Scareship_Issue8

Inky Dugan Goes Home
Gilly and Horse rode back to Rook as if death itself was
chasing them, but, in point of fact, ʼtwas the other way round.
Death, however, rode a faster, paler horse that day. By the time
they arrived, Inky had passed on… as had all of Starr’s gunmen,
who were strewn about the town in various states of ghastly
repose. Ya see, the townsfolk had learned well to defend
themselves, what with their great wall and the training that Gilly
and Inky had provided them. And with no Bull to lead them,
Newt’s men were jes’ men with guns, going up agin’ angry fellers
defending their homes and loved ones. It should go without saying
that those gunmen got totally exfluncticated. But there, I said it
anyway, lest there be some doubt.
Gilly was grief stricken and heartbroken upon witnessing
Inky’s lifeless body, still laying there in Sunny’s bed. But, in that
tragic moment, the town took Gilly to its bosom, offering up
profound condolences for what he had lost… but deep gratitude,
too, for what he led them to find within themselves.
The next morning, Gilly, Sunny, Sid Uhry, Miss Sharon and
the other townsfolk followed Inky Dugan’s casket deep into
Humble’s Wood. It was more Inky’s home than anywhere on Earth
and was the only proper resting place for his mortal remains.
Words were spoke over the grave by an itinerant preacher, but they
felt hollow. Gilly then dropped into the grave the weeds he had
collected at the lake, below the new mountain. He would have no
truck with them now.
Then, as if coming out of the trees themselves, there appeared
the Hums. Folks were afeared o’ reprisal, but none was
forthcoming. An elder of the tribe came forward and began singing
and dancing around the open grave, as some of the Hums banged
on drums. After a bit, a tiny roar could be heard from the hole and
out climbed a grizzly cub, stumbling on shaky legs. It looked
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