CHARLIE and ZEKE: OUTLAWS

do right by doing right

Charlie and Zeke

It happened! It actually took place!

At long last, a glorious sunset. Cloud, Sky, and Sun all played their roles, and the show was extraordinary.

Charlie said, nudging Zeke and nodding towards their mounts. That was sure a goodun.

“We better git odda here before they see our faces and put the drop on us.” Charlie went on. “C’mon step lively now, step lively.” encouraged Charlie. Charlie knew that being wanted in three states did not give them much leisure time like this one. He had a tickle that this would go badly.

Reaching their horses, they mounted up and headed out of town.

Now, wouldn’t you know it, a fella named Cody McNeal threw open the salon doors and watched as the wanted men trotted straight down Main Street, pretty as you tickle? Well, I’ll show them guys my name is Cody, Cody McNeal. Cody drew his gun and bounding off the sidewalk, he ran after the men, shooting and shouting. All of Cody’s shots missed and his shouts fell on deaf ears.

The Sheriff was in the office, feet up and looking at wanted posters and having a cup of coffee. Cody came through the door and almost fell. Gasping for air, Cody got out. “My name is Cody. Cody McNeal. I saw them. I saw them.” then he collapsed. The Sheriff rushed around the desk and knelt beside Cody. Lifting his head, he let a few sips drop into Cody’s mouth.

Cody came too, “My name is Cody. Cody McNeal.” were his first words when he came back amongst the living. The Sheriff asked, “Who son? Who did you see? Cody talk to me.” Cody was awake and sitting up by himself. He pointed to a poster and said, “Them, I saw those two riding out of town about 15 minutes now.”

Charlie and his sidekick Zeke were heading West into the mountains where for years they would work the forest for their food, shelter and a hiding place.

Charlie and Zeke rode through the night, putting as much distance between themselves and the town as possible. They didn't talk much, both men lost in their own thoughts. Charlie couldn't shake the feeling that they were being followed. He kept glancing over his shoulder, but all he saw was the darkness of the night. They finally made camp just before dawn, setting up a small fire to cook a meager meal of beans and bacon.

As they ate, Charlie brought up the fact that they needed to be more careful in the future. Zeke agreed, but he also pointed out that it wasn't like they could just stop being outlaws overnight. They had been on the run for years, and it wasn't something that could just be undone. They needed to come up with a plan, and fast.

The next few days were tense, with both men constantly on the lookout for any sign of pursuit. They heard rumors of a posse forming in the town they had just left, but they were never able to spot any riders on their trail. They continued to make their way deeper into the mountains, eventually coming across a small cabin that had been abandoned.

It was the perfect place to lay low for a while, and they set about fixing it up, making it livable again. Charlie hunted for food, while Zeke worked on the roof and walls. They settled into a routine, with Charlie heading out each day to scout the area and see if they were still being followed.

As the weeks passed, they began to relax a bit. The posse seemed to have given up the chase, and they were finally able to breathe a bit easier. They started to talk about their next move, wondering if they should try to make it to Mexico, or if it was finally time to turn themselves in and face the consequences of their actions.

One day, as Charlie was out hunting, he came across a small group of travelers who were making their way West. They were a friendly bunch, and Charlie couldn't help but be drawn to them. They invited him to join them, and he found himself telling them about his and Zeke's situation.

To his surprise, they were understanding and sympathetic. They told him that they had been in similar situations before, and that sometimes the best thing to do was to face the music and make amends for your past mistakes. They offered to help him and Zeke turn themselves in, promising to do everything in their power to ensure that they received a fair trial.

Charlie rode back to the cabin with a heavy heart, knowing that he would have to break the news to Zeke. But as it turned out, Zeke was one step ahead of him. He had come to the same conclusion, and was ready to do what was right.

The two men made their way back to the town, where they surrendered themselves to the Sheriff. They were put on trial, and the evidence against them was overwhelming. They were both found guilty, and sentenced to ten years in prison.

It was a difficult time for both men, but they used their time behind bars to reflect on their lives and the mistakes they had made. They also formed strong bonds with their fellow prisoners, who were all in the same boat.

After serving their time, they were released and found that the world had changed a bit. They were older and wiser, but also a bit lost. They eventually made their way back to the cabin in the mountains, where they lived out the rest of their days in peace and solitude.