. She is in between, able to still stand on two legs, but her head and face are that of the cat. She hunkers down and lunges for me again. This time I catch her with the blade’s curvin’ edge, at her belly. She stops crumplin' on the ground silently. I don’t want to kill her ,but she leaves me no alternative. Now I am going to have to go after these two alone, with fresh blood on me. My body is on fire, adrenaline pumpin' hard and fast. Then I feel the sting in my back, the bitch isn’t dead. I've missed my gut mark!
She tries to pin me, but I roll out from under her. Getting behind her. I grab her head in a lock. She flails tryin' to toss me off. I have her good, though. Pull my knees up into her back and shove all of my weight down into them. I hear the snap and this time she is down for good. To be sure I take the cunt’s head.
***
A LITTLE WORN FROM the fight, I clear the steps again silently and kick in the door. The party stops and the men throw the girls off of ‘em. Instantly putting their hands in the air when they see my guns pointed at ‘em.
“Easy there!” The blonde one smiled awkwardly. If it's about the noise you could have just knocked.”
“Yeah, we’re sorry!” The other answers, his hands shakin'.
The three girls are huddled together, one of them protectin' the other two. She stares at me with anger in her eyes.
These are supposed to be cold blooded killers? Somethin' isn’t addin' up. Not at all. But I am gonna find out what is goin' on and quick.