June 4, 1899

Tombstone. 

This morning I woke up and headed to the hotel where I got my morning coffee. I leaned back against the post and watched as Angel, Brie and Twig talked about climbing up the buildings. They said that Jeff had tried it and gotten in trouble, but Twig said that was because he wasn’t Apache. I talked with Peta as Twig jumped off the roofs and continued to play around with the others. 

“Hey Peta can I ask your advice on somethin’?” I asked her.

“Sure thing! I got lotsa good advice!” 

“I think I’m done with men. Gonna focus on my job, and do it well. Not let any man distract me from it.” 

“Hmmm... well ya can do that if ya want. What happened with that fella who lost his memory?” 

“Haven’t seen Tom and it’s been a week since Chet said he’d seen him. I’m done falling for it.” 

“Well... hmm. Men got their purposes.” 

“I just... Flirting with guys for information is all I know... Even though I never take it past that ’cause it’s just for work sake. Farthest I’ll go is a dance… I need a new way to get information.” 

“Well... I reckon that’s so.” 

“And I had a fool-proof plan about one issue but it could get me in over my head.” 

“If I was you, I’d say... find things that make ya happy that ain’t men. That way you can be happy even if ya ain’t got a man. What’s yer fool proof plan?” 

“I don’t want this reputation anymore, Peta... I’ve always been committed when I’m with a guy but... Well lately there ain’t been many. It ain’t so fool proof let’s just say that. And if I continue it, I’ll get into even bigger trouble. I just…” I sighed. “I cried myself to sleep last night ’cause I..” 

“Well... is it worth the trouble?” 

“Not this much trouble. I’m losin’ sleep here, Peta.” 

“Cause why?” 

“Cause I rely so much on men helpin’ me with things and I get nothin’... And I just... I’m sick of it,” I sighed. “Guess I didn’t need advice but just to vent…”

“Well you can vent! I’m ventable! I mean, tell me your troubles. It’s just... so many people say ‘Oh I’m givin’ up on men,’ but really it’s still about men. Like if ya keep tellin’ yerself ‘Don’t think about elephants, don’t think about elephants’ but you’re still thinkin’ about elephants.” 

“Peta, I just feel so…” I leaned back against the post, shaking my head at myself.

“Ya just feel so what?” 

“Pathetic,” I looked down. “Weak…” 

“Why do ya feel pathetic and weak? Cause you rely on men a lot?” 

“Cause every time I think they’re gonna change it always ends the same. You know the definition of insanity, right? Doin the same thing over and over again expecting the same result?” 

“Yep I heard that. You mean the men stay the same? Or what stays the same?”

“I just... I feel so lost, Peta,” I nodded. 

“Lost? Cause you’re always focusin’ on men and don’t know how to focus on something else?” 

“I guess I just thought Tom would really come back, ya know? I waited for him but... I don’t think I can wait anymore. I can’t keep waiting, ya know? I gotta make stuff happen for myself.” 

“Oh yeah, definitely. Ya gotta learn how to be happy even if he don’t come back. I mean, think about--what things in yer life can ya control?” 

“I just didn’t want ya’ll to think that I was that kind of person... Who just would flirt with whoever I saw because I wanted to bed them... It wasn’t about that. I just know how to get guys to talk and…” 

“If ya like flirtin’, there ain’t nothin’ wrong with that. So long as it don’t get ya hurt. Or them hurt.” 

“I just can’t do it anymore... I’m the one that keeps getting burned. Cause people start talkin’ and takin’ it the wrong way.” 

“Oh. They call ya fast, ya mean? Hell, everyone in this damned town is fast. Ain’t nobody in the right position to be throwin’ stones.” 

Abby had walked over then and said, “Miss Trin, I know it may not mean much, but don’t worry about what others think.....most don’t have any room to talk, you wouldn’t believe who I see go in and out of the Brothel.” 

“Guess it don’t matter anymore.. I’m focusin’ on my work, not findin’ a man to distract me from the fact that Tom obivously ain’t comin’ back,” I said. 

“Well, but only if work makes ya satisfied. Elsewise yer still gonna have a big old hole in ya that you’re gonna wanna keep stuffin’ things into,” Peta turned red. “Errr.... that was not meant to be obscene.” 

“I understand,” I nodded. 

“Was only obscene if you meant it that way Miss Peta,” Abby giggled. 

“Ya gotta, uh, plug yer hole.... let me rephrase…” Peta coughed. 

“You’re alright, Peta,” I chuckled. “And thank you for the advice... I just... been not feeling great about myself lately.” 

“Lotsa folks want men ta like ’em ’cause they don’t like themselves. If that’s yer problem, ya gotta find a way to start likin’ yerself.,” Peta said. 

Abby asked Peta if they could talk and I continued to listen to the children talking as I sat in front of the hotel. At one point Muriel looked over at Peta and asked, “Where is your life mate…Tye? He was shot up pretty bad last night.” 

“Is he alright?” I looked between them. 

“He’s my legal-boyfriend. He’s in bed. Handcuffed to the bedpost. So he don’t get up and wander around and pull his stitches out,” Peta said and I chuckled. 

“TJ was really trying to hurt him while he was in the doc’s office,” Muriel nodded. “I suspect Tye will be looking for him.” 

“Ooooh, I’m gonna hurt TJ real bad. What was TJ doin’?” Peta asked. 

“Who’s not looking for TJ?” I muttered. 

“Yup I went in..and I had my guns on...and he knows I’m wayy faster than he is,” Muriel explained. “Told him he was a jack ass...and had better leave.” 

“Oooh, he don’t know what trouble is until he got Peta on his ass,” Peta said. 

“Ha. Good,” Muriel smiled. 

“You tell him, girl!” I chuckled. 

“No one messes with my Tye!” 

“I was up at the gun range trying to teach Cole but that was a lost cause,” Muriel said. 

“Not a good learner huh?” I chuckled. 

“Nooo....he is slow to grasp things.” 

“Cole was tryin’ to spread a rumor that Tye was runnin’ a brothel out of the hotel too!” Peta said. 

“And don’t you start!” Peta pointed at Muriel. 

“No one would ever believe that,” she laughed. “Nooo, I wouldn’t tie Tye to something like that. Yeah, I think it was TJ, a guy named Maverick, and another that shot up Tye.” 

“Oh yeah, Maverick, that fella.” 

“Yup.” 

“Tye said he was arrestin’ Maverick when TJ shot him.” 

“He seems to be the boss.” 

“Frustrating part was they were all at the dance last night actin’ like nothin’ happened,” I commented. 

“Welcome to the law. We also need more docs,” Muriel muttered. 

“Yeah we do. Saw a new deputy last night though... Guy named Karl?” I nodded. 

“Yeah, I got to get used ta folks talkin’ bad about Tye, since he’s law,” Peta said. “But that Nhil guy was just nasty.” 

“Tye is ok...very straight,” Muriel said. “Yes, Nhil.” 

“He’s straight alright,” I said and nodded to Peta. 

“Legally and sexually he’s straight,” Peta coughed. 

“Is what I meant,” I chuckled. 

“Yep. Likes women and paperwork.” 

“Never met a law who liked paperwork,” I laughed. 

“I don’t understand the law around here anyway,” Muriel muttered. 

“Well Muriel, I’m’ tryin to change people’s perspective of the law,” I told her.

“Yeah......here is an example. Starling...a doc...and whose is pregnant..is shot twice in the chest by a fellow named Cid. So she files a complaint…” Muriel started. 

“Ahem! Where was I. Yep. Tye really likes procedures and stuff,” Peta said. “What--when was this?” 

“I have Cid here...right in front of the Sheriff’s office,” Muriel went on. 

“No law around?” I asked. 

“And Skyla says she can’t do anything until Suzi issues a warrant. The other day, Pet. So he walks off…” 

“Hmm… that’s weird,” Peta said. 

“I thought so.” 

“Law’s been all kinda screwed up lately. Least, that’s what Tye says,” Peta said. 

“You were reporting a crime though... She barely even listened to you?” I looked at her. 

“Especially when I had entirely all of what Cid’s side of the story was...and gave it to Starling,” Muriel said. “Who gave it to Skyla.” 

“I reckon they’re tryin’ to foist their paperwork on Tye... which takes away from his Peta time!” Peta said and I shook my head.

“Are you teaching him the proper way to treat a lady?” Muriel laughed. 

“Why would I want him ta know that? How would I know the proper way ta treat a lady?” 

“I’m sorry... I made the mistake..of thinking you would want the most out of a liaison with Tye.” 

“Huh? I ain’t a lady! I’m just a woman. Ladies wear corsets and repress their anger. And our liaisons are fine!” 

“I understand your excitement.” 

We continued to talk and I decided to wander around as I greeted Paige and we talked about men and how I had decided to stop waiting for things to happen that weren’t. We talked for a bit longer and then I headed down the street. 

This afternoon I talked with Richie and he told me that the judge had been shot, but he wasn’t sure who had done it. I met a girl named Kitty and then little Angel walked over to me, looking worried. 

“Miss Trin?” 

“Yes Angel?” I looked down at her. “What’s wrong?” 

“Mr. Punk shot Mr. Kris for no reason. Thought you should know.” 

“When did this happen, hon?” I asked. 

“About fifteen minutes ago.” 

“That’s awful. Is Kris at the clinic?” I asked. 

“Yes he is,” a soldier said nearby. 

“Thank you sir,” I nodded to him. 

“Someone was robbing the bank and the sheriff went in and Mr Punk for no reason gunned down the Marshall,” Angel said. 

“Skyla’s here too?” I asked, shaking my head. 

“But this Indian girl was really brave,” the soldier said. 

“That’s good that you stay brave,” I smiled at Twig. 

“You were so brave to go into the bank and care from Mr Kris,” Angel said. 

“I go to the stream to wash blood off hands and dress,” Angel said. 

“I will ask my commander for accommodation for the little girl,” the soldier said. 

“Accommodation?” I asked. 

“Yes. She was brave.” 

“You were brave, yellow man,” Twig said. “I just try to keep marshal alive.” 

“I am fine, just my side,” Lao said. 

“Twig here lives with the Apaches. The other two have a home,” I said. 

“Well little girl, you saved Kris’ life,” Lao said. “I will ask colonel to give you a reward.” 

“I not like anyone die,” Twig said. 

“I should go over to the clinic and see what I can find out,” I said then and headed to the clinic. 

I walked over to the bed where Kris was being treated by Ya’ii and asked what happened. He was quiet though and I asked Ya’ii, “Can you tell me what happened? Kris doesn’t really... talk to me much.” 

“I not know. I just come to town when I hear shooting,” she said. 

“Okay. Thanks for your help, again,” I nodded. “ 

“You are welcome Miss Trin. Are there more wounded?” 

“I’m not sure to be honest. I just got here myself.” 

“I think I hear more shooting down by the fort,” she said. “I go check.” 

I went out to check but then heard Lao say that the general was down. I heard Punk shouting, “Apache is free to enter Fort.. this Fort is now owned by the DESERT! Who the hell are all of these people little man!” 

“Come out from fort or I fire!” Lao shouted. 

“This is now Fort GHENNA! You may enter without weapons! Anyone who enters with weapons could and WILL be dealt with. We will have our utopia here!” 

“Someone help me up please!” Vic shouted then and I wondered where she was. 

“We do not know who we can trust yet. The law is arming a posse!” Punk shouted and laughed. 

“I got two in the office not willing to give up weapons!” a voice shouted then. 

“Well you better learn to trust me!” Keiki shouted. 

“Domino Dean trusts no one!” the voice shouted. 

“I am making a paradise for everyone!” Punk shouted. 

“Kris. What do we do?” I asked him. “Victoria’s in there. I heard her shouting.” 

“Good to see you Trin. Be ready for anything. We may have to storm the gates.” 

“We need backup.” 

“No shit.” 

“Where is everyone? Tye? Skyla? Ansar?” 

“Front door is guarded, but we might have a side way in.” 

“Really? I don’t know the fort that well. Only been there once,” I looked at him. 

“Anyone keeping eye on the east side?” Ali shouted. 

“There’s a few ways we can get in…” Kris said. 

“Keep eye out, little one,” A woman nearby shouted. 

“Just give me the judge’s wife!” a voice shouted. 

“Who’s the guy just shouting?” I asked. 

“He’s a Navajo,” Kris replied. 

“Any CAVALRY you see, gets shot on sight!” Punk shouted. 

“Kris we can’t just fight this with two of us. Besides... Isn’t the fort out of our jurisdiction?” I asked. 

“There’s people in trouble, Trin. And a soldier who’s helping us,” Kris told me. 

“I am unarmed, just give the judge’s wife!” the voice shouted again. 

“She is coming out, LAO CHEN, don’t be stupid!” Punk shouted. 

“I got right to shoot?” Richie asked. 

“Come on… I got an idea,” Kris said. 

“I know… We need a ranger,” I nodded. 

“We go on hill to watch in safety,” Twig said. 

“By the way, we want the rest of your Chinese gold, LAO!” Punk shouted. 

“We bring judge’s wife!” Ya’ii shouted. 

“I coming in! I am unarmed! I won’t leave my general!” Lao shouted. “I have toss the gun over the wall!” 

“We will take this ladder up…” Kris told me. 

“General is not here anymore Lao, you will die if you step inside the Fort, that is not a threat.. but a promise!” Punk shouted. 

“He’s inside!” Ali shouted. 

“Kris… They’ll shoot us. On sight,” I sighed. 

“We will just have to shoot back, won’t we?” Kris pulled out his guns. 

“Make your way out, or I will shoot, Lao!” Ali shouted. 

“Perimeter breach! Check the sides and walls!” Punk shouted. 

“I’m shooting any law I see! Fair warning!” Domino shouted. 

I shook my head and went back to town as they continued to shout about shooting law. When I got back to town I found Chet and called to him to get out as I saw him running to the fort. I heard him shouting at Punk and I sighed, running back to town. I found Starling and Victoria and said, “I was just there... We’re bloody outnumbered. Trying to get reinforcements. Victoria! You got out!” 

“Just tell me how to help Trin!” Richie said. “And who we after?” 

“I did I took Starling with me,” Vic nodded. 

“How many are in there?” I asked. 

“Punk is the leader?” Jessie asked. 

“Starling, you okay? And the baby?” Vic asked. 

“Okay, Punk?” Richie asked. 

“I need to sit down,” Starling said. 

“Vic, how many?” I asked. 

“Is Punk the leader?” Jessie asked again. 

“Yeah he’s in there. I don’t know about leader.” 

“Let’s get you to the hotel. I didn’t see, I was focused on Starling,” Vic said. 

“Doctor needed!” Cole shouted, running down the street. 

“Trin, just asking. I got rights to shoot?” Richie asked. 

“Cole…” I turned to see him. 

“Steve in bad shape!” Cole said. 

“I know, I just... I don’t know much either other than there’s a whole bunch in there. And they’ll shoot any law or soldier on sight,” I said. 

“Well they won’t be expecting me. I’ll try to scout it out,” Richie said. 

“Cole? He is not one?” Jessie asked. 

“Richie, wait…” I tried to stop him. “We need to be smart about this.” 

“Anyone else feeling mighty, come right in! “ Punk shouted as gunfire continued. 

“You have wounded Punk?” Ya’ii shouted. 

“Yes, a slimey one!” Punk shouted back. “One wounded Ya’ii, please take care of him.” 

“Can I have some water?” Lao shouted. 

“Yes please,” Punk shouted. 

“Ya have any hostages, Punk?” Chet shouted. 

“Kris stop using children as shields!” Another voice shouted. 

“Get those kids off the hill!” Ali shouted. 

“CHILDREN get back in town NOW!” Vic shouted. 

“Any kid get shot will be on Kris’ hands!” Punk shouted. I sighed, knowing I couldn’t just go in there as it would be suicidal. 

I heard Punk shouting in Apache and Chet shouted back and forth with him. I looked over at Cole and said, “Cole... We got a problem.” 

“What? I just saved a marshal’s life!” Cole said. 

“Well there’s another idiot marshal using kids as shields and soldiers are going in in spite the threat to shoot them on sight. I go over there, I’m on the ground too. I have to be smart about this.” 

“Huh? Marshal using kids?” 

“It’s Punk, Ali... Keiki... Bunch of others, at the fort. Shooting any law or calvary on sight.” 

“You know I can’t fight against other outlaws?” 

“I know... I just... Reason with them maybe?” 

“They kill me…” 

“Well if I go over there they’ll kill me.” 

“How can a Marshall be using kids as shields? He be kicked out of town forever.” 

“That’s what I heard from the shouting. I don’t know what to do. Tye’s not around, Skyla’s not here. I’m only four days a lawman. I don’t know what… Where’s this marshal? Still at the clinic?” 

“Yeah… He badly hurt. Can you take me there?” 

“Bria… Where’s Angel and Twig?” I asked the girl as she came over. “Honey you shouldn’t have gone over there…” 

“You have to get me near the place,” Cole said. 

“I know we just wanted to see,” Bria said. 

“Okay Cole,” I nodded. 

“And deputize me like Kris did once… So I have permission to draw my guns,” Cole said. Jamie came over and started to talk to the other kids. “I’m going to draw my guns now for my own protection fer what I’m about to get myself into.” 

“Alright Cole, you’re a deputy. I won’t arrest you if you go in there helping me shoot,” I told him. 

“Let’s go,” Cole nodded. 

We moved towards the fort slowly and I heard Punk shouting, “Terms, are now.. ANYONE NOT CLEAR to COME NEAR.. will get shot! So if you don’t want to, get clearance first!” 

“Cole wait!” I shouted after Cole as he ran towards the fort. 

“Cole Dassin is with them, shoot him down!” Punk shouted then and I swore. 

“He is down!” Sniper shouted. 

“Check on Voo Kei, Ya’ii will be here soon!” Punk shouted. 

Suddenly a bullet flew towards me and grazed my arm. I went back to town and apologized to Jessie for being short with her. She said that Ali was in the fort and I nodded. “The status is that anyone who goes over there is shot. I got grazed by a bullet and ran back to town. Yeah she is. She’s on their side. So is Punk, Keiki… They’ve shot down Chet, Kris, Cole… Almost got me down.” 

“Cole? Isn't he one of them?” Jessie asked. 

“I asked him for help, he accepted. There’s nothing I can do.” 

“Maybe I can reason with Ali.” 

“How do you know her?” 

“My friend. The best friend I ever had.” 

“Don’t go in there armed. It’ll just put a target on your back, I don’t care if she is your best friend.” 

She looked down at her belt and said, “I have NO gun…” 

“Women can hide weapons elsewhere too,” I smiled. “Do you think you could talk to her? Get them to come to reason?” 

“It sounds like hell is breaking loose…” Pet commented as she stood there listening. 

“Pretty much sums it up,” I nodded to her. 

“I can try. I don’t know anything for sure,” Jessie said. 

“Well, I really don’t know what else to suggest at this point so it’s worth a try. At least you’re not going to be seen as a threat.” 

“Who has lost their mind this time Trin?” Pet asked. 

“In another life that would’ve been me going in there. Before I was made law of any kind. Bunch of outlaws took over the fort,” I told her. 

“Gracious! Where are the rangers? Are there any at the outpost?” Pet asked. 

“Kris, Chet... They tried to go in there but got shot down. I tried to get someone undercover but that didn’t work either. I haven’t seen any rangers... I don’t even know where the outpost is.” 

“I can show you, if you like. You say they are at the Fort?” Pet asked. 

“All the outlaws, yeah. Where is the outpost?” I asked, not sure I wanted to follow yet. 

“Well…” she pointed towards Two Guns. “You see that high peak on the left? It’s up there.”

“Hey, there are wounded out there,” Bella came over then. “We need a doc.” 

“One who isn’t armed,” I nodded. 

“You going to call for one Bella?” Pet asked. 

“Ya’aii’s been around…” I said. “I thought she was over there too.” 

“Oh dear Lord, don’t tell me that kid is going in there,” Pet said then. 

“Jeffrey!” I called out to the boy who was running towards the fort. “I wouldn’t go over there if I were you honey,” I told him. 

“Trin, do you see the grey building on the hill on the left?” Pet asked. 

“Which one? Behind the trading post?” 

“With the flag on top, yeah. And the end of the railroad tracks... that’s the ranger station.” 

“The one with the flag is where they all are.” 

“At the ranger’s station or the Fort?” 

“How come everyones at the fort miss Pet?” Jeff asked. 

“At the fort... It’s not safe.” 

“Ali I need to talk to you, I am not armed I just need to come talk to you,” Jessie shouted then towards the entrance of the fort. 

“Let’s just let Jessie try to talk to Ali…” I said, hoping it would work. 

“Jeffrey no! It’s not safe. Pet, we gotta get him back to town,” I told Pet as the boy insisted on running to the fort. 

“I’m gonna see if my little house is safe,” Pet said and headed off. 

“Jeff please... We need to go back to town,” I told him. “Come on son,” I put a hand on his shoulder, leading him back to town. 

“Okay ma’am,” he sighed. 

We walked back to the town and I sighed. “What a mess.” 

“How come everyone’s there? Did they have a party?” Jeff asked. 

I tried to think of a good way to explain it to the boy and said, “Oh, they’re having a party alright. But only certain people are invited apparently.” 

“Oh. Then we cant go?” 

“Nope. Sweetie I have to go back to the office. You gonna be okay out here?” 

He nodded and I headed back to the office, knowing there was nothing more I could do.