Forrester burst through the swinging doors of the saloon. He was frantic, his hair was messy, and he was covered in blood.

“Somebody help!” He screamed. “There’s been a murder!” No one even looked up from their drinks. Forester looked around the bar, there were mostly miners, some girls, and some shady characters that may have been ranch hands, or thieves, or both. He walked up to the bar and tried to get the bartender’s attention.

“Excuse me,” he said, “I need help, there has been a murder at the train station.” The bartender looked at him skeptically. “You don’t believe me…” Forrester said.

“Oh, I believe you.” said the bartender, “I’m just not sure I care enough to do anything. Or, even if there is anything to do.”

“A man has died!” Said Forrester.

“People die everyday.”

“Can… Can you at least point me in the direction of the sheriff so he can care and do something about it?” Said Forrester. The bartender laughed.

“We ain’t got no law here, stranger! This is Helmuth!”

“I, I don’t understand, I was told that there was a sheriff’s office in town.” Forrester stammered.

“Oh, there’s an office, just no sheriff.” The bartender chuckled. “This town is hellbound and there ain’t nothin’ anyone can do about it. Now, can I get ya a drink, Mr…?” Forrester extended a bloody hand.

“Uh, uh, Doctor. Forrester.” He said

“A doctor?” said the bartender, “well, shoot, you can have a drink for free doc. Just remember that next time I end up on your table.” The bartender poured him some whiskey, the doctor didn’t drink it. He turned around and was met by a red headed woman in a low cut red corset and dress.

“You look like you had a rough night, Sug, lookin’ ta unwind?” she said.

“No!” Said doctor Forrester, flustered. “I need someone to come with me to the train station to help deal with a murder. There has been a murder! There is a murderer on the loose!”

“Shoot, hun, half the people in here are murderers on the loose.” She said. Forrester sank into a chair, exasperated. “Oh, but, I’ll come with ya, hun.” she said. She extended her hand “Name’s Muriel. This is my bar.” Forrester extended a hand, but then remembered about all the blood he was covered with.

“Uh, Nathan Forrester. I’m the doctor.” They walked out of the saloon together and back towards the train station. “Are you sure you want to see this?” He asked. “It’s rather gruesome. Even for a doctor.”

“I’m sure I’ve seen worse.” She said.

“I don’t think so. The man’s face and heart have been removed.” Said Nathan.

“Yeah, I’ve seen worse.” she said. They got to the train station and approached the ticket window. “Oh, Jesus. It’s Curtis. It Got Curtis.” Muriel said.

“What do you mean ‘it’ got Curtis?” asked Forrester hesitantly.

“The Demon. The Demon got him.”

“The...demon…” Forrester said confusedly. “I’m sorry, you’re going to have to elaborate.”

“Well,” she said, “Helmuth has a reputation for its crime and its prostitution, but a lot of people don’t know it’s a hotbed for demonic activity.”

“So, ‘Helmuth’” He started.

“Not just a clever name, no.”

“A little on the nose, don’t you think?”

“I didn’t name it.” she said back.

“So, what do we do?” He asked.

“We bury him and move on.” she replied.

“What? No!” He said, “the man has been murdered, we need to find whatever did this and stop it from happening again!”

“You fancy yourself a demon hunter, doc?” She said. “You a priest as well? What are you gonna do about a demon?”

“I’m gonna… I… I don’t know.” He said defeated.”You really think this was a demon?”

“Of course.” She said, “What other monster could do something like this?”

“It’s just, it’s not very…” He paused, “Scientific.” She laughed.

“Let’s get ya home.” she said and pointed to his trunk still on the platform, “That yours?”

“Yes.” he said.

“I’ll show you to the doctor’s office and I’ll have my boys come get Curtis and bury him in the mornin’” She said. They started walking in the direction of the doctors office, Forrester hauling his trunk behind him. He felt uneasy and like he was being watched. And in the distance he could hear dogs barking, and flies began to land on him, and the good doctor felt all together unsettled.