Chapter 2
A Stranger Comes to Town
(Part One)
Stranger’s boots clicked as he walked slowly into town. He wasn’t in any hurry; Birdington wasn’t going anywhere.
He was a nomad, he moved wherever there were bounties to be had. In the times between, he just went with the wind. Not much mattered to him besides his own agenda.
That wasn’t to say that there wasn’t a faint sense of urgency in his life. The bounties he collected were repaid in Moolah, and Moolah was what he needed for Doc to perform the surgery he so desperately needed on himself. That…alteration of his body that would make him “normal.”
If anyone were to find out Stranger’s secret, it wouldn’t just be a huge blow to his reputation, it would most likely spell his eminent demise.
But the surgery was a long time coming, so he had time to stop and smell the cacti.
The first Clakker he met ran up to greet him. The size difference was very noticeable. The Clakker was barely as high as Stranger’s waist.
“Howdy, partner!” The Clakker said energetically. “Welcome to Birdington! You just passin’ through or do ya have some kinda business to take care of?”
Stranger’s growling undertone made the Clakker uneasy. “I s’ppose you could say that. Ya got any bounties ‘round these parts?”
“Oh, sure,” said the Clakker. “We’ve got quite a few. You must be a Bounty Hunter, then. What’s your moniker?”
Stranger looked up towards the sun, and then slowly back down at the Clakker. “I go by Stranger. Sort of a nickname. People don’t usually pry into my personal life. Not a bad idea, actually.”
The Clakker shifted nervously. He got the hint, no more prying. This guy obviously had some social skill issues.
“Well’p, the Bounty Store is right down th’ way thar. You can check it out if you want some info on th’ jackasses what been botherin’ us.”
Stranger swiped his fingers over the brim of his huge hat. “Thankee kindly.”
The Clakker smiled a huge, beaky grin. “No problem, uh… Stranger.” Then he added softly, “Weirdo.”
Stranger had overheard the side comment, and turned back to face the Clakker. He slowly moved towards the bird, who was beginning to regret his last comment.
“What was that?” Stranger growled.
“What? Nothin’! I was just…uh…” The Clakker searched frantically for an excuse.
Stranger grabbed the bird by the front of his red overalls and lifted him to eye level with incredible ease. The Clakker swallowed a lump in his throat.
Stranger’s voice was so low yet so menacing that it literally made the Clakker pee himself. “Yer just lucky I ain’t into fightin’ weaklings like yerself. You’d be on th’ ground in a heartbeat.”
Stranger dropped the Clakker, who landed on his ass with a thump.
“You ain’t worth my time,” he said. “Oh, and ya might want to get a clean pair-a pants.”
The Clakker got up and ran as fast as he could, crying and whimpering.
With the greetings out of the way, it was time to head to that bounty store.