A long way to run

It only takes time. In time everything gets better, but he'd been running too long. Running from the law was a thing he was used to. As a traveller, it didn't bother him. A rolling stone gathers no moss. It was a lifestyle that suited him and only him. The years were aging him now: he felt it in his bones. The cold weather wasn't helping. Snow falling; snow crunching under his boot's.

Betty, his black mare was his only true companion. She had followed this outlaw everywhere. Even now in this snowy forest on the edge of nowhere. She was happy to be led. Unlike her master, she was younger and still had hope.

It was only supposed to be an 'easy job'. No one was to be hurt. Some things in life never turn out how you would imagine them to. Sometimes it turns out better, sometimes worse. This time was worse than anyone could imagine. You could say many things about the outlaw, but he was no killer. He disregarded his own life and didn't care much for others, but he could never bring himself to take the life of another. Money was something he needed badly. Travelling wasn't cheap although he was not wasteful. Crooks had assured him this was an easy one. No problem he had said. We get in and do it fast. Now Crooks was left dead in that town along with two others. What a waste the outlaw had thought and all for fifty dollars.

As bad as the visibility was with snow falling all around him and the sunlight slowly dying. The outlaw knew he was being followed. He had done jobs before where he had to make a getaway. He was used to slipping away. Moving from place to place. Hiding out in caves. The towns had never suited him anyway. It was too dangerous to ride Betty because of the uneven landscape and snow. Their pace wasn't very fast there would be little chance of escape. With three dead you don't just expect to get away that easily, but regardless his pursuer was relentless. Following him to the mountains was nothing short of suicidal.

The forest came to a clearing with a shiny ice pool dead ahead of the outlaw and Betty. He knew it was here from his experience of the countryside. 'Dead mire pond' is what they called it, although it was rather large for a pond. They both came to a stop and could do nothing, but stare. It didn't matter how much danger they were in. The landscape was still ever so beautiful. Beyond the large pond were more snow cover pines and beyond that, the tall peak of the mountain reared up. Most city folks would never get to see this the outlaw thought. That was some relief to him at least that he got to experience nature. True wilderness and nature. Looking back he should have found a cabin out here. It would have been a hard life, but an easier life than mixing with other folks. They had brought him nothing but trouble and he had in return brought upon them trouble in an equal capacity.

The outlaw feared the rope, but he did not fear death. Death was a way out and an ending. The rope was something of an ending, but it also meant that he would be judged. He could not stand that. The ice was his destiny. He would rather take a chance with nature than face the folk from the city. His mind was made up before he even had to think about it.

He let go of the reigns of Betty, his trusty companion. He would face this alone and besides, she was a beautiful horse. She would have been a terrible waste if the ice were to break and she was lost into the darkness. Taking the first step onto the ice the outlaw was cautious. In his haste, he had almost forgotten to unload some of the extra weight he was still carrying. He couldn't ditch his heavy clothes as if he did he would likely freeze to death if he made it. The only thing that was worthless to him was his gun. A revolver strapped to his waist. It was unloaded already as he had emptied it soon after the job had gone wrong. He tossed the grey metallic weapon back onto the bank and it sank beneath the white snow. Good riddance he thought. It was good for him to be free of the thing. He scurried across the ice as fast as he dared. In truth, he didn't care if he made it or not. It was just his survival instinct that drove him on and on.

He took one look back and saw his beloved Betty just standing there on the bank. Next to her was the lawman; His smile was visible and his hat has black as sin.