George stood there, gripping his wounded arm, his expression unreadable. "That's why I did it, sir," he said, his voice calm but sharp with conviction. "That's why I killed them. Revenge." He exhaled slowly as if the confession weighed on him. "Does that make me the bad guy? Yes… and no. I did what I had to. For peace."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdgbAZDfLz
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFI2yz9rMN
His gaze hardened. "If I gather the crystals, I can make the world right—no more suffering. I'll finally have peace."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1cJ6ikoiP
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fOyubeNuF
Cody, trembling, reached for his gun. George's eyes flicked to the movement, and before Cody could raise it, George pulled the trigger. The shot rang out, and Cody collapsed to his knees, clutching his arm as blood seeped through his fingers.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjBCR7nSqU
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5evoxHt52L
Cody let out a choked scream, glaring up at George. "Why… why do you want the crystals?" His voice was strained, each word a struggle. "What wish are you going to make?"
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVhp6Cz5Dh
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBBODScdwt
George stepped closer, his expression calm, almost pitying. "That's not how this works, Cody," he said. "The better question is, what wish are you going to make?"
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCQMdge4EU
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjWoinaNKf
Cody, panting through the pain, forced the words out. "To bring… my brother… back."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbDkpLUnWm
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3AsXzfXPL
George's eyes narrowed slightly, his composure unbroken. "Your brother…" He let the words hang in the air, his face betraying no emotion. Then, in a measured tone, he said, "It's always about what we've lost, isn't it?"
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLw06itU34
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISuNNQsjvs
He turned slightly as if pondering Cody's words. "You think bringing one person back will fix everything? No, Cody. That's not peace. That's denial."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSRsHnpiRT
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hNu4synoT
His voice dropped, cold and unyielding. "You're not thinking big enough." Meanwhile, miles away in Grant's Pass,
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4YTsaBdJM
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRhm67RLID
The faint clatter of hooves on frostbitten dirt echoed as Charlie and Jed rode into Grants Pass, the crisp January air sharp enough to cut through layers of worn leather and cloth. The small town unfolded before them, a collection of modest buildings with peeling paint and stoic charm. Smoke coiled lazily from chimneys, and the streets bore the quiet hum of a place content to mind its own business.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXasrwqk5Z
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnRlHMUQ4D
Jed tugged the brim of his hat lower against the setting sun and gestured toward the town with a casual flick of his reins. "Boy, you ever wonder 'bout the ground yer standin' on?" His voice was gravelly, laced with equal parts wisdom and mischief. "Grants Pass here's older than it looks. Back in the 1820s, Hudson's Bay Company trappers were wanderin' through these parts, followin' the Siskiyou Trail. By the 1840s, settlers were makin' their way along the Applegate Trail, headin' to the Willamette Valley. That there is the spine of this place—a trail beaten by ambition and desperation."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjL2wwHNE8
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7g6luU5lvc
Charlie rolled his eyes, letting out an exaggerated sigh. "And here I thought we were just ridin' into another nowhere town. Thanks for the history lesson, Professor Jed."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69aaJFILHM
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0z3QHYa0j
Jed smirked, undeterred by the sarcasm. "You're welcome, boy. Name came about on account of General Ulysses S. Grant's victory at Vicksburg. Thought it'd be real grand to name a place after him. Post office got set up back in March of '65. And don't get me started on the weather—hotter than the devil's back pocket in summer, colder than a well digger's ass come winter."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0TdPVffEi
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7E7eGk3l8
"Sure sounds like paradise," Charlie muttered, steering his horse around a patch of slushy mud. "You writin' a guidebook now? Maybe publish it in the Grants Pass Daily Courier?"
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGN4Ylbdn7O
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83IlOIo58J
Jed barked a dry laugh, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Well, if you read, you'd know that paper's been around since 1885. Used to be called the Rogue River Courier. Mighty fine publication, if I do say so myself. Better than whatever nonsense fills your saddlebag."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtUhEZdBh3
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YUwQZOsLe
Charlie shook his head with a smirk, muttering under his breath, "Should've left you in the last town."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXy3Hm2E7W
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxWWsNeI8p
Jed reined his horse in and fixed Charlie with a sharp look, the humor fading from his face. "Listen, boy, this town might look plain, but there's stories buried in every step. Stories folks like you ignore 'til they're bitin' you in the ass. And mark my words—those damn crystals are gonna leave you buried in a town just like this if you ain't careful."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGBFbgD8tz
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5T53KPuXmZ
Charlie tilted his head, defiant. "You done? Or are we settin' up camp for a history lecture?"
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGjnBOhWLT
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoE05Vo3NE3
Jed leaned closer, his voice dropping low, almost conspiratorial. "What I'm done with is chasin' after somethin' that'll tear a man apart from the inside. Crystals don't grant wishes, boy. They twist 'em. You can't cheat this world, no matter how much you think you can. .
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVJvhoShTr
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaqbFsbsqz
"Uncle Jed," Charlie said, his voice trembling with determination. "Please. Let's just find the crystal and get it over with."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9OSX3rZFJ
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgcREEmf37
Jed's reply was sharp, like a whip crack. "No. I can't allow you to. Not like this, not for that."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSzPc6anV8
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUlone65Yo
Before Charlie could argue, the crash of a man being hurled through the saloon window silenced him. Shards of glass rained onto the wooden porch as a burly figure hit the ground with a groan.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnIdMvkIO9
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6lLtiNV7r
From the saloon's swinging doors emerged Jose, clutching his side where blood had soaked through his shirt. His face was pale, but his eyes burned with fury. He marched up to the man on the ground, grabbed him by the collar, and hoisted him halfway to his feet before wrapping his hand around the man's throat.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZoDRYpS5g
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnniiONCGv
"I dare you to say that again," Jose snarled, his voice low and venomous.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29urDXDFVP
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RXh4wK5zv
The man coughed and spluttered, defiant despite his predicament. "You're a filthy Mexican! You don't deserve to be in the same bar as us white folks."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwWW7Xnx1v
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡid72PlJIFb
Jose's grip tightened, and his voice dripped with disdain. "You whites, always thinkin' you're the superior race. But the truth is, you're all pieces of cow shit. Every damn one of you. And here's another truth: all humans are the same—selfish, chaotic animals pretending at being something more."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6WXLGfY1G
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpq8PmWRac
His words cut through the air, sharp and deliberate. "Look around you," Jose continued, his voice rising. "Humanity is a swarm of ants, driven by instinct and ignorance. They follow the loudest voice, the brightest light, without ever questioning where it leads them. Mindless. Blind."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiSFwaYD8o
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5t01sQs8x8
He shoved the man to the ground, standing tall despite the pain etched on his face. "But I'm not one of them. I see the world for what it is—a chessboard. Every piece, every person, is a tool, a means to an end. Weakness? It's a liability. Camaraderie? A chain that binds you. Sacrifices? Necessary."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzF0oFc0cKD
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8Lou79A1G
The crowd outside the saloon had gone silent, watching Jose with a mix of awe and fear.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAnLWV3SZV
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFj0FhYL37
"I will rise above this chaos," he declared. "I'll reshape it into something worthy of my vision. Call me ruthless, call me cold, but at least I'm not blind."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GTt2p4NKV
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnKRvyHdPf
Before Jose could say more, he caught sight of Charlie, perched on his horse, a gun drawn and aimed at him. Instinct kicked in, and Jose dove behind the overturned saloon table as Charlie fired.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZThRWwJTM
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nTTI82EfX
The shot rang out, striking the man Jose had just thrown to the ground. Blood spattered the dirt, and the man crumpled.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIy34tEMF7
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYo4z71mZh
"Damn it, boy!" Jed barked, pulling his horse to a stop. "You just shot someone!"
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSXLKpIkHJ
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgx9trVAtq
Charlie didn't flinch, his voice hard. "Doesn't matter. We need him."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGTkAQCjRI
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TqYpINkwv
Jose, now crouched behind cover, shouted back, his voice echoing with rage. "You think you can just come here and take me down? Try it, escoria. But know this—if I fall, I'll drag you straight to hell with me."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YBLw1iEE5
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlrLEmMegT
Charlie spurred his horse into motion, ducking low as he moved behind a stack of barrels. Jed sighed heavily, muttering as he dismounted.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScHTjl6LPm
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62RtjmSj5K
"Boy, you've gone and kicked a hornet's nest," Jed grumbled, his tone laced with dry sarcasm. He followed Charlie into cover, his movements deliberate and steady. "Next time, maybe try not shootin' first, eh? I'd like to finish a conversation before someone ends up bleedin' out."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdijEWzDYbh
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBwBRlpjgn
Charlie glanced at him, frustration etched on his face. "We don't have time for talk, Uncle Jed. I said I'll kill him!"
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZ9gJBZdFQ
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgO69usCvak
Jed let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "You've got more fire than sense, kid. That's your problem. Always thinkin' you can shoot your way to an answer."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRHDYM3Qrh
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcsdmE5PJi
The air was thick with dust and gunpowder. Jed crouched behind a stack of barrels, his revolver loaded and steady in his calloused hands. A gunshot cracked through the air, kicking up splinters from the broken wagon beside him.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbEc3u3v0y
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuvE9aif8e
Charlie huddled nearby, his knuckles white around his pistol grip. His face was a storm—eyes cold and hollow, mouth set in a tight line. The boy was changing, and Jed didn't like what he saw.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iKevW86XK
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo25NL5oV2G
"Stay low!" Jed barked, peeking out to spot their enemy.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPVRHsNKJM
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70uvxsQ3RM
Across the street, Jose had taken cover behind a water trough, his revolver propped against the edge. The man's sharp eyes scanned the battlefield, calculating every move. Blood seeped from a wound in his side, but he grinned like the devil himself.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3PocXQIq1
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUjgMJVC6w
"Cowards!" Jose yelled. "You think you can outshoot me? I've fought federales tougher than you!"
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvl7VAC8nS
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6yp7xvT06
Jed muttered under his breath, his tone laced with sarcasm. "Big talk for a man bleedin' all over the damn street."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIwHIRh2zh
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKVH73rfh3
Charlie rose slightly, aiming his pistol toward the trough. He fired twice—one shot ricocheted off the trough's iron edge, the other buried itself in the dirt nearby.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rRC5p4f5H
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEJbizsxBw
"Damn it, boy!" Jed growled, pulling Charlie back down. "You're wastin' bullets! This ain't about sprayin' and prayin'. You gotta aim!"
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGxJXHcAho
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7IKQWSRZS
Charlie shot him a glare, his voice sharp. "I know what I'm doing, Jed."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNQ41abePJ
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9WaM2THo9
Jed's lips twitched into a bitter smile. "Yeah? Then why's he still breathin'?"
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkX7hcPk2jQ
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9bsn7nNoo
Another shot rang out, this time from Jose. The bullet struck the edge of Jed's cover, splinters raining down on his hat.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEK7PdQ4GAv
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEp14ytTGCG
"Gonna have to try harder than that!" Jed called out, leaning out to return fire. His shot clipped the edge of the trough, sending Jose ducking back.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNZbLyT9DN
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg67sPEsVFZ
Jose's voice carried over the chaos. "You think you're clever, old man? You're just another relic, too slow to keep up. And Charlie—he's no better. Kid doesn't have the guts to finish this."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IoQjwmhnZ
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pXaf8VN0a
Jed smirked, shaking his head. "Keep talkin', Jose. Maybe you'll talk yourself outta that grave you're diggin'."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBC3Uno6pvj
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zhw7yBqNs
Charlie rose again, his face twisted in determination. He fired three more shots in quick succession. One struck the trough, the second shattered a window behind Jose, and the third grazed his shoulder.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekk1WXgPg0
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡim8OzJizs8
Jose hissed in pain, retreating further into the saloon. "You'll pay for that, boy!"
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9g7iX9yM7R
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfalbIjPKr
Jed turned to Charlie, his tone softer now. "You're gettin' too wild. You want to win this, you gotta calm down. Focus."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwXU5AJjvf
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2E9exBrJZi
Charlie didn't answer. His hands trembled slightly as he reloaded, his jaw clenched tight.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfH0jRKSN6q
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcCzGaMNkE
Jose's voice came from the shadows of the saloon. "I can feel it, Charlie. You're breakin'. All that anger, all that desperation—it's gonna get you killed."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ380IeM0atu
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRreMBeQ4hQ
Jed sighed, leaning out to fire again. The bullet struck the saloon doorframe, and Jose ducked back.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2puUU0O9K
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEF6OAEqvuH
"Charlie," Jed said quietly, his tone measured. "He's tryin' to rattle you. Don't let him. We stick to the plan, and we'll walk away from this."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkUd5hiD9F
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclxxgmbkum
Charlie's eyes flickered toward Jed, but he said nothing. Instead, he stood, walking out from cover with his pistol raised.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPTIpSyavE
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhSlTjikaz
"Charlie, no!" Jed shouted.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMfGAWR86p
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6OvfqNBnA
Jose stepped out from the shadows, his rifle leveled. He fired, the shot barely missing Charlie as it struck the dirt by his feet. Charlie fired back, the bullet grazing Jose's arm.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCuJhMLfRn
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ96u5k0RPw
The two men squared off in the street, trading shots like a deadly game of chess. Jed watched, his heart pounding, as Charlie's movements grew more erratic, his shots wilder.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5QROY8u8w
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbW5OqsbyP
Jose, despite his injuries, moved with precision. He fired a shot that struck the revolver from Charlie's hand, sending it skittering across the ground.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfqYeoD7Ln
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzExvf1AVBl
Jed didn't hesitate. He stepped out, firing twice in quick succession. One shot hit the trough, the other grazed Jose's leg, forcing him to stumble.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWePdysjTn
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4egfSfJZw
Jose cursed, retreating into the saloon again. "You two really are somethin'. Can't hit the broad side of a barn, but you sure know how to waste bullets."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QlAh8oVv6
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMO8UX2ydco
Jed grabbed Charlie by the arm, pulling him back into cover. "What the hell were you thinkin', boy? You can't just charge in like that!"
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuoRZ9PT8a
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrCoMp8ZYY
Charlie yanked his arm away, his voice cold. "I had him."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbqG6BH4BC
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkJiRfFuEG
Jed shook his head, his frustration evident. "No, you didn't. And next time, you won't get so lucky."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBCKnvewDr
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOmmm7RIm9
The street fell silent, save for the distant sound of wind rustling through the buildings. Both sides were running low on ammunition, and the fight was far from over.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjk0gSnJGsg
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtf1xSg37i
From inside the saloon, Jose's voice rang out, low and dangerous. "You want me dead so bad, Charlie? Come and get me. Let's finish this."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDjMZwfJ3x
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6Ku9fhxXo
Jed glanced at Charlie, his expression grim.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJmVpkke7u
"You ready for this, boy? 'Cause once we step out there, there ain't no turnin' back."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiadTnipFEm
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJmiKBDVWm
Charlie nodded, his jaw set. "I'm ready."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOFj9DG2TC
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHB3Ic2yyE
Jed sighed, loading the last of his bullets. "Then let's end it."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtB4lNZPNU
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rWxNRxpsS
The two men stepped out into the street, their guns raised, as Jose emerged from the saloon. The three stood frozen for a moment, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEcapR80gl
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPdeqUHKBu
And then, the shooting began again.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidntB1iHRp
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERXs6QZFZV
The air between Charlie and Jose was heavy with tension, the kind that made your chest tighten and your fingers itch for steel. The sun hung low, casting long shadows that flickered as dust swirled around their boots.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeX3iy1R8tF
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2oq0mlo3Q
Jed stood to the side, watching Charlie take his position. His grizzled voice was a warning and a plea all in one.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsP5QrcKVs7
"You sure about this, boy? Ain't no undoing what's about to happen."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5G1vNZ0D9
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1gMPUXIE4
Charlie 's lips tightened, his eyes locked on Jose with a mix of rage and resolve. "Yeah, Uncle. I'm sure. If I don't make it, bury me near the sea. That's all I ask."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUMzRLNUFm
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ953hVg0mH
Jed's expression softened for just a moment before his usual gruffness returned. "Just don't let your ego outrun your skill. Men faster than you've died slower deaths."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPURpO1Mc8
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeDatHcXG3
Across from them, Jose adjusted his stance, his face a mask of cool detachment. His dark eyes burned with the kind of murderous intent that sent shivers down spines.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwmPjhkay9
"You ready to die, Charlie ?" Jose taunted, his voice low and venomous.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAoP9m60kY
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZMbav1ILg
Charlie didn't flinch. His fingers flexed near his holster as he shot back, "One of us will. And when I put you down, I'll spit on your grave."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYu5WEgxuS
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡik98PpYPK5
Jose smirked coldly, his hand hovering over his pistol. "Bold words for a dead man."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡui7f1Od6jU
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSWsJFxIzI
They squared off, traditional dueling stance. The street fell silent, the world shrinking to just the two of them.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDvW6TCmtW
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7Oodzb7OL
Jed stepped back, muttering to himself, "Damn fool kids. Pride'll be the death of us all."
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDE8ZiwwG2e
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAyG02mkOh
Time seemed to slow as their fingers twitched, ready to draw. But just as Jose made his move, he froze mid-reach. A knife had appeared, fused into his leg, glowing faintly as if alive. His eyes widened in shock and pain as it burrowed deeper, aiming for his heart.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0QhRpqhbO
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ae3MYGcBU
"Damn it!" Jose bellowed, his gun arm jerking as he instinctively fired. The bullet slammed into his own leg, an attempt to disrupt the knife's progress.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbt8gOMqpQ
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD83rdVX6Gg
Charlie saw his chance. His revolver was halfway out of its holster when another gunshot rang out—sharp and unexpected. Charlie 's body jerked violently as the bullet struck him square in the head.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynMhJOWnOK
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8NlW8HbTT
Jed's voice tore through the air. "Charlie ! No!"
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOVb1etIp2
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkP5xD75WXy
Charlie crumpled to the ground, lifeless, as blood pooled beneath him.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK11sB3XTVN
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJe2XgezZh
From the shadows, George stepped forward, the barrel of his gun still smoking. His smirk was as sharp as his shot.
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyzATBzwmA
"Well, now, wasn't that somethin'? Hell of a show, boys."
ns216.73.216.208da2
and then Add to home screen.