As the dust settled after the shocking gunshot, Jed rushed to Charlie 's side, his heart pounding like a war drum. He had dragged the boy to the relative safety of a nearby alley, away from the chaos and the noise. Charlie 's limp body lay sprawled on the dirt, the vibrant crimson of blood streaking his pale forehead. Jed dropped to his knees, his hands trembling as they hovered over the boy. For a moment, he couldn't bring himself to touch him. His chest tightened, his breath hitching in his throat.
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6ZE4VWqrK
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9NL6uGtq1
"God damn it," he muttered, his voice raw. "No…not like this. Not now."
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4micXHC4pr
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOct1cET55g
Tears welled in his eyes, and he squeezed them shut, biting down on the inside of his cheek until he tasted copper. Memories flooded his mind like a river breaking its dam.
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwpH6aKGeE
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7q2XCAhIe
Jenny's face shimmered in his thoughts, pale but radiant as she cradled her newborn son. The baby had barely cried, his tiny hand curling instinctively around Jed's calloused finger.
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZe3oCbu2Zx
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJRWBgf3EO
"Isn't he beautiful, Jed?" Jenny whispered, her voice fragile as glass. Her dark hair clung to her damp forehead, but her smile was steady.
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qQmIQaj5X
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1ClRDyo73
Jed nodded, his throat too tight to speak. He had never been one for sentiment, but holding that tiny life in his hands had shaken something loose in him. He finally croaked, "Yeah. He sure is. Looks like his pa."
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOOGzMJfOr
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqotIoMyzI
Jenny's lips quirked into a bittersweet smile. "I was thinkin' of namin' him after his father."
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU421HxarT8
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uvZD3LD64
Jed shifted uncomfortably, glancing at the baby and then back at her. "That's a good idea, Jenny. A damn fine idea."
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqgspVquU7
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYMkdkEPgA
Her smile faded as her strength ebbed, her breathing growing shallow. "Jed…promise me. Promise me you'll take care of him."
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfloOPWpBdy
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbvxHm2zqd
"Jenny, don't talk like that—"
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmWa2ui4aY
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT83NCkzQte
"Promise me," she insisted, her voice trembling but resolute. "Raise him right. Keep him safe."
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpzyFw5Viy
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9J8Hl3Jh94
Jed's jaw clenched, and he gave her the only answer he could. "I will. With my life, Jenny. You got my word."
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjShQwGWLuN
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIvT9JC7up
Her eyes glistened as she reached up to touch his face. "Thank you, Jed. God bless you…"
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5g4S5Wxivv
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDABfMQ1gzP
Her hand fell limp before she could finish, and Jed felt something inside him shatter. He had buried her behind the barn under the shade of the old oak tree, marking the grave with a simple wooden cross. He stood there for hours that day, cradling the baby she'd left behind.
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8zUzKmjed
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLN0ao6LeVm
The memory shifted. Charlie was six, all wide eyes and gangly limbs, too curious for his own good. It was late one night when Jed was roused by a soft knock on his bedroom door. He swung his legs over the bed and opened it to find Charlie standing there, clutching a threadbare blanket.
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0j1bYz70K
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwB475Cc9Ht
"Uncle Jed," the boy whispered, his voice barely above a whimper. "Can I sleep in your bed?"
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5seg4jBi4s
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8wubDi4sA
Jed raised an eyebrow, scratching his beard. "What for? Ain't you got a candle in your room?"
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3FSmzWF15
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2iNtddZVJ
"Yeah, but it's still scary," Charlie admitted, twisting the blanket nervously in his small hands.
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVTWzfd03V
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjF5NgpIMvw
Jed sighed, stepping aside. "Alright, alright. Get in here. Just don't go kickin' me in your sleep, ya hear?"
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNw8qCsiuO
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5LlEzu59j
Charlie grinned, climbing onto the bed and curling up beside him. "Thanks, Uncle Jed."
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuW8wIpkM7E
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMSv3NxmwK
Jed shook his head, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Don't thank me. You're still makin' the damn coffee in the mornin'."
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QQ4LDISnU
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGf9iF3GlQQ
Back in the present, Jed snapped back to the harsh reality of the alley. His chest heaved, and tears streamed freely down his weathered face. He let out a shaky breath, brushing a bloodied hand across Charlie 's brow.
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtXqmxikkR
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkyOADpwrs
"You ain't dyin' on me, kid," he growled, his voice breaking. "I made a promise, and I aim to keep it."
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSroqFjeuf
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1AmHDIL7S
Finally, he pressed trembling fingers to Charlie 's neck, searching desperately for a pulse. Relief washed over him like a cold drink on a blistering day when he felt the faint but steady thrum of life. Charlie was alive—barely, but alive.
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXT4PycSMgy
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKUsxFGVfT
"You stubborn little bastard," Jed muttered, his voice gruff with emotion, his dark humor kicking in as tears streaked his weathered face. "Don't you ever scare me like that again, you hear? Or I'll wring your neck myself."
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD78KLdOz3j
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4xyurOpq6
His hands worked with practiced care as he inspected the wound. The bullet had grazed the front of Charlie 's head, tearing through skin and leaving a nasty gash. Jed studied the angle of the injury, his cynical mind piecing together the chaotic sequence of events.
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zmAWUJKcD
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5o9cU8pVp
Damn near too close, he thought grimly. The shot had struck at a glancing angle, sparing Charlie from a fatal blow by sheer luck—or providence, if one believed in such things.
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmW79DhCDUC
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xtHK0hHhm
Jed's mind churned with details as he replayed the scene. George had been standing no more than 20 or 30 feet away when he fired. At that range, with a .44 caliber revolver, the odds of hitting Charlie squarely should've been high. The revolver had an effective range of around 75 yards, more than enough for a clean shot. Yet George's haste and nerves had ruined his aim, causing the bullet to skim past its mark.
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15AvswX06m
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GS3fCf1O1
"That close, and you still botched it, George," Jed muttered under his breath, half in relief, half in anger. "Good thing for Charlie you're as steady as a rattlesnake in a hailstorm."
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPVfuGB5i6
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedL2neu9UA
The .44 was a powerful weapon, designed to drop a man in one shot. A direct hit to the head should've been fatal, but the angle saved Charlie . Jed understood just how slim the margin of survival had been. The impact alone could've been enough to fracture his skull or worse, yet somehow it hadn't. The boy's luck—or stubbornness—had kept him alive.
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayH5KNbIwp
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvXb07j72o
"Hell of a gamble you're playin', kid," Jed muttered, his hands steadying now as he pressed the cloth harder against the wound. "But you're still breathin', and that's what counts."
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzse2OTvUxa
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsaGTTu4Gh
The wound bled heavily, but Jed could already see it wasn't as bad as it first looked. Charlie 's pulse was weak but steady. He let out a long breath, wiping his brow with the back of his hand.
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCHhJk1iEd
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuC1kjEpmtR
"You're tougher than you look, boy," Jed murmured, his voice softer now. "I'll give you that. Just don't go makin' a habit of testin' my heart like this."
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoi7Vz092aw
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSApr7jTjd
Jose groaned as he struggled on the ground, his leg twisted at an unnatural angle, blood pooling beneath him. He spat into the dirt and glared at George with a venom that could curdle milk. "Come out, you *goddamned coward,*" he snarled, his voice a mixture of pain and rage.
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnwpWEoCxe
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnF8GH7GwO
George emerged from the shadows, walking with a deliberate, unhurried stride. He stopped a few feet from Jose and cocked his head, his cold, calculating eyes scanning the pathetic sight before him. "Still alive, I see," he said softly, his voice smooth and dripping with condescension. "I have to admit, I expected you to be… quieter by now."
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sxMg8BasQ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBf0L4lVnug
Jose smirked through the pain, his teeth red with blood. "Quiet? You don't know me, George. I don't shut up, not even for the devil himself."
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfgi3te0Mc
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6YaPRv9ha
George chuckled, a low, unsettling sound. "Oh, I've come to know you well enough, Jose. Brash. Reckless. And, if I may say, entirely lacking in foresight. Look at you now—your leg's a mangled mess, your stomach's full of holes, and you're lying in the dirt. Tell me, how do you plan to crawl your way out of this one?"
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJxO95uQS6
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchbCbp50lp
Jose sneered, his voice dripping with defiance. "Plan? Who said anything about a plan? I'll get my revenge with or without this busted leg. Hell, take the other one too if you want. I'll drag myself to you and make sure you pay for every damn thing you've done."
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1lZH679fS
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYmrkZIcEb
George sighed, shaking his head in mock pity. "Jose, you misunderstand. I'm not interested in taking your other leg. I'm merely pointing out that, in your current state, revenge is little more than a fantasy." He crouched down slightly, his tone shifting to something almost compassionate. "You know, if you'd used your brain instead of your temper, this might have gone differently. But now? You're just another loose end."
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RqZNl37z3
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsmr1xyjT6
Jose tried to push himself up, his hands trembling as he fought against his body's limits. His face twisted in pain, but he managed to spit at George's feet. "You talk too much, George. Just like your ants—always swarming, but never getting the job done."
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTFeZxUGKz
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NF76fCNmo
George straightened and aimed his revolver at Jose's head, his expression calm and unbothered. "Well, I suppose it's time to correct that, isn't it?"
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwW7SWrg0zk
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6GgEFFKpp
Before he could pull the trigger, a voice rang out from behind. "You always were a fancy talker, George."
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC58nOsuf58
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9onvmy8pQ
George froze, his eyes narrowing as he turned to see Jed stepping out of the shadows. The old man's revolver was already drawn, though it hung lazily at his side. His grizzled face bore a dark smirk, and his eyes glinted with cynical amusement.
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmJbj7UoHR
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpJD6hO8SB
"Jed," George said, straightening himself. "What a surprise. Come to rescue this pitiful excuse for a man?" He gestured toward Jose with his free hand, his tone sharp with disdain.
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrr0fzWnZO
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWcSSDlqVm
Jed snorted, his voice carrying a mocking edge. "Rescue? Hell no. Jose ain't worth the trouble. I just came to watch you squirm a bit."
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJhKJwNpL2
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYR31Q1CWL
"Is that so?" George's lips curled into a faint smile, though his eyes remained cold. "You're always so quick to mock, Jed. But tell me, do you really think you stand a chance without your friends?"
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkdHweEd7S
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOi2qGbC1AT
"Friends?" Jed barked a laugh. "Listen here, George, I wouldn't piss on Jose if they were on fire. But you? You're worse than both of 'em combined, and that's saying something and Charlie is my fucking nephew you just shot."
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCRekZRvLN
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkwGGaKlpL
Jose, still on the ground, groaned and muttered, "Go to hell, Jed."
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrt6NxtvyiJ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vIKdMZEoH
Jed ignored him, his focus locked on George. "You and me, no ants, no tricks. Let's settle this the old-fashioned way."
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xomvxb6Wr
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PQkPyT8Ju
George smirked, his demeanor calm and calculating. "And what makes you think you're any match for me, Jed? I've been perfecting my craft and my skills."
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKdMJMumCU
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvBuITIwth
Jed's smirk widened, though his eyes darkened. "You might've perfected your little tricks, but I survived the Civil War, George. I've stared death in the face more times than you've changed your shirt. And I ain't scared of some smug bastard who hides behind bugs."
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CxZwbCYge
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4t7OMid7B
The air grew tense as the two men sized each other up, their words laced with venom and the promise of violence. Jose, lying in his own blood, managed a bitter laugh. "Kill each other, for all I care. Just make it quick. I've got better things to do than watch you two flap your jaws."
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuzD6YmcEN
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Olqj79iXQ
Jed spared him a glance, his voice dry. "Shut up, Jose. You're lucky I don't shoot you myself."
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xwkEG5wt5
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6e6gPUveK
George smiled faintly, his confidence unwavering. "Well, Jed, shall we?"
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PoQsaU7AZ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRypxyoBnM7
Jed raised his revolver slightly, his expression hardening. "Let's."
ns18.216.110.162da2
然後按「加至主畫面」