The Bounty Hunters'

[Rockingham]

A gray mare breathed heavilly into the night. White whisps of air flew from her nostrils, disappearing into the blackness. She shuffled her feet, bending down and sniffing for a patch of grass to chew on, but found nothing, she was content to look at the town below.

Mark watched as well.

White light from different houses could be seen. A bit of rowdiness from the old saloon. Didn't look like much else though, certainly not anything to waste his time over. Yet, he was wasting his time. There was word of some new bounty hunters coming into town. Two people who always got their man. Rumors floating around that his gang would be next.

He spit onto the ground, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. If anything was up, Richard and David would find out. They were his brothers, they were his blood.

Far off in the distance, a coyote howled at the rising moon. Leaning back, he took in the howl. One lonely wolf out there, searching for another. His eyes closed shut as he waited.

Silence.

Then, another cry. Far off in the distance. It sounded more like a train than anything else. It was unmistakable though. The wolf had ound a friend after all.

His eyes squinted to slits. Suddenly, he brought out his colt, firing in the direction. No reason, just wanted to let them both know he was here as well.
(That would explain shots being fired)
He reloaded and holstered the weapon, waiting in the dark of night for his brothers. As soon as they returned and told him of the situation they could start working on the bank plan.

Twin Springs was calling. Blood mixed with lust for gold and money in his veins. It was almost like a calling to the north. A big pay out if he could just pull it off. He had been working with Richard for months on the plan, and they still weren't quite finished.

Besides, he was just waiting for the money to pile up. The cows were coming. Up from the south. Cowboys herded hundreds of cows from various ranches over into Twin Springs, so the banks always made sure to have hundreds, if not thousands of extra dollars in cash on hand.

Which meant this time next month he'd be knee deep in money, women, gold, and anything else he could get his hands on.

That is, if he could get his tired ass out of this fucking town. His dull grey eyes urged on the two brothers down below. It was well past midnight, had they stopped to get drunk? Knowing David, he had done some gambling at least.

Easing himself in the saddle, Mark spat again into the night. With his eyes and ears both open, he waited silently. Like a snake poised, just waiting for it's prey to get close enough to strike.

He would strike.

(PM me if you'd like anything to involve your character. Maybe Mark has an informat in Tumbleweed, or someone is trying to join the gang, or possibly a lover. Also, I want to be sure on the relationships with the brothers and sister. So definitely PM me if you want something in there. Like someone else is trying to be leader, or a certain woman wants him to treat her not like a baby, but an equal. Criticism is welcome)

 

[Rockingham]

Literotica is freaking out on me.

 

[Rockingham]

You see what I have to deal with!

 

[Kineser]

BELLE

Belle sat up in bed and listened. She'd heard shots ringing out, but didn't know where they came from.

What a night. First she'd stirred up her emotions when she touched Reece's hand. He still had that effect on her after all these years. She is afraid to show her feelings for him, which are much more than sisterlike or partnerlike. But she also knew her place. Being 10 years his senior, she didn't want to bind him to her, afraid that one day he might dump her for a younger edition. He was much more valuable to her as a friend and partner, than as a husband or boyfriend. And if they'd made love a lot at the start of their partnership, it had dwindled through the years. Not that he didn't attract her anymore, but she didn't want to hurt him or get hurt herself. Oh, well, it's so complicated, she thought. But anytime he wanted her, he was welcome in her bed.

But then later tonight, after the confusion of Joe and Red wanting to go after the Daltons, she passed Reece's room and the unmistakable sounds of passion, in Joe's and Reece's voices, brought tears to her eyes. No, she wasn't jealous, not of Joe. But...

Maybe, it's because she hadn't slept with anybody for some time lately. That's why she was feeling so maudlin. What she needed was release.

But who? Besides Reece, the only other man that had ever captured her heart was Vincent Dupree. But that was before she knew who he really was. Before she knew that it was his father's goons that raped her so long ago. But could she hold him responsible? He was still a young boy too at that time, and not responsible for what his father or his father's men did.

She remembered the first time the two Duprees came to the whorehouse. It was the first time for Vincent to shag a girl, his father said. So he asked Miz Louise to assign a young girl to them, as he wanted to show and teach Vincent how to fuck.

 

[Roland Gilliad]

Richard Dalton

*He had grumbled somthing to the effect of what a complete idiot his brother was, and exacltly how much of his ass he was going to kick later..Until he spotted his formidible looking other brother not far away. Mark Dalton, a meaner sonofabitch there never was. But he had guts and he had brains, which was more than he could say for his drunkard gambling addict other brother, Or Frankie, who spent most of her time fawning over handsome cowboys Or Ne'er do wells. She was a Dalton, and it was high time she acted like one. And after this payoff, she'd see the wisdom of it. He rode up the hill to mark..giving him that look which told him trouble was up*

You are never going to guess who's in town.

"Who Richard"

*he chuckled weakly and sighed*

Red Sloan.

*Whatever mark was expecting, THAT wasnt it. He glared*

And I reckon she's gunning for us. David is being a total ass at the moment and IM about to go find him, But I thought you ought to know. This keeps on getting more complicated..

*he gave mark a sharp nod and headed back into town at a sharp ride, Cursing into the wind. Red Sloan, And..her Partner, Joesaphine Meadows. Yeah, he'd heard the tales and the stories. And it only brought a grin to his face. This promised to be intresting as well as challenging...let the chessgame begin..*

 

[Shoty98]

Red

I walk in the room and flip the chair around, sitting on it I pour a couple of shots and hand one to Joe. Watching her slam it back I do the same, taking her glass back from her I fill it again and hand it back. "Getting out of this lifestyle might do us well." I stare out the window thinking of the possiblities.

"Well Joe I still think what I thought before. That they are gunnen for Twinsprings and apparently the Marshall was right they are hidin pretty close, two Dalton's...in one night....in one town." Just as I begin to tell her my feelings on getting dolled up and trapping them and how good it would work I here a shot fired and then another. Looking to Joe, "was that my imagination?"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe (Josephine)

"Twin Springs huh? That does sound plausible to me right now. Tumbleweed doesn't have much gold in their vaults. Closest place to here is Twin." She started to ask for another shot when two shots rang out.
"was that my imagination?" Red turned to her, tensing up.
"If it was I am hearing your imagination!" She jumped up and walked to the window in two strides. Glancing outside she could see nothing, then she saw someone walking from the Marshall's office. Not running, but walking!
"Red.. Find a gun, Don't go for yours. Guard this place with Reece, I'm going up to the Marshall's office for a look around...Be careful, I dont know if David Dalton has left yet.. And whoever was with him.."

Walking out of the room, she walked down the hall and to Sofie's room. Opening the door, she walked straight through and out the window. She climbed down the old oak tree, and landed on the ground. Crouched down her drew her Colt. She listened, but didn't hear anything out of ordinary going on.

Her breathing calm, and her mind clear. She moved along the side of the building. Looking down main street to the chruch, and then looking southerly to the school. No one. No one? Who was firing? Maybe it was Caine? She wasn't sure, but the Dalton is town made her edgy. She quietly walked across the street, looking high and low. And searching shadows for anything dangerous.

Her foot steps echoed on the old porch the jailhouse. She didn't see anything or anyone inside, but a light was burning. A low lantern light, and didnt give her much help at all. Pulling back the hammer, she reached for the door.

It was now or never.

She slowly pushed the door in, listening to it creak.
"Hey! Get in here! Someone just wiped out the Marshall!"
She jumped about two feet into the air. Angel was bellowing. What a stupid ass! a frog had more brains.
"Is it clear in there?"
"Yeah, or I woulda been shot by now.. who's there?"
She didn't answer him, but stepped in with her gun pointed at Angel in the cell. Checking quickly for any weapons, she seen he wasn't armed.
"Where is Caine?"
He pointed, turning to follow his finger, she looked at the desk. Blood was splattered on the wall behind the desk.
"Caine?!"
She ran over behind the desk and knelt down. He had two holes in his chest, and most of the blood was seeped out of his body. She shook, trying to pull back the shirt. He groaned as she pulled on the material.
"D-Dont worry Caine.. you'll be ok.. Ill get the doc. He'll fix ya up in no time.."
He tried to speak, but he couldnt get any sounds out. His face looked horrified, tensed, angry, and scared shitless. He turned red trying to talk, his veins on his forehead standing out.
"Shhhh, It'll be ok Caine.."
She looked down at his body, It wouldn't be ok. He wouldn't live through this one. She got up, running out of the room and next door to bang on the Doc's door.
"Doc! Wake up!" He was already awake and jerked open the door almost walking into her.
"Who, Joe?"
"M-Marshall..."
He nodded, he had heard the shots and woke up. He knew someone had been shot near by, knew he needed to get out of bed and go help.
He entered the jailhouse, and knelt down to look over Caine's wounds.
"Go get Reece and someone else to help lift him to the desk Joe. Hurry! Go!"
She turned and ran back to the Saloon.

 

[Shoty98]

Red

"If it was I am hearing your imagination!" I watched her jump up and move to the window. "Ok Joe.....gotcha...grab a gun and guard the place." I follow her out the door and down the hall watching as she quickly turns to Sophie's room and heads through the doorway. I continue down the hall reaching my room and stepping in I grab the shot gun that I pack around on my horse when were on the trail and head downstairs to the bar.

All eyes upon me as I descend down the stairs, nervous men reachin for their guns. I raise my hand "It's alright boys just holdin down the fort.....go back to your games, booze and women." I walk across the saloon to the bar, sitting on a stool facing the swinging doors, I prop a leg up on the stool and rest my shotgun on my knee waiting for the first sign of trouble.....this time I will be ready.

 

[darrenfate]

REECE

Reece saw Joe jump up and run off like a cougar who just smelled red meat. There she goes again. Reece sighed. Typical of Joe, so much for wallowing in the sweet afterglow of sex!

He got up, in time to see Belle drifting down the staircase he could see from the pained look on her face that she was hurt by what she must have just witnessed. A pang of protectiveness stirred up deep in Reece. He quite literally loved Belle, he knew he would do anything she asked. He would take a bullet for her if need be. Reece caught up to her and put his hand on her shoulder. She spun around startled. He spoke and held her hand while he did -

"Belle...." his voice cracked when he saw her eyes so sad, was that a tear welling as she faced him? Overcome by her, he leaned forward to kissing those perfect lips...

 

[tequillashots]

Vincent Dupree

I try to fall asleep but the thoughts in my head makes it almost
impossible. Rolling over I place my feet on the floor and rub my eyes trying to focus on the things in the bedroom. I hear the faint breathing of Catherine laying on her side under the covers. I quickly get up and get dressed grabbing my holster that is hanging on the chair in the bedroom. Placing it around
my waist I fasten it up. I race out the bedroom door, down the stairs and out the door grabbing my hat and long coat from the rack and slide into my boots that are laying on the mat by the door as I leave the house.

Stopping on the porch I remove both guns, Colt 45's from their holsters and check to make sure I have a full round of bullets in both guns and also check my supply of bullets in the belt itself. Completely full but thinking to myself that I should stock up. There seemed to be too many gun shots lately and one would not want to come up short in a gun fire.

Looking around as soon as I get out of the house I remember that perhaps I should bring my shotgun so I reach into the house and grab the barrel of the shotgun and take it with me.

Heading out towards the stable there is no sound at all. An eerie
feeling rolls over my body as I enter the stable and place the shotgun against the wall right by the door and head right to my trusty horse. A black thoroughbred standing 16 hands high. A bitch to ride but fast and dependable. Finding my saddle in the tack room I remove it off of the wall and throw it over the horse.

Tightening up all of the belts that need to be tightened and making sure that the ones under the stirrups are as tight
as possible I grab the horn and shake the saddle. The horse and the saddle shake together and so the saddle must be on tight enough. Looking around and spotting the bridle hanging from a post in the wall next to the stall I grab that and help the bit into the horse's mouth so that I can steer this beast.

Quickly I lead the horse out into the open air and grab the
shotgun that is leaning against the wall and close the door behind me. Placing the shotgun into the holder that was stitched into the saddle I grab the horn and hike my leg into the stirrup and vault myself onto the back of the horse and off I go with a poke into his belly with my spurs on my boots.

The horse takes off like a shot as I race towards town. The night is dark and it is tough to see anything, but the light from the moon is just bright enough to see enough. Just then I hear two more shots ring out and with another quick jab into the belly of the horse with my spurs the horse picks up more speed. With the wind rolling past my ears I have to take the hand that is holding the horn off and make sure my hat is firmly placed on
my head and then back on the reins reaching forward letting the horse go as fast as possible.

Entering the town of Tumbleweed gives me another eerie feeling in the pit of my stomach as I slow the horse down to just a quick walk. Looking around I see two figures run into the jailhouse. I quickly dismount my horse and with the reins in my hand tie him to a post outside the jailhouse. I draw my gun and slide into the jailhouse behind what looked like the Doc and Joe Meadows.

There on the floor of the jailhouse is Caine laying on the floor in a
pool of his own blood. Two bullet holes in his chest and a raspy breathing sound coming from his lips. One of the bullets must have hit his lung.

 

[darrenfate]

REECE

Reece felt Belle against him, their kiss tender.

Suddenly he heard shots and frantic calls of his name. He grabbed his shotgun from behind the bar and burst out the swinging doors. A group was gathering at the jail. He sprinted down the street pushing the people aside.

There in a growing pool of blood was Marshall Caine. It was not the Marshall that looked up at him, eyes dimming. It was his friend plain old Caine. Two ugly holes were in his chest, he was frothing white and red blood from the mouth. His lungs were indeed hit.

Cradling Caine's head on his lap Reece spoke -

"Just lie still old friend. The Doc's here. Everybody back up give him some room. Doc I'll just hold him. We'll get the bastards that did this Caine, or die trying...."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

She got half way to the saloon and said forget it. he wasn't going to make it. She wanted to be there before he was gone.
She ran back inside, kneeling beside him, she asked.
"Who did this? Tell me who Caine."
She felt a tear slide down her cheek, angrily she wiped it away.
"D-D..D...al.." He couldnt get it out, he couldn't suck in any air either. He tried to swallow the blood, but coughed instead. His mouth working franticly and his adam's apple moving up and down. He just couldn't speak.
"Doc?!" She moved putting pressure over his wounds. Trying to stop the blood flow. Slowly his eyes dimmed, and his breathing stopped. His hand fell away from her thigh, to the wood floor below. She turned to the Deputy behind her, "get ready to swear yourself in.."
She stood, her anger rising to a boiling point. She turned, walked around Reece, past all the on lookers and out the door. She stormed towards the saloon, Thunder stood harnessed to the hitching post. Still saddled. She stormed into the saloon, looking at no one. Up in Reece's room, she grabbed her bedroll and her things in her saddle bags.
Walking back outside she strapped them onto Thunder, hopped on, and rode out into the dark. She needed some time to think. The hot springs was the best place for her to go, get this off of her chest. Let the tears flow and the pain out without anyone seeing her.
Anger grew inside her heart more each minute she thought about it.

 

[Angelus]

David

David stood there and watched as one of the women rode off, away from the saloon with a smile. He had done one thing he promised that he would do..... that marshall was as good as dead but there was something else he had to do. He checked his Colts and walked towards the back of the saloon, knowing that it would be guarded and when he saw the man standing there, shotgun in hand he smiled.

He ran at the man and before the man could bring up his gun flew through the air and slammed straight into him, knocking him to the ground. David then grabbed one of his guns and smacked the man across the side of the head with it, knocking him out cold. David looked over at the man's shotgun and picked it up, seeing if it was full then slowly opened the door.

The first thing that he heard were the normal sounds of a saloon although it was a little subdued and he guessed that there was someone in there with a gun. He walked towards the bar and was pleasantly surprised when he saw that the same woman he had held the gun to in the stables sitting there, a shotgun resting across her knee. He held up the shotgun and pulled back the hammers with a click then said,

"My my..... isn't this a pleasant surprise. This is the second time I have caught you unaware. Now drop that shotgun and any other weapon and any other weapon you have or I will cut you in half and trust me I will. And if any other you idiots think that you can get anywhere near me I will have no problems killing you."

 

[tequillashots]

Vincent

After watching the Marshall take his last breath and seeing him drift into nothingness I vowed to stalk the killer and no matter if their was a bounty on his head or not he would find himself out of time and out of luck. I asked the Doc if he needed any help but he told me he had it all under control so I placed my pistol back into its respective holster and walked back into the night. The saloon looked inviting and I figured why not go there for a shot of something. So upon passing my horse i withdrew my shotgun from the holster and thru it under my slicker. right into a holster custom made that ran along my leg and proceeded across the dirt road to the saloon. Upon looking deeper into the saloon I noticed a man with a shotgun to the back of the lady sittin at the bar. Entering the saloon right now would not be a wise idea. What to do. I ran next door into the whorehouse looking for someone to find that could help me.

 

[Shoty98]

Red

"My my..... isn't this a pleasant surprise. This is the second time I have caught you unaware. Now drop that shotgun and any other weapon and any other weapon you have or I will cut you in half and trust me I will. And if any other you idiots think that you can get anywhere near me I will have no problems killing you."

His voice made my heart stop I new who it was I didn't even have to turn around, only one man had caught me off guard tonight. I turn slowly on the stool looking out around the saloon as I do so, all these scared lookin men who just a few moments ago couldn't keep their hands off their guns when I entered the saloon with mine, were affraid to even blink.

Facing him I drop my shotgun on the floor at his feet, looking up at him "Dammit David that is three of my finest guns that have gone on the ground, why can't ya just mosey on outta town and leave well enough alone!?" My voice harsh and cold.

 

[Angelus]

David

David looked at her, an evil smile coming to his face. He could tell that she was unhappy with him but he didn't care. He was hear to do one thing- he had told himself he would.

"Do you really think I care about those damn guns. I came back to do two things tonight. I already did one by shooting the marshall- he is very much dead by the way and I came to do one thing with you. I was stopped from doing it earlier."

He then saw one of the men going for his gun and without saying a word and in a single flowing motion pulled out one of his guns and fired, the bullet hitting the man in the throat. He slid the gun back into its holster and looked at Red.

"Right now.... where was I. Oh yes.... I was here to do this."

Before she knew it David grabbed her and kissed her deep and full on the lips. He then straightened her up and said, "Okay.... now that that's done I can get on my horse and get out of here."

He then looked down and saw Red's guns on the floor and picked them up, throwing them towards the back. He looked at her and grinned then slowly walked to the swinging doors in the front of the saloon, looking at the dying man as he did.

"If any of you have any ideas about stopping me remember your friend over there."

He walked out and untied his horse then jumped up and gave his horse a smack on the side. As he rode out of the town he began humming another tune. He then smiled when he saw what looked like the other woman that had caught him and sent the horse into a gallop to catch up to her then said, "Nice night for a ride isn't it."

He laughed as he rode past her.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Joe

She heard the sound of hooves approaching, but paid it no heed. She was in no mood tonight for more shit.

"Nice night for a ride isn't it."


She glared at his retreating back. She whipped out her colt quicker than shit and aimed. "Halt Dalton!"

She had a steady calm voice.

"I could take you in right now, and collect that reward hanging over your head.. You do know that dontcha?" She cocked her gun, not waiting for him to respond she put her gun away.

"I am in no mood tonight, for you or your shit. Go away Dalton. And If you want to live a long life, get out of Robbery."

She turned her horse a little to the left and dug her heels into Thunder's side. He took off with a bolt, and off she went. Fading into the night.


She rode along until she came to the Hotsprings. Getting off of her horse she quickly made a bed, started a small fire, and stripped down. Sinking into the hot water, she held her gun in one hand, and a bottle of whiskey in the other.

 

[tequillashots]

Vince

While standing in the doorway of the whorehouse and looking out the window a figure ran out of the saloon and saddled up onto his horse and rode out of town. It looked like David Dalton but all those Daltons looked alike...even the women. Now I really needed a drink. I walked out of the whorehouse thankin all the ladies for the short visit and sayin i might be back and then walked right into the bar. The lady at the bar looked a little disheveled. Her gun was to the side laying on the floor. There was a guy to the right of me, for sure he was dead as there was a pool of blood that had oozed out of his throat. I walked up to the bartender and asked him for a drink. I looked over at the woman. Her hair was an aweful shade of red.

 

[Kineser]

BELLE

Belle sighed as she felt Reece's lips on hers, and for a moment, she leaned against him. It felt like coming home, and a fierce longing stirred in her. But just as soon she pulled away from him, as Joe's moans and cries of before reverberated in her ears. She looked up at Reece as tears sprang in her eyes, but quickly blinked them away, and smiled at him fondly. Her hand came up and caressed his cheek.

At that moment they heard shots and voices calling for Reece. He let her go and turned away, Belle following on his heels as he sprinted for the jail.

They pushed their way through the crowd and Belle gave a gasp as she saw Marshall Winters lying in a pool of his own blood, his dying breath on his lips.

Belle ran back to the whorehouse and fetched some towels, but when she came back, Winters was gone. She saw Joe run out and back to the saloon. A short while later, she hear a horse galloping away, and knew that Joe had left. But where was Red? Why didn't they go together?

Then she heard another shot. She looked towards the whorehouse and saw Vincent Dupree standing in the door, looking at a man running out of the saloon, jump on his horse and ride away.

Belle slowly walked back into the jail and stood behind Reece still crouched beside the Marshall. She put a hand on his shoulder, and Reece looked up at her with pain in his eyes.

 

[Ovbit]

Jaspers

ooc:
Age: Wrong side of forty.
Characteristics: A really ugly son-of-a-bitch and thick as shit too. Can never hold down a job too long and has been drifting all his life. Always getting to trouble. A complete loser.

ic:
He was tired and hungry. He had been on the trail for the last two days, hardly taking a break. Reining his horse in, he peered at the town in front of him. Pulling off his hat, he brushed the dust off and placed it back on his head.

"Tumbleweed." he said to himself through his dry lips as he continued to look at the town. To him it wasn't any different to any other town he had been to, it just happened to be there in front of him.

Well at least he may find work. A friend of his (until he killed him that is) had told him of a big ranch ran by a man called Vincent Dupree was always hiring new hands. Could do a lot worse, he thought to himself.

First stop he would make would be the saloon. He could almost feel the harsh whisky going down his throat as he started moving again.

 

[Marian]

OOC: May i join? If i can who can i be?

 

[Sweetp4u]

Welcome

ooc: Marian, welcome. I dont know what you want to write for. If you are male or female so here is the castings needed.

Deputies
Whores
Goons/hired hands for Dupree ranch.

 

[Marian]

OOC: female. Hmm.. i think whore.

 

[Shoty98]

Red

Out of the corner of my eye I see one of the men move for his gun. Before I could blink David took his revolver out and put a bullet in the man's neck then smoothly replaced it in its holster.

Keeping focused on him I didn't glance down at the man laying on the floor. He looked back to me, grabbing me and shocking with a full deep kiss on the lips. My body heated in seconds from head to toe. How long had it been? I could not remember the last time I was kissed by a man.

I quickly gathered my thoughts and watched as he slid my gun across the floor. He headed out the swinging doors, leaving me standing there in a daze.
"Hey boys, take him on over to the Doc's place." I holler as I walk across the floor to where my gun lay. Picking it up I head upstairs for my room.

Reaching my room I walk through the doorway, realizing I had left the door open in a rush of chaos. I closed the door and walked to the bed. Laying my gun down on it, I slowly undress. Putting my night gown back on and sitting on the edge of the bed, I carefully untie my braid.

I laid back on the pillows, my thoughts racing between his kiss and the dream I had been woke up from earlier. I grab the bottle of whiskey from the night table, and take a long drink. I shake my head, trying to shake away all the thoughts in my head.

 

[Marian]

Marian

ooc: wonders where she can start from?