[ WP ] The mines have run dry

*The sun beat down on the Texas town like an outlaw on an unsuspecting caravan. The town of Coal Run had once been a major trade route until the railroad had been built. The coal mine had saved the town for a few more years until it ran completely dry. * 
 
 *Those who did n't leave with the other miners to go to California were either too stubborn or too poor. These people were left with a rough patch of desert, little land suitable for cattle, and an empty mine that attracted outlaws of every kind. Outlaws, from both the US and from across the boarder, that had been growing more and more bold by the day. * 
 
 *It was during that time, when the harsh sun beat down on Coal Run and the outlaws beat down on what little the townsfolk had left, that a stranger came to town. * 
 
 Eli sat on his horse and surveyed the failing town. It would n't be much longer until this place was another ghost town. He supposed that after the inhabitants of Coal Run left, or were killed, that outlaws would more than likely leave their hole in the ground and move to a more comfortable place. 
 
 As the horse trotted toward the ramshackle saloon, Eli passed what was left of the sheriff's office. So the rumors were true, the sheriff had disappeared. Eli slid off of his horse and hitched it next to the pitiful trough in front of the saloon. 
 
 Inside the saloon, a tired-looking man tried to polish what few unbroken shot glasses he had. Eli frowned at the splintered shelves behind the bar as he approached the barkeep. 
 
 `` We do n't have much, Mister,'' The barkeep cautiously said, `` However, I'll give you whatever you want. All I ask is that you pay. We do n't have much money as it is.'' 
 
 `` So I can tell.'' Eli's rough voice seemed to startle the barkeep. 
 
 `` If you do n't mind me asking, why are you here?'' 
 
 Eli watched the barkeep pour a shot of whiskey. He contemplated what he'd tell the man as he downed the shot. Eli was n't too keen on talking about who he was. That sort of thing got him in trouble more times that he'd like. 
 
 `` I'm here for a group of outlaws. I hear the leader has a very high bounty on his head.'' Eli half-lied, `` I'm here to collect.'' 
 
 The barkeep's eyes grew wide with awe briefly before melancholy took hold once more. He pushed the bottle of whiskey towards Eli and shook his grey head. 
 
 `` Son, I hope to God you kill that bastard. I really do. However, I got ta say this: there have been others that have tried to do what you want to do. If you take a look at the sheriff's office, you'll see what I'm talking about.'' The barkeep pointed at the window, `` They took the sheriff two days ago. We know he's dead because they thought it would be kind to drop his head off on my doorstep.'' 
 
 Eli thumbed the shot glass, `` Tell me, where's the mine located?'' 
 
 `` Just south. It's almost on the Mexican boarder,'' A young voice called from behind Eli, `` I can take you there.'' 
 
 A boy, no more than ten, stood barefoot in the saloon. Eli regarded the scar that ran across the boy's left eye and was sure that if the boy could open his eye, that he would n't be able to see much if anything. He downed his second shot of whiskey and approached the boy. 
 
 `` What's your name, kid?'' Eli knelt in front of the boy. 
 
 `` My name's Levi, Mister.'' 
 
 Eli stood and adjusted his wide brimmed hat. He did n't like the idea of possibly putting the boy in danger. 
 
 `` Can anyone else show me the way, Levi? I'm sure you'd be a great guide but-'' 
 
 `` Mister, they've already killed everyone else that would be willin' to help you.'' Levi spoke quickly, `` Pa would have helped you, if he were here, but an outlaw's bullet got'im while he was sleepin' one night.'' 
 
 `` The boy is telling the truth, Stranger. There's no one left that's able or willing to help you.'' The barkeep nodded. 
 
 Eli looked from the barkeep to Levi and sighed. He did n't have the time to argue or look for someone else to help him. The kid did look tough, he reasoned. 
 
 `` Levi, if you take me to the mine, do you promise not to go inside?'' 
 
 Levi nodded and grinned a three-toothed grin. 
 
 -- -- -- -- -- -- 
 
 As the duo rode across the desert, Eli tried not to think of what he was about to do. He knew he'd be praised and probably awarded a medal from both the US and Mexico, but that was n't why he was pursuing this particular bounty. This particular bounty stemmed from a very personal experience. 
 
 Eli glanced at the scar on Levi's face for the umpteenth time. Without a doubt, it was the very outlaw Eli was hunting that had made such a scar. For it was the same outlaw that had branded Eli's mother in a similar fashion. Unfortunately for her, the wound became infected and she passed away soon afterwards. He would never forget her feverish cries in both English and her native language. 
 
 `` Mister, you listenin' to what I'm sayin'?'' Levi's voice broke through Eli's thoughts, `` I says that we're almost there!'' 
 
 `` Sorry, Levi. I heard you. I was just thinking.'' 
 
 The entrance to the mine could n't be seen from where Eli was but he knew by the remnants of the mine cart tracks that it was just over the hill. After making sure that Levi stayed behind like he promised, Eli crouched low and hurried to a stack of crates. 
 
 A bullet sailed by his head as he ducked behind the crates. Eli braced himself for a hail of bullets but none came. Instead there was an uneasy silence that blanketed the mine entrance. Eli leaned forward as far as he dared and peered towards the mouth of the mine. 
 
 There he stood, the outlaw Eli had been looking for, smiling at Eli with a devilish grin. 
 
 `` Eli!'' The outlaw threw his arms out in a welcoming motion, `` So glad you could join us!'' 
 
 `` Josiah,'' Eli pressed his back against the crates, `` You know why I'm here.'' 
 
 `` Of course, I am!'' The outlaw Josiah chuckled, `` You want a shot at your dear old pa!'' 
 
 `` You are not my father.'' 
 
 `` Deny all you want, son. It does n't change the fact that you're my flesh and blood.'' 
 
 Eli gripped the stock of his carbine and cursed under his breath. Josiah may have been Eli's father, but that did n't make him any less of a monster. Eli would make sure he died this day. 
 
 Josiah shouted something to the bandits behind him. After a few minutes of a mixed Spanish and English argument, Josiah stepped forward. 
 
 `` Alright, son. If you are so keen on killing your dear old dad, let's do this. Just me and you.'' Josiah sneered, `` Come on out and we'll have a-'' 
 
 The first bullet from Eli's carbine struck the ground in front of Josiah. The next bullet struck Josiah's hand as he grabbed for his pistol and the last bullet hit him the chest. Josiah swayed for a few moments and blinked at the wound on his chest. He began to laugh as if the bullet had told him a joke rather than piercing his chest. 
 
 `` Son.'' Josiah choked on the word as he dropped to his knees. 
 
 `` No,'' Eli spat, `` I have no father.''
