As they rode along, the orange hues of the setting sun bled into the deep blues of the encroaching night sky. Jed squinted up at the horizon, where stars were just starting to prickle through the fading daylight.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1DaiMSgnr
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYNMd1ZbWV
"Looks like night's creepin' up on us," he muttered, breaking the silence.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQ8CvjmEY8
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5sDOxOaoq
"Yeah, it is," Charlie replied, his gaze lingering on the sky. There was a strange comfort to the quiet evening, the kind only the open land could offer.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyV0f8b36D
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVPs0zZU4l
Without a word, Jed hopped off his horse, pulling a horse brush from his saddlebag. He began to brush down his horse, his movements steady and deliberate.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZsBJ4lUy9
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBOrJ5ZQ7j
Charlie watched him for a moment, eyebrows raised. "Why're you wastin' time cleanin' the horse?"
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0QfFEe2rK
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRB0gUpvpSt
Jed didn't look up, focused on his task. "Boy, horses need care same as you or me, maybe more so. Brushing gets the blood flowin' under their skin, keeps 'em healthy." He looked over his shoulder at Charlie with a smirk. "You might learn a thing or two if you actually listened instead of just gawkin'."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3xieE6m7W
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHjt5LXtR8
Charlie rolled his eyes, but curiosity got the better of him. "Alright then, wise guy, what's so special about brushin' a horse?"
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHFr4V91Wd
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKZrULRsee
Jed grinned, giving his horse a few more strokes with the brush. "You see, keeps their skin in good shape, gets rid of dirt, burrs, and any other nonsense stuck in their coat. Prevents diseases too, things like thrush or rain rot—nasty business if it gets a hold. Groomin' lets me check for any cuts, sore spots, or lumps that could give 'em trouble down the road."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yWx5JRTuf
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTagO5hjaDU
Charlie crossed his arms, still skeptical but intrigued. "Guess I never thought of it that way."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoRu0tNFaM
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qyqNtRYF0
"That's 'cause you're too busy thinkin' about riches and a big house to notice the small things," Jed retorted, chuckling. He shook his head, and his voice softened as he continued. "It ain't just about takin' care of the horse. Groomin' helps build a bond. Horse ain't much different from folks; they feel things, get anxious, need some reassurin'."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46UFy0DTQA
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyC97kMkw2
Charlie shifted his weight, looking down at his boots. "Never thought of it like that."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8QSqMqS1P
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW09BslB5V6
Jed's gaze flicked up, giving Charlie a knowing look. "Ain't all fancy words and big plans, kid. Out here, it's the little things—brushing a coat, cleanin' tack, settin' camp. You build up enough little things, you got yourself a life worth livin'."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxp1BbXyZL
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFofDravdD
Charlie scratched his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Didn't figure you for the sentimental type, Jed."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhsaNcM6Az
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmP3mOK29Kw
Jed shrugged, his voice turning gruffer. "Ain't sentiment, it's just plain sense. Besides," he added with a smirk, "I'd rather be cleanin' the horse than listenin' to you yammer on about all them ladies you're fixin' to charm."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyPZbWqCNg
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xGy8wVgYb
Charlie laughed, a genuine, open sound that filled the quiet night air. "Maybe I'll give it a shot sometime. Brushing the horse, I mean."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9z4xdbY8vN
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7OeQFxjIg
Jed looked up, his expression softening a bit. "Wouldn't hurt you none. Spend enough time with these animals, they teach ya a thing or two about patience. Maybe some day you'll stop and appreciate somethin' that ain't glitz and gold."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv94jDIluuP
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnk9n6v4Zu
Charlie paused, considering that for a moment, and gave a small nod. "Maybe so, old man. Maybe so."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjgohZOHxc
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDJGCHpV0T
As Jed returned to his work, he glanced at Charlie and chuckled softly. "Come sunrise, we'll be back on the road. Enjoy the quiet while ya can—ain't nothin' like a clear night to remind ya what matters."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnedRZOofGY
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjphhg0l98
The two stood together, Jed still brushing his horse while Charlie looked up at the endless stretch of stars, the weight of the night settling around them like an old, comforting blanket. Jed finished brushing his horse and, without looking, tossed the brush over to Charlie. Quick on his feet, Charlie caught it and hopped down from his horse. "Alright, Silver Tempest, looks like it's your turn for a little pampering," he muttered with a grin as he began running the brush down the horse's coat.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDE9Y0J7wZF
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7P5ZVpml2
Meanwhile, Jed went to his saddlebags, rummaging around with that same gruff determination he had for just about everything. He pulled out two large blankets and spread them on the ground, making sure they were positioned just right. Then he fished out two smaller blankets, one for each setup.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJguAnJNbRX
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3K4GOQnx5w
Charlie glanced over, brow raised in curiosity. "Why you got four blankets there, old man?" he asked, brushing down Silver Tempest's legs.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorz34juG3Z
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTduViUVZXB
Jed gave him a sidelong glance, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "Well, these two big ones are for sleepin'. One for you, one for me, since I reckon you're a bit old now to be sharin' a blanket with your 'Uncle Jed.' Ain't like when you were a kid, sneakin' into my bed whenever the night got a little too dark for your likin'."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8k43lA2rHY
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuA0tzv0ynP
Charlie snorted, shaking his head as he continued brushing. "Alright, alright, I get it. Ain't gotta bring up my past traumas every chance you get."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUkg3QSaBw
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWI528Gse8
"Oh, I reckon I do. Keeps you humble," Jed retorted, clearly amused. "You remember, don't ya? How you'd come knockin' on my door half asleep, claimin' there was somethin' 'lurkin' in the shadows' that only my candle could ward off."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtcqrTAwre
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rSTVSwNu0
Charlie grinned, trying to hide his embarrassment. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. That was a long time ago, Jed. You don't gotta go narratin' my life like it's some tall tale every time we're on the trail."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WilsgEAxp
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSc05HrVmKN
Jed chuckled, folding the two smaller blankets over their sleeping spots, pausing between each word. "These... here... are to cover up with. Keep the chill... off once that wind picks up. Don't... want you wakin' up... complainin'... about how cold it is out here."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCGYWqG5C3
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8Ckh0Nss8
He looked over at Charlie, eyebrows raised with exaggerated patience, drawing each word out as if explaining to a child.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt23mCXpICi
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAfkNbA36a
Charlie raised an eyebrow. "And you're talkin' slow 'cause…?"
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvz9lbcfFW
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtUAStrHJb
Jed gave a mockingly serious nod. "Because, son, I thought maybe I had to spell it out for you, seein' as you didn't look like you knew what these other two were for."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrS7FZp5Zf
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwO3u3n12Rb
Charlie rolled his eyes, a hint of a smirk betraying his amusement. "I know what they're for, fool. Ain't a 'retard,' as you put it."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7nDmJUXmZ
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3L9yz2JYiV
Jed laughed, a rare sound, deep and weathered. "Just makin' sure. You got a habit of actin' clueless sometimes, so I gotta keep ya on your toes."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeQPHDNMkr
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aKftjhFm3
They both shared a smile, a comfortable silence settling between them as the last of the day's light faded away. Charlie finished grooming Silver Tempest and went over to his blanket, stretching out with a satisfied sigh.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBFuuYWy8n
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡib7Ijlr7I7
Jed settled down on his own blanket nearby, pulling the smaller blanket over himself. The two lay there, the only sounds being the horses breathing softly and the crackling of the nearby fire. After a while, Jed spoke up again, his voice low but carrying in the stillness of the night.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sekt1tKLe
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0puGFB0Ir
"You ever wonder, Charlie, why we're out here doin' all this?" he asked, his tone quieter, reflective. "Sometimes I think… maybe we're just wanderin' around, chasin' shadows we ain't ever gonna catch."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Y6weNnT7S
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAJ1zrDUkK
Charlie turned his head, looking over at Jed's silhouette in the dim firelight. "I don't know, Jed. I guess… I just want to feel like I made somethin' of myself, somethin' that matters. Ain't lookin' to chase shadows, just… tryin' to make sense of all this, I guess."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8aWRIy6Lt
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxED619ggH
Jed nodded, a faint smile crossing his face. "Well, kid, maybe that's all any of us are really doin'. Tryin' to find some sense in the nonsense. Now get some sleep. Ain't no sense in losin' sleep wonderin' about things we can't change."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRvrzrl1aF
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZJdgHRk3r
With that, they both settled in for the night, the quiet of the open land wrapping around them like one of Jed's blankets. And as Charlie drifted off, he realized that out here, with his old, grumpy uncle at his side, things almost did make sense—at least for tonight.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSTYxOVFpO
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlhdRyYpYY
Jed rose with the first hint of light, tucking his blankets neatly back into his bag. He let his gaze rest on the horizon for a moment, as if gauging the day ahead. With a light nudge, he stirred Charlie awake.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfuPYQwJJt
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYj4lifrYkX
"C'mon, boy," he muttered, his tone gruff but laced with a familiar care. "Time to get movin'."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrC1W6JeDY
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwC8WOQfmIm
Charlie let out a groggy sigh, rubbing his eyes as he sat up. "Already? Feels like I just shut my eyes."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uqlaZQhy2
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVOTal0PsQ
Jed gave a dry chuckle, setting his hat squarely on his head. "Daylight don't wait for nobody. Figured you'd know that by now."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZ8LsZmGaW
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUNAZjxD6G
As they packed up, Charlie glanced around, a thoughtful look on his face. "Uncle Jed… you figure there's a town nearby? Could use a proper meal, maybe stock up on some supplies."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrClkWMWzu
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZgaImAiXm
Jed nodded, thoughtful as he cinched his saddle. "Grant's Pass ain't too far. Figure we can stop by, grab a bite. Maybe if you let you let us take our time, if you're feelin' fancy."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pesoVDvHg
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGznkFJLk16
Charlie brightened up, hopping onto Silver Tempest. "Yeah, a meal that isn't dried jerky sounds good to me. And maybe some tools, just in case."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyEM1rlGVO
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpZy1uWuqF
Jed raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "Tools, huh? What, you plannin' on startin' a homestead out here?" He swung onto King, his voice dripping with his usual dry humor. "Not sure what you're thinkin', but I'll let you dream big for now."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBcNLkPKdh
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4F5VzbMtd8
They rode out at a steady pace, the morning air cool and crisp, carrying the earthy scent of sagebrush and dust. The sun had just begun to climb, casting long shadows across the trail. It was the kind of quiet morning Jed seemed to savor—steady, unhurried, where every sound carried just a little farther in the stillness.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TAYjVnYRq
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjT1rJyxp1
But then Charlie slowed, his eyes fixed ahead. Jed followed his gaze, noticing a lone white horse standing just off the path, its coat gleaming bright even in the early light.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajOIJbhnRz
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeyOypPIxB
"Uncle Jed, look." Charlie's voice held a note of recognition, his body tense in the saddle. "That's José horse."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNQcVMwImL
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoWCUSVkhg
Jed squinted, indifferent. "Alright, so there's a horse," he replied, his tone as unenthused as ever. "Ain't all that rare in these parts."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwaKJnA5Ok
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CzDBNnSx5
Charlie shot him a look, a bit of frustration breaking through. "No, Jed. That's *José* horse. Which means he's close."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUCdhQypqB
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJu5MaTFk46
Jed scratched his jaw, casting a sidelong glance at his nephew. "Right. José. Think you mentioned him before, but the name don't exactly ring bells," he muttered. "An' if I'm honest, I'm not sure I much care."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegtNYx5xUs
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3sgDQjpG4
Ignoring Jed's indifference, Charlie dismounted, moving toward the horse. His eyes scanned the ground, catching sight of a faint, dark line winding through the dirt—a blood trail. He crouched down, his gaze focused, tracing the line with his finger.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2esHhRS5Jq
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU60kb3pFA1
"Look, Jed… there's blood here. Fresh."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrOiVg9Xr0
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZ3I41Accq
Jed sighed, dismounting as well. He approached slowly, taking in the trail with an air of practiced calm. "And what exactly do you plan on doin' with that information, Charlie? You hopin' to have it out with him, right here and now?"
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyBWQjuNCB
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JdVqiFc1o
Charlie looked up, his face hardening. "We had an agreement, Jed. If we ever crossed paths again, we'd finish things. For good."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbYA6QMmYS
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqG4ZtKcjjU
Jed's gaze lingered on Charlie, a shadow of something unreadable crossing his expression. After a moment, he shook his head, a weary sigh escaping him. "Boy, you ever stop to think that maybe some fights ain't worth finishin'?" He paused, his voice taking on that low, almost wistful tone. "Thing about grudge matches—they got a way of diggin' deeper into you than you figure. Ain't like you walk away whole, even if you're the last man standin'."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNe6DNaw5Xs
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRUTGSpiCF
Charlie held Jed's gaze, the weight of his words settling around him like the cold morning air. But he squared his shoulders, his resolve steady. "I know, Jed. But it's about honor. José and I… we've got a debt to settle."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4ZW8XaMy6
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm88cP1FQbL
Jed sighed again, his tone softening. "Honor, huh?" He scratched his head, a faint, cynical smile tugging at his mouth. "Funny word, that. Good for just about every foolhardy pursuit a man could chase. But if that's where your heart's leadin' you, then I reckon I won't stand in your way." He gestured to the trail with a slight nod. "Just make sure you're ready for whatever piece of yourself you might have to leave behind."
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkDaG61gZl
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8F19Ksi883
Charlie's face softened as he took in Jed's words, and he nodded, bracing himself for the path ahead. The two of them moved carefully, their steps slow and deliberate, following the blood trail that wound through the scrub. As they followed the trail, it wound through patches of tall grass and dense scrub, leading them to a small, weather-beaten house tucked away in a grove of trees. The place looked abandoned—windows half-covered in grime, shutters hanging loose, and a thin line of smoke curling up from the crooked chimney. Jed's hand instinctively went to his revolver, his fingers wrapping around the grip as he held it behind him, just in case.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGShRB7JMLZ
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoYcDLW7t1
They approached the door with slow, deliberate steps, exchanging a wary glance. Charlie raised his hand, knocking on the old wooden door. After a pause, they heard shuffling from inside, the creak of old floorboards carrying through the still air.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFnVQEPi4v
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcE5gLTW9T
The door opened a crack, revealing a figure who seemed more ghost than man—an old fellow with a thin, scraggly beard, his face weathered and deeply lined, eyes squinting out at them from beneath a shaggy brow.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAC0OpUR2Em
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgV444opQpJ
"Well now," the old man said, his voice thin but friendly. "Didn't expect company today. Name's George. And… you boys are?"
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yjt78Fw6N
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDzefOcK0d
Charlie and Jed exchanged a look of utter bewilderment. This didn't match any scenario they'd imagined when they first spotted that blood trail
ns3.19.255.50da2
