The Ocean’s City

There were whistles and hollering as the thuds of horses’ hooves hitting the floor sped closer and closer toward me.

It shocked me they could even catch up to me this fast. How could you saddle up a horse in record time? Worried they would stop me, I kicked the horse again, telling her to go on full force without stopping.

It was exhilarating how the beast gained a rhythm, and her feet barely touched the ground. The wind felt colder, as it felt like I was flying.

For a moment, I thought we would outrun the men chasing me, but then I saw the rope fly by my side and land perfectly on the horse’s neck. I felt the tug, and the horse abruptly stopped, causing me to fly forward, over the horse’s head, and land on my feet.

Men on horses quickly surrounded me. They were taller than me as they sat in their saddles and looked down at me with disapproving glares.

“What the hell, ma’am? Did you get bitten by the crazy bug?”

The man whose horse I stole hopped off the horse he was on, and I understood how they caught up to me so fast. None of the horses had saddles on. One man didn’t even have a bridal. His eyebrows bunched together to appear as one and spit a yellow hue not too far from my feet. The man on the ground with me snatched my arm. My attention snapped to him. He gave me a look much like Dalton, equally unreadable.

My heart stirred. For one crazy second, I even thought to ask if it was him hidden in another body.

“I was informed that Mrs. Baxs had hit her head the other day. She has been talking crazy since. The doctor said it should gradually go away. Until then, we should get her back to bed and let her rest.”

Another man spat, wiped his mouth, and then he responded. “Yeah, okay, let’s get her back before Dalton has our asses for manhandling his wife.”

The man standing next to me winked, causing my jaw to drop. “Wouldn’t want that, would we?” Then, he lifted me up and helped guide me onto his horse. He handed the reins of the other horse to someone else and then got on the same horse with me.

He walked us back, leading everyone to the house lit by a small fire. The only one for miles around.

“That was quite bold of you to get on a horse and just take off like that,” he remarked.

“What would you know about bold?” My question came off harsher than I had initially intended, still brewing in the dark cloud, busy fuming that these fellas wouldn’t let me leave their sight.

“Oh, don’t worry honey, I know all about your boldness or more of your reckless endangerment than anything.”

I huffed, “It’s not without a purpose.”

His voice perked up. “Is it? Don’t worry, hon, I’ll protect you from yourself when you’re on one of these dangerous rides called Purpose.”

“Who are you anyway?” I growled, scrunching my face at his back.

“Oh, come on! I know you hit your head, but how could you forget a man like me?”

He was laughing as if he knew the irony of his words, as if he knew it was all an act.

“My name’s Jones. I’ve been around since your man Dalton saved me from a near-death experience with some out-of-town hoodlums, and I have been chasing your sister’s hand ever since.”

“I should say…” he added after a slight pause. “I haven’t been your ideal decision for your sister. I guess I should use this little bump on your head to persuade you otherwise, but I’m a man of my word.”

“Why would it matter to me if you married my fake sister?”

“Oh… fake sister? If you ask me, you need a hot beverage and a long night’s sleep. Don’t worry about the outlaws. Our crew will never be too far away that you will be out of sight.”

I couldn’t help but feel his shoulder tense. “After all, I’m indebted, and it’s the least I can do to keep you safe.”

We finally reached the house close enough that my so-called sister started chastising me about running off. It was easy to block her out.

Jones helped me off the horse, and I sarcastically retorted. “You still want her?” It shut her up instantly. She turned on her heel and left.

Jones chuckled. “I forgot to mention she also doesn’t care for me much either, but I will win her heart one day.” Now you get by the fire and warm up, dammit. The last thing we need is you starving to death.”

He gave a soft nudge of his heel and walked his horse back to the pen. I started with confused emotions. I had no proof other than my gut feeling, but I knew he knew this world wasn’t real. That wasn’t the only gut feeling I had, either. I couldn’t shake the feeling that somehow it was Dalton hiding from me. I watched, wondering how I could trick the truth out of him.

A lone coyote howled as he shot me an almost-knowing glance.