Warren looked down at the paper in front of him. On it was a 4x4 grid, filled with large X’s and O’s. He looked up from the paper, saw Sophie across from him staring intently at the page, her eyes squinted, sweat rolled down her little face. It was a very taxing game of tic tac toe for her, most of the spaces were already filled, only two open spaces were left. Warren picked up a pen, marked in an X in one of them. Sophie let out a sigh, a grin came over her face.

“I win!” she cheered, maked in the other open space an ‘O’.

“Darn lost again,” Warren said, faking his disappointment.

“You’re smart Mr. Warren. I almost lost that one.”

“Yep. That means we’re even now”

They had been playing tic tac toe for the past hour, his win loss ratio being 6 wins and 6 losses though that was because he’d let Sophie win six times. It was the only thing to alleviate the boredom, having finished making the badge for Akane a long time ago. He had grown fond of Sophie in that time and she, of him, proved by the fact she called him “Mr. Warren” like her mother, instead of “bearded man”, a courtesy the little girl hadn’t extended to Akane. She told him she was still afraid of her to a certain extent, fearful that Akane would pick her up and squeeze her until she popped. He took out another blank piece of paper when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked at the hand, traced it to its source, it was the sheriff.

“Your friend sure is taking her time. You sure she’s really getting a cowboy hat?” he asked, sounding concerned.

“Well you took your time as well, and I don’t know where you’d gone.” Warren retorted, with more sass in his voice than he intended.

The sheriff snorted, said “I told you it’s none of your concern. Now about that girl, I’m not gonna have to send Tarz after her, am I?”

“No. Akane wouldn’t flee town, if I had to guess she got lost. She left before asking where the nearest clothing shop was.”

“That girl doesn’t sound very smart.”

Warren shrugged, said “She’s smart, though in her own way.”

“Uh huh. Well I’m giving her 20 more minutes to appear.”

“Fine by me.”

The sheriff removed his hand from Warren’s shoulder, began to walk away when something important came to Warren’s mind. He stood up, said “Sheriff can I get my stuff now? I want that notebook.”

The sheriff whirled around, replied “Fine, but stay here, I’ll go get it.”

The sheriff left the room. Warren sat back down, and saw Sophie looking at him.

“Is the sheriff mad at you and sword lady?” she asked.

“No he’s not mad, just doesn’t trust us. I don’t blame him, we did turn this town upside down as soon as we got here.”

“But the sword lady saved my mommy. Bad guys would have got her if you didn’t come.”

“I didn’t say turning things upside down was a bad thing.”

Sophie let out a little laugh. The sheriff returned with a samurai blade and knives tucked under one arm, a notebook held under the other. He strode to Warren, placed the notebook on his desk then headed over to where Tarz and Sarah were. They were still at the planning table, both held red markers making revisions upon revisions to Sarah’s plan that Warren only understood the gist of. The plan involved him and Akane sweeping the town, arresting and defeating all the Humanity Defense Front members that defended the town’s major social centers. Places like the park, hospital, gym, and theater. After that they would arm the non-human population, turn the town into a fortress so that when the Humanity Defense Front attacked in full force, the town would be ready. During the attack Akane and Warren would head to their base and take out their leadership, taking advantage of the fact the base would be mostly empty. He didn’t listen to the specific details, knowing that it was better to leave it to Sarah since it was her idea in the first place. He was surprised by how thorough she was, as if she had been planning it for years.

Warren focused his attention on the notebook placed in front of him, the large red circle on the leather cover looking like an ominous omen though he had no idea what it signified. He opened it, wondering just what its contents were.

“What’s that? Is that your diary?” Sophie questioned, trying to look into the notebook.

“No, it’s not a diary. Or maybe it is, I don't know, it’s not mine.”

“Whose is it?”

“A bad guy. I’m trying to find him.”

“Oh no, not a bad guy.”

“Yeah. But I’ll find him and defeat him.”

Warren looked into the notebook, saw that the yellowed pages were full of chicken scratch. It was illegible. There’s no way that it was Andrew’s handwriting, his writing was surprisingly elegant.

“That’s ugly. I can write better than that” Sophie remarked, just as confused by the writing.

“You got that right.”

Warren rose from his seat again, traipsed to Sarah and Tarz.

“Hey, can any of you read this?” Warren asked.

Sarah looked up from the map, saw the notebook in Warren’s hand.

“What’s that?”

“Andrew’s notebook. I can’t read it though, it’s as if a child wrote all over it.”

“Hey!” Sophie yelled behind him, taking offense.

“A child much dumber than you.” Warren clarified.

“Oh ok.”

Warren handed the notebook to Sarah, she perused the pages.

“Ugh what in the world is this? Is this an “e”?” she asked herself aloud. “Tarz can you read this?”

She handed the notebook to Tarz. He took out a small pair of glasses from his shirt’s front pocket, and put them on. The glasses had circular lenses and the frame was clearly too small for his head. He squinted at the pages.

“This is impossible to read.” Tarz concluded.

It was a dead end. Or at least a blocked road for now. Warren would get his answers one way or another. He didn’t expect much from the notebook, but was still disappointed to get nothing at all.

“Well I’ll hold onto it, that notebook means something to Andrew.” Warren said, took the notebook from Tarz.

He placed it into a pocket, sighed.

Presently, music started to play, stemming from the sheriff’s office. It was an old doo wop song, way before his time.

“Why’s the sheriff playing music?” Warren asked Tarz.

“It’s how he relaxes. He likes to listen to old music and sip on alcohol for a few hours.” Tarz answered.

Hearing that filled Warren with a sense of nostalgia. His father used to do the same thing after a long day of working the fields. Warren headed into the sheriff’s office, saw him leaning in the

back of his chair, a glass of champagne in his hand as he stared at the ceiling.

“Is there a problem Marshall?” he asked, eyes remaining on the ceiling.

“No. I’m just surprised by your taste in music. Didn’t take you for a Platters fan.” Warren commented in reference to the song’s artist.

The sheriff leaned forward in his chair, looked at Warren, surprised.

“You know the Platters?”

“Yeah. My father played music like this all the time. This song in particular was one of his favorites. One of mine as well.”

The sheriff reached under his desk, took out another glass, poured it to the brim with champagne.

“Want a drink Marshall?”

“Sure.” Warren answered with a grin.

Warren sat in front of the desk, took a swig of the drink.

“You know Marshall, there aren’t many men who aren’t my age who listen to this type of music.” the sheriff said.

“You got that right. I got teased all the time for liking old stuff.”

For a brief moment his surroundings changed. He was back in Colonus at Dragon’s Descent, he had asked Armstrong to play doo wop over the radio. Almost everyone immediately turned on him, calling him old. Joanna jumped to his defense. Andrew as well. He shook his head to forget the memory.

“You ok?” the sheriff asked him.

“Y-yeah. Just remembered something I shouldn’t have.”

The sheriff glared into Warren’s eyes, said “You seemed troubled son. Want to talk about it?”

Warren shook his head.

“I know that look, you’ve seen things. Keeping it to yourself isn’t a good idea, trust me, I know.” the sheriff persisted.

“I don’t even know where to start.”

“Hmm, probably from the beginning. I didn’t ask for details before but you’re starting to grow on me. I’ll lend an ear.”

Warren relented, told the sheriff the full story of what happened to him. Even the details that were painful to remember. As Warren talked he drank from his glass, only for the sheriff to refill it once it was empty. After Warren finished his story the sheriff leaned back into his seat again.

“So that’s the full story. It’s a tragedy what happened to you. A young man should never have to go through that. I can see why you’re now on the path of revenge. I know I can’t stop you, but take this from someone who knows where that path leads, it won’t make the pain go away. You should go enjoy your youth, enjoy life. Remaining fixated on revenge prevents you from living life to the fullest” the sheriff reflected.

“What happened to you?” Warren asked.

“It’s a long story. Maybe I’ll tell it to you after all this is over. Just know it was something similar to what you’re going through.”

“What exactly would happen to me if I continue? See things through?”

“Well…” the sheriff paused as he took a big swig from his glass “...you end up like me.”

Warren began to ask what the sheriff meant when the door behind him slammed opened.

“I have returned! Behold my hat.”

Warren looked around, and saw Akane wearing a large black cowboy hat. On her chest was the drawing of the badge Sophie made, sticking to her cloak with tape. Warren and the sheriff looked at Akane, befuddled.

“That’s..nice Akane,” Warren finally said.

“I’ve been told you helped make this beautiful badge. Is it true?” Akan questioned, pointing at her badge.

“Yeah?”

“I see. All is forgiven. You are a good man Warren.”

“Forgive me for what?”

“You know what.” Akane said, and closed the door.

Warren and Sheriff Reeves were alone once again.

“I have no idea what that was about,” Warren told the sheriff.

“It’s good you’re not alone. Maybe things can be different for you.” The sheriff rose from his seat, turned the radio that was on his desk off. “Come Marshall, let’s get to business”

He walked around his desk, patted Warren on the back, motioned for him to follow. Warren got up and together, they exited the room.

***

James Mason laid down on his bed, stared up at the ceiling, let out a yawn. It wasn’t because he was tired, but because he was bored out of his mind. He had just listened to the latest episode of his favorite radio show but now there was nothing to do. He looked around his bedroom. To his right saw the white curtains that covered the windows, beyond them was the garden maze that stood in front of his mansion. To his left was the closet that housed dozens of outfits that he’d never worn. In front of him was the door that led to his personal study, beyond that laid the rest of his mansion. He needed to do something to alleviate the boredom, staying in his bedroom wasn’t helping. He got up, exited the room, briskly walked through his study, emerged into a hallway. The ground was tiled with alternating colors of white and gold. Along the white walls were priceless pieces of art that had become uninteresting to him a long time ago. He walked down the hallway, past countless rooms that contained all forms of entertainment. He passed a room that contained a bowling alley, another that housed a personal theater, an indoor golf course, and an indoor swimming pool. After two minutes of walking he found the room he had been looking for, he strode through its entrance.

James was now in an indoor basketball court. The room had a dome structure, and was lit so James could see everything. At the center of the court was a rack of basketballs, ready for use. James walked towards it, grabbed a ball. He dribbled it, testing it. The ball was in perfect condition. He dribbled to one side of the court, stopping right behind the three point line. He shot the ball, it entered the basket perfectly, not even the net was disturbed. He retrieved the ball, shot another three pointer, and got the same result. He did it again and again, now on a roll.

“Kaya you’re back” he said, making another shot.

He turned around, saw Kaya standing there, and she bowed to him. She had entered the room without a peep, yet James still detected her presence as soon as she entered the room.

“Yes I’ve returned.” Kaya said, lifted herself so she stood upright.

“How was your trip back home? Your family doing alright?” he asked her as he went to retrieve the basketball.

“They’re well.”

“That’s great to hear. Say you wanna play a game with me real quick? Everyone else is busy.”

Kaya shook her head.

“I’m afraid I’m no good at sports.”

“Ahhhh man. Guess I’ll try to get a higher streak.”

James shot the ball again, made the shot.

“James, I think there’s more important things you should be worried about.” Kaya suggested.

“Really? Like what?”

“Don told me what happened between you and Reeves today. Shouldn’t you evacuate the men in Redrock?”

James shrugged.

“The sheriff wasn’t being serious, there’s no way he would ever attack my men. The sheriff just wanted to look tough in front of me, pretend he’s in control. I’m sure it was a spur of the moment thing.”

“I don’t think so. Those outsiders he’s recruited will go after your operations. I guarantee it.”

“Ah yes the outsiders. Roper told me you interacted with one of them, the woman that killed Richard. Said you stopped him from fighting her.”

“I did. I had to speak with her.”

“Oh I know, and I’m not mad. You had your reasons. But I just find it funny how you know what she’ll do yet you didn't stop her.”

“She’s family. I wanted to give her a warning.”

“And that warning is?”

“That if she came after you, I would end her.”

“Ooooo a threat. I like that. And is she leaving?”

“We’ll see.”

“It doesn’t matter if she does or not. Even if she left she would’ve been killed anyway. No one gets away with killing my men.”

Kaya curtly nodded, thinking to herself that any assassins he would’ve sent after Akane would’ve been killed. Only an Otani can kill an Otani.

“Speaking of her, if she ever tries invading this place, let me handle her.” Kaya requested.

“To carry out your threat?”

“Yes. And because no other members of the council are strong enough to handle her.”

“Roper sounded like he would've been strong enough.”

“He just caught her without her weapons. Had she been armed, Roper would be dead now.”

“Sounds like that girl means business. Very well Kaya, she’s your prey.”

“Thank you.”

The court’s entrance opened, in the doorway stood Don Black, his eyebrows were bent indicating something was on his mind. He quickly strode toward them.

“Grand Master, we have a problem,” he stated.

“Oh well that doesn't sound good. What’s wrong Don?” James asked.

“We’ve been getting distressing reports. We got word that our men are being hit all throughout Redrock. All of our major stations were attacked. The hospital, the park, the gym, the theater etc. We lost contact with all of them.”

“That is bad. Very bad. Were there any incoming distress messages? Any requests for backup?”

“We got a few, they said something about a man and a woman approaching them. It’s strange, talked about one of them wearing a cowboy hat.”

Kaya silently face palmed behind James.

“Any sightings of the sheriff?”

“Yes, in fact, it’s been reported that he and the deputy are arresting our men. I believe many of them are currently locked up.”

“Well I’ll be. Kaya, what time is it?”

“5:30”

“The sheriff is a man of his word.”

James began to head toward the door, Don and Kaya followed behind.

“It looks like there's no going back. Don, tell the other members of the council we’re going to war.”