By the time we got back to Sagebrush, Blackhawk seemed to be slowly regaining consciousness, likely from the rhythmic jolt of being draped across the back of my horse as we rode.

The Sheriff and I managed to hoist the outlaw and his sidekick off our steeds and into the jail cells inside the Sheriff’s office.

Reach a Milestone
Bring Blackhawk to justice – Formidable
Mark 1 progress = 8 out of 10

After being rolled onto a cot, Blackhawk’s eyes slowly fluttered open, and he seemed to take in his surroundings.

With a dazed grin, he looked at me on the other side of the cell bars.

“Fancy that! Our baby lawman’s got me locked up.”

I ignored his taunt, and set about putting together the paperwork I’d need to turn him over to a judge.

Ask the Oracle
Action 47 = Reveal
Theme 32 = Superstition

“More’s the pity. Now that you got me under lock and key, you’ll only suffer the wrath of my ‘Bad Hand.’”

Blackhawk chuckled to himself, and I raised an eyebrow, looking to Sheriff Hayes.

“The hell does that mean?” I inquired.

Hayes shook his head and placed his cowboy hat on a rack behind his desk, “Never you mind. It’s just some old superstition about bad luck following certain men and the people they come into contact with. He’s just aiming to rattle your cage, son.”

Face Danger
Heart 2 + Action 6 = 8
Challenge 7 & 8 = Weak Hit
Succeed, but Endure Stress

Endure Stress
Heart 2 + Action 6 = 8
Challenge 3 & 6 = Strong Hit
Take -3 Stress & take +1 Momentum

“That’s right, baby lawman. Just ignore ole Blackhawk. His lot may have come to ruin, his prospects dimmed, and everyone he knows either dead or dying. But at least he managed to take a few deputies down with him,” Blackhawk said with a wicked smile, now sitting up on the edge of the cot and glaring at me with beady eyes.

Suddenly, the slain deputies’ faces sprang to mind, and it was all I could see. A chill spread from my heart and racked my body all of a sudden. I couldn’t look this monster in the eye one moment longer. I had to leave.