You say Murder, I say Revenge

They had been walking for several hours now. Alex couldn’t help but miss her horse, Misty. It had been a long time since she had to walk any great distance on her own two feet. She also missed Misty carrying her supplies. The straps of the rucksack that Alex carried were digging into her shoulders. She was sure that she’d have bruises and blisters there come night fall.

As if sensing her fatigue, Glottack called for a rest. He brought them to a small clearing that had a stream running through it. While the centaur readied their light noon meal, Alex headed toward the stream to wash up. Upon seeing her reflection in the water, she chuckled to herself. Her hair had come loose from its braid and stuck out in odd directions, her face was covered in a thick layer of dust, even her hat was a mess. ‘No wonder these creatures thought I was a threat, I look like a crazed woman.’ She proceeded to wash up and redo her hair.

Sitting down in the grass across from the centaur, Alex took her bread and cheese and ate hungrily. She was startled when Glottack broke the silence to speak to her. “I’ve not seen a human that dresses in such clothing.”

Alex smiled at this, “Well, we’re even ‘cause I’ve never seen a horse with a human body and head.” .

“Do all humans dress as you where you come from?” he asked rather curiously.

Alex again smiled, amused by his interest in her. “The men do and a few of the women folk.”

“What do the women mostly wear?”

She found his questioning rather odd but enjoyed the light-hearted conversation all the same. “Long, heavy dresses”

“Why do you wear these things if they are not common to women?” He looked at her and was startled by her simple beauty. ‘She is pretty for a human,’ he thought to himself.

“When I was younger, I found it easier to get around if people thought I was a boy.” She gazed out over the stream, thinking about the years she had spent on cattle drives disguised as a young boy. She owed her life to those drives, they taught her how to survive.

Suddenly, Glottack jumped to his hooves, “Come, we must be moving along now.”

Placing the supplies back into the rucksack they continued on. Alex felt uneasy with the change in the centaur’s demeanor. He seemed on edge, as if waiting for something to happen. Observing him glancing into the brush yet again, Alex felt compelled to speak. “What are you looking for?”

“We best keep moving until we get to the Cutter’s shack. Too many creatures would like to see you dead.”

Alex was struck by the ironic remark. “What difference does it make who kills me, as long as I’m dead?”

“There’s no justice in murder,” came the sincere answer.

“Sure there is, some crimes are so evil that the person doesn’t deserve to die with dignity.”

“If you murder something, no matter how loathsome the crime, you are just as detestable as the creature you murdered. What sets you apart?”

“Motive.” Came her simple reply.

Glottack scoffed at this. “Murder is murder, no matter the reason behind it. Your killing those men to avenger your family is just as heinous as their gunning down your father and burning your mother and siblings alive. You each took it upon yourselves to end another’s life for personal reasons.”

Alex stopped dead in her tracks. She had never told a soul about her family. “How do you know this?” She demanded in a whisper, her voice being strangled by the emotions welling up within her.

Glottack stopped and turned to face her. “We know everything. We know your dreams, your secrets, your nightmares – everything.” He starred into her green eyes and was again taken aback by her simple beauty.

Alex stood there running through bits and pieces of her life, wondering if this beast and the others truly did know all of these things.

“Killing those men won’t bring back your family. It won’t give you back your life either.” He said this so gently that tears glistened in her eyes. Turning, he resumed his walking.

“No, but it sure does make me feel better.” She shot back, feeling angry at herself for allowing her emotions to run amuck. She adjusted the rucksack and began walking as well.

Glottack tilted his head back and released a loud thunderous laugh. “I’m going to enjoy these two days with you, human.” And he laughed again.

Alex didn’t know whether to laugh with him or hit him. ‘There still might be a chance to get out of this whole cave thing yet,’ she thought. And with that comforting thought she quickened her pace.