quartz

Really am.

You done sermonizing there? 'Cause I'm sick of listening.

One man spends all that breath t'say he knows the girl didn't do shit, and oh how he sympathizes, yet won't stick his neck out one inch.

Holy—?! How'd you get in?!

What's your business here?!

My business is with her, and not you.

Need you to take a little nap though.

Ungh!

M'pologies, girlie.

Didn't know I'd tow you into this, ah, hullabaloo. *sigh*...

How'd you get past everyone outside?

Outside? Hell, it's pure carnage outside right now, didn'tcha know?

Also, just before I let you go... you got any interest in joinin' us?

Dad, what the hell is the mayor calling everyone here for?

What's he gonna do?!

I don't know.

The two of you, stay with me. Don't get lost.

I don't get it. Why is everyone so afraid of him?

We've got the numbers, look at us. Can't we just drive him out of town?!

Ivy, your dad is going to beg you here.

Yes, in fact, I am BEGGING you!

LISTEN to me, okay? I don't want nothing bad happening to you.

Long as we're together as a family, we'll be fine.

Just... trust your dad, okay?

Just catching the perp won't be enough. If there's even one person willing to try their luck, then I guarantee you there will be a second.

Just goes to show I've been too easy on them. They've begun to get wicked thoughts, and I won't let that stand.

And so what if we catch them, anyway? This whole chase ain't healing my wounds, or staying my rage.

What do you want us to do?

Round up the families you've investigated, plus the two merchants who thought importing behind my back was a smart idea...

Get them all locked up. Whoever doesn't behave, throw them in a Pioneer Team.

But keep one from every family in the town. That way, no one will try to take the chance to run.

Squeeze them where it hurts, and they'll listen.

On it...

Dad!

You sons of bitches! What is this?!

We're not even Infected! The hell are we going to Pioneer Teams for?!

Either you stay in town and your wife and daughter get sent, or your daughter stays and you and your wife are brand new Pioneers.

Am I clear?!

Dad...

Can I... go to the Pioneers myself?

Let my wife and girl stay, I beg of you.

This ain't open for discussion.

Only one of you stays in town!

You—! You assholes! This is too far!

They found you while you were casing the place, so you just walloped the mayor right there?

You're roving bandits, right? The raids outside of town these days, that's all you. You're eyeing the town itself now?

Bandits, fugitives, criminals... call us whatever you like.

We're just a buncha regular folk at the end of our ropes.

And we're not eyeing the town. We're eyeing the mayor, and every one of his kind.

And what about the rest of the townsfolk?

Pull something this loud, and you'll drag a whole mess of people in, including the innocent.

*sigh*... Listen to you, a bundle of nerves like all the rest.

We're just lookin' to hold the guys at the top accountable. Not like we're tryin' to be heroes of justice or whatnot.

These people are weak. They're cowardly. They don't give a damn.

They get what's comin' to them.

Doubtin', worryin', fearin', mindin' what they do so much, they may as well do the safest thing—which is nothin' at all.

And that makes the most obedient kinda person, don'tcha see? They got doubts. They never dare. That's why everyone here fears the mayor.

But I don't. I'm an old panhandler with no job, no home. What do I fear?

He yaps my ear off, no shit I'll beat the daylights outta him.

Maybe he woulda killed me, but like hell he could take me, so I beat him to kingdom come. Damn shame he got away.

And here he is now, takin' it out on these folks because he couldn't face up to me any day of the week.

Makes all kinds of sense, wouldn'tcha say?

You can't get a damn thing done for how you stick fast to the rules. And them? They live like there's no law, and their reward is kickin' their feet up on top of your heads.

So hell, what's the problem? What's to fear?

Sure you'll be 'bad,' but what's that even matter?

You really don't talk like a panhandler.

But a panhandler I've been made to be, and I'll let you know you've become quite a vagabond yourself.

So say I choose not to join you?

You can leave anytime, carry on your journey. I won't force you, that much is granted.

I'll see you on your way. Get goin'.

Ivy! What the hell?!

Drop that goddamn weapon! You're going to hurt yourself!

Miss, you'd best listen to your pap.

Don't be in a rush to get yourself hurt. Think of your mom and pap—just think of them.

Good. Think. You try and take us, and what do you think'll happen to them?

No one here wants to see anything gruesome.

Ivy, don't do anything stupid!

So long as we're a family, we can get through anything together.

But we're not gonna be, are we? We're not gonna be together.

Doesn't matter who goes to the Pioneers and who stays in town, we're getting split up.

And who the hell knows what happens after that?

I can see where this is going, and it's nowhere good.

So, what's the worst that could happen? You guys gonna kill me?

Alright! Say I die, Dad, are you gonna take revenge for me? Or are you gonna keep wrangling with yourself?

Ivy! What is this nonsense you're cooking?!

Weren't you guys gonna take me?!

C'mon, then! C'MON!

Shit!

Your time's up, kid!

Quartz?!

Wha—?!

You little shit! How'd you get out?!

Where the hell is that Vincent SOB?! Did he make his peace or something?!

Don't bother going. I plan to cut you all down.

And then I'll drag that bastard mayor out too!

Argh!

Whatcha got there?

...That's that girl, ain't it. The one you felt was like a kid sister.

Ivy's a brave girl. And Uncle Pickett, and Auntie. None of them are bad people.

I want to deny it so badly, but if years and years ago, I were in their place, I might've done the same as them.