The chill of the desert night seemed sharper now, cutting through the quiet as tension mounted between the three men. Charlie's hand went to his revolver, the metallic scrape loud in the stillness as he drew it and cocked the hammer. His eyes burned with defiance as he pointed the weapon directly at Jose.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguPq0pGXeJ
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9ochT6pmF
"Charlie," Jed barked, his voice low but commanding, "don't."
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzykfc11m3X
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Hm0Iym4W9
Charlie didn't budge, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the handle. "Jed, I can't keep lettin' him go. You know what he's done!"
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLWysr8BZG
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdojqTJnbuw
Jose smirked from atop his horse, unfazed by the gun barrel aimed his way. "Go ahead, boy," he drawled, his tone dripping with arrogance. "See if you've got the nerve. Or better yet, see what happens after."
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuc8sIpBnSC
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiGbwj025w
Jed sighed, pushing back his hat and glaring at Charlie. "Put it down, boy. You're wastin' energy you don't have on someone who ain't worth it."
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1DPZTC2rA
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtjatwteCV
After a tense beat, Charlie lowered the gun, though his jaw was clenched tight with anger. "This ain't over," he muttered.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNP713E5Ow
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2jj17hf9X
Jose chuckled, his voice a low rumble. "Oh, it never is with you two, is it?" He shifted in his saddle, the movement casual, almost lazy, as though he were a king addressing peasants. "Now, before we get all sentimental, let me tell you somethin'." He nodded toward the distant village. "That town yonder? Built-in a week. Just one man, out here in the middle of nowhere."
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuuJBm9dYc
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErbrmGEKa2
Jed squinted his skepticism plain on his weathered face. "How would you know?"
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBR1H23fiN
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7AjVvXMTz
"Well," Jose said, leaning forward as if relishing the attention, "last Monday, I was ridin' through these parts, mindin' my own business when I saw it. Figured it was just another ghost town, but when I got closer, there he was. Big fella—pale, bald, looked like he'd never seen the sun. Out here all alone, buildin' like it was a holy mission or somethin'. Kept mutterin' 'bout makin' humans 'evolve.'"
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GqAtNqxFl
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3X9n4FG1At
Jed raised a brow. "And you just happened to stumble on this guy? What'd you do, rob him blind?"
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGWUgVBZVe
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsphau5XSnT
Jose's grin widened, his teeth glinting in the moonlight. "Well, you know me."
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOXqGTN23D
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMdXuf8Oc2
Charlie snorted. "You're full of it. No way some man just up and builds a whole damn town in a week."
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSSzmJcoAy
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMe34I27dZ
"Believe me, don't believe me," Jose replied with a shrug, his tone mocking. "Doesn't make a lick of difference to me."
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQ7yuXlcyH
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CQkfaZQen
Jed leaned on the horn of his saddle, his expression unimpressed. "So why're you tellin' us this fairy tale?"
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8l5TvvCwD
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI954H944mu
Jose's eyes gleamed with mischief. "Because I figure we can make a deal. Work together. Find that Holy Crystal everyone's whisperin' about."
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQ1gML4nZ4
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcsncA5EuU
Charlie let out a bark of laughter, shaking his head. "You serious? That's the funniest damn thing I've heard all week!"
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRpxOWvDk7
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq71ZfOWxpL
Jed chuckled too, though his tone was darker, sharper. "You're somethin', Jose. A snake in the grass. No, scratch that—you're a damn rat."
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCXkxJKjmX
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHm6eswYkYR
Jose's smile thinned, his voice dropping to an icy tone. "Fine. Laugh it up. But you'll regret this." With that, he pulled on the reins, his horse turning smoothly. He cast one last look over his shoulder before riding off toward the village, his figure swallowed by the night.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTw5xnan6OG
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9mDNnAKyi
For a moment, the only sound was the wind.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRATO5WBqVl
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xEfyuXFMU
Charlie glanced at Jed. "So, Uncle Jed… should we head into that town?"
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aMHXpXgYg
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRVbfvbkPb
Jed adjusted his hat, his gaze lingering on the village lights. "Yeah, might as well. Could use a roof over our heads for a spell."
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjsCwMFxAn
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJZJoLEwZF
Charlie hesitated. "What about Jose?"
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZvy10V5n0
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQUl2md2EJ
Jed snorted. "Jose's like a rattlesnake without venom. He makes noise, but he ain't bitin' tonight. Just another man tryin' to act bigger than he is."
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5CYvqMvVt
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82FBU0FaoI
With that, the two men urged their horses forward, their silhouettes cutting through the shadows as they approached the strange, unmarked town. Charlie and Jed finally arrived at the village after a long, quiet ride under the pale moonlight. The air hung heavy, carrying a faint chill that seeped into their bones. The homes ahead were squat and sturdy, built from rough-hewn stone and clay, their domed roofs blending into the earth like they'd been there forever. Narrow paths wound between them, cobbled in places, packed dirt in others, the kind of place where time itself seemed to slow. Smoke rose in thin spirals from a few chimneys, though the village itself was eerily still.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4yZj69VRa
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZUM8fakRN
The two dismounted in front of a small, two-door structure tucked into the shadows. Jed glanced at it, squinting like the place owed him money. "Well," he grumbled, "if this ain't cozy. Looks like it could collapse if you sneezed hard enough."
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWa0y65Locu
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriW7uMrZ5G
Charlie, ever the optimist, chuckled. "It's better than sleepin' out there with the coyotes and the cold. Let's see if it'll hold the horses."
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5bFFmas0Q
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeqjvaM1OT
They opened the creaky double doors and led their steeds inside. The room smelled faintly of hay and damp stone—a stable of sorts, though far from luxurious. Charlie patted his horse on the neck before turning to Jed. "Silver'll be fine here. Not like there's much trouble to get into."
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhHGVSsUlO
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWw4L7IJeWj
Jed snorted, adjusting his hat. "Speakin' of trouble, keep an eye on your saddle. Last thing we need is Jose creepin' back to pick us clean."
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84wmAmgnZ0
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrIhfaO6gv
With the horses settled, they stepped out the back door into the open air. The village stretched before them in the faint light of lanterns flickering in windows. Charlie paused, his gaze drawn to one house in particular. It had a faint glow spilling out from inside, and even from a distance, he could see the glass panes were clean, the walls well-kept. It stood out against the general weathered state of the village.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmA58cCpiw
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbeE8Ignc7
Charlie nudged Jed. "Hey, look at that one." He pointed. "It's got lights, nice windows… hell, I think I even smell food. Thought this place'd be all creepy and abandoned."
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1xBFs4igp
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzBT4c7Kr0
Jed sniffed the air, his expression turning sour. "Nice on the inside, sure, but the outside? This whole damn place stinks."
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2Ql66ENd6
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHneLIRCxZ
Charlie gave him a confused look before sniffing the air himself. "Stinks? I don't smell nothin'."
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xbFbnFZCK
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsLsdGZfeI
Jed scowled, waving his hand dismissively. "Figures. You got the nose of a damn mule. Smells like mold and desperation out here. But you do you, kid."
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2LYMT9Ctc
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0997j5X3sA
Charlie laughed under his breath, shaking his head. "You're somethin' else, Uncle Jed. What're you gonna do, sniff every house in this village?"
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF29LnhGWmp
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zBCgFNVrv
Jed smirked, his humor dark and sharp. "If I do, it'll still be more productive than whatever nonsense you're thinkin'. I'm gonna check this place out. Get a feel for it."
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsYTRPdzTF
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBFq3BZtwt
Charlie nodded, adjusting the brim of his hat. "Alright, I'll see if this place's got any food worth takin'. No point sleepin' on an empty stomach."
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYgfJwOB6o
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ety3u3SP7
Jed tipped his hat and started walking down the narrow path, his boots crunching against the dirt and stone. "You don't die of food poisoning, you let me know," he called over his shoulder.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfNWSMOpLS
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0d6OVcRdd
Charlie grinned as he turned toward the house with the glowing windows, his curiosity leading him closer. Meanwhile, Jed disappeared into the shadows, his figure blending into the stillness of the strange village. Charlie stepped into the house, pushing the creaky wooden door open with a hand on his holster, just in case. The dim light from a single lantern in the corner cast flickering shadows across the room. His eyes scanned the shelves, quickly picking out rows of canned beans, loaves of bread, candy bars, and bottles of whiskey and tea.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAQy6oBZVQ
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBVyT1aRTv
"Well, damn," Charlie muttered, stepping further inside. He grabbed a can of beans, shaking it slightly, then set it down in favor of one of the whiskey bottles. "This ain't half bad. Place like this, I was expectin' rat droppings and cobwebs."
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICVpp1k3tt
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8unxbPsjkO
He twisted the cap off a tea bottle, took a cautious sip, and smirked. "Decent enough," he said to himself, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8w2c9SONj
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDq1aVnY1c
As he walked further into the house, his boot nudged an empty tin can on the floor. It rolled lazily before stopping near the window. That's when Charlie noticed it—a shadow flickering outside. His breath hitched for a second, and his instincts kicked in. Slowly, he stepped toward the window, peering out cautiously from the side.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hG8dsAgUJ
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlY57aIthFg
What he saw made his stomach turn. A dead coyote lay sprawled in the dirt just beyond the house, its belly torn open, blood pooling around it. The fresh wound glistened under the faint moonlight, and jagged teeth marks covered its neck.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcgTG2bYSV
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tmlZbUR6Y
"What the hell…" Charlie whispered, leaning closer. He scanned the area around the coyote but saw nothing else. It didn't look like something natural. Whatever killed it wasn't just hungry—it had been messy, almost careless.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xjLnBIwJ8
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGRbZfYbRl
A knock at the door snapped Charlie back to reality, and he instinctively reached for his revolver. Relaxing slightly, he muttered, "Jed, finally. Took you long enough."
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVTE2VIEQ2
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuMRxiTTKX
He strode to the door, unlocked it, and yanked it open. But instead of Jed's grizzled face, there stood Jose, his sly grin almost glowing in the lantern light.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50WQuUYemy
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLfNeqmVlo
"Mind if I come in?" Jose asked smoothly, his tone deceptively casual.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tKlMQ9OyK
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkW1HHPfKv
Charlie didn't hesitate. "Yes." He slammed the door shut, putting his weight into it for good measure.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSSWvWsZSl
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNffH1o6dKL
But it didn't close. Jose's fingers were wedged between the door and the frame, holding it open. Charlie stared, waiting for a yelp of pain or some kind of reaction, but Jose didn't so much as flinch. His grin only widened as he forced the door back open with surprising strength, stepping inside like he owned the place.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsRUNCyZGw
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFa1vG8plV
Jose brushed some dust off his coat, looking around. "Nice little setup you got here," he said, his eyes scanning the shelves. "Food, tea… whiskey, even. You sure know how to pick 'em."
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcW12CXc4O8
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfhphy99F9
Charlie muttered, "What the hell? I slammed the door on his fingers," his mind raced, spiraling through a mix of confusion and unease.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfKqDvMPBn
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKEVLKBTrV
How the hell didn't he scream? Didn't even blink… His thoughts churned as he glanced at Jose's hand, expecting to see blood, bruising—something—but there was nothing. Did I imagine it? No, I felt the damn door hit. So how's he actin' like it didn't even happen?
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPC8dg1cvF
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhwlAgjZLE
His eyes flicked up to Jose's face, searching for a wince, a flicker of discomfort, but all he found was that smug, unbothered grin. That ain't natural. Either this bastard's tougher than anyone I've ever met… or there's somethin' seriously wrong with him.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUK2D3ljdyI
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hb2MvyI6S
Charlie's fingers hovered near his holster. Could be he's one of those folks that don't feel pain, but even then… the way he walked in, like he owns the place? Ain't no normal man acts like that.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5riGbSbuag
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMCVtppxJk
A bead of sweat slid down his temple as his unease deepened. Stay calm. Play it cool, he thought, forcing himself to keep his breathing steady. But beneath his calm exterior, a gnawing instinct whispered: This man's dangerous.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5h29yvfdu
ns18.191.31.104da2
然後按「加至主畫面」