Midnight. The criminals snored and shifted in their seats. Smelly Jack was having a difficult time drifting off seeing as how he was chained to two of his brother-cousins. Slade and Gunther were outside on the porch. The oldest Knox was fast asleep. The two younger Knoxes were locked in a heated debate about whether or not Jesse James was an outlaw or a hero.
Joe walked to the pulpit, which Miles was using as a desk to draw his latest masterpiece.
“Are we leaving?” the boy asked.
Joe answered his son’s question with a question. “I’m that obvious?”
“I can smell your fear,” Miles replied without looking up. This time he was working on a pirate ship, complete with sails, masts, cannons, and little pirates on deck.
“You don’t smell so brave either,” Joe said. “I don’t know anyone who could at a time like this.”
“Should we go now or in the morning?” Miles asked.
“Neither,” Joe answered. “I gave my word I’d help watch these men until their trial and a man’s only as good as his word. As soon as that’s over, we’ll be moving on.”
“That’s too bad,” Miles said. “The people are nice.”
“I reckon,” Joe said.
“Mr. Beauregard’s funny,” Miles said. “The Marshal doesn’t talk much. Why do you think that is?”
“I don’t know,” Joe said. “Maybe his mother taught him that if he can’t think of something nice to say about someone then he shouldn’t say anything at all. He probably met too many people who fit the bill.”
“Where will we go?” Miles asked.
“Thought about down Mehico way but I hate the heat. Canada will suit us fine.”
Miles looked up from his artwork. “Pa, shouldn’t we just outright tell them?”
Joe chuckled. “Son, people talk a good game about ghosts and goblins and things that go bump in the night but seeing is believing. Unfortunately for most folk, by the time they see it and believe it, it’s already too late.”
“What do you think the Legion is up to?” Miles asked.
“No good.”
“Duh,” Miles said. “But what?”
“No clue. But it’s big. Bigger than anything they’ve ever tried before.”
“Shouldn’t we help?” Miles asked.
“No,” Joe said. “We’ve done our part. And we’ve already lost too much.”
Bookshelf Battle 
Duh? – seriously? This isn’t even the 1880’s let alone the 1980’s. Watch your dialogue.
Eh. There are a few spots where I try to make a joke with a wink to the reader. There was a part in the beginning where the Chief is like, “Shut up dumbass I’m trying to curse you here!” He probably wouldn’t say that but it’s funny.
There isn’t a joke related to the duh though so it could probably go.
I’m not trying to go all the way like Blazing Saddles or A Million Ways to Die In The West but unfortunately I can’t help but put humor in
It really breaks the flow. Shut Up Dumbass are words that have been in use for a long time. Duh is recent.
Reblogged this on Bookshelf Battle and commented:
Joe and Miles really know what the telegrams are about. Explanation as to why they don’t tell anyone, because who would believe them?
I believe I will change this to Joe knowing an organized zombie invasion is on the way, perhaps it is something Blythe has long planned and he knew about from his days as a henchman