Play it Safe!

Texas had all the time in the world. She wasn’t going to risk going in close now and losing everything on a gamble. Georgia was already panting, each heavy exhalation shaking her large frame as Texas could tell the horse was going to be bruised in the morning. Still, Georgia wasn’t giving in. “Give up, Tex! Ah’ve always been the better tussler!” Georgia growled as she charged back forwards again with a vicious haymaker.

The Sheriff saw it coming and leapt back, avoiding the heavy fist. Then she dodged back again as a powerful boot followed it up, the sole of the shoe almost touching Texas’s face as she could make out the grains of sand wedged in the grooved leather. “Ya can punch ‘ard, ah’ll give you that,” Texas replied, before backing into the haze of smoke behind her. “But ah’m always the last one standin’!” Texas retorted as she grabbed her jacket off the bolt and quickly tossed it around her face in a makeshift mask.

Georgia growled, clenching her fist and charging forwards again, the heavy horse slinging a punch here, a kick there as she charged into the cloud of exhaust smoke that bellowed out of the chimney of the train. The heavy blows met nothing as Texas dropped low, keeping her jacket pressed to her eyes to avoid as much of the smoke as she could. Georgia was tiring herself out. “Grah! Stop hidin’ and get squashed like the bug you are!” Georgia roared as she fought the air, stomping her boot down with every movement, hoping to catch the slinking weasel as Texas turned the smoke to her advantage.

Beyond the smoke it was then she saw it, a low train tunnel. Her eyes widened at the sight. “Georgia! Duck!” she yelled out as she threw herself down low.

Whether it was a lack of trust or a bad reaction time wasn’t clear, but either way Georgia simply paused, and then *KA-TTHHUDDD* Georgia took the tunnel to the back of the head. The **** of it bowled her over, the mare’s chin crashing against the roof of the train with solid **** and left little Sheriff stars circling around her head as her tongue slumped form her mouth and she passed out from the impact.

Georgia was bowled out, flat on her face as Texas crouched down next to her. She checked her pulse, then her eyes and sighed. “Good job yer made of tough stuff,” she said as she reached to her belt and pulled off her rope. She bound it around Georgia, wrapping up and hogtying the large horse securely. She stood up, slipped back on her jacket and clapped her hands to clear off any dust. “And looks like that’s a wrap,” Texas said with a grin.

*CLICK*

“Is it, Miss Stanton?” A familiar voice reached Texas’s ears and slowly she turned around, only for her eyes to narrow at the woman poking out of the roof hatch, a revolver trained on Texas. “I must confess your constant meddling is starting to become something of an irritation,” the well-dressed Lynx remarked.

“Mayor Vivian… ah had a feelin’ Georgia weren’t smart enough to put a crew together like this and hit the right train,” Texas remarked as she turned around slowly. The Lynx gestured with her weapon upward and Texas reluctantly raised her hands.

“Of course not. Georgia is a mallet. A strong tool for sure, but one that has to be swung precisely to make the most impact. Now, I’ll give you one chance to get off of this train. As much as you annoy me, you’re good for Gold Springs and I’d hate to deprive us of your services,” Vivian declared, making Texas an offer she could choose to refuse.

Texas’s eyes narrowed, the weasel shaking her head. “Ain’t happenin’, Mayor. Ah ain’t lettin’ you kidnap those poor people,” Texas declared.

Vivian snorted, the Lynx shaking her head. “Don’t pretend to know my plans, Sheriff. I promise you, every person on that train will not be harmed or kidnapped. You have my word. I shall also allow you to leave in peace. Considering it’s that or a gunshot, I’d say I’m being very generous. So, I’ll ask you a final time. Will you get off this train?”