laments of an outlaw

The bell tolls.
steel grinds against leather
Gunpowder ignites, the rapidly enlarging flame pushing against metal.
Shrieks taint the ears of children in hiding.
Dust rises.
Silence.

No, not silence. heavy breathing fills the evening. When the dust settles only one stands, the figure sigh's and takes heavy steps toward the small body bleeding in the sand. The winner re holsters his trusted compadre and tips his hat upwards. knees bend the terrifyingly accurate hand picks up a small sombrero and places it on a golden crown, protecting the eyes from the falling sun.

"I didn't want this you know, I respected you"

The small body cough's up blood, a laugh, followed by a defiant grin.
"I-i do not allow outlaws in my city, not even decent fellows like you nevershooter"

The criminal lifts his head revealing a grisled but handsome face.
"I had no choice black mouse, they found me."
"My last resort was this city, I even used an alias."
"Why couldn't you turn an eye, just this once."

The mouse groaned and with a fierce will she shoved her ears through the tiny holes at the side of the sombrero. One of her ears the contrasting dark black color she was known for.
"And miss a chance to beat the infamous nevershooter, never."

A slight tear rolled from the man's eye.
"I am sorry it couldn't be you Carly. It must have been hard, hearing about all these stories of Rawhide Clint looking for your rival."

The mouse laughed softly again, interrupted by a cough.
"I always knew i didn't stand a chance, you've always had a weak for scales."
She grinned.
"Now go, you wouldn't want to get caught before you find shirley would you."

"let me get you a doctor Carly, to ease the pain."

The small golden body heaved.
"let me die in piece Clint, howling at the moon one last time."

Rawhide sighed deeply and reached for his pocket, he unpeeled his last chocolate cigarette and placed it in the cute mouses mouth. He really wished it could have been Carly. He stood up and began walking, they would be here soon and he had to move swiftly.

The last thing he heard from the town he grew up in where the soft howls of his childhood friend.