Fiction|Hodgepodge Writing Challenge|Adventure
Welcome To The Wild West
81 of 💯 — Hang on — it’s going to be a wild ride!
He took a generous bite of warm raspberry danish, savoring the moist pastry. Jesse chewed thoughtfully as he scrolled through the financial section of the online newspaper. Taking a drink of the near-scalding coffee from the stained mug, his phone vibrated a greeting in his hand.
He touched the message from his lifelong friend, Zander. “Dust off your cowboy hat, city slicker! It’s Wild West Days and I signed us up for the first annual reenactment adventure!” Then another message appeared on the screen before Jesse could reply. “You can’t say no. I already paid the fee and you keep saying you work too much. It’s time to lighten up! See you later!”
Jesse’s shoulders slumped, “I don’t have time for this.”
Rinsing the mug, he grabbed a small metal bowl from the counter. He added several pieces of fruit, vegetables, and small scraps of meat before striding to the large cage in the living room. Pausing just inside the room, he noticed the door was unhinged and slightly ajar. “No, no, no…” His eyes scanned the hiding places within the cage, then high places throughout the room for his small sugar glider. “I really don’t have time for this!”
Casting a glance at his watch, he placed the bowl of food inside the wire cage. “I’ll look for you later.” Jesse’s loafers spun smoothly on the plush carpet as he strode towards the garage — snatching his wallet and keys as he went.
Several days later, the young men left their phones locked in the pickup, as required, and took a restored passenger train to the Wild West Days.
They weren’t ten minutes into the train ride when Jesse voiced his concerns. Again. “I don’t know about this Zander, I have clients than need — ”
“Dude, they’ll be fine. You need to relax. Trust me, it’ll be an adventure!”
Half an hour later, the passengers stepped onto a wooden platform. They stood holding their bags, and stared at their surroundings. The town was reconstructed with simple wooden buildings, hanging signs, and a dusty dirt road giving the authentic feel of the Wild West.
The stationmaster stepped onto the platform, arms spread wide. “Welcome, one and all, if you have a need — do give us a call. There be drinks at the Saloon, they open at noon. If you are looking for romance, join us for the nightly dance! You are sure to be impressed, welcome to the Wild West!”
The surrounding people applauded as Jesse leaned towards Zander. “What did you get me into, Zand?
Zander slapped his friend’s shoulder, “Come on, this will be a great weekend!” He started for the one lane dirt road, leaving Jesse to catch up.
Leaving their bags in their simple wallpapered hotel rooms, they made their way down the street, dust rising with each thump of their boots. They joined several other people waiting to ride the stagecoach.
The lead stagecoach driver stood atop his perch at the driver’s seat, holding a handful of reigns, his booming voice carrying much further than the small group. “Did everyone sign their waivers?” Seeing everyone’s affirmation, Whispering George informed the group they would be reenacting the Wells Fargo treasure shipments. “Climb aboard and guard the treasure with your life!”
Jesse and Zander looked at each other, eye brows raised. The frame creaked and groaned as they stepped into the carriage and sat down. Zander closed the thin door behind him as the stagecoach lurched forward, the sound of leather harnesses creaking and jingling.
The men sat back and watched the countryside roll by the open windows as the draft horses trotted along. Lulled into easy banter by the team of horses’ hooves pounding the dirt, the men looked at the locked box across from them. Jesse grabbed an end, lifting it, “They must’ve filled it with bricks. That thing has some weight to it.”
Hearing a thundering stampede, both men stuck their heads out of the windows in search of the source. A trail of dust spiraled through the air as Whispering George cracked a whip, urging the team of horses to gallop at full speed. The stagecoach careened and bounced wildly along the dirt road, jostling the men trying to stay in their seats.
“Zand, look! They’re coming this way! And they have guns!”
Zander attempted to lean over to catch a glimpse, gripping the side of the carriage to steady himself. A group of riders were approaching fast with a wagon close behind.
Whispering George’s voice boomed above the thundering hooves. “By Gawd! Stagecoach Mary, you traitorous wench! You’ll not touch this treasure! Boys! Light ’em up!” His whip cracked like thunder, pushing the horses to gallop faster. The heavy breathing of their flaring nostrils and the gasping breaths of air, barely audible above the pounding of hooves.
Jesse and Zander looked at each other in disbelief, echoing each other’s thoughts. “Light ’em up?!”
Gun shots rang loudly in their ears, punctuating the gravity of the situation. The men’s eyes, like pairs of full moons, flitted about the wagon, landing on a pair of rifles.
The men clung to their seats in terror of the world they were thrust into when Whispering George cried out. The stagecoach careened recklessly before they saw George’s arm fall limply over the edge.
Their mouths nearly unhinged, they stared in disbelief at the turn of events. Jesse reached for a rifle as one of the riders brought their stagecoach to a screeching halt.
Surrounded by women on horseback, each had rifles steadily aimed at the men’s heaving chests. The woman outside the door trained her rifle on Jesse, “Put your hands up and come out!”
Under other circumstances, the men would have found these brazen women beautiful, if not gorgeous. Such thoughts were the furthest thing from their minds.
Jesse released the rifle and it fell with a thud on the wood flooring. Raising their hands, they exited the creaking cabin. Each of the horses stomped the ground impatiently — kicking up dust. Their nostrils flared noisily from exertion as the men’s boots hit the dirt.
One of the women standing at the driver’s seat tossed a star into the dirt near their feet before taking the reigns.
“A sheriff? You shot the sheriff?!” The men were in shock and could barely comprehend their next course of action.
Zander bolted to the side but he was abruptly cut off by a horse and an angry looking rider.
They stood before the woman, looking down the barrel of the rifle when two women appeared at their sides with ropes. The men’s hands were bound, black hoods thrust upon their heads, and pushed into the back of the wagon.
Stagecoach Mary cackled, “Hang on boys, it’s going to be a wild ride!”
They heard the team of horses hitched to the stagecoach gallop off. Their own wagon lurched into action as the horses obediently trotted under Stagecoach Mary’s iron will and skill.
Chances of their escape seemed to dwindle to none.
After what seemed like forever, the wagon came to a stop. The men could hear a commotion, but were unable to distinguish what was being said.
The black hoods were removed then the same rough woman’s voice from earlier ordered them out of the wagon. Both men obliged and scooted towards the edge of the wagon, then slid to the ground.
Jesse chanced a look around. They were back in the Wild West town. Thoroughly confused, “What’s going on?”
Stagecoach Mary stepped forward, crooked teeth beaming, “Welcome to the Wild West Stagecoach Adventure, boys!”
The men stared in confusion.
Whispering George walked by, “You lads should get cleaned up. The dance floor opens in an hour!”
The men stared at the previously unconscious man, “I thought you were dead!”
George paused and smiled at their confused faces, “It’s a Wild West Reenactment Adventure. The ladies won’t want to dance with you if you don’t get cleaned up.”
The men watched the chuckling man walk away as they took in their surroundings. Other stagecoaches and wagons were arriving in similar fashion. Confused partakers of the adventure were released with a smile and brief reminder of what they signed up for.
1 pt - Desperate people do desperate things
1 pt - A series of unfortunate events
1 pt - confection - raspberry danish
1 pt - celebration - Wild West Days
1 pt - falling star - sheriff's star
1 pt - escape vanishes
1 pt - ancient artifact - entire Wild West town
1 pt bonus - Stationmaster rhymes
8 points total
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