4/3/2018

A grim smile crossed his thin lips. It was highly unsettling, given the blindfold tied around his eyes. Could he see me? I thought he was blind, but it wouldn't be the first time I'd made an incorrect assumption about somebody.

Slowly, he reached up with his left hand and pinched the brim of his stetson. “Howdy-doo, pardner,” he said with a rough voice. I gulped. I think he knew I was there. “Why don't you come on out into the light and we can get this here show on the road?”

I didn't move. Maybe he was bluffing.

Before I could finish that thought, a bullet hit the ground less than a foot away from me, the thunderclap from the discharge rattling inside my ears. “Come on, now, don't be shy.”

Slowly, I stepped out into the middle of the street. “Who are you?”

“The name’s Johnson,” he answered smoothly. “Diode Johnson.” So it really was him. “I do believe it's polite to tell me yours in return.”

I cleared my dusty throat. “Er...they call me Brother.”

He cocked his head to one side. “Brother? Brother what?”

“Just Brother.”

He nodded. “Well then, Brother. It's my understandin’ that you've come out here to kill me. That right?”

My mouth went dry. “No...sir.”

“Need a glass of water there, pardner?”

He was onto me like butter and syrup on fresh-cooked flapjacks. “That is, I have no intention of being the one to kill you.”

He grinned with a mouthful of shark-like pointed teeth. “That's good! You seem a nice kid, I'd hate to hafta fill ya with lead. See, people been tryin’ to kill me all my life. You'll notice I'm still standing here in front of you.”

I nodded. “Yes sir, I'm well aware of your skillset. I know you're extremely talented, as well as dangerous. I just want to take you to the ones who hired me. I'll do everything in my power to make sure you're not harmed.”

He shook his head. “Boy, I think we both know you're not as powerful as you'd like to think.”

I glanced quickly to one side. I saw the slightest shuffle of movement. They were in position. “Please, Mr Johnson. Just come with me, and don't make a scene. Trust me.”

He laughed heartily. “Come with you? Naw, I think I'ma head down to the saloon and find me a lady friend. You're welcome to join me if you want.” He turned and began walking away.

I threw a hand out. “Mr Johnson, stop!”

A cloud of gunsmoke filled the air and ten shots were fired almost instantaneously. I ducked away, covering my face as I collapsed into the dirt. As the air cleared, I saw Diode still standing there, his 12-shot revolver trained directly on me and eleven empty shells in the cylinder.