He Goes On All Fours - A Western Monster Romance

The Dark Man's Curse

Colt sat on the edge of the armchair, glancing around the darkened room with an uneasy smile frozen on his lips. He couldn't help but stare at the different animal heads mounted on the walls surrounding him. The young Townsend had never been close to such enormous creatures before. It almost made him feel like they were staring into his soul behind those dead, glassy eyes.

"I apologize if they make you uncomfortable," Charles suddenly commented, reminding the other that he, too, was present. Colt shook his head immediately, trying to conceal the uncomfortable pause he had created between them. Prior to his sudden silence, his host had stated that his wife would be with them shortly. She had other matters to attend to at the moment but knew that they would be there. The man, in the meantime, invited his guest into his dining room, allowing the other to relish in the rich decor. Colt did admire everything there, but he just felt something was off. And it wasn't because he was surrounded by dead animals.

"I'm sorry. I've just never been invited to such a place. It does suit you." Colt smiled, turning back to his companion. The other was looking at him with a strange empty....somewhat dark gaze. It caused the young man to break away and seat himself further back to avoid any awkward talk.

"My father has talked much about having a buffalo mounted over our fireplace. There haven't been much hunters around here, though. I suppose you are the first."

"Your father doesn't hunt?"

"No, he doesn't. He's too busy caught up in town affairs to leave it in my hands for even a moment."

Colt laughed, though Charles remained serious. He plucked a small knife resting on a table to the side, turning it around with a hypnotized look.

"Yes. Your father does seem like the type to be roaming around Graveflat for eternity. But I've seen it, you see," Charles tapped the tip of his knife directly on his temple, furrowing his eyebrows together.

"That same exact look. I've seen it in your father's eyes just as I've seen it in mine. Every time I look in the mirror. He and I are not so different."

Colt didn't know what to say, confused by the conversation until the other continued. Charles tossed the knife aside and smiled again, gently patting both sides of his armrest with amusement, "You should tell him he should join me on my next hunt. You're invited, of course."

"No, thank you. Killing is not in my blood."

"...No. You don't look like the type. What a shame."

Colt rolled his eyes slightly as the other gave him a playful wink. As if in cue, a soft knock arose from behind a shut door just off to the right of them. Charles gave a loud 'Come in' before straightening up and fixing his attire. He stood from his chair and so did Colt, watching as his host greeted a rather beautiful woman in a gorgeous red gown. Her dark hair was pulled up in a loose bun and though Colt felt a little intimidated being near such a beauty, he was mostly jealous. In his mind, he couldn't help but think that Ezekiel was once enamored with that woman. He must have held her, kissed her, slept with her....

"I apologize for dragging you away from your place, but there is a matter of urgency that must be discussed."

Colt immediately pulled away from his thoughts as Emma latched on to his hand with a soft but gentle squeeze. He felt her worry and insecurity suddenly pass over to him, causing the poor man to start to panic.

"What's going on. Is Ezekiel alright?"

Emma nodded, but she still seemed tense. "Yes. Well...as fine as one can be. He didn't want to leave, Colt. He really wished he didn't, but he couldn't risk it. He told me y'all had a conversation about your father and Jesús. He knew you wouldn't believe him and didn't wish to disturb you any further."

The woman stopped speaking as her voice faded away. She couldn't look Colt in the eyes as she took her husband's hand, as if to prepare herself for what she was about to say next. Colt noticed the sudden apprehension and feared for what was to come. He almost pleaded with the woman, suddenly grasping on to her other hand without any thought.

"Please, tell me," He implored, and as she spoke he felt his hold loosen.

"Ezekiel told me about coming into Graveflat. Who sent him and for what purpose. He-he told me about how you two met. How he grew fond of you...and then he found out about your mother." Emma braced herself, but she held the young man's gaze and watched as the light left his eyes.

"He knew of your family years prior, but he didn't know of you. When he...cursed your family...he didn't expect it to affect her so heavily, and therefore affect you. It was supposed to be a curse upon your father-."

Colt took many steps back, shaking his head as he tried to decipher what she was talking about.

Her? Did she mean his mother? What about her? She had died from an illness...not a....a...curse?

"What are you saying? Spit it out!"

Charles intervened, shielding his wife from the angry gentleman despite her protests. She wanted to tell him everything and how Ezekiel should not be blamed, but the poor boy had just found out his mother had died because of Ezekiel. And he would eventually perish as well from that same man.

Colt stared up at Charles with a deep sadness, tears blurring his vision as he wiped away the pain. He couldn't believe Ezekiel had killed his mother. He couldn't believe Ezekiel would kill him also. No. That was impossible. Ezekiel cared for him, he was there for him, he was his friend.

Memories of their last kiss sprung up, but the good feelings involved with it had dissipated. Instead he felt revulsion, guilt, anger.

"No...he didn't run away because he wanted to respect my wishes and leave my father and I alone. He ran because he was a coward. He couldn't tell me face to face what he had done," The young man was now fuming, and he was unfortunately projecting his anger at the only one he could lay his eyes on.

"I suppose you and your wife are on that bastards side. Killed my mother and now I'm soon to be dead as well. Makes no difference, does it? Bet you'd all have a laugh and spit on the Townsend graves after we've all been murdered."

Charles grabbed a sudden hold of the man's collar, which caused Emma to finally break the two of them up. She angrily shoved her husband away, looking back at Colt with a soft and tender expression. She could tell he was hurt and shocked, but yet could offer no comfort.

"He does care for you. If he knew you now he would never have done what he did."

Colt didn't want to hear another word out of her mouth. He straightened his wrinkled shirt and stood up tall, looking around the place as a single tear rolled down his eye.

"I leave you with your dead things."

And he left the residence without a single look back.