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.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fW34ixkjs
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oxCh8tq2t
"Looks like night's creepin' up on us," he muttered, breaking the silence.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXZ7WaTgqc
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzIcE7eXEh
"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.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ12FGy7hHN
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1VfASlgg0
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.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuII9qe8xrY
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcXTXLZaeY
Charlie watched him for a moment, eyebrows raised. "Why're you wastin' time cleanin' the horse?"
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOqw08zbgV
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKLFEwGcKm
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'."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPh9kIBW4Zj
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgNTALZVGI
Charlie rolled his eyes, but curiosity got the better of him. "Alright then, wise guy, what's so special about brushin' a horse?"
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrPCpZxMf2
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLdyUXtXgq
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."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMw3Oq9r3o
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvThFLxw7ro
Charlie crossed his arms, still skeptical but intrigued. "Guess I never thought of it that way."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4hACfo7dT
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCT0J5J2dAl
"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'."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DvUIi7ESA
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZJO0yD2RU
Charlie shifted his weight, looking down at his boots. "Never thought of it like that."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRfiXDTvs3
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FagQtF5ge
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'."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibHvs5X0Fh
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqbjcr0ifA
Charlie scratched his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Didn't figure you for the sentimental type, Jed."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyB5YZvRjO
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Vq0jVh5Gq
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."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyp3hSAzhMp
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5yiZYvd1o
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."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzedganrLXO
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuIZItycNs
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."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuELaRZJdh
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulls91GU3h
Charlie paused, considering that for a moment, and gave a small nod. "Maybe so, old man. Maybe so."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMWtccjf2i
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRs43Z5rQV0
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."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvTbfSM3ji
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdx5Y6xSYZR
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.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4K85xpewYw
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSyrtG4gLr
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.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKBmsvugyh
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlT6V9BehWx
Charlie glanced over, brow raised in curiosity. "Why you got four blankets there, old man?" he asked, brushing down Silver Tempest's legs.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2TXV1YCey
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMQmS73H2a
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'."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72KKRAEOfs
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIEZlLZvVj
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."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNOHUaiZLN
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhbDS8UQYS
"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."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gEUZjLC36
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVVg59FUMy
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."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxKKP0V7cO
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgMHHcuXWk
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."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVARUShQBP
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Q3Ink8Iox
He looked over at Charlie, eyebrows raised with exaggerated patience, drawing each word out as if explaining to a child.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYDhLXIKBS
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH97Q9zZ0jX
Charlie raised an eyebrow. "And you're talkin' slow 'cause…?"
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheVgIHyJBT
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kAY8Y4ISL
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."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaDpAI4veK
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeR2tTS3IT2
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."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyB3zOL3hIJ
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKENcIGDye
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."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkzSoj0TJ3
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JLhNWGwLe
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.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EYQoZhbCV
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIgXt31djD
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.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EvWYbSpgB
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nrRdXLLjq
"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."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJllzh6aGEr
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45HAmlg8a7
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."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVmGs8aSZI
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpj7HgJaGvI
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."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSw5yhntOF
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qo4rpjGvG
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.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHDlJXNixE
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzDto6Bnzl
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.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrEmhpPzDW
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTRx6U4p8y
"C'mon, boy," he muttered, his tone gruff but laced with a familiar care. "Time to get movin'."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPq4ze8gmX
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6PZGywoA9
Charlie let out a groggy sigh, rubbing his eyes as he sat up. "Already? Feels like I just shut my eyes."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhZml0sZ2m
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZ38czSfmI
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."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyv04ZEIgZ
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eMhPWAR2x
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."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1qUlUgfzP
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzLMs7sF3H
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."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCaKC5yjlH
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoUvFVli71
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."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvzZieMuMF
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡociwJ6KMsR
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."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPkmREIrYV
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5StEuMf0T
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.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBcg7yQLnO
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hxF212xuP
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.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvB9s3Abr89
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQTvGYDp7h
"Uncle Jed, look." Charlie's voice held a note of recognition, his body tense in the saddle. "That's José horse."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5qrkESXLw
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDLCfCvgEv
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."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHWJQQWZaQ
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcMdfYVsIp
Charlie shot him a look, a bit of frustration breaking through. "No, Jed. That's *José* horse. Which means he's close."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBOuSwsjxI
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKM4loVPIcU
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."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2txYXOecMi
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAvILNeIf7
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.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvw7f4ZVcRM
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJb3TShYQbK
"Look, Jed… there's blood here. Fresh."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYkV3o8G9a
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHp5RlD8NI
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?"
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6982O8kua
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YusMHyhqr
Charlie looked up, his face hardening. "We had an agreement, Jed. If we ever crossed paths again, we'd finish things. For good."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxW2XBkfBw3
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTteZpwgfJl
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'."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vBNWKz0uM
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnIANl1wkn
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."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkLAQiXVJz
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5dXIIzWTt
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."
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EoD964EPf
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Pq1JIyjYj
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.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJkrlRcpjb
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXSuFFsGzT
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.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzMEpu8BDN
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaUOYwCaQ7
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.
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQNc6DEovH
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKtlZnKIgF
"Well now," the old man said, his voice thin but friendly. "Didn't expect company today. Name's George. And… you boys are?"
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhWzDGAZxD
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvybBsBEEEX
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
ns216.73.216.238da2
