Note : This story was written in order to help fans whom can't find the story in their language. If you like the story, please buy the book.
Key:
( ) = Unspoken words in Italic style
* * = action/description
"Uh, damn it! It can even move.”
(Readers, it is a story about the meeting between a little girl with three youngmen and the story is begun.)
“You are good at playing poker, Card. You absolutely the winner," ”said a feminine boy, “But why did you choose such opponent. When it’s the time to give the money, they pushed the table and pointed their guns at us, then just disappear. Your ability in judging person is so bad.”
“Shut up! You just complaining. How about yourself, Joel, a womanlike man,” answer the boy called Card.
“Let it be.”
”Well, on the next fight, let me face it. You want to step back?”
“People who should traine how to fight is coming together in one place. If Doug were not here, what will happen to us then?”
“Don’t quarrel, you two,” said the man with dark hair.
“Douglas…”
“But…”*FLASHBACK*
“Don’t against us,” said a fat man.
“He he…,” men stood behind him just laughed.
“Shit! You cheated,” Card said in anger.
“Card..,” Joel tried to hold Card.
Bam bam. Suddenly, Douglas shot the gang’s hands and hostaged the fat man, who seem as the leader.
“Drop your guns! If you don’t want to see your boss get hurt,” Douglas said, “Don’t be stingy, Uncle! Tell them to give that money.”
“Give it,” said the fat man.
Joel caught the money pack.
“Prepare the horse,” said Douglas to Card.
“OK.”
“You still a young but great. You dare to do this to me, I admire you,” said the fat man.
“Thank you. I admire your head. Actually your bald head is funny. And your body shape is good, too. But the odd thing is why it is widden just like a flounder.” said Douglas.
“I don’t like your praise,” the fat man replied.
“Doug,” Joel called Douglas.
“OK.”, Douglas exited the bar
“Wait. You think you can just runaway?” the man said in anger and wanted to chase but Douglas is waiting behind the swing door.
“Goodbye. Your big body will block the entrance,” Douglas hit the fat man.
He fell and and hit the other men.
“Heavy! Come on, stand up!”
“They run!”
“Where are the weapons!”
“Ouch, don’t step on me!”*END OF FLASHBACK*
“It was really fun,” said Card.
“The pack they given is really disappointed. Here…”
“You still bring it,” Card get angry.
“I throw it away. It’s just medicine, not money,” Joel reply.
“You can’t differ medicine pack to money pack!? How stupid.” “What can I do! It’s scary. This all because you chose such opponent.”
“So that’s my fault!”
“Yes, yours.”
“Don’t quarrel,” said Douglas, “Here”. He threw a purse.
“A purse,” Card caught it.
“Wow! It’s much more than the money from the poker game,” Joel said in amaze.
“I took it from the flounder’s pocket. That’s my skill.”
“Doug is great.”
“Marvelous.”Back to the little girl.
“There is a sound coming closer.”, said the girl. Bang.
“Shooting sound,” said Joel.
“What’s up?”
“A cart robbery. Help,” suddenly, a little girl show up.
“Hmm, too bad, Little,” said Douglas, “It has nothing to do with us. There’s no obligation to help. Right?” He asked his friends.
“Right. We don’t want to get hurt because of stupidity,” Joel answered.
“Well, you right..,” said the little girl.
“Come on go back. It’s so sorry to meet you,” said Douglas as he turned his horse.
“You stingy, coward, chicken, stupid, ugly, have no guts.”
“I’ll shoot you,” Douglas said in anger, but as turned around, the little girl has disappeared.
“Ah, Card… Above!”, Joel shouted
“What?” Card said in surprise, “The gun. She took my gun.”
(That shorty, she…) Douglas didn’t continue his thought.“Oh my God, we are chase, Mr. Smith,” said a coachman.
“We have no weapon, my bodyguards were dead, their motto is kill all. I want to cry,” said the man called Mr. Smith, shaking.
“Stop!”
“Yeah, stop!” The robbers shout.
But unexpectedly, their hands got shot. One of the robbers saw a little girl holding a gun. But before he could shoot her, his hand got shot.
“Joel, take shelter behind the rock!” Douglas ordered him.
“What? Wait, Doug. I’m not so good at shooting. Damn! Hiding,” Joel tried to shoot the robbers.“A help!,” said Mr. Smith in surprise. Douglas took the little girl away and get down behind a big rock.
“Doug!” , Card called Douglas from his hiding behind the stone
“Here.” Card caught the gun and shot the robbers.
“Damn! Who are they? We have no place to cover. Get back. Our plan was fail. Get back!” order the leader.Plok, plok. “Hooray, they ran away.”
“Don’t clap your hands, Little. You just mess up. You knew this would happen, didn’t you,” Douglas was so angry.
“I know you have helped.”
“You drove us here in propose!”
“You refused, but… actually your inner side can’t reject.”
“A.. a..,” Douglas lost his word.
“I know my judgement were not wrong. I am smart. Right.” The little girl said in confidence.
“You…”
“Aha, the passenger go out. Listen, he might will give you a reward.”
“Here,” Mr. Smith give a pocket of money.
“ Ah, thank you,” Douglas took the money.
(The situation change) thought the little girl.
“Actually I want to buy cows. Thank to you, my money and my life were saved. Miss, you were involved. It’s sure scary…”
“Yes, I was so scare.” Her expression made the three young men speechless.“OK. We are leaving. It’s no use to be here in a long time,” said Douglas.
“Hm, my cart were slip into the swamp. I can’t push it myself. Want to help me?”
“No, I don’t want to know. Just get confused yourself.”
“Yes, right.”
“Goodbye, Little.”
“Hei, what is this?” she’s holding a purse.
“Doug, it’s the purse we took.”, said Card.
“What?! Naughty kid.”They then helped her pushed her cart.
“Finish. Nothing else? Damn it.” , said Douglas
“Thank you. It’s the reward.”. the girl handed the purse.
“That’s our money,” said Card, angry.
“My shoes are dirty,” Joel looked at his boots.
“Finally, I can go to the town.”
“You go to the town all by your own? Douglas asked her.
“Ngg, not really. Look. This is my friend.”
“A pig.”
“Sleep all the time. You master was in difficulty.”, said the girl
“Nguik?”
“They helped me. Come on, give greetings.”, the girl held the pig in front of the boys.
“Your pet is peculiar.” , said Douglas
“You want to go to the town, right. Why don’t we go along?”, said the girl
“Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t to get involved with you again.” said Douglas
“Be careful in town. There are many bad people. You are still young; they might tease you. You may be don’t want to lose, but you better don’t fight. They were supported by a big guy.”
“Little girl pretending giving advice.”
“We are 17 years old, Little, our appearance were just like the adults.", said Card
“I am 8 years old. And my name is Miriam. Not Little. Miriam Todd.”
“Good bye Miriam, we might won’t see each other again.”
“We have same destination. We might have meet again.”
“I will run.” , Douglas smiled and they went away.
Miriam talked to her pig,”17 years old. I wonder how is their life. They don’t seem as honest people. They were grumbling, but they still helped me pull the cart. And when the robbery, too. They are nice, actually, strong, and handsome. In my farm, they could be relied on. But it’s impossible.”“But that Little, even she’s just 8 years old, she is great. What we did when we were 8, Joel?”, asked Card
“We still in the orphanage, right.”
“Doug?”
“Me? I join the horses-robbers.”Wilstown. The shop.
“Wa..wait sir. You haven’t paid.”
“I’ll pay it later on.”
“But then you won’t pay.”
“You fussy old man.”
The two men went to the saloon.
“It’s the best cigarette.”
“Ah, don’t hesitate. Smoke as you want. We have many in stock.”
“Let’s drink again. We do the card games again.”
“Come on, put your bet.”
Miriam saw what had happened.In the saloon. The two men were having fun.
“Ahaha, I win again.”
“Damn. Why this happened?”
Dug
“You kick me?”
“What? What do you mean?”
Dug
“You kick me. You get angry because you lost.”
And then the fight is started. Miriam went out from under the table that the two men sat. She collected the money and then ran away. She stopped when passing the announcement board.
(The wanted man. I have never paid attention before. He is quite handsome.)
“Name and identity is not clear. Killer. Silver King. Blue eyes. Blonde. A scar across from the right forehead.”“Ho ho ho, should I accept it?”,said the owner of the shop.
“Take it. Don’t hesitate. It’s belongs to the two men. They have never paid before, right?”
“Miri…, thank you, as the return, I give you what you want to buy for free.”
“Will that OK, but… it’s too bad…”
“Grace? Why? Don’t you come to town together?”
“No. She stays at home. I am worried.”
“What?”
“In town. Many bad people. Besides that, Handbag always has his eyes on her. Because it’s dangerous, I told Grace to stay at home.”
“Miri… Harnbag, not Handbag. But… So, you are alone. You are great kid. It’s not weird. Grace is beautiful. That old man… ups… If he heard, it will be dangerous. A man died because said something bad about him. According to the sheriff, it’s a suicide, but…” The shop owner made a cross with his hand. “It was a quite town. But since Harnbag bought a big farm here, this town is developing. Weird people appeared and crimes happened. We don’t know who did it but according to the victims, it was Harnbag’s men. The shocking is he did nothing, just smile. That sheriff is his man. He is hopeless. I don’t know what will happen.”
(Maybe I have to do something for Grace) Miriam thought.Back to the flounder and his people.
“We have to be friend with the civil in Wilstown. I think that town is the right place for people like us, right? Beside I have an old friend there. His name is Sad Harnbag. His has become a big man.” The flounder didn’t know that a man sleeping behind a big rock is listening to what he said.
“By the way, where did the three young men disappear? We have looked around..”, said one of his men.
“Don’t be stupid. He’ll get angry again,” one of them whispered.
“Kids. They still inexperienced. Took my money. I got angry and then.. then…The black hair called me flounder. If I met him again, I would kill him!”
“Calm down, Bry.”, his men tried to calm him down.
“Hmm. Wilstown.” The sleeping blonde man with scar across his face then rode his horse.*FLASHBACK*
‘Come on, kid. This is for you.’ And old man gave a watch to little Douglas.
‘What’s that?’
‘Your name is just the same as my dead son, Douglas.’
‘I don’t need that ugly watch. It’s worth for nothing.’ ‘
Ho ho ho, it’s not for sale. But to know the time.’*END OF FLASHBACK*
”It is an old watch. But it’s OK. Can be fixed. Although it takes time. I’ll go the repairman first. I’ll take it before I left,” said Douglas to his friends.
“That’s old. If you have money, better buy a new one. It will be better,” Card said.
“OK. If it can’t be fixed, I’ll think it over.”Bang. Bang. A few men were shooting targets.
“Stupid. It didn’t hit at all.”
“Damn. It hit now. Just see.”
“Hei. Throw the targets.”“It’s too dangerous,” said Card.
“Too bad for the shop opposite,” said Joel.
Douglas saw the sheriff. “You don’t pay it attention. You let them shoot their guns on the street.”
“Hmm. Newcomer?” asked the sheriff. “Listen carefully. They work at Harnbag’s farm. You are a newcomer, don’t interfere. Mr. Harnbag is a great man. He has a big farm. He has bar everywhere, have got banks, have got everything. That’s why he has a big power. No body can against him. I won’t let no body said so.”
“Eh..” Douglas is speechless.
“Yes! I am the sheriff of this town because of Mr. Harnbag. Don’t you know, I am good at shooting. Everybody is afraid of me. That’s true. I am a tough guy. You want to protest. Try if you dare. Bla…bla…bla…”
Miriam saw them.
“That’s why, if you talk nonsense, you will pay for it. Do you understand, young man. Answer me! Do you understand what I told…” When the sheriff look around, Douglas has gone. “Hm, he run because he is afraid of me.”“Douglas.”
“He keep talking, make me dizzy. But that Harnbag, that’s the big man mentioned by the shorty, right. It’s fit. This town is far from the law. Powerful man influence is bigger than law.”
“Right. That’s why I said it’s difficult.” Miriam appear in front of them
When they saw Miriam, they pretend as if they didn’t see her.
“So… what we gonna do?” “We have taken a bath, have eaten and drunk….”
“Hei, wait.” Miriam cud to Douglas’ foot and her pig cud to Joel’s foot.
“Let me go, Little.”, said Douglas
“This pig.”, Joel is hysterical
“You’ll runaway.” , said Miriam
“No, I won’t. Let me go.” , said Douglas
Suddenly, the window behind them broke.
“What’s that.”
“There’s a fight in the bar.”
“The two person fight has spread.” , said Miriam
“What?”, Douglas is confused
“Ehm, no.”
“That was the sheriff.”
“He is trying to stop the fight.”
“Of course, it’s Handbag’s.”, said Miriam again. This time she was on Douglas' shoulder.
“Hey, don’t keep climbing. I’m not a mountain.”
“Handbag? Maybe she meant Hanbag.” , sadi Card
“Oh, I see.”, said Joel“Annoying. Step aside,” Bryan, the flounder has arrived at the town. “Wait, I want to meet Sad Harnbag. Who wants to tell me where his place is.”
“Just wait at his bar. He will show up.”
“Another weird person come to this town,” a man said, shaking.
“If you said so, you could be killed.”
“Ah, father.”
“We have to be patient. God will said the good person and guide the good person,” said the priest.
“Ah, Mr. Harnbag comes.”
“Sad.”
“Hoo, Bryan Murphy,” said Sad Harnbag.They went to Harnbag’s bar. And they were taken aback by the mess.
“What’s happen?”
“Ah… Mr. Harnbag.”“So, that is Mr. Harnbag?” asked Card.
“Yup. The sheriff is nothing. See, he keep silent.”,Miriam answered
Harnbag called his men. “Tell the trouble-maker to pay the damage.”
“Yes, Sir.”“Please come in, Bryan. We talk in the room upstairs.”, said Harnbag
(So stylish) Douglas tought.
“OK.” , said Bryan
They were so surprise to see Bryan. “That flounder.”
“What’s that?”, asked Miriam
“Before we got here, we had some troubles with them.”Miriam’s pig saw a dog and then it ran away.
“Hei. Where are you going to?” Miriam chased her pig.
“Douglas. We better leave this town.”
“Right. If we met that bald-headed, the situation would be dangerous. He knows the influential man in this town. We better leave as soon as possible.”
“Front door?”
“That flounder’s men still there.”
“We can pass the back door. So we can leave that Little. It saddens. Her pig is adorable.”
“We will miss them.”
“I didn’t say so, stupid,” said Douglas.Harnbag’s room.
“If you want to stay, we can work together. We used to do it, right? But it will be a troublesome if we do it explicit. I have a reputation. How about champagne?”
“You are greater now, Sad. You used to stand behind me.”
“Brian! If you think that I’m the same man you used to know, you’ve made a big mistake. Remember that!”
(Sad used to be a weak man. He’s changed now. Where does this confidence come from?) Brian looked at the window, he saw the boys.
Bang bang.
“What’s up?” Sad asked in surprise.
“That three boys. They want to run through the back door. Get them!” Brian ordered his men. “Sad, help me. Gather your men. I want to get those three men. The black hair, brunette, and blond.”“Look. Blood.”
“Looks like Bry’ shot got the target.”
“Here’s too. If we follow, we will get their hiding place.”
Bry's men chased the boys.“Hei, get the horse quickly.”,said Douglas
“I know,” Joel answered.“There?” There’s another blood drop. The shadow.”
“OK.”
“Don’t move!”
But what they saw is a little girl with her bleeding pig.
“Ah.. What’s up, Uncle? Is that your dog? But he attacked my pig first. When I wanted to separate them, I get hurt. So I have to hit it. Now.. A gun points me.. Huah..”
“So, it’s not that young men’ blood.”“Come on,” said Douglas, “shift their attention there.”, Douglas and Joel rode their horses out of the stable.
Bry’ men were surprise. “That’s them.” “Damn it. They hid in the stable.”
“Damn. The horse.”
“Bry they ran. We’ll chase them by horse.”“Stop it. Cry no more. They have gone,” said Miriam to her pig. “I think they were far now. We go back to the farm.”
Outside the town
“OK. It’s save now. We have left the town. How’s your feet?”
“It’s hurt,” said Card from the back of the cart. .
“If both your feet shot, of course it will be hurt.”
“Don’t talk nonsense.”
“It’s all because your blood drip. We’re in trouble. Look at this spot. It can’t be removed. If we get there, Grace will take care of you. Just be patient.”
“How about Doug and Joel. They could have taken the different direction.” Because of his wound, he is separated from his friends.
“They just shift the attention from us. Just relax, they will come. I’ve told them the way to our farm.”
(Her voice is different. Like planning something. It might just my feeling.) Card thought.“They are dangerous. We have to go to that Little’s farm. Card is waiting for us,” said Douglas. He didn’t know that a priest was watching him.
At the farm
“What?”, Douglas and Joel were surprised
“I know from Miriam. She said you want to work here.” Grace smiled happily.
(‘That Little.’) “But, we…”
“People who work here had just quit and I haven’t found the anybody else. It’s very hard if there’s only Miriam and me. It’s true. We were hopeless. Thank you. I am glad. You are very helpful. Just take a rest. I have pies. Do you want coffee? I will make it.”Grace and Miriam left them. They can hardly say a thing.
“As I’ve thought that Little got a plan,” said Card.
“Yeah, why we have to work in the farm?”
“Card, you have known about this before we got here, haven’t you?”, asked Douglas
“I heard that Little talked but I trust her. I can’t say anything. After all, she has taken care of my feet.”
“I understand.”
“Card, your feet..?”
“It’s OK. The bullet has been removed. Ng.. Grace. Isn’t she beautiful?”
“Yeah.”, Douglas and Joel were blushing.“A cow runaway?” Miriam wondered
“I want to look for it. I’ll be back soon. Miri. Those three people…”
“OK. OK. Leave them to me. Ehm Grace.”
“What.”
“Hm. Nothing.”
(Grace. She always tells me. Before she lived in this town, she had a boy friend. Blond, blue eyes. Used to play with her. One day, there was an accident. He wanted to protect her, so the harrow struck his face. That time, his face was badly injured. Across from fore head to the right cheek. The description is just like that wanted man. He is a wanted killer. He is her first love and she still loves him. I better say nothing. It could be other person.)Knock. Knock.
“The trouble-maker is coming.” Douglas open the door.
“Who do you mean?”
“Of course you.”
“Who did you think help you runaway from the town? Because of you, my dress is less one. Card is in medical treatment. There’s no body here. So, help me.”
“Yes, I know. I think it will be better if Card don’t move for a while. It’s safer to stay here. That bald-headed won’t find us. We will be here until you find somebody else.”
Miriam was speechless, and then, “there are coffee and pies on the table. Bring them in.” (Until we find somebody else.)“Well, Miriam. You just call her Grace?”
“She’s not your mother?”
“Nope.”
“Your sister? How old is she?”
“27 years. She’s not my sister.”
“27 years? 10 years older than us.”
“So.. She is your relative?”
“Nope.”
“So what?” Douglas asked angrily.
“Somebody else. No family relation.”“Its not here. Where its go?” Suddenly Grace saw a blond man at the riverbank. She smiled and sat close to him. “Good afternoon. What a beautiful day today.”
“Yeah.”
“Ng.. Could you be Heuy? Heuy Castea?"
The blond man with a long scar on his face just smiled.
“When you were a little boy, you lived in Yellowstone. Remember a little girl lived next door?”
“Wrong.” The man just walked away.
“Eh?”
“By the way, how long it takes to Wilstown?”
“If you ride horse, it’s about an hour. You are not Heuy?”
“Who is he?. I have never heard his name.”
“So… sorry… I…” Grace's face flushed embarrassely. “I’m looking for a cow.”
“Its one there.”
“Here you are. Come on, let’s go home.” She can’t move it at all.
“Let me help you,” said that man.
“Thanks.” She smiled.“Let’s clean up. Bring your plate.” said Miriam
“OK. OK. I’ll bring it myself.”
“Here, Card.”, Joel helped Card
“Put it here.”
“Yeah, I know. You are so bossy.”
Toplak. Toplak.
“Grace is home.”
“Miri… listen,” Grace smile happily.
“What? A man looks like Heuy?.” Miriam suddenly remember that wanted man. “Grace. You talked to him? You mustn't do it.”
“Miri…”
“You are careless. I have told you, never talk to strangers. There are many bad people lately.”
“Miri… But, he is nice although a little…”
Miriam kept talking.
“I understand. Don’t get angry, Miri. I’ll be careful next time.”“I don’t know which one is the child,” said Joel.
(“Why you live with Grace?” “My dad is dead. Than Grace takes care of me.”) Douglas recalled the conversation. (Miriam Todd. She just 8 years old. But arrogant.)“Why you didn’t want to mobilize your workers?” Brian asked Harnbag angrily.
“As I’ve told you. If explicit, I’ll get trouble. Don’t worry. I’ll tell my men to look for that three men by tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow will be late. It means they get loss twice. My men are no use. They made trouble in the bar.” (Why get trouble if explicit? Sad Harnbag. You have changed. You could do nothing before. Always hide behind me.)In the bar.
“Wait. It was only a touch,” a man was hit.
“You fussy. My mood is bad. I don’t want to hear your reason,” said a man.
When he saw a blond man with a long scar, he and his friend blocked the entrance.
“Move out. You just disturb. I can’t get in.”
“What. Hm. If you want, just get in.”
The blond man just pushed them and they fell to the ground.
“Damn.”
They wanted to shoot him but he was faster. He shot the guns and even the hat.
“So,” he said, “anyone want to protest? I’m tired after the long journey. Next time I won’t miss my shot.”
A guy in the corner watched it all. (Terrific. His move is fast. I’ll tell boss. He can be used.)“Thank You for Your bless today. Amen.”
“What.. The food is bad?” Grace asked Douglas.
“Er..no.”
“Douglas is just clumsy. He’s not used to this situation.” Card can’t move, so he ate at bedroom.
(Card and Joel in the orphanage always pray before eating. They’ve got a family in their hometown. So, they used to. But they run from the house. Since I was a child I have never lived in one family. I always wandering and cooking was my job) Douglas remembered his childhood.*FLASHBACK*
“This boy!” Douglas was thrown to the rock.
“Why?”
“Douglas spilled the bean out to my pants.”
“Clean it up, quickly!”
“Why you didn’t move?” A man pulled Douglas’ hair.
“Clean it up!”
“We adopted you from the road and take care of you till now. If not because of us, you’re dead. You know! Never try to escape again. Because I will find you. Your careless this time get the punishment. Understand. Understand.” He hit Douglas.
“Remember! A child like you can’t live by your own.”
(Damn it. Taking care of what. I just like a slave. All of you just see. If I grow up, I must be strong. And I will take revenge. I’ll take revenge…)
*END OF FLASHBACK*Douglas suddenly get up. (It’s…)
“Morning,” said Card.
(A dream?)
“Good morning,” said Joel, “What time is it? There’s no clock in this room.”
“If clock…” (Clock!) “Damn. It stills in the repairing. I have to get it.”
“That ugly watch?”
“Oh, come on. Just let it. That flounder’s men must still hang around in the town.”
“Yeah, you are right.”
“Forget it. It’s old anyway.”
“Yeah, but it’s a remembrance.” (“Son. It’s for you,” said an old man.)
Suddenly, “Hei, come on wake up. It’s morning already.” Miriam is handing a pan and a ladle. “You have wake up? I was about to wake you up. Anyway, today you start to work. Work hard, don’t do it wrongly. Because Card be the hostage.”
“You will be a hostage.” Douglas looked at Card.
“Miriam took them to the farm. I change the bandage,” said Grace cleaning Card's feet.
“Ng…”
“What?”
“I just knew it. Miriam’s dad. What is he like?”
“Miriam told you? Miriam’s dad is a gambler who wandering from town to town. They came here in the early winter. That time, there are men who work in my farm.” (I still remember the first time I met Miriam.)*FLASHBACK*
Knock. Knock.
“Excuse me.”
“Who is that?” , Grace opened the door
“Good evening. My name is Miriam. Can I spend the night here? With dinner please. But I only have a little money.”
“Stupid. Don’t waste the money.” The man, known as Miriam’s dad took the money. “He he he, our.. our horse runaway. We want to look for it, but it’s already dark. Besides it’s cold.”
“He drunk. If he has drunk, he won’t feel the cold anymore,” said Grace’s worker.
“It’s OK. Let them spend the night here. Besides there is a little girl.”
“Yes. I bring a child. Don’t be stingy. God will punish you.”
“Papa. We can stay here. Don’t speak that way.”
They have dinner.
“Since her mother died, she come with me wandering.”
“Papa, it’s spilled.”
“The bottle is empty, Miss. If you have a drink, take it out.”
“Papa, don’t talk that way. Come on, go to sleep. Take of your shoes. Don’t sleep across.”
“OK. OK. It’s far too much. You just like your mother. You have her talkative.”
"You are tough, Miriam. How old are you?” asked Grace
“Almost 7 years. If my parent like that, I have to be tough.”
Grace looked at Miriam's shoes ("So worn-out")
“I want to sleep, too.”
(That child only has one cloth. Her father didn’t pay any attention to that child. He’s not like a bad people. When I was a little girl, I had a cloth. I only wore it once. It has a beautiful color. If I fix it a little….)In the morning...
“They are cheaters. They took away our horse. He even stole Miss. Grace’s brooch.” said one of the workers
Miriam was running close. “Here. I give it back to you. Sorry. Papa gave it to me. It’s good, isn’t it, he said. It’s a stolen good. Papa just like that only when he drunk.”
“You walked from town?”, Grace asked
“Actually, papa is not a bad guy. Since mama died, he’s changed. But it is the first time he stealing.”
“It’s OK. Come in.” (This little child… this little child…)
Miriam wore a new dress. “It’s for me?”
“Why?”
“Thank you. I like it. I’m so glad. Wow. New dress. Cool. If papa win the gambling, never buy me a new dress. He’ll buy drink. If papa see me, what would he said?”
“Come on, I’ll take you to town.”
“But..”
“It’s OK. I want to shop.” (But he’s not in the town. We found his body in the countryside.)
“That cheater. Must be killed by the vagrant,” said one of the citizens.In front of the grave
”Papa, see. I have a new dress.”
“Miri.”
“The judge will come tomorrow.”
“Eh?”
“I will be sent to the orphanage. It’s OK. For me there’s no different have a parent or not.”
“Miriam, let’s go home. You can stay at my house until the judge come.”
"Thank you. I have been given a new dress. I’m really happy.”
“Yes, Miriam. But you grow bigger. And you can’t wear that dress.”
“Go to the orphanage again.”
“When you grow up, you have to make a new dress.” Grace showed her a fabric.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“Soon you be 7 years, than 8 years, 9 years, 10 years, 12 years, 14 years. Yes, when you be a pretty girl wearing a beautiful dress, I’ll make it. Stay here, Miriam.”*END OF FLASHBACK*
“Our land has 800 hectares. We raise cows, horses, and chicken. And a small unirrigated agricultural field. Horses and cows, of course, helpful. Fix the gate, gather the straw. It’s busy enough.” Miriam explained to Douglas and Joel
“Are you thirsty? Want orange juice?” asked Grace.
“Ah, thank you,” said Joel.
“What’s that?”
“Stick made by Douglas. If he use it, Card can walk without moving his feet. So Card can move.”
“Where is Douglas?”
“Outside. Making a pig cage with Miriam.”
“You all are so helpful. It’s your first time working in a farm, but have already made a lot of tools.”
“Well, it’s what we intend to do.”
“We have told you, Grace. We feel save here.”
“Why? You are good boys.” Grace meant it
. Card and Joel just flush. “If she talk seriously.” “We can’t refuse.”Outside the house
“It’s done, little pig. You like it?”,said Douglas
“He’s no a little pig. But Willy. From now on, I name him Willy. It’s your cage. ‘Dog cage.’ You just raise one pig. I though a lot.”
“Ten day ago, Willy come to my house. Neighbors do not raise him. He is a homeless pig. Since he is tame, we be friends. What? You don’t want to get in? It’s OK.”
(A homeless pig? Same as you, Miriam. Before you lived here, you were homeless, too, right? I know it from Card. Now I know why you have such characteristic.)
“I’m coming in.” , said Douglas
“Yes.”
Douglas turned to her.
“Willy. Your name is Willy. Understand?”
(Her face doesn’t change)“Looks like this stick can be used. Make another one. I have two feet. Seems like, that ugly watch means so much to Doug.”
“Yeah. He just said that the watch was given by a passing by old man. Maybe it has a special memory.” (We don’t know because when the first time we met, he already has the watch.)*FLASHBACK*
“It’s shameful. You want to seize from weaker kids.” said younger Douglas
“What’s this. Throwing the stone.” (Yes, we were surrounded by four people that time)
“Get him.”
But Douglas defeated them all.
When he’s leaving, “Wait,” said Card. “My name is Douglas.”
*END OF FLASHBACK*“We have all the lost horses?” , said Douglas
“Yeah.” Joel answered
“Come on, get to the cage.”
Grace was feeding the chicken. She looked pale. Douglas came to the house.
“I put the wood here.”
“Ah, thank you.”
“Grace, you looked so pale.”
“Ah, really? It’s OK. Thank you for you attention.”
Douglas blushed.
In the bar.
“One glass for the blond,” said the guy. “I’m Jed. Jed Crown. How do you do?”
They were shaking hands.
“Fine.”
“You don’t want your name known?” Than he throw a paper. There’s a blond wanted-man in it.
“Are you sheriff?”
“No. I saw your ability. I just want to know. I often hear rumors about Silver King, a cold-blooded killer. What are you doing in this town?”
“I feel that I have a job here,” he said tearing off the paper
“Hei.”
“I don’t like it. It just too much.”
“What, you even better. I like it; you are an interesting man. If you want a job, I have it, Silver King. I will tell boss about you.”
“Harnbag? I often hear his name.”
“No, not him.”
Back to the farm.
“You are good at shooting, Doug. It’s exactly.”
“But I still often miss with right hand.”*FLASHBACK*
"Douglas. Why you practice to shoot like that? “, asked Card and Joel
"I have been practicing since I was I child. I wanted to be a strong man that time. People who raise me, one day I will kill them. Since I don’t have a real gun, I made it from wood and the bullets from stones.”
“Are you a killer?”
“Nope. I don’t like dead men. Have you ever seen a herd of cows guided?”
“No.”
“I have. Long time ago. When the first time I saw it, I wonder how many they were. Where were they brought. The cowboys rode the horses. Then, a group passed by. I was with that group. That day, as usual I go silently to practice shooting. When the broke time, the cowboys came. They killed the group, the cows’ thieves. I took the gun, the bullets, the basic needs, and the money. I remembered they told me that a child like me can’t live by my own. But I’m alive. I’m free.”
*END OF FLASHBACK*Prok. Prok. Prok.
Miriam clapped her hands. “Wow, it’s cool. If you have a show in the east, you must be famous. You are handsome. The leather will suit you. Your fans will shout.”
“Miriam, your are a child act like a child why you talked like that.”
“Hm, it wasted the bullets. You are too much.”
“Will a child talk like that. You are too much.”
“Hei, friends.” Card shouted.” “Grace fainted.”
“Grace.”
“What’s wrong.”
“She’s pale since the morning.”
“Just sleep, how..”
“I.. I’ll call the doctor in town.”, said Miriam
“Miriam.” , Douglas looked at her
Miriam is trembling.
“Miri. Wait, can you ride a horse?” asked Douglas
“I take the cart.”
“And you can't control it. Calm down. Don’t be panic. Let me go"
”Don’t, that bald-headed could be still in town. If he know you guys are here, what will happen?”
“Don’t be fussy.” Douglas lifted Miriam to his shoulder.
“Douglas, wait.”
“I’ll give you a lift to the countryside, then just go home. You go to doctor’s house and come back with him. Understand?”
“Yeah.”
“Take care of Grace.”, said Douglas to Joel and Card
“Ok. Be careful.”
“Grace, will she be fine. Grace….” , Miriam mumbled while riding the horse. Douglas just kept silent
At the town
“I’m planning to go home but I remember this watch. As I go to town." Douglas lift the pocket watch (‘Watch from that grand pa, fixed and still can work.’). "Now go home. I’m worried about Grace." (‘Don’t have to be afraid I’ll meet that bald headed. I’ll be to the countryside in a minute') Douglas hit someone.
“You. Where are your eyes.” It’s the flounder.
Douglas hit him and run away.
“Hei, you all out.”
“The black hair?”
“He’s not here.”
“He’s here. I saw him myself. He hit me than run. Search him. He must be around here.”
Inside the church
“It’s right if you avoid him. I don’t like killing. You’ll be save here,” said the priest.
“Why you let me hide in the church, Father?” Douglas wondered.
“Why not?”
“It’s Ok. I’m save but…”
“Young man. You better put off you hat in the church.”
“Sorry, it’s the first time I come in to the church.”
“Now you work at Grace Howard’ right?”
“How do you know?”
“I saw you in your way to there. You are so handsome. You have a good feature.”
“Hah? Thank you.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t tell anybody. I don’t know your problem with Murphy.”
('Murphy? Ah.. that flounder's name.’)
“No? how about here?” Murphy's voice was heard. Douglas hid behind the chair.
“Don’t worry. If they come in, I’ll face them.” The priest is behind him.
“Father. You have never hidden behind the chair, right? (How did he know. Are all priests like him?)"
“Your name?”
“Douglas.”
“Your eyes are green, right? Good, it’s fit your black hair. If your hair is taken care, it will be good. Hm, your body is good, too. A handsome young man.”
“Father, stay away from me.”
“Why? Is there any of my words is wrong?”
“No, it’s just..”
“What?”
“Why are you holding my hand?”
“It’s prove of my love.”
('What is he thinking?’) “You better go inside, so you won’t get in troubles.
“Inside?”
(‘Why is his question so weird?’ )
“Oh, yes. It’s saver there. Let’s get in.”
“No, I stay here. Better here.”
“He might hide in the church. Search every corner.” Murphy came in
“What is this?” said the priest
“I’m looking a young man. Black hair, green eyes, probably six feet.”
“No body like it here. Beside, I won’t let bad people like you get in this church. Now, out.”
(‘Stupid. If that bald-headed get angry by his word, he’s in trouble.’) Douglas tried to calm down behind the chair.
"What you said. Who you think you are talking to? You won’t talk like that again..”
“Mr. Harnbag comes to this church,” the priest holding Bryan’ hand, “Even if you are his good friend, if he know that you insulted this church, he won’t forgive you.”
“What..”
“That’s right, Murphy.”
“Sheriff!”
“I came here because I want to know what has happen. If Mr. Harnbag know, what will he said. Come on, get out. If you be rude to priest, as sheriff I won’t keep silent. Understand. Its now save, priest. They won’t come closer again.”
“Thank you. You are reliable.” said the priest.
“Of course.” Then the sheriff went out
“OK. Douglas. It’s save now. Get out. They were gone thank to the sheriff. Douglas?”
“Thank you, Father. I’m save thanks to you. Bye.”, Douglas ran out
In the farm
“That’s all? Than go out? Asked Miriam.
“I’m scared just alone with him. As I have told you. He is weird.”
“Will he do that.”
“My hat is left in the rush.”
“Just because of the watch you have all of this?”
“We were worried why you were late.”
“Miriam, Grace overwork?”
“Yes. She is sleeping now. Because our workers suddenly quit, Grace is tired body and soul. I’ve tried to help but since I am little, it’s no used.”Harnbag’s residence.
“Why stop the chasing? Why talk like that, Sad. I have been looking for them everywhere.” Murphy asked.
“Chasing them are no use, right? You better stop it. That’s all I want to say. I have to go. Just relax. Drink what you want. Hey, the flowers ready?”
“Fine. Then I’ll search them by my own. They must be in near this town.”
“It’s for your own sake. You better call it quit. If you love your life.”
“What?”
“Wow, what’s wrong today. Your are so neat.” said Jed
“Jed.”
“I will visit a beautiful girl.”
“Yeah, she’s fainted. Poor of her. Her workers quit, and she has no somebody else to replace. That’s why she’s tired. A women live alone is hard. I’ll make her realize it. And than, she and her farm will be mine. But there’s no chance. Grace Howard.”
“Grace?” said Silver King
“You, you have trouble with my men.” Murphy pointed at Silver King
“It’s OK, Bryan. He is my guest. It’s Bryan Murphy. Used to be my partner.”
“How are you. I’m Jed.”
“Jed, he’s the one you told me?”
“Yeah, he’s good at using guns. Can be used.”
“OK. I like it.”
“OK. You go. Let me take care this. Good luck.”
“Thank you.”
('What. This man has a similarity with Sad. Sad is still Sad. But he is no the type to go to the church. But, why it is so weird? What has happen?’), Murphy wondered
In the farm
“What’s up, Joel?”
“How’s this, Doug. You see. With three men.”
('Harnbag’ here?’)
In front of the door
“Miss, don’t stand there, I can’t get it.”, said Harnbag
“Grace is sleeping. Go home.”
“Miri? Who’s coming?”
“Grace, don’t go out!”
“Grace.” Harnbag pushed in, Miriam fell off.
“Miriam. Are you OK.” Grace worried
“Grace, as soon as I heard that you were fainted, I come here. I brought this flower so you can recover sooner.”
“OK. Thank you. Flowers are accepted. You may go home.”, Miriam took the flowers and threw them to the vase.
(‘This child. I can’t get angry. Should calm down.’ ‘ It’s not a game, would I give Grace to such old man. The workers quit and haven’t got replacement because of him.’ )“Card.” Douglas climbed in to where their room was
“Doug, Joel.”
“How’s it going?”
“Miriam is facing him.”
“We can’t show ourselves. We only can watch.”
“However Miriam can’t defeat the four of them. He won’t go home until he got Grace.”“Grace you should know how I feel about you. Please understand, I came here to propose you.”
“I have refused.”
“Grace. You can handle this farm all by yourself. You realize it now, don’t you. I don’t want to see you get trouble.”
“No, I.”
Miriam threw powder to Harnbag.
“Get that child out. Leave me alone with Grace.”
“Stop. What are you doing.”
“So she won’t bother me.”
“Let me go, I hate you.”
“I don’t care. You will be mine.” Harnbag pulled Grace.
But then Douglas, Joel and Card show up. Harnbag was surprised when he saw Douglas and he left the farm.
Back in Harnbag residence, there were quarrels between Harnbag, Murphy, and Silver King.
“It’s a tiring day, are you OK, Grace?”
“Yes. You sleep, too.”
“Yes. We are here. Take a rest so you’ll recover soon.”
“Miriam. Sorry, I bother you. Thank you, I love you.” Grace held Miriam hand.“Since when Willy get in to the house.”
“Yeah.” Joel tried to catch him. “Come on, back to your cage. He’s teasing me.”
“If it’s about Willy, leave it to Miriam. Miriam is upstair. I have to see Grace. I’ll call her.” said Douglas
“Eh, Doug, Card, there’s one thing interesting. Everybody who lives here is orphan. Doug, Card, than me, Grace, Miriam, Willy too. Orphans were gathering here.”, said Joel“Good night, Grace.” Douglas saw Miriam close the door. And also saw her holding her hand. “Mama.”, murmured Miriam.
(‘She called mama.’
“You are great too.”
“Thank you".
"Facing Harnbag by yourself.”
“Yeah, Grace doesn’t know how it likes outside. If I let her, she will be in danger. I have to protect her.”
‘That arrogant child…’ )Back to their room, they talked about Miriam’ calling Grace mama. Then Card holding an old watch. It’s an ugly watch but means so much to Doug. He remembered that old man. When he was a little child, he met him in a hut. It was rainy. When the old man found out that Douglas name is just like his dead son’s name, he so happy and wanted to continue the journey with Douglas. First Douglas followed that old man because he thought he was rich. But he wasn’t. Douglas wanted to leave him when he found out that the old man wasn’t rich (he intended to steal his money). But the old man knew it and told him not to leave him because he will feel lonely. One day, the old man gave him an old watch that didn’t work. Douglas went to by some things. He even stole a good wine for that old man. But when he got there, the old man has died. But the watch was working. Douglas was so sad that when he told the story to his friends he cried. Than he go to sleep.
In the morning, Douglas was so ashamed that he didn’t want to get up. They all were panic, because Miriam was not home and just left a note.