Thundering hooves echoed throughout the barren land outside of Little Valley, four of the five members of the Edwards Gang were patrolling the landscape. Watched closely by towering stone behemoths which littered the area. Revolvers drawn and eyes open for any sign of the escaped individuals.

"See anything?" Hugh asked the group.

"Nothing, it's too dark." Thomas replied, his head was bandaged up

The four of them had rushed to attempt and chase the pair who had fled their grasp. However, they were riding blind into the vast, empty desert. Getting further and further away from the outskirts of the town. Mike, who had a lantern in hand, was skeptical about trying to pursue them.

"I don't wanna get lost out here." He said. "Plus, we gotta treat that head wound of yours further, Tom."

"If I ever see those two again..." Hugh muttered, he turned his horse around. Followed closely by Mike.

Grayson patted Tom's back, motioning with his head to come with the rest of the gang. With a hefty sigh, he turned his horse around to ride back to Little Valley.

Further away from them, hid the boy and the girl. Thanks to Mike's lantern, they could see their pursuers returning to the mining town. Right behind them, Eustice dug his front right hoof into the ground alike to a dog breathing heavily from the sudden sprint that was forced onto him.

"Again, thank you for helping me get out of there." He said.

"No problem, you're one of the best things to have happened to the town in years." The girl replied.

"That's saying a lot." Replied the boy.

"It's absolutely much better than the citizens being enslaved. You're the best chance my home has." She says.

"Hope you can shoot, I can't take on five of them by myself." The boy quietly responded, peeking over the rock they were hiding behind.

"My father taught me, however I guess I'm a bit rusty. Girl's gotta defend herself somehow." She said.

Mike, Hugh, Grayson and Thomas all began to turn their horses around in order to head back to a disappointed and angry gang leader.

"We'll head out once more in the morning when we're able to see where we're going." The two heard Mike say aloud. "Don't forget that map."

Staying silent, the two escapees watched their pursuers disappear from sight. Even staying quiet a few minutes after, just in case any of them were to return and second

"Looks like we have some time. They've gone back to wait until daytime." Whispered the boy.

"So, where are we headed?" His partner questioned.

*****

Into the town of Sweetwater, the two individuals rode. The bounty hunter tied the tired horse to a post, next to a tub of drinking water. Where the girl, still dressed as a barista, got off. The boy patted Eustice's head and gave him some carrots which had originally been meant for Charger. Wiping his eyes a little, he attempted to stay awake after a long period of riding. As they had been mounted for quite a few hours before arriving.

"Now what?" The girl asked.

People looked at the two as they went about their early morning routine, the boy took notice of this instantly.

"You better change out of those bartender clothes, they're impractical for what we're about to get into." He recommended, reaching for his satchel. Before he paused.

"Where's my-" He asked himself, before he slowly came to a conclusion. "Crap. They must've looted me after they knocked me out."

"That's just great." The girl frustratingly sighed, leaning against a wooden supporting pole. "I should've tried to find it."

"It's not your fault, my satchel probably wasn't even in the bank. We would've likely died if we tried to retrieve it." He assured her. Before he suddenly got an idea.  "I think I know a solution. Come with me"

The two made their way down the road, past the bank, the bar and the sheriff's office. The boy noticeably walked with a limp. Eventually, they stopped at the hotel, as they stepped up and were about to push through the door. A familiar face exited the hotel.

"Jesus! Sorry, I almost walked into you!" Stamp exclaimed. The other bounty hunter looked like he had just woken up.

"I ain't mad." The boy said firmly, taking off his hat. " My friend and I just need some help."

"Oh, really? What do you two need?" He asked.

"A thousand in cash." Answered the girl.

"What do you need a thousand in cash for?" Stamp questioned once more.

"Too many questions, Stamp. We just need some money." Replied the boy.

"How about a deal? I'll give you twice as much if you tell me what it is you need the money for." Requested Stamp.

"Curiosity kills." The boy jokes. As the girl sighs.

"There's a town about a few miles southwest of here, my home. It's been overrun by a mining tycoon and his goons. We're killing the sons of bitches." She responded.

"By mining tycoon, you mean Renee Haymond?" Stamp questioned. Looking very enthusiastic to the idea.

"That's the guy." The boy said.

"Hm, count me in. That rich douche has it coming." He smirked, cocking his rifle. "There's always room for more, after all."

With Stamp's generous help and money, the girl was able to ditch her barista's outfit and settled with a blouse, dark brown trousers, boots and even a hat for herself. The boy bought a bandage for his shoulder wound and some ammo along with new guns for the girl to use. Meeting together near the town hall after re-equipping themselves, the boy handed her a newly minted lever-action Winchester with a Derringer Remington, as well as the required ammo for her new guns. Stamp brought over three horses for them, one was his, one was another he bought for the girl, the last was Eustice.

"Her name's Bethany, don't worry she's real friendly." Stamp assured her, patting Bethany on the head. "Good girl... Now don't throw her off, you hear?"

As the three of them mounted up, Stamp pulled out a map from a pouch of his jacket.

"Hey Stamp, I know the way to the town." The boy called. "No need for that, just follow me."

"Right, right." Replied Stamp.

And so the trio headed south west of Sweetwater. Under the gazing sun, they rode. With ruthless intention, on a righteous mission.

*****

"Your daughter seriously injured one of my men, Mr. Franklin." Eugene interrogated the old man, who was tied firmly to a chair. In the exact same vault in which the boy was held.

"I fully support her, as I always have." Mr. Franklin stood defiant against his captor. Meanwhile, Thomas was leaning against the wall just behind his leader, waiting patiently with a devious grin. Slowly patting a steel hammer onto his palm.

"Then you'll be happy to know that she's coming back. Into our arms. That bounty hunter she's with? Not gonna make a difference. It'll only end in one way." Eugene said.

"And what's that?" Mr. Franklin asked.

"Her crying in pain at your feet as we execute her, you'll see all of it I promise." Eugene chuckled. "I should've sent her to the darkest pits of the mines when I had the chance... Perhaps I'll do that to her body."

Eugene smirked as Thomas laughed sadistically. The latter was eager to get his hands on this man, who was always an annoyance during the Edwards Gang's time in Little Valley. The only reason they didn't kill him or the girl was because of convenience. There were always people needed to run the establishments of the town. Mr. Franklin and his daughter were experienced in running the saloon, so the gang let them live in order to not waste both time and bullets. Now there was no such thing holding them back.

"You'll never get the chance to catch her." The old man said, though it was obvious through his cracking tone that he was extremely frightened for his daughter's safety.

"Oh I will. I promise you." Eugene chuckled with Thomas, the former playing around with his pistol's chambers. "We will capture her, and when we do. We'll make it hurt... She'll be begging to be placed in a workhouse l after we're done with her."