Nico rode for many weeks and months taking his time not wanting to draw attention to himself or his vendetta. He rode until he reached the small town of Azreal which laid five days east of Brooks. Azreal, a town that was ruled not by law but by the Christian Church and the people believed strongly in the church and the bible. It was a town that didn’t take too kindly to strangers or drifters, especially ones that bare visible scares of long hair, basically anyone who didn’t look like them. As he rode past the shops and taverns to an inn for a rest Nico could feel the eyes of everyone upon him.

“Fucking town.” Nico thought to himself as he dismounted his horse tying her to a post outside the inn.

Climbing the three stairs to enter the inn a middle-aged woman kindly said, “I will be right with you.” as she finished putting some items away. “Now what can I do for you? Oh, my fucking ….!” Shouting loud enough for all to hear, startled by his appearance.

From the moment she screamed Nico realized he would find no rest in this place. “Sorry madam. You won’t have to look at me anymore.” Nico coldly spoke as he turned to leave.

“No, wait a moment.”

“What?” Nico abruptly asked, infuriated by both her and the town,

“I’m sorry young man. You just caught me off guard. Now please come back inside and let’s get you sorted out.” she apologized as she walked from behind the counter grabbing his hand stopping him from leaving the inn.

“It’s how I look, right?” Nico spoke as he wiped his brow. “I’ve been riding for days. Mamm that’s why I’m dirty and unshaved.”

Nico rubbed the stubble on his face as she softly smiled at how polite this dirty disheveled young man is.

The woman smiled at him unable to take her eyes off his face especially his scars. Just as she was about to speak the town sheriff ran in with his shotgun in hand poised and ready to fire.

“You! Hands in the air! Rosile are you alright?” the sheriff commanded Nico.

Before he could react Rosile shouted “Sheriff put that gun away! I am perfectly fine. I was only startled for a moment. Nothing else.” She tried to explain.

“Turn around boy!”

Nico slowly turned around showing not only his face but that he was unarmed as he gradually raised his hands.

“Put your hands down son. The sheriff sighed looking at Nico. “Tell me who are you and why are you here?

Slowly he put his hands down as he looked around to see a gathering crowd. “Nico Samuel Gage. I only came here seeking a rest and a bath. I obviously made a mistake. So don’t worry I will leave this fucking town.”

Both Rosile and the sheriff were startled by his flipped manner and disregard for authority perhaps even for the people too. As the sheriff looked into Nico’s eyes, he could see that this was not the first time something like this had happened and perhaps there was more to this young man then he looks.

“No, you don’t have to leave, Gage. I apologize – I just never seen someone like you. Someone who is this tall.”

“Sure, you are really talking about this scar you can’t stop staring at.” Nico spoke brashly. “I got it in an accident several months ago as for my height, hair and everything else I am who I am. So, deal with it and leave me alone.”

“Don’t cause any trouble and we will be fine.” The sheriff muttered to himself as he walked away dispersing the crowd. Though not all left as they wanted to get a look at the strange drifter.

“Am I still allowed a room? Nico asked Rosile, rolling his eyes at her.

“Yes, you are. Now don’t give me any attitude boy!”

“Yes, madam.”

“Good, how ask me again.”

Taking his time, answering her wanting to calm himself before aggravating her any further. After a tense few moments he asked once again. “I’m sorry, mama. It has been a rough week for me. I’ve barely eaten let alone slept because I have run out of the last two towns. All because of what I look like. Miss Rosile may I please have a room.?”

Smiling gently, Rosile replied “Thank you Mr. Gage. Yes, you may have a room.”

“I can ….”

“You see like you I am not from here and unlike the people here I like to give people a chance. Unlike people I am not religious. Now nevertheless you are not stepping one foot inside a room.”

“Why!?”

“Looking like that, you’re absolutely filthy.” Rosile joked as she gently tapped his shirt and let loose some of the trail dust into the air.

“It’s Nico, you can call me Nico and thanks.” Nico smiled back at her.

“Come with me.”

Nico followed her to the inn’s baths where she started to make him a bath. As she heated the water she watched at how stoic and quiet he was as he leaned against the vanity holding onto his saddle bags with a death grip. As if he was hiding something, what she didn’t know even though her curiosity was growing, she continued to stare as she finished his bath.

“There you go. Take your time Nico and relax. Don’t worry about your horse I will have her stabled.” Rosile softly spoke as she closed the door, yet she did not leave. Instead, she knelt to look through the keyhole watching to see what he was hiding.

Rosile watched as he slowly began to undress unaware of her spying. As he removed his shirt, she saw just what he was hiding the sight of his back took her breath away. Many thoughts ran through her head to how he got his scars each thought immediately went to torture by savages or perhaps prison. She walked back to her desk realizing that perhaps that is why he was so hostile towards both her and the sheriff. As hard as she tried to go about her work the thought of Nico’s scars continued to haunt her. Though she tried to hide it Rosile couldn’t help but feel sorry for him, always in defense from people around him.

While she sat pondering about him and his past Nico himself was finally relaxed in the hot bath, washing away the dirt from his body and hair. For half an hour he relaxed and washed until all was gone and only his clean skin and hair remained. He carefully got out of the bath and dried off wrapping the towel around his waist as his body dried off, he shaved off his beard revealing his youthful get scared face. It took a long time but, in the end, he accepted all that had happened as part of who he is.

Dressing in the last of his clean clothes and putting his long hair back no longer caring about his scar even though others found it disturbing. Leaving the room, he walked up to Rosile who stood unaware behind her tall yet small desk, her back turned towards him as she looked down at her guestbook still distracted by thoughts of his back.

“Thank you for the bath.”

“Hmmm …” Rosile hummed as she turned around.

The second her eyes looked at him her breath seemed to disappear and never did she expect the shaggy dirty man from earlier to be so handsome and have distinguish features. “Oh, my you’re beautiful.”

“Ummm … thank you. Look I know its late but is there a place I could get something to eat.”

“Hm … oh yes. The tavern across the road.” Rosile replied composing herself still in awe of his appearance, forgetting all about his scars for now.

“Thanks, I’ll get my key when I get back.”

“Leave your things with me for I’ll put them in your room.” Rosile smiled as he hesitantly handed over his saddlebags before walking out of the room. “Nico wait...”

“What?” he asked stopping halfway down the stairs.

“I need to warn you about the people here.”

Shaking his head as he stepped back up the stairs “I don’t understand?’

“As I said before the people here are very religious and because of that they perceive people to look and act a certain way.” Rosile started to say gently, putting his saddle bags down. “The scar you bear on your brow frightens them so too does your appearance. They will stare at you. Women will hide their children’s eyes, and the men will guard their women. All because you are not like them … just ignore them I have too every day. I’ve lived here for years and yet they still see me as a harlot. Be careful and watch your back.”

Saying not a word he simply nodded and walked towards the tavern heeding her advice it still didn’t take long to see she was telling the truth. Walking across the road women hid their children even though the small boys still tried to get a look at him. Men would take their women, so they were nestled by their sides protecting them from the evil they view him to be. Even though it was only a two-minute walk it felt like an eternity but for him he just rolled his eyes. Walking into the tavern he felt their eyes on him following his every move even when their talking stopped their eyes didn’t. Sitting himself down by the window, the sheriff who was following close behind took a seat far from him yet close enough to keep an eye on him.

At first no one would serve him for all were apprehensive until a young woman came to him. She tried not to stare yet she had to, though it was kinder and more polite instead of forsaking, however she was still nervous towards him. As she took his order the young woman couldn’t take her eyes off his seeing a beauty in them. Coming back with his food and drink, placing them in front of him as she took a seat next to him.

“Hello.” She softly spoke quite joyfully as he started to eat. “Aren’t you going to say Hello back.”

“Hello.” Nico coldly replied.

“That’s better … I guess. I didn’t mean to bother you, but you look like you need a friend.” The young blue eyes blond haired woman spoke.

Leaning back into his chair Nico shrugged “Aren’t you afraid of me?”

“Yes, but even though you look like a demon there’s something in your eyes. Like you are protected by the angels.”

“What’s your name?”

“Joy, Joy LeVelle.” She quickly replied.

“Joy, I’m Nico.” Nico introduced himself taking a sip of tea.

“Nico, that’s unusual. Is it short for something.”

Though it was a harmless question Nico refused to answer, instead he changed the subject. Asking questions about the town and its history. As they talked the sheriff kept his eyes on Joy grasping his mug tighter and tighter as Joy was his daughter. One that he cherished greatly since her mother’s death. As they talked Nico could feel the sheriffs’ eyes burning a hole through him.

“Is the sheriff your father?” Nico asked leaning over to Joy.

“How did you know?”

“Because he is staring at us (pointing to the sheriff). It’s obvious that you are related.” Nico bluntly spoke as he left some coins on the table leaving the tavern and Joy abruptly.

Joy was taken aback by his attitude towards not only her father but to her. Yet what infuriated her the most was how he didn’t take advantage of her. She watched as Nico walked back into the inn and, far from sight once she could no longer see him Joy left the table and went to her father’s table.

“You know what father he never made any passes at me.”

“Really?” the sheriff said rather surprised since most sought his daughter’s arms. “Perhaps he is just tired, love.”

“I hope so …” Joy sighed seductively.

Getting up the sheriff whispered into her ear, “Have a good night love.” He looked back at his daughter as he went back to his office where he could watch the inn and Nico.

All this never bothered Nico because he was fast asleep the moment his head touched the pillow. As he slept the town began to quiet down for the night, the storekeeper blew out the candles and locked their doors while the families headed home for the night. Every family couldn’t stop talking about the tall stranger that rode into town, each person had varying ideas as to who and what he was. Some saw him as a demon from hell while others believed he escaped from savages. The stories grew until the truth was clouded by fanciful tales even the children talked about him. Giving him a nickname – Scarface.

While most of the town began to turn in for the night one did not – Joy. Dressing herself in only a corset and pantaloons covered in a black cloak she made her way across the road towards the inn. Walking around to the back of the inn and up the stairs to the third floor where Nico slept.

Joy quietly walked to each door listening for movement stopping at the fifth door – Nico’s door. Though locked, Joy was able to open the door, having stolen Rosile’s spare key a few years ago. Slowly she crept into the room with only a candle to light her way until she stood no more than a foot from him. Quietly she began to remove her cloak and softly sat down on his bed watching Nico sleep. She watched for a few moments, wanting so much to touch him to feel him, Joy placed her hand on his leg.

“What the fuck!” Nico shouted, waking up from her touch, somewhat dazed and confused.

“Shhh …it’s just me darling.” Joy seductively spoke as she rubbed his leg moving further into the candlelight. “I want to pick up where we left off in the tavern. Before my father interrupted us.”

Blinking several times, he started to clearly see Joy in the light leaning before him. “Joy … what the fuck are you doing.”

“Don’t worry, I don’t bite.” Joy smiled as she leaned in closer. “Unless you want me too.”

Backing away off the other side of the bed tying his shirt, Nico shouted at Joy. “Get the fuck out of here!”

“Why? Don’t you want to have some fun?” Joy sexually crawled towards Nico.

“Get the fuck out here, you whore!”

“Don’t you want to fuck me?”

Leaning down into her until he was in her face looking like he was wanting to kiss her, Joy closed her eyes waiting for a kiss, feeling like she won. Instead, what she got was a cold emotionless voice in her ear. “No … now get the fuck out of my bed.”

“Fine!” Joy furiously shouted at Nico, grabbing her cloak. “This won’t be the last you see of me you freak.”

Nico watched as she slammed his door and walked across the street and into her home. “Fucking whore.” He sighed, shaking his head in disgust as he locked his door. Just as he was about to go back to bed, he placed a chair under the door handle to prevent further intruders while he slept.

As he went back to a relatively peaceful sleep once again, Joy was still fuming over him. Throwing her clothes and trinkets around her bedroom letting go of all her rage and fury. The sounds echoed throughout the house, waking up her father as one of the objects hit their shared wall. With all the noise he did not say a word, assuming it to be one of her fits. Falling back asleep, the sheriff had no idea what Joy was doing in her room. Her rage had turned inward plotting and planning her revenge on him – one that he would never forget. Planning until the early morning hours when she fell asleep at her vanity.

Few hours later her father found her asleep with her head upon her journal filled with notes and various scenarios and a name written repeatedly – Nico. Not wanting to disturb her he gently put a blanket on her and quietly left. Before he began his daily routine, he had one stop to make first – Nico.