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"Here There Be Vampires" A Promise City, Arizona Story Hour
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<blockquote data-quote="orchid blossom" data-source="post: 2656089" data-attributes="member: 12815"><p><strong>Boot Hill</strong></p><p></p><p>The group heads over to the jail to meet Chester who is waiting as he said with a pair of shovels. From there the group heads to the town cemetary. The small fenced in hill looks eerie in the moonlight, which lights the skeletal shapes of the trees casting gaunt shadows on the ground. A low mist covers the ground and swirls in the light breeze. An odd rythmic grumbling sound can be heard from somewhere inside the cemetary, adding to the spookiness of the scene.</p><p></p><p>As they walk through the mist Ruby is obviously nervous. "Good gods," she whispers, "This is <em>creepy</em>." She shudders and shivers and rubs her arms as they walk. It seems the air temperature drops the further in they get. The strange noises and atmosphere make for a very different Ruby than the group is used to. </p><p></p><p>Someone steps on a twig and she nearly jumps out of her skin as she gasps. Barely audible she mutters, "Are we almost there yet?"</p><p></p><p>"I certainly hope so," Kate said, slipping her arm around Ruby. "What <em>is</em> that </p><p>sound?"</p><p></p><p>Ruby nervously looks over her shoulder. "It might be better not to know." She stays as close to Kate as she can as they keep walking. </p><p></p><p>Chester replies, "It's just up ahead."</p><p></p><p>Minerva walks silently along trying to see through the gloom. She is grasping her Holy Olive Leaf amulet, that hangs about her neck, in one hand while tightly clutching her pistol with the special bullets in the other.</p><p></p><p>Chester leads them to the back of the graveyard. As they get closer to the back the strange rumbling sound gets louder. They round the corner to see down the last row of graves when they discover the source of the sound. A dirty, scruffy bearded man is asleep next to a mound of freshly turned earth. The wooden marker near the sleeping man's head reads "Gus Thomas unknown - 1882" </p><p></p><p>Nanuet who had been quiet up to this point says "Well we found the spot, but who's that?"</p><p></p><p>Jake approaches and nudges the sleeping man with his toe while pulling back the flap on the right side of his duster exposing his holster. He keeps his hands relaxed, not threatening and says, "Hey pardner, wake up. What in Hades are you doing sleeping in a graveyard?"</p><p></p><p>Ruby whispers in a desperate tone, "Wait Jake..." as he nudges the man but she is too late. "Be careful it might be the guy..." </p><p></p><p>Ruby then begins to wonder why she doesn't also have a stake in her hand.</p><p></p><p>The sleeping man mumbles a bit in his sleep before opening his bleary eyes. He startles and scrambles a few feet away trying to take cover behind the wooden marker nearby. "What am I doing sleeping in a graveyard? What are you doing in a graveyard with a whole posse, guns and shovels? I'm a bit down on my luck, came to pay my respects to old Fuzzy here and figured I could catch some winks before moving on tomorrow."</p><p></p><p>"Fuzzy?" Ruby questions, "What are you talking about?"</p><p></p><p>"Fuzzy Thomas" he says pointing to the freshly disturbed earth to the man's right. "Died a few days ago, took me a bit to get here but I wanted to pay my respects. He was a decent man, never did harm to nobody and a hard worker. We worked a few claims together, ol' Fuzzy and I" the man hesitats and mumble something under his breath before continuing. "Now why are you folks here with iron and shovels, did somebody take something to the grave with 'em that you wanted?"</p><p></p><p>Ruby ignores his question and blurts out, "What happened to him? Your friend I mean?"</p><p></p><p>The man starts getting to his feet slowly obviously indicating that he doesn't want to start any trouble. "Look Miss, I think I done told you enough about myself, how about I start getting some of my questions answered."</p><p></p><p>"We are helping the marshall here," Jake points to Chester with his thumb, "in an official investigation . We are no grave robbers, watch your tongue. What's your name and how did you hear that Gus Thomas was dead?"</p><p></p><p>"Don't mean no disrepect, just don't like being on the end of a gun if you know what I mean. Name's Frank Jones. Been working the mines around these parts for a while now. Heard a rumor that Gus came to the festival here, then heard a rumor that he didn't leave. Came with some other miners who had nothing but drink on their minds, didn't exactly keep together and watch out for one another. Realized he wasn't among them when they picked up and left town. Stragglers who caught up with them later said he was deceased. When I heard about it I figured I would come and see for myself."</p><p></p><p>"I'm very sorry for your loss, sir, You must be a devoted friend to make this journey to pay your respects."</p><p></p><p>Jake looks back at the others, some of which have guns in their hands. Jake adjusts the strap on the Spencer rifle sitting on his shoulder. He consciously keeps his right hand relaxed not to spook the man, but does not cover his holster with the loose flap of his duster. Jake shifts his position and moves away from the others to the left of the freshly turned grave. Feeling less threatened by Jones he glances about around them before adding to Katherine's sympathies, "It must make an old friend like you angry to know he was likely murdered."</p><p></p><p>Ruby stays silent, looking at the man suspiciously. She quietly and slowly sneaks up behind Chester and using her quick hands she pulls the wooden stake from inside his bag. She hides it behind her back and moves towards the grave.</p><p></p><p>As Jake looks around he sees the man's gear. The man has a pack which has a rifle and a pickaxe tied to the outside. A bedroll is on the ground next to the grave and an empty whiskey bottle lies on the ground next to the pack. </p><p></p><p>"Well, we were partners and he would have done the same for me. I kinda got a guilty conscience, didn't always do the right thing by old Fuzzy so I figured at least I had to pay my respects. Had no idea about the cause of death, figured natural causes."</p><p></p><p>"That's very nice of you," Ruby replies, still looking at the pile of dirt. "I hope when I'm in the grave my friends come and visit me too." </p><p></p><p>"Now that you're leaving, where are you off to?"</p><p></p><p>"Was figuring on heading to Tombstone, trying to find some work there and then move on from there. Not much for civilized life" he says with a chuckle "as you can tell by my choice of sleeping arrangements."</p><p></p><p>"Civilization isn't all it's cracked up to be, but a warm bed is one of the things it got right. I'd far rather do that than sleep in a graveyard," Kate added with a shiver.</p><p></p><p>Ruby looks up from the grave and then to the man. "Jake, baby, why don't you give Mr., uh, this nice man here some money so he can sleep indoors tonight?" She smiles at Jake adoringly, momentarily distracted, knowing he'd be reaching for his pocket in a second and probably add something for a meal too.</p><p></p><p>"Mighty kind of you folks, but I don't need your charity. If you're going to arrest me for vagrancy then I'll be moving on, otherwise I'm just fine where I am till daybreak. Who's gonna harm me in a graveyard? Everybody's dead!"</p><p></p><p>Ruby speaks up suddenly, "There are mad Cowboys about and it's not safe to stay out here in town like this. I'm pretty sure Marshal Martin here would suggest you leave for your own saftey. You never know when those pesky Cowboys will show up. Didn't you hear what happened during the festival?"</p><p></p><p>Chester speaks up, "I just might have to do that, sir. It isn't safe for you here. We're expecting trouble. There has been a lot of dirty dealing on Boot Hill recently. Smugglers and the like. We want to catch them in the act. So, I ask that you move along. I don't want any civilians caught in the crossfire. You can come back in the daytime."</p><p></p><p>"Ok then, like I said, I don't want any trouble. I'll just get my stuff and move along then. Know a place where I might find some affordable lodgings this time of night?" </p><p></p><p>Frank Jones begins gathering his gear, rolling up his bedroll and lashing it to his pack which he then slings over his shoulder. He kneels down and picks up the empty whiskey bottle and waits for a response to his query.</p><p></p><p>Minerva reponds, "I believe that the Comstock House would be more than willing to give you a spot Senor. You may tell Bea that Priestess Minvera sent you and she will be sure to take good care of you."</p><p></p><p>The bedraggled man awkwardly gimped his way out of the cemetary, the pack slung over one shoulder and headed into the town, not even looking back.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="orchid blossom, post: 2656089, member: 12815"] [b]Boot Hill[/b] The group heads over to the jail to meet Chester who is waiting as he said with a pair of shovels. From there the group heads to the town cemetary. The small fenced in hill looks eerie in the moonlight, which lights the skeletal shapes of the trees casting gaunt shadows on the ground. A low mist covers the ground and swirls in the light breeze. An odd rythmic grumbling sound can be heard from somewhere inside the cemetary, adding to the spookiness of the scene. As they walk through the mist Ruby is obviously nervous. "Good gods," she whispers, "This is [I]creepy[/I]." She shudders and shivers and rubs her arms as they walk. It seems the air temperature drops the further in they get. The strange noises and atmosphere make for a very different Ruby than the group is used to. Someone steps on a twig and she nearly jumps out of her skin as she gasps. Barely audible she mutters, "Are we almost there yet?" "I certainly hope so," Kate said, slipping her arm around Ruby. "What [I]is[/I] that sound?" Ruby nervously looks over her shoulder. "It might be better not to know." She stays as close to Kate as she can as they keep walking. Chester replies, "It's just up ahead." Minerva walks silently along trying to see through the gloom. She is grasping her Holy Olive Leaf amulet, that hangs about her neck, in one hand while tightly clutching her pistol with the special bullets in the other. Chester leads them to the back of the graveyard. As they get closer to the back the strange rumbling sound gets louder. They round the corner to see down the last row of graves when they discover the source of the sound. A dirty, scruffy bearded man is asleep next to a mound of freshly turned earth. The wooden marker near the sleeping man's head reads "Gus Thomas unknown - 1882" Nanuet who had been quiet up to this point says "Well we found the spot, but who's that?" Jake approaches and nudges the sleeping man with his toe while pulling back the flap on the right side of his duster exposing his holster. He keeps his hands relaxed, not threatening and says, "Hey pardner, wake up. What in Hades are you doing sleeping in a graveyard?" Ruby whispers in a desperate tone, "Wait Jake..." as he nudges the man but she is too late. "Be careful it might be the guy..." Ruby then begins to wonder why she doesn't also have a stake in her hand. The sleeping man mumbles a bit in his sleep before opening his bleary eyes. He startles and scrambles a few feet away trying to take cover behind the wooden marker nearby. "What am I doing sleeping in a graveyard? What are you doing in a graveyard with a whole posse, guns and shovels? I'm a bit down on my luck, came to pay my respects to old Fuzzy here and figured I could catch some winks before moving on tomorrow." "Fuzzy?" Ruby questions, "What are you talking about?" "Fuzzy Thomas" he says pointing to the freshly disturbed earth to the man's right. "Died a few days ago, took me a bit to get here but I wanted to pay my respects. He was a decent man, never did harm to nobody and a hard worker. We worked a few claims together, ol' Fuzzy and I" the man hesitats and mumble something under his breath before continuing. "Now why are you folks here with iron and shovels, did somebody take something to the grave with 'em that you wanted?" Ruby ignores his question and blurts out, "What happened to him? Your friend I mean?" The man starts getting to his feet slowly obviously indicating that he doesn't want to start any trouble. "Look Miss, I think I done told you enough about myself, how about I start getting some of my questions answered." "We are helping the marshall here," Jake points to Chester with his thumb, "in an official investigation . We are no grave robbers, watch your tongue. What's your name and how did you hear that Gus Thomas was dead?" "Don't mean no disrepect, just don't like being on the end of a gun if you know what I mean. Name's Frank Jones. Been working the mines around these parts for a while now. Heard a rumor that Gus came to the festival here, then heard a rumor that he didn't leave. Came with some other miners who had nothing but drink on their minds, didn't exactly keep together and watch out for one another. Realized he wasn't among them when they picked up and left town. Stragglers who caught up with them later said he was deceased. When I heard about it I figured I would come and see for myself." "I'm very sorry for your loss, sir, You must be a devoted friend to make this journey to pay your respects." Jake looks back at the others, some of which have guns in their hands. Jake adjusts the strap on the Spencer rifle sitting on his shoulder. He consciously keeps his right hand relaxed not to spook the man, but does not cover his holster with the loose flap of his duster. Jake shifts his position and moves away from the others to the left of the freshly turned grave. Feeling less threatened by Jones he glances about around them before adding to Katherine's sympathies, "It must make an old friend like you angry to know he was likely murdered." Ruby stays silent, looking at the man suspiciously. She quietly and slowly sneaks up behind Chester and using her quick hands she pulls the wooden stake from inside his bag. She hides it behind her back and moves towards the grave. As Jake looks around he sees the man's gear. The man has a pack which has a rifle and a pickaxe tied to the outside. A bedroll is on the ground next to the grave and an empty whiskey bottle lies on the ground next to the pack. "Well, we were partners and he would have done the same for me. I kinda got a guilty conscience, didn't always do the right thing by old Fuzzy so I figured at least I had to pay my respects. Had no idea about the cause of death, figured natural causes." "That's very nice of you," Ruby replies, still looking at the pile of dirt. "I hope when I'm in the grave my friends come and visit me too." "Now that you're leaving, where are you off to?" "Was figuring on heading to Tombstone, trying to find some work there and then move on from there. Not much for civilized life" he says with a chuckle "as you can tell by my choice of sleeping arrangements." "Civilization isn't all it's cracked up to be, but a warm bed is one of the things it got right. I'd far rather do that than sleep in a graveyard," Kate added with a shiver. Ruby looks up from the grave and then to the man. "Jake, baby, why don't you give Mr., uh, this nice man here some money so he can sleep indoors tonight?" She smiles at Jake adoringly, momentarily distracted, knowing he'd be reaching for his pocket in a second and probably add something for a meal too. "Mighty kind of you folks, but I don't need your charity. If you're going to arrest me for vagrancy then I'll be moving on, otherwise I'm just fine where I am till daybreak. Who's gonna harm me in a graveyard? Everybody's dead!" Ruby speaks up suddenly, "There are mad Cowboys about and it's not safe to stay out here in town like this. I'm pretty sure Marshal Martin here would suggest you leave for your own saftey. You never know when those pesky Cowboys will show up. Didn't you hear what happened during the festival?" Chester speaks up, "I just might have to do that, sir. It isn't safe for you here. We're expecting trouble. There has been a lot of dirty dealing on Boot Hill recently. Smugglers and the like. We want to catch them in the act. So, I ask that you move along. I don't want any civilians caught in the crossfire. You can come back in the daytime." "Ok then, like I said, I don't want any trouble. I'll just get my stuff and move along then. Know a place where I might find some affordable lodgings this time of night?" Frank Jones begins gathering his gear, rolling up his bedroll and lashing it to his pack which he then slings over his shoulder. He kneels down and picks up the empty whiskey bottle and waits for a response to his query. Minerva reponds, "I believe that the Comstock House would be more than willing to give you a spot Senor. You may tell Bea that Priestess Minvera sent you and she will be sure to take good care of you." The bedraggled man awkwardly gimped his way out of the cemetary, the pack slung over one shoulder and headed into the town, not even looking back. [/QUOTE]
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