Dull Fangs

I walked towards him steadily, my steps were light.

I sat down on the empty seat that’s on his left. I stared at the shelf for a bit, before looking to my right.

I turned my head towards the gaze that’s been directed at me. As our eyes met, I noticed that his were sharp.

This time around, I was the one who was surprised. He’s definitely the man I passed this morning. But upon closer inspection, he’s a lot finer than I expected.

Anyone who saw my face for the first time, will always be surprised for a bit. But him? He’s unfazed.

It appears that he’s struck by awe, causing me to unintentionally tilted my head.

He, continued to surprise me by greeting me in french.

His pronunciation wasn’t perfect, but he gets the point accrossed. I replied back. But it appears that he only knows how to say good evening, as he struggled to respond.

I then told him to just speak in English.

He said that he had a hunch that I came from France? How did he know that? Was that just a lucky guess?

We then continued. I told him about my origin, not the full story of course. I then ordered a glass of Rye Whiskey.

Not a wine enjoyer nor a drinker? He looks so out of place. And yet, his presence made me want to stay here longer and continue to converse with him until dawn.

He then addressed me as ma’am. I took offense and replied that I’m not that old. Of course, both are lies as I decided to be playful.

We got to know each other more, as we exchanged our name. I unknowingly gave my full name without me realising, despite always using my alias ever since I got here.

Marshall Mallow? Marsh? Marshmallow? Such a stark contrast comparing to his appearance.

Speaking of it, I have a feeling that he’s not an ordinary man. I can sense sadness and regret in those eyes. And his subtle and calm voice, told me that he’s been through a lot.

It appears that the longer the conversation continues, the heavier the topics.

By the end of it, he’s getting more and more anxious. He keeps looking at the two men who wears a bowler hat that sat at the corner table.

With that, my suspicion were true. It appears that he’s a wanted man.

Out of nowhere, he then genteelly draped me with his fur jacket. It took me by surprise, again.

Now I know. Behind that brusque appearance and sharp eyes, there’s a kind and merciful heart.

He hurriedly left the saloon, his departure was followed by a disgruntled shout.

I then looked back at the money he put down, he paid more than he ordered. Does he not know to count? The bartender then said to me.

“His drink were only 25 cents, and yet he paid 2 dollars. I think that mister is also paying for your expense too miss!”

“Is that it?”

I said. Now that he put it like that, it does make sense. There’s no way that he doesn’t know how much a glass is cost.

I thought for a bit as I stared the glass of whiskey in my hand. I fell in deep thoughts, as I was feeling indecisive.

This is a feeling that I haven’t felt in a while, it almost nostalgic. The last time I felt this, is when I was deciding to leave my house or not.

I could chase after him and saved him, but I have a feeling that my fate and peaceful life will be in jeopardy.

If I don’t chased him, I have a feeling that I will never meet or see him again.

Drinking the rest of my whiskey, I slam the glass down as I shout.

“Take the change mister!”

“I see. Well, good luck miss!”

With that, I walked outside as I put on the fur jacket and tuck in it’s sleeves. He was right, it’s cold tonight. But, the jacket warmed me up.

I jumped to the top of the saloon’s name sign. I tip toe and jump from one point to another as I scaled the building that way and reached the rooftop.

I can see the entire city from here.

After only looking around for a few seconds, I saw a man being chased by two Cherrington. He then entered a small alleyway.

Jumping from one roof to another, I chased after them. It’s been a while since I moved intensely like this.

Before long, I caught up to him. I can see Marshall raised his hands as they point their firearm at him.

It’s now or never.

I jumped from the roof and landed in-between them. Anyone who saw that would definitely be aghast, the confusion on their face further proves it.

I threw away my hat that I just bought a week ago.

I see, so they don’t care if I got collaterally damaged as long as they got Marshall. Reminds of a certain other organisation I faced in the past.

Replying in a sinister voice as I whip my hair back, I gave them a big smile and showed them my fangs.

“If that’s the case, you left me with no choice.”

So much for hiding my true form. It’s been quite a long, long time since I last showed anyone else my fangs.

Now I’ve done it.

Was it because I’m drunk that I did that? No. Was it because of my own free will and unanswered feelings? Yes.

I saw fear displayed on their face as they muttered something. I made quick work as I disarm them.

One of the men who was on the ground blew a whistle to call for backup. I looked back for a bit as I shout at Marshall.

“It’s your chance, run!”

I then scaled backup to the roof that I jumped from. I jumped to another roof next to it. As I did that, I realised my energy is draining quick.

I jumped back down on the cobblestone street below, as I opted to just run my way out.

As I run through the streets, I pondered a bit.

Why did I get tired so easily? Is my body getting weaker as I age? No, that’s not it. I think I know why.

I don’t know the layout of this city. I might be running in a circle for all I know.

When I took a right on the t junction, I saw a lawman riding his horse heading my way. I instinctively turn around and run the other way.

“Stop or we’ll shoot!”

He shouted. As I continue to run, I heard a gunshot that’s followed by a bullet hitting the ground next to my feet.

I took a right turn on the cross road. Unfortunately there’s another one of them waiting, he then shot at me.

I managed to dodge as I entered an alleyway on the left that’s too wide for a horse to enter. As I run through it, another shot was directed at me and the bullet grazed my left hand.

I left the alleyway and take a right towards a fountain that’s in the park. As I got closed to it, I heard the sound of a distant gunshot. Before I can see who it was, a bullet pierced my left shin.

I stumbled and fall down and hit my face on the ground as I ate dirt. I looked behind, but he’s quite a distance away than I thought he would. A sharpshooter?

They dismounted. As three men slowly approached me on foot, I heard a galloping horse from the other side of the fountain.

A horse then jumped over the fountain and I. The man who rode it was Marshal.

He aimed with the revolver in his left hand and rapidly fire three shots as he landed. All three of them was disarmed in a second, as the bullets hit their revolvers.

The men flinched.

Marshall then used the revolver in his right hand as he shot the two street lamps near them in succession.

He grabbed a glass bottle with his left hand from his satchel, and threw it at them.

As the bottle flew in the air that’s above them and in between the broken street lamps, he shot it.

It caused the bottle to explode in flames, which in turn caused the two lamps to explode in flames as well. It caused the surrounding area to set on fire.

He then turned to me and extend a hand.

“Quick!”

I grabbed his hand as he pull me up and puts me to sit in front of him. He then said in an assuring voice.

“Hold on tight! We’ll get us out of here.”

I grabbed him tight as I trusted my fate in his hands.