Troy twirled his gun on his finger as he waited for his opponent to get into position. It was finally that time. Will he die this time or will he win? Either way he was looking forward to the results. His bloodshot eyes gazed blankly at the man across from him who was yet another irate husband, face red from his righteous anger. The man’s wife stood off to the side looking worried at her husband while still sending flirtatious lash flutterings his way. Troy regretted his decision to spend one more night with her before he broke it off but there was no one else available and he hates to sleep alone.

  “You’ll pay for dishonorin’ my woman Troy!” The man crammed his revolver into its holster after the judge had checked it hadn’t been tampered with.

  Troy forced a smarmy grin onto his lips, “Now see hear, sir. If anyone was dishonorin’ anyone here it was her.” He squeezed one of his eyelids shut into what he hoped was a flirty wink that he aimed at the woman. What was her name again? “And she can dishonor me all night long.” The judge came to Troy to check his gun as the man’s hateful glare tripled in intensity. Troy flipped the gun so he was grabbing the barrel and passed it to the judge who fiddled with it a bit before passing it back. Troy took it with a smirk and slid it into the holster. He kept his hand on the guns handle while his thumb caressed the hammer.

  “Everything seems to be in order.” Called the judge who took his place between the two duelists. “Hands off your belts gentlemen.” He yanked a feather out of his hat. “The match will begin when this feather hits the ground. Are you ready?” He glanced at both men and received their nods.

  All the gathered crowd thought the husband had a strangely confident look on his face considering he was up against the best duelist in the city and possibly all of America. Troy however, still wore the same old cocky smile on his face that everyone here was familiar with.

  “Alright. Here we go!” The judge dropped the feather and backed off quickly. The feather twirled in the breeze and slowly descended. It danced and fluttered until it finally gently came to rest on the dusty ground.

  BANG!

  As soon as the feather slid to the earth a single gunshot cracked through the air like lightning. People rubbed their ears and furrowed their brows. The smell of gunpowder permeated the area. A red flower bloomed on the chest of the husband who fell to his knees looking mighty confused. He shot a glare to the judge looking betrayed before he spat out some blood and completely collapsed face down. He didn’t even have a chance to see the judge also fall to the ground but with a shot in the hand instead of the chest. He was screaming in pain.

  Troy kissed the barrel of his gun and spun it once more before dropping it into the holster again. The crowd cheered for him and the wife whose name he couldn’t remember ran to her husband whose name he never learned and dropped down next to him looking sad. He sauntered over to the man screaming and clutching his bleeding hand. Troy kneeled and gave him a pat on the shoulder.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  “This is the price of being an idiot. I can’t believe you really tried to trick a professional duelists with sleight of hand. Especially since that sleight of hand was used to sabotage my gun. Do you really think that I, a veteran duelists really wouldn’t notice if something was wrong with my gun?” Troy was genuinely perplexed by the stupidity, “If that’s not being an idiot I don’t know what is. Consider this a lesson. If it happens again I won’t be so kind.”

  Troy sent one more strong pat to the mans back before he stood up and walked away. So he managed to survive again, he sighed. It will be awhile yet before he can see her again. He kept his eyes on the ground as he dragged one foot in front of the other. If only he could drink himself into oblivion, but she hated it when he drank.

  “When will I find someone who can beat m-OOF!” An abrupt impact to the back of his head interrupted his quiet muttering. He crouched down and held the back of his head. He was frustrated that something interrupted his serious moment. “Hey! That fucking hurt!” He turned around planned to give whoever hit him a good wallop but no one was there. A glint caught his attention so he looked down to see a diamond ring. A pretty silver band shaped like twining roots clutched at a small pyramid shaped diamond. His eyes widened. That ring looked familiar.

  He reached out a shaking hand and gently clutched the delicate ring between two fingers. This...this was his sisters ring. The one he had placed on his sisters finger when he buried her a few months ago. Where did this come from. He curled his fingers into a fist over the jewelry and shot to his feet while anxiously swinging his head in different directions. He didn’t really know what he was looking for, perhaps a grave robber? Or maybe the one who murdered his sister? Maybe his sister herself. Whatever it was he was disappointed on all counts.

  He glared at his clamped fist. He could feel the ring digging into his skin. His eyes unknown to him slowly softened as he looked at his hand. He continued on his way but this time taking long strides instead of a slow saunter. He very quickly reached the inn where he was currently staying. He informed the innkeeper not to bother him and ran to his room. He pulled the door open then slammed it shut.

  Troy slowly uncurled his fingers. The ring glistened from the small amount of sunlight that managed to find its way through the partially closed shutters of the window.

  “Willa...is it you?” He whispered with his back against the door, “are you trying to tell me something?” He twirled the circle between his fingers, back and forth. “You’re probably angry with me right? For trying to die…” He walked over and sat on his bed. “But what else should I do? I have nothing else. After mom and dad died I gave it my all to raise you, but then you were taken away from me too. What do you want me to do?”

  Troy held his breath as if expecting an answer then let it out again after a few moments when nothing happened. His lips curled up into a small smile full of self pity and ridicule. “I’m such an idiot.” He slipped the ring onto his thumb, he only had a second to marvel at how perfectly it fit before he fell into a world of pure darkness.

  “Oh hello, we weren’t expecting to see you so soon. Who knew a manly cowboy such as yourself would be willing to instantly wear such a feminine piece of jewelry?” said a woman’s voice with a strange accent from the void.

  “What do you mean feminine? I used to own many similarly beautiful accessories. Such elegance is very much appreciated in china, by both genders.” Spoke another voice but this one male with a chinese accent.

  “What the hell is happening?!!” screamed Troy.

  A voice with a high class british accent spoke next. “Well you see, it’s really a funny story…”

To be continued?...