The Stranger

The Stranger

The stranger emerged from the cool cavern, hair slicked to his head with two days desert grime. For the briefest of moments he thought he felt a cool breeze on face, just a mirage like the water he saw. Hopefully the town up ahead was more substantial, grimacing against the heat he strode into the sun.

“You there, woman. I require shelter from this accursed sun, how you people live here is beyond me.”

The young woman stood sentinel on the large rough wooden deck of her simple home shaded from the blistering sun and heat of the day as the stranger strode confidently towards her. She had seen him coming from her window and had been anticipating his arrival with both excitement and trepidation. The town was still, silent but most travelers didn’t notice it as strange. They simply saw the run down shacks and occasional Joshua trees that dotted the landscape and thought no more of its inhabitants. The well in the centre of town lay dormant and dry as dust blew a tumble weed across the sandy street. The desert continually attempting to reclaim the small town. With a wide welcoming smile the young woman beckoned the stranger forward.

“Please, take comfort from my shade.”

His skin was tight and red from long hours exposed in the sun his clothes were dishevelled but she could tell he was a man of wealth, or wanted to be.

Her speech was strange to him and the cadence spoke of a long forgotten time.

“Yes quite. Not much of a town you backwards people have here. Tell me do you at least have some water.”

He strode confidently passed her entering her home uninvited, not before noticing her creamy complexion and young, full features. She took one last look at the defiant sun from the safety of her shade before retreating from it with a wicked smile and following the stranger within. The interior of the house was cool and slightly dark to the stranger's eye, as he assessed the situation he heard her steps behind him.

“The water.” He barked.

She gave a gentle bow of her head, subservient and headed for the kitchen.

Perhaps this place would do just nicely he thought as he looked over the furnishings of his new home. A large fireplace dominated the main room with a two piece sofa and chair positioned around it. Striding over he took the single chair, the soft red velvet covering was a welcome relief after hours walking in that heat. His eyes caught the large bookshelf on the far wall where he noted several first editions and a wide breadth of reading material. As he was considering his next move the young woman reappeared with a glass of not quite clear water.

“It had better not be warm.”

The glass was cool perhaps but definitely not cold. With a sigh he drank the questionable water in reserved sips, his body ached for him to guzzle the glass but first impressions to simple people were important. He would have to set himself as her better. He considered the bookshelf again and a small smile tickled at the corner of his mouth. This would be a fine vacation spot, quiet with good reading and looking towards her statue like figure he considered he would have some very enjoyable company. She recognized the predatory look in the strangers eye as he took her in, it had been some time since she had been looked at in that fashion. She approached the sofa to sit opposite him but he halted her swallowing the last of his water.

“Refill this and you had best get dinner started.”

With another wide smile she bobbed a curtsy took his glass and strode silently back to the kitchen. He smiled widely to himself, this would be easy living. Digging in his pocket he pulled out a .32 revolver, clicking open the cylinder he inspected his situation. Four shots left, he had anticipated the few shots in the bank but those lucky sheriff’s that happened by had not been part of the plan. He had been lucky to kill the first quickly but the second, that man was relentless. He had chased him across the whole desert, even after both their horses died the sheriff still chased. A shiver ran down the mans spine, despite the heat it reminded him how lucky he had been to get the drop on that one, hopefully he was dead. Now if he could just hold out for a few weeks people would think the desert had killed them both and he could return to collect his hard earned prize. The noise of pans being moved around brought his eye to the kitchen door, a small laugh escaped his lips. He had not only got away with the gold but he had found a town where the simple folk did what he asked without any back talk.

The kitchen door opened with a creak.

“Did you say something?” a meek voice asked.

Her bright eyes caught him and he felt the all too familiar lust build in him, his smile turned dark as he spoke.

“No no dear, you just make sure you have dinner ready for me I think I will do a little reading before we eat.”

With that he strode to the bookshelves and began perusing the volumes, his eyes grew wide as he ran his fingers through his dark greasy hair. This woman had several first editions that would be worth a small fortune to the right buyer, and he knew all the buyers. A glace at the kitchen door reassured him that she was busy, if he played this right he could have a pleasant stay and leave with a bonus haul. Puling one such edition from the shelf he blew the dust off the leather binding and examined the book. It was in remarkable condition, probably from the dry heat he considered. Choosing the couch this time he sat back with his dusty boots on one end and began reading.

Peering through the crack next to the door she watched him as he slumped down on her couch and thrust his filthy boots onto the velvet cover, leaving smears of dirt in the fine fabric. It took moments for him to fall asleep and begin a gentle snore. With a nod to herself she considered her options, this stranger had completely taken over her home. Ordering her about as if he were someone of importance, he had been so easily manipulated into taking advantage of the lonely young girl. The low cut to her dress had helped, it usually did with his type but how far did she want to take this. She could have killed him on her porch before he even knew what was happening, but like a cat she enjoyed playing with her food.

Smoothing her skirts she returned to her cooking, she wasn’t a good cook as she had little need to practice but she could produce something that would satisfy him and if things went as she planned he wouldn’t be focused on the food.

She took the time to neatly plate the simple meal, after cleaning up and pulling her dress down ever so slightly she took a deep sigh. Yes, that was just the right amount of bosom to give him. Resuming her dull and docile demeanor she pushed the door open carrying the two plates.

“Your food is ready.” She called loudly to wake him.

“I am so sorry I hadn’t realised you were taking a nap, I could come back later with it.”

She gave him her best abashed smile and the key deep breath.

As he watched her bosom heave he kicked his feet to the floor, dropping the priceless book.

“No, it is fine you have ruined it now.”

He had to gesture to her to make her approach as she stared at the book lying pages bent on the floor. Fire sparked in her eyes, but he had pulled his eyes away from her and was simply waiting for her to bring him his meal. She nearly did it there and then but held restraint, you didn’t make it to her age in this game without restraint and she enjoyed the game. Brandishing the fake smile she walked around to the front of the couch, bending low to hand him his food. He didn’t even glance at the plate as he took it and as she expected gave a firm slap to her behind as she turned to leave. Letting out a small ‘oh’ and a giggle she sheepishly looked over her shoulder at him, this was too easy.

He ate quickly not commenting on the food then wiping his mouth unceremoniously with his hand he sat the plate on the small coffee table and reached for the book. His eyes roamed her as he picked it up and dropped it on the table, hunger still filled him.

“Come join me” he said with what he considered a welcoming and slightly seductive smile.

Delicately dabbing her mouth with a napkin, she slipped over and sat next to him but not too close yet. She could smell his sweat and his lust.

“Tell me, what do you call this town?”

He lay back trying to give off an air of sophistication as he leered at her.

“This is Tophet.” She spoke in a meek voice not meeting his eyes and allowed a small flush to fill her pale cheeks.

He moved ever closer placing a firm grip on her thigh.

“And tell me, do you have a man in this town?”

“em, no sir I am alone”

His hand moved ever higher as she allowed herself to quiver slightly, he would assume it was fear or something but in reality, it was excitement.

Considering for a moment she realised that if he thought her excited and trying to hide it, he may push ahead with what he had in mind. Giving him a sly smile from under her eyes she took a deep breath.

“I see, well it must get very lonely out here.”

He pushed her back against the chair as he spoke, his stale breath on her face. She made a play of resisting him, his type liked that sort of thing. He forced harder against her protests, groping and pressing his face into her neck and chest.

She whispered delicately in his ear “You should have asked where everyone else was.”

He froze as the roles reversed and she pinned him to the other side of the couch with unnatural strength and speed. His face fell pale as she straddled him holding him firm and laughing, her head curled back to the celling. As it fell forward to him, he saw her teeth for the first and last moment.

Bang, Bang, Bang. Three shots rang out as a bloody figure stood sentinel in the doorway. Gold sheriff's badge catching the last of the dieing sun.