Prompt:

In the sweltering heat of a desert town, a young woman encounters a boorish stranger needing help. Despite his rude demeanor, she offers him shelter from the unforgiving sun. As the day progresses, they both learn that first impressions aren’t always accurate.

Entry:

- Thank you Alice, have a nice day. – Said a beautiful brown haired woman attaching her goods to her imposing horse.

- See ya, be careful passing through old Bridgehood never know watcha find there. – The merchant replied smiling.

- The old Bridgehood town – she sighed – The filthy place where Paul died. I hate it. If only our ranch wasn’t on the other side right carrot? – Even the horse sighed sadly remembering his beloved deceased owner.

The sweat running through her face and the horse constant neighing was making her quite angry; cursing that boiling hot morning as the deserted town of Old Bridgehood grew ever closer on every stride. There is was, sitted on top of a small mount, there was no more to find apart from the remains of old wooden buildings and small dunes of piled sand set on a mysterious old West scenery.

- Still a way home carrot. Should we rest a bit?

His slow pace and the long tongue out was an obvious request, begging her to search for a good shadow and a bit of water. No more than 10 minutes had passed when she stood up to leave. That quiet, mysterious place gave her goosebumps, and the horse, despite tired, stood always up, alert on his surroundings.

- Let’s go Carrot; time to leave. Just remembering that night when John died alone, fighting to defend this unworthy place, makes me sick. This town didn’t deserve him at all.

On an anxious pace, the horse trotted back to the main road that divided the dusty city, suddenly stopping, almost dropping the groceries.

- What’s wrong?

The horse pointed with his head to a man lying dehydrated on a door step. Dressed in the perfect stereotype of an old cowboy, the old grey beard man wore a peculiar rude gaze on his eyes when she first approached. With the pride of a warrior, he politely refused any help from that girl; although a little water and a couple words compelled the man to follow her home, promising to find a way to repay his debt.

Not a word was spoken the whole way to Dusty Ridge ranch, the proud name of her property. It was a traditional two story high wooden building, a silo and a stable where several cows laid hiding from the sun. Sitted on the porch, they ate the meal she cooked as both satisfied and frustrated the man once again promised on god to repay that debt.

- I will be taking the cattle to the river to refresh, will y…

- Please Mrs., let me help you – He interrupted, putting his hat on.

With the lady commanding at the front and the man following behind, they quickly drove the cows downwards to the nearby river, sitting under a big tree to rest. His eyes, staring at the water still looked very rude when compared to the innocence of hers; however, as strange as it may look his were the first words to break that ice cold silence.

- Thank you again for saving me.

- It was nothing. But please, tell me why would a man like you would be lying half dead on a place like that.

He hesitated for a moment but continued

- Your kindness saved my life, you deserve the truth. That town is called Old Bridgehood, do you know its history? – He asked stopping his eyes on hers waiting for an answer.

- My dear husband died on that place three years ago on a full moon night.

- I am sorry to hear that. On which side was him if you mind me asking?

- Side? My husband was born on that town; that’s why he fought for it with his life

- Hmm, do you maybe not know what happened that night? – She looked confused, waiting for the explanation.

- Calceros e Puestres, two of the worst gangs to ever walk these lands. The control over the old town; a strategic point on the fight against the colonizers both the gang leaders and the indigenous people had the government as their target. The gangs with a will to create chaos; the indigenous, a valid yet impossible dream to reclaim their land. On that dark night, important figures of the government were secretly staying in Old Bridgehood, preparing a final attack against the indigenous tribes of the area. I’m afraid your husband might have been, just like me, another grain of sand, lost in the middle of an ocean of fire. – She didn’t say anything, letting a tear wash by.

- When the fight broke out, both my wife and daughter were sleeping at home. There was nowhere to run. They were breaking into houses. Setting fire to everything; and shooting dead anyone they laid their eyes on. I was still working Mrs., in a desperate struggle I fought my way home but failed. Two bullets had already pierced through their skulls. For years I ran, killed and pledged for revenge against the world; no more. There is nothing to gain in revenge but a small burst of fake and unfulfilling happiness so I live for them. Every month I lay on the remains of my old house to spend a night with my beloved family. I’m sorry for you loss Mrs. I think your husband too had only you on his mind during his last goodbye.

The woman cried quietly and even Carrot, unaware of his words had a sad look in his big eyes.

- So, my husband was killed because of senseless interests?

- I’m sorry to say it but life is not always fair.

- Fair! – She said standing with a finger pointed at him – You said you had to repay your debt. Help me. Help me burn it at all down.

- Burn, burn what?

- The entire town, help me, only that way I will consider your debt paid. – She said with a decided stare.

- I can’t do… Actually, I don’t want to but I as a man I keep my word. I’ll help you with one condition. – He said standing up too – My house remains!

- Deal.

They shook hands and hopped on their horses gathering the cattle back to the ranch. The sun was starting to set down when they left the house behind with gasoline on Carrot and water on the man’s horse. Not a single word was said the entire way to Old Bridgehood such was the determination of both.

- Help me water my house and then do it.

- Sure!

Dropping a couple buckets of water on top of the house was enough, grabbing which one two gallons of gasoline they spread it through the entire town, leaving a line right up to the entrance.

- Are you sure about this Mrs., revenge won’t bring you anything.

- Enough! You know very well what revenge gives you.

- Then I shall be off, please take the horse with you as I will be together with family on this one. I will signal you when I’m ready.

They shook hands once more and the man walked away turning into the city. She waited for the signal but the man returned.

- Did you miss anything sir?

- Yeah, I did. – Getting ever closer to her, the woman felt anxious at every step although if there was another human being on these planet she could trust, it strangely was that man. A couple inches away he stopped, suddenly hugged her and set off, retuning again.

- Thank you for saving my life, but please let me do it with you.

With the matches on his hand he lit up the small flame, passing the burning match to her. Looking at that red and yellow flame as it made its way down to the gasoline line, she blushed. No more than a few seconds were enough for the small flame to transform into a massive wave indulging Old Bridgehood for good as they galloped away.

End 

As always thanks for reading and leave a comment on what you think.