The Bones of the Matter

This is the next installment in The ShambElla Saga. We've learned Colt's secret, and now the companions prepare for their journey into Hell.

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The Bones of the Matter

The companions were huddled around the EYEGOONS when the scene faded to black.

They all backed away and turned to look at Colt.

The skeleton let its jaw drop open and then fall to the ground. Then it put its hands on its nonexistent stomach and shook its shoulders as if laughing.

Sam picked up the jawbone. Colt reattached it and gave Sam a thumbs up.

“So Doose the Ghost is Colt the Skeleton!”

Colt held up its right index finger and then pointed to itself. The only one.

“And these are your friends, from The Rusty Barrel?”

The other goons gathered around Colt and gave the all-horn salute.

“There’s so many things I wanna ask you,” Sam said, but the skeletons all pointed to the place where their throats used to be. No vocal chords. Colt shrugged. And what does it matter now?

“Should we call you Colt or Doose?”

Colt pointed at the horseshoe on its shirt. Colt will do.

“How can we ever repay you?”

Colt shook its head side to side and waved away the notion, then pointed at each companion in turn, and then pointed at the path ahead. You don’t. We just keep going. It pulled the finger back and shot it forward again with more emphasis. We end this! We pay it forward!

With that all the companions, the goons and the humans, moved into a circle. They leaned down on one knee, stacking hands upon hands. David came last, adding a paw and a mew of approval.

All for one. One for all.

They turned in for the night with a lot on their mind, but they had no trouble sleeping, for their hearts were at peace.

***** * *****

For an introduction to the art and wisdom of Doug Hoppes, check out my review of and links to the Shadowmyths site. Buy a print from this guy! Support a real artist in this wasteland of AI!

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