Gung-ho Youngster

“Guess what happens next?” he asked.

“What?”

“He ended up running full speed into a cactus.”

“Oh my, that’s just too silly,” I laughed.

Whether he’s telling a story from his past, or just simply talking about random things, I’d listen to it.

We only have so much time the entire day, so I want to make every second counts.

The conversation would continue. Before he inevitably have to go to sleep, and I have to tend the saloon’s bar downstairs.

Marshall said that it rained in the afternoon. No wonder it’s extra chilly tonight. Things went like usual, just another night attending the saloon.

The place is peaceful as always. People chattering, cheering, and drinking. Until a very young man who’s sitting at the poker table, shouted at me.

“Hey lady, can you deal the cards for us? I can’t trust these two anymore.”

His face told me that he’s not from around here, he’s definitely from Europe. He dressed just like the locals, but the duster he wore seems a bit too big.

I then walked over to do what he asked. It’s only been around fifteen minutes since he sat there, seems like he’s already fallen to the gambler duo’s trap.

His presence’s very suspicious to me, as he glances at me multiple time from the moment he entered up until now. But, I paid it no heed.

“You’re really fast at dealing these cards.”

“I had my fair share of experience,” I answered.

He gazed at me that entire time with resentment in his eyes. He then picked up the cards and looked at it.

“It seems like I got two things right.”

He grinned as he spoke menacingly.

“One, is that you guys definitely cheated.”

As he slammed his hand, revealing quad jacks.

“And two, you’re definitely a vampire.”

He immediately drew his gun with his right hand, that’s concealed beneath the oversized duster and shot it at me.

Despite at point blank, I managed to duck just in time. I then swept his leg and flip the poker table on to him. The cards on the table were sent flying. I grabbed three cards just in case.

The commotion caused the patrons of the saloon to get scared and the calm atmosphere suddenly stopped and turned tense.

I sprinted outside as I don’t want stray bullets to hit them. Guess today is a good day to wear pants.

Running onto the main street, another shot whizzed by my ear. No doubt, he’s aiming for my head.

I then took a right and go to the alleyway between the bank and the livery. Unfortunately, the exit is blocked by stacks of firewoods.

Predicting he’d chase and shoot after me, I stopped halfway and turned around.

He arrived at the entrance to the alleyway. He then spoke in a condescending manner.

“That’s too bad, luck really is on my side.”

“Unlucky me. By the way, great choice on ditching that silly uniform you guys wear, you caught me off guard.”

“The higher-ups insisted we wear those. Stupidly enough my captain doesn’t question it even though I complained. I think she and them are too archaic.”

“I agree. Wait... She?”

He raised his gun. I then threw a card at the same time as he aimed at me.

Gunshot, followed by a bullet, silver in color, whizzed by me as I easily dodged it again knowing he’d aim at my head.

The card hit his master eye. He groaned in pain as he hold it with his left hand.

I jumped to the roof of the bank. Three shots were fired. But since his right eye is out of commission, all bullets missed.

I looked back after I jumped to another roof and saw that he climbed the bank’s roof.

Thought I could gain some distance, but he doesn’t intend to reload as he drew his sword and ran after me.

His speed is admirable. Meanwhile I strode carefully and slowly, cautious of the slippery roof.

As a result, just after I jumped to another roof, he caught up to me. He slashed his blade without a care. All I can do for now is dodge and wait for an opening.

The chance then came when he swung the blade too wide. I punched his gut with my right hand.

But, he grabbed my hand with his left, locking me in place as he slashed the blade back aiming for my neck.

I jerked back as I dodged the fatal blow. But the blade still grazed my left cheek. I then kicked him, freeing my hand and jump to the ground.

Still on my tail, he’s determined to cut me down. Hoping the same trick worked twice, I threw two cards at his eyes. But he sliced the cards easily.

Running through the muddy street, I slipped and fall down as it’s way too slippery. Why does this always happen to me?

I tried to get up, but the blade was already up to my face.

“No doubt, today really is my lucky day.”

“Four of a kind can still lose you know?” I said grinning.

“I’ll send you straight to hell and flush that grin off your face!”

The moment he swung to finish me off, a lasso came flying from behind him.

The loop of the lasso caught his body. His movement is immediately restricted the moment it tightened and locking his hands close to his torso.

The blade flew from his hand and landed beside me, whilst his body got pulled back with the lasso.

“Hold on now, youngster...!”

The voice is none other than Marshall’s.

“Mr. Sheriff, seems like we got a troublemaker in our hands.”

“You gosh darn right partner. Care to explain yourself boy?” Asked the sheriff.

“Let go off me! You need to kill that woman or else—“

Marshall then cut him off, speaking in a high tone as he looked down on him.

“Or else what?”

“Oh, so you’re the one with her?”

“What if I am? What’re you gonna do about it, boy?”

“I’ll kill you both.”

“Those words aren’t threatening at all. Say sheriff, he broke quite a few law isn’t he?”

The sheriff then spoke calmly as he flip the kid’s body and hog tied him.

“Yep, not to mention he broke a couple properties of the saloon’s.”

He then put the young vanquisher on his horseback and brought him to the jail. Well, best not to tell them that I’m the one who flipped the poker table.

“You’re alright Lily?”

He asked, as he lend a hand to help me got up. I then replied while I stood back on my feet.

“Yeah I’m okay. Tis but a scratch.”

“I’m guessing that he’s the vampire hunter?”

“Correct.”

“They only sent a brat?”

“Nope, usually there’s three to five of them in a single unit.”

“So...”

“Yep, our whereabout is compromised.”

“Damn! To think they’ll find us even in this town that’s deep in the mountain.”

“You shouldn’t underestimate them. They’re specialists at hunting my kind after all. So, what’s our next move Marsh?”

I replied, while brushing some dirts off my clothes.

“Guess we have to move.”

We headed back to Mallard. Though there’s only Lance and Mr. Dallas waiting impatiently. It appears that the saloon closed down early because all of this.

“Glad you guys made it in one piece,” said Lance sarcastically.

“Marshall! What in tarnation just happened? I-I heard there were gunshots... and... and a guy... w-with sword—“

“Calm down peepaw, that’s unlike you to panic,” Marshall replied.

“Wouldn’t it be weird if I don’t?”

“Relax, it’s been taken care of.”

Mr. Dallas calmed down a bit. He proceeded to ask Marsh a question.

“Say Marsh, this thing I heard about vampire. Is that...?”

The tone that he was speaking in is rather sympathetic, as he tried to inquire without offending us.

I then butted in to quell.

“It’s alright Marsh, I’ll do the explaining. Can you grab our stuffs for us instead?”

He nodded and went upstairs.

“Just like you guys heard. The vampire he’s after is me.”

I said calmly, as I gave a wide small, revealing my fangs.

“That’s a pair of fangs alright,” said Lance.

“Holy moly!”

What followed after that is a short explanation on how I got here. They listened to my story with such eagerness.

“I guess that explained the different air you had around you.”

“I see. So... Are you guys going to leave?” Asked Mr. Dallas.

“That’s right. And we’re leaving tonight.”

Answered Marsh, while he walked down.

“Tonight?”

“Yep. We’re not gonna bother you anymore peepaw. Thanks for your help so far, but we gotta go.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“Guess I’ll attend the bar alone again.”

With a cheerful smile I said my goodbye.

“Mr. Dallas, Lance. I’m grateful for your kindness and I’ll always remember it. I have to go now. But I’ll visit here again if I have the chance.”

Not the first time I said goodbye to someone. But not once did I expect it’s going to be this difficult.