Universe: OW
Character Focus: Chris
Summary – Response to 1hr fic challenge: “Stick” – epilog to The New Law
Length – 316 words
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Maybe
Marshall Bryce coming to town was a good thing… well, for me, at least. Yeah,
at first I was pissed. Who was this guy, coming into my town, telling us we had
to turn over our guns? Not something I was prepared to do, not then and not
now.
None
of us was happy about it. I’m pretty sure none of us wanted to leave. I know I didn’t
even though I had things I still needed to finish.
I
think I finally stopped cussing Bryce’s name when I got to Purgatory. I
realized that I was finally going to get the answer I needed, the one I’d been
putting off for the last six months. When Maria came with the news that no one
knew who had hired Fowler a weight was lifted that I didn’t know was there.
So,
yeah, I think Bryce coming to town was a good thing. I’m sorry he was killed,
but his presence forced me to do something I’d been putting off. Everyone
assumed I was eager to find out who hired Fowler, I’m sure they were probably
surprised when I didn’t ride off in search of his employer sooner. Buck will
tell you, I’m not a man to give up, once I decide on something, I generally
stick to it.
Truth
is, I was afraid. Afraid I’d find exactly what Maria
told me, that the trail was a dead end. I didn’t want
to leave town in search of the man who hired Fowler because I couldn’t face the
truth that no one knew who had ordered the death of my wife and son.
So,
yeah, I’m glad Marshall Bryce came to town. He allowed me to put that question
to rest and ultimately showed me that I had found a new purpose and people who
would stick by me no matter what.
Rest in peace, Bryce.
The
end
Like
it? Please let me know. Judy