Scareship_Issue8

around, sniffed the air, and then scampered off toward the
mountains without a backwards look. The sight filled Gilly’s heart.
Soon enough, the Hums disappeared back into the woods and
the townsfolk drifted back to their homes and back to their lives.
Hums were never seen again in these parts, nor any demons,
dragons, wizards or were-bears... at least, no sightings that folk
would ever admit to out loud.
Epilogue
Gilmore Gammesson spent his remaining days here in Rook.
While he was held in high esteem, he never did take a wife nor did
he ever make another friend. When Sunny finally passed on, Gilly
buried her near Inky. He would, on pleasant Sunday afternoons,
picnic upon their graves. He would, on occasion, hike up into the
mountains, too, but he never saw any sign of Trapper Dugan, nor
the bear cub that would’ve growed itself into a dangerous ole grizz
by that time.
Some say Gilly died in the flash flood what almost swept
Rook off the map some years later. A grave marker was placed
next to Inky and Sunny by the townsfolk, signifying as such. In
later years, they even put up a little plaque, commemorating his
life, on the last standing timber of the Eastern Wall, now preserved
by the Rockton Chamber of Commerce. But others say Gilly never
did die, because he knew the secret of Mountain’s Blood and
would stay alive forever, living in Humble’s Wood and guarding
the secret of the elixir.
Either way, Mad Gilly is still spoken of, his tale still a part of
the town and a part of the people hereabouts. He’s called the hero
of Rockton, and because that is what they call him, then that is
who he is, to this very day. And so, ya see, it’s true... Mad Gilly
Games got his wish. He still lives on, one way or t’other. Not all
men die, ya know.
58