5th Bullet: Demolition Boys/ Full Stomached Passion

As Feast's corpse crunched and faded into black ashes, his foot soldiers ending the same, Vadars looked back and saw the crying Tilly. She was holding her shoulder, clawing at it, the same as his captain except he was in much more pain. He hobbled his body over and crouched. He placed a hand on the back of her head and hugged her, burying her face into his bloody cloaked chest.

"You can pray for her now," he whispered. Tilly began to cry even more, filling the entire mine with her wallows. Rosner simply watched Vadars comfort the waitress. His eyes glinted with pride. Despite breaking his trust, Vadars always found the quickest and most fulfilling way to bring it back.

After Tilly finished her crying, she held Vadars and he smiled. Underneath that smile, Vadars was howling in pain at every clutch and touch she had on his body. His lips trembled and Tilly held him tighter. He couldn't hold it in anymore.

"GODAMMIT, TILLY, MY BODY!! GYAAAH!!!"

She jolted away in fright and he collapsed to the ground, his Death Arm falling suit. Rosner grumbled and picked him up. Tilly got up as well. She tried lift up his Death Arm but it had a monstrous weight. It was like trying to pick up a house. How the hell did he swing this thing around like a stick? His strength simply defied all logic.

Vadars clamped the weapon back on his back and the two carried him, arm over each other shoulders. The journey back was tedious, long and filled with whines as Vadars' body was patched with gashes, cuts and bludgeoning bruises. The moaning and groaning eventually turned his soft grunts and the midnight moon shone ahead. Mission accomplished.

But the mob had other plans.

Pitchforks, kitchen knives, pistols and fire-lit sticks revealed themselves at the entrance, massive shouts sounding towards them. Vadars, Tilly and Rosner glared. They simply couldn't catch a break.

The old man stepped forward, grinning ear to ear. They were badly hurt. It was an opportunity gifted from God Himself.

"Today's the day you fall, Killrights. When you left us to rot that day, we lost every shred and grain of faith we had in you. But now, you can pay your owed debt. In full." 

He winded up a pistol and aimed it straight at Vadars. The boy simply sighed and heaved his own body up straight and cracked his knuckles.

"Oh, hell. I got a six-pack of whoop-ass for all of you." His pressed deeper, his knuckles cracking louder. "Do you like yours cold or room temp?"

The old man glared and clicked the hammer back. "You have balls of steel to throw hands with a man with a gun. Morons like you should be extinct in this day and age of the pistol."

"And? I'm gonna kick your ass, old man. Come at me with a bazooka and I'm still going to swing at you."

Tilly ran between them. "Don't kill him, Rodgers!"

"And why shouldn't I? Those bastards let me son die! The same with your mother. Why aren't standing behind me so I can end this town's misery?"

"You're pointing the gun at the wrong person. These Killrights, they're not bad or evil. They mean good, really. They stopped a Desperado that was going to kill us. Just trust me."

"Trust is what got us like this in the first place. Step aside, little girl."

"I'm not a little girl. I'm Tilly, daughter of Beverly of Bones. I won't let you hurt some folk that're innocent." A fire lit in her eyes that made Rodgers waiver. He slithered his finger on the trigger. Just as he was about to apply pressure he stopped himself.

"Fine," he let out. "You win." He turned heel and walked through the massive crowd that was now confused. "Doc, fix 'em up, will ya? The boy's gonna pass out if that bleeding doesn't stop. And kid, quit acting so tough. You've lost so much blood that your knees are stiff. You're one hell of a bluffer."

Vadars didn't reply. Tilly then looked down to see his trembling knees.

"But," Rodgers said, "I don't doubt your words at all."

                                                                                     ♱♱♱

A fresh day glowed over the town of Brinehook. Tilly got out of bed, yawning and went for a shower. She cleaned herself and put on a pair of brown slacks and a white tunic. She rolled up the sleeves and tied her hair in place, still leaving a wild flicker of bangs over her face. She left downstairs and saw Nathaniel standing in front of the door. He had a look of sternness. Tilly simply glared.

"I'm off to see Vadars," Tilly said. "Don't bother trying to stop me."

"I know. That isn't why I'm standing in front of this door." He then showed her a small box. "I'm your father, Tilly. As your father, it's my job to protect you. But also, it's my job to let you find your own path in life. I can't stop you from making your decisions, only advising you. So all I can say is, please, stay safe. This was a gift from your mother, for you and I but I think there's a person more deserving of this."

Tilly stared. She then smirked.

"Wow, pops, you sure have a way with words. You studying English now."

"Oh, you goof. God forbid your old man tries to same something wise."

She then grappled him in a hug, kissing his balding head.

"I love you, dad."

Her father smiled and he hugged him back. She took the box.

"I love you to, Tilly." 

With a new found step, Tilly left the inn and went over to Doctor Troy's clinic. There, she found Rosner and Vadars standing by Tunker the stallion. They seemed to be being arguing but it was quite one-sided as Vadars was the only one talking and Rosner was standing there, cold and silently that made her heart bump a little bit faster. Only a little.

Okay a bit more than a little.

"Vadars!" she called out and Vadars snapped his head and waved over like a child. She liked to see him like this.

"Hey, Tilly!" She walked up to him and held out the box. He looked at it and his eyebrows screwed. "Whaddat?"

"A gift, silly." She opened the box to reveal a two crosses, one a neckless and the other a clip-on earring. "It was made by my mother. I want to give one to you."

Vadars smiled and reached a hand for the necklace but then Tilly snatched it away. His mouth gaped and she looked at him like he was rambling about a complicated math equation.

"What?" she asked.

"Nothing," he mumbled before reaching for the earring and latching it to his left ear. Its chrome and black design dangled and glinted in the light and Tilly placed her necklace on herself, the same design resting on her collarbone.

"You look like a girl," she giggled.

"Oh, shaddap," he spat and turned to see Rosner looking away. His eyes flared. "I ought a kick your shit!"

As if on cue, a carriage and dune buggies rolled into the town. It was the council and the mayor in all their snidey glory. Tilly scoffed and Vadars looked at her.

"Don't worry," he said. "The town just needs a little demolition."

Tilly looked at him like he just spat fire with his nose and then the mayor and the council men in suits walked up to them. The mayor was short, skinny and had the nose that looked like a bald eagle's beak and the shittiest hair to ever curse eyes. All in all, he was the textbook definition of awful. 

"Mitch!" the mayor called out that made Vadars jump. Rosner looked down at the small, tight-suited midget. "I'm glad you and your squire have come to help out the mine. You know the dinero cycling business goes. I'm glad the End could help out this little town." He leaned in closer. "To be quite frank, this little crap pot is only good for its trade. Can't let this place go to waste, can we? Oh that paperwork I had to do on that little incident. Numbers and numbers; couldn't catch a break, my poor fingers. Just less mouths to feed, am I right?"

"I suppose," Rosner said. "We have the package over at the mine so it's best we get there."

"Good, off we go." The mayor flashed and ugly smile that could make babies cry.

The group left to the mine, dust kicking up as the armoured motorcycles and four by four dune buggies parked and the carriage rested. The mayor got out and so did the council men. There laid the parcel, boxed in a silver crate. The mayor rubbed his hands together and chuckled.

"C4 explosives," he muttered to himself. "Enough to break down that damned wall deep in the mine. You know, you Killrights are simply a wonderful bu—"

He took a step and looked back to find Vadars and Rosner but there were nowhere to be seen. Well, as soon as he looked forward he felt an arm encapsulate around his shoulders. It was Vadars, grinning ear to ear whilst wearing sunglasses, Rosner standing next to him wearing sunglasses as well.

"What the hell?" He whipped his head to his sides.

"Time for the demolition, right Mr Mayor?" Vadars quizzed. He snapped his fingers and Rosner swiftly drew his pistol, firing at the C4 and, with his explosive blast accompanying the C4, the entire area detonated. The walls crumbled, the rocks tumbling and gasped erupted from the council men. Rosner took out a sheet of paper and slapped it on the mayor's chest.

"For fraud and and theft and a plethora of other economical charges, you are hereby fired and arrested," Rosner informed. "The council men as well. Run away from the town and you may be facing the execution penalty."

The both walked away, leaving the mayor's mouth gaping open, his eyes wide and sweat dripping down his face. Simply pale and spooked. 

Vadars stopped and paced back to the mayor and swung a right cross, crunching the mayor's jaw and sending the pencil-width man rolling into the ground. He laughed aloud.

"Damn! That felt amazing." He looked at the council men who scurried away in fear. "Oi! Lemme borrow one of those Desert Movers." He pointed at sleek and heavy looking armoured black dune bike. "That one." He grinned.

Cletus hurried around town, burning fat in places he didn't even know he had. He had to find Tilly immediately. When he found her, she was sitting on the park bench, man-spread and arms on the backrest. He jogged to face her and huffed, catching his breath.

"Tilly..." he huffed. He inhaled a huge gulp of air and she waited patiently for him to speak. "I'm sorry!"

"For what?" she asked.

"Well." He looked away. "I'm the one who told old man Rodgers about the Killrights."

"I know you did."

"Huh? Then how come you won't punch me."

"Honestly," she said, rolling her eyes. "Can't be bothered. Besides, I know you didn't mean it. You just wanted to help the town, that's all."

Cletus stared in shock and Tilly got up.

"And also another thing I know. I'm sorry but I'm not quite into you."

Cletus just stared. "I..."

"You're a nice guy, Cletus. You try your best. I know you like me but if I don't tell you now, I'll just keep on letting you tail me forever. Please, don't take it personally. You're mature and strong enough to find the right girl for you."

"Why does it sound like..."

"I'm leaving Brinehook. For good. Tonight."

"But..."

She stepped in and kissed his cheek. Afterwards, she pulled back and gave him a warm smile. "Take care of the town, okay, Sheriff?"

Her boots clopped on the cobblestone ground and Cletus simply smiled, feeling his cheek. That was Tilly alright. All the weight she carried of her mother's heart had not been lifted but infused with her. As long as she was happy, he was happy as well.

                                                                                    ♱♱♱

Vadars fitted on the tight pair of goggles onto his forehead and revved the Desert Mover in excitement. Tunker neighed and Rosner fitted on a hat to covers his eyes. Tilly hopped off a older model of a Desert Mover. It looked like it was about to fall apart but it was held to together with scraps and love, tough enough to handle any sandstorm.

She walked up to Vadars, standing close.

"I guess this is goodbye," Tilly said. 

"I guess so..." Vadars replied, his voice a bit hurt. "It was fun, you know, hanging around you. I don't think I'll ever meet somebody like you again."

"Oh, stop it, Killright. If you keep saying that, you'll make me barf."

"Shaddap," Vadars groaned. He couldn't believe she got him to say—

She seized his head and drew him into a long, messy kiss. It lacked skill and gentleness but the passion, love and sincerity was there. He closed his eyes and felt every cell and an atom his body jumble and race, his stomach turning into a gymnast. It was electrocuting and shocking at the same time. Rosner simply sighed and lowered the brim of his hat. Adolescents. Always messy.

When the kiss was over, Vadars' eyes fluttered open, his lips engrossed with his and her saliva. He blinked like a lost new born baby and she laughed before slamming his nose in with a headbutt that made him howl.

"The hell was that for?!" he yelled.

"Don't think get all cuddly over a kiss now," she said, her eyes half-lidded and her lips in her smirk.

"Screw you..." he spat but there was no malice in it. He eventually smirked as well and felt her hands leave his head and she hopped onto her Desert Mover.

"Goodbye, Killright!

He waved back. "Vale, Waitress!"

At that signal, Tunker galloped away, Vadars slapping his goggles on and riding next to the horse and Tilly left in the opposite direction, dust kicking up under the tires. They left with a message to all the greed in the world. True passion conquered that day, more than any slimy and grotesque hungry monster could ever hope to dine on. The town of Brinehook was finally full.