The Price of a Normal Life, Part Iii

Bud’s eyes went wide, and he tried to speak, But the older man’s stare shut him down. “Let me tell you, vagrant with no folks, the words that I hear whispered in town…” He scowled. “They talk of a bandit gang, That’s been preying on people in these parts, some have even mentioned a boy with them, that he’s practiced in a safe-cracker’s art. “Why a boy who ain’t even eighteen would throw in with such trash, I can’t say. But I know enough to tell you no good end awaits that boy at the end of his days. “And were you not some youth, still somewhat green, I’d drag you right on down to the sheriff. But my wife likes you, and my daughter does too, so I’m gonna tell you now how it is. “People like you will end up on the rope, not for long will you be able to hide, all the gold and the booze in the whole west won’t be comfort to you when you die. “And girls like my daughter never settle with bandits who take by force what they see. If you value you life, ride away from this now, just clear out of these parts and break free.” Bud just stood stunned by the man’s blunt words, he stammered,”I-I gotta go think.” He tossed all night in the barn’s soft hay, if he slept, it was barely a blink. He was up at dawn the very next day, and rode away before any had woke, he'd made up his mind on what he should do, to find Hopkins he and his horse rode. It was three days later that he found the boss, Holed up in the mountains, in a small cave, Hopkins cried out,”Bud, you son-of-a-*****, I knew somehow you would get away!” But Bud didn’t slide off of his horse, when Hopkins stepped out into the sun, instead he pulled his pistol, drew a bead, Hopkins went white at the sight of the gun. The bandit froze, his jaw dropping in shock, He said,”Bud, now what the hell is the deal? You and me are partners, going way back, Why you pointing at me with that steel?” “Partners?”scoffed Bud,”I was just a child! I was alone and still morning my loss. You could’ve dropped me in any old town, but into your rancid world I was tossed! “So here’s how it is, you throw up your hands, and you might get to live a couple more weeks. But if you try to pull, even if you win, there’s four Pinkertons not far behind me. “I told them I knew where you would be, I figured you’d run to this old hide-out. Traded my freedom for you rancid soul, so come quietly, and throw that gun down!”