The jailhouse looked like it had seen better days. There were cracks in the plaster and vines climbing the walls. We parked the enchanted cart outside the front door. 

“Let’s just leave him outside. The Sheriff can haul him in.” Sabrina shoved the front door, which swung open on loose hinges.

“Aw, look who’s back to see me…” Said a thin man on a chair behind a desk. Sabrina was right; he did look pretty foul. He wore a large brown hat and had his feet, clothed in fine leather boots, resting on his desk. His shoes were about the only thing fine about him. His black hair looked like it hadn’t been washed in weeks, and his thin pointed face was unshaven.

”I would never come to see you without having a good reason, which is that I caught another one.” Sabrina scowled.

”Oh, which one? Fish-face Joe? Peg-nose Pete?” The Sheriff sneered. “Those two ain't worth much." Then smugly added under his breath. "Just like yerself.”

Sabrina straightened and crossed her arms. “Actually, it’s Claw. I’m pretty sure he has a rather large bounty on his head...” The sheriff squinted and scratched his chin.

“There ain't no way a lil’ girl coulda caught ol Claw unless…” For the first time, he noticed me standing behind Sabrina. “Ha! You had help. From another little girl, it looks like.” It took me a moment to realize the sheriff was talking about me. I couldn’t tell if he genuinely thought his assumption correct, or if he was merely poking fun at my height. Being called a little girl was certainly a new experience for me. Blind with rage at the sheriff’s audacity, I marched towards the sheriff’s desk and drew my sword. Holding it against the Sheriff's neck, I growled: 

“Take back what you said to Sabrina. She’s the one who captured Claw. All I did was give her the location.” As enraged as I was by the Sheriff’s comment towards myself, it seemed that what was said towards Sabrina hurt me more.

The Sheriff seemed surprised by my voice. He must have genuinely thought that I was female. There are a few choice words I would use to describe this man, but I will leave them out for the sake of sounding professional. I am trying to avoid reverting to my old habits. The Sheriff squirmed in his seat, glancing down at the blade by his throat every other second.

”I-I didn’t mean nothing by it! I was, uh, just joking?” He said, raising his palms and waving frantically.

Choosing to ignore the Sheriff’s insincerity and lack of proper grammar, I sheathed my sword. After staring angrily at him for a few seconds, not that anyone could tell, I returned to my position behind Sabrina.

“Wow, I never thought you could be so intimidating,” Sabrina whispered to me.

I smothered a laugh. Being intimidating was basically my whole job in my previous life. The cloak certainly dampened the effect, but it looked like I could still scare people into submission. At least, weak-minded people.

”Claw is out front, unconscious in a cart. Can we have the money?” Sabrina said, tapping her foot.

“Hold yer horses. First I needa check if it’s him.” The sheriff stretched and sat up. He pushed back his chair and trotted over to the front door. He looked out and sighed. “It’s him alright.” He walked back and started rummaging inside his desk. “This is what I got.” He thunked a bag of coins down on his desk.

Sabrina walked over, picked up the money, and weighed it in her hands. “This isn’t nearly as much money as the poster promised!”

“Take it or leave it. I don’t got no more.” The Sheriff positioned his feet back on top of his desk. “That’s the rest of the money I was provided by the Governor for the bounty program.”

“Sure, after you took some for your own pockets.” Sabrina scoffed. I began drawing my sword again. Yes, I would often resort to violence when things didn’t go as desired.

Sabrina laid her hand on my arm. “It's no use. He won’t give it to us; he’ll probably lock you up for threatening him twice.”

“Couldn’t I just kill him?” I asked.

“What? No! He’s the sheriff!”

“That’s right, now get outta here, or I’ll have both of you locked up.” The sheriff said smugly.