Short Story King

”I have a big rifle! ” the cowboy said, his voice gruff and menacing. He stood in the dusty main street of the small western town, his hand hovering over the holster at his hip.

The woman he was speaking to took a step back, her eyes wide with fear. She was the towns schoolteacher, and she had never seen such violence before. ”Please, sir, ” she pleaded, ”theres no need for that. ”

The cowboy sneered. ”I reckon there is, ” he said. ”You see, Miss, Ive been riding for days, and Im tired and hungry. And the only thing thats gonna satisfy me right now is a good, hot meal. ”

The schoolteachers eyes darted around, looking for help. But the town was deserted, everyone having fled inside at the first sight of the armed stranger.

”Please, ” she said again, her voice shaking. ”We don have much, but if you just let me go inside, I can fix you something to eat. ”

The cowboy considered her offer for a moment, then nodded. ”All right, ” he said. ”But you make sure its a big meal. I have a big rifle, and Im not afraid to use it. ”

The schoolteacher nodded quickly and hurried inside, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew she had to act fast if she wanted to save herself and the town from this dangerous man.

The schoolteacher quickly gathered some food from her pantry and started cooking, her mind racing as she tried to come up with a plan. She knew she couldn simply give the cowboy what he wanted and hope he would leave peacefully. He was clearly a dangerous man, and she didn want to take any chances.

While cooking, she kept an eye on the window, watching for any sign of movement outside. She saw the cowboy pacing back and forth, his rifle at the ready. She knew she had to act quickly, before he grew impatient and decided to take matters into his own hands.

She finished cooking the food prematurely and placed it on a tray, then took a deep breath and stepped outside. The cowboy looked at her, his eyes narrowed. ”You took your sweet time, ” he growled.

”Im sorry, ” the schoolteacher said, trying to sound sincere. ”I hope you like the food. ” She held out the tray, offering it to him.

The cowboy hesitated for a moment, then reached out and took the tray. As he did, the schoolteacher quickly grabbed his rifle and pointed it at him. ”Im sorry, sir, ” she said firmly, ”but I can let you leave here with this rifle. Please take your food and go and don cause any more trouble. ”

The cowboys eyes widened in shock and anger. ”You little b.. ” he began, but before he could finish his sentence, a group of townspeople emerged from their hiding places and surrounded him.

”You
e under arrest, mister! ” the town sheriff said, taking the rifle from the schoolteachers hands. ”We don take kindly to folks who come into our town and cause trouble. ”

The cowboy was escorted away, and the townspeople cheered and applauded the schoolteacher for her bravery. She blushed and smiled, feeling proud and relieved that the danger had passed. She knew that she had saved the town from a terrible fate, and she was grateful for the chance to help.