Ain't No Luck In The Draw

Mouth drier than dust. Fear mixed with midday sun. I’m just about above snakes but it ain’t long.

The Loco opposite looks ethereal, but ain’t nothin’ angelic about him. He’s here to take my town. I’m here to stop him.

I spit. Nothin’ leaves my mouth. My fingers wriggle near my gun. I’m so far from ready.

I hear the shot. My gun hasn’t left the holster yet. The bullet goes through me like a high speed freight train loose on the tracks.

I fall. 

Slowly.

I swear I see palm trees in a distant oasis. I head there, stare into deep blue and turquoise, glistening in the sun.

I gaze at my reflection. ‘You goin’ down in history like this?’

Someone grabs my throat. She’s so beautiful, but baring chiselled teeth. The hue of the water seeps into her skin, leaving a glistening sheen all over her.

‘Hell, no.’ I choke. 

She smiles, slapping my face hard with her tail as she sinks away.

I ain’t dying yet...

I’m falling.

The bullet once through my body accompanied by droplets of my blood, is sucked back into the barrel of his gun.

I’m upright, wriggling my fingers close to the handle of mine. I tap my badge. I prayed the Lord come save us and he did just that.

That mine gave us much more than a Sheriff’s badge though. Our shovels hit metal. Weren’t no metal I’ve ever seen or known and when I touched it...

Well, you ain’t gonna believe so y’all just have to watch.

I blink at the sun, trace his shadow to calculate aim.

I pull. I’m quick.

He falls.

I roll my gun, holster it as I turn towards the saloon.

That tin can futuristic genie gave me three choices.

I choose this one.

Written for microcosms prompt: Mermaid/Spaceship/Western