Gallagher and his men had rode in fleets of their motorbikes and headed straight to the local town of Bear- Creek where majority of the occupants were farmers and ranchers. In the past, it had blossomed with lots of ranches that made it a one-stop-shop for the best varieties of cattle.

However the inflow of visitors had latently carved out a haven for a different breed of beings.

“ Greetings to you all, my dearest people of Bear-Creek.” Announced Gallagher as he stood studded in his black Jacket and hide boots. “ As you know, the month is ending tomorrow and tax collection would have to commence today. I’m afraid that cattle of defaulters would not be under my watch anymore.” He offered and waved his head slowly with a fallen face.

“ Last month, some of you paid half of the owed sum and promised to level-up before the month runs out.” “ The month is gone and not a dime has been paid.” Sighed Gallagher and began to amble across the podium, while the farmers in their hundreds stood peering at him.

“ Is this how you Urchins repay my kindness? I and my men risk our lives, missing sleeps to make sure your cattle are save while you fuck all night.” He averred and paused to sieve the mass murmurings from the crowd.

“ I see. You ‘all are quick to forget the pogroms of the past huh. Only I saved your flocks from total annihilation.” He grinned with ease and hawked his gaze across the scared faces.

“ Solidarity forever!” “ Solidarity forever!” A shaky, yet loud voice resounded from amidst the crowd.

“ We are tired of getting milked by you and your men.” The thin comrade bellowed and continued as he stood rooted from fear.

“ Leave our lands! God in heaven shall protect our cattle.” Fumed the young comrade who looked tattered in dressing and hungry in appearance.

“ My Goodness, look what we have here. A freedom fighter?” Averred Gallagher after turning towards the direction of the voice.

“ The last thing I need is a senseless revolution from anyone.” “ Durban!” he bellowed.

“ Aye Captain!” responded Durban.

“ Do the needful.” Winced Gallagher.

“ On it!” Durban affirmed and like a lynx, lanced through the air before descending on the bank of the petrified comrade who held a sickle in his hand.

“ Perfect for the harvest.” Whispered Durban in a ghostly tenor, snatched it off his hands and with a swipe, sent his head rolling to the floor. Screams of horror from the crowd were instantaneous.

“ Anyone who tries to run would be part of the circus show. No freedom fighters are allowed on my space. None!” Fumed Gallagher as he watched Durban turning around in Circles to show the villagers the face of their brave comrade.

“ Pay up your damn bills or loose your cattle.” “ Durban!” Gallagher called out.

“ Aye Captain!” Durban barked, still brandishing the head of the comrade.

“ let’s pay some old friends a visit.” Gallagher hummed and made his way down the pavilion while the rest of the Gang stood to receive the imposed Taxes.

“ Aye Captain!” Bellowed Durban and flung the head to oblivion before heading to his motorbike.

[Minutes later]

Soon, both of them had arrived at a decrepit cottage on which’s lawn, a boy with long legs chased an old soccer ball. He noticed the bogus presence of the two men in black clothing and stood petrified to decipher who they were.

“ Good -day -sir.” Stammered the boy as he peered in fright.

“ Hello my boy. Playing soccer huh?” Intoned Gallagher and gestured the child to give him a hug.

“ That’s my boy. Where is your mother?” Gallagher asked with a smile.

“ She’s inside the kitchen.” offered the boy after being let out from the embrace.

“ breakfast Eh? Matilda!” He yelled and pulled out a hide-based dagger from the pocket of his Jacket.

“ Oh No!... Ramsey!!!” A feminine voice cried out. Her frightened voice arriving before her haggard presence.

“ Halt you urchin! You owe me money from last month and still have the guts to boycott my meeting at the hall .” Bellowed Gallagher with the shaken child still in his grasp

“Mercy…!! Please have mercy on a poor widow my Lord.” Matilda cried out and collapsed to the floor to juxtapose her plea.

“ Ingrate!” Yelled Durban and spat to his side. “ If it wasn’t for my boss, the werewolves would have taken all your cattle and taken your damn son as a snack to.”

“ You claim to be broke but still put a morsel in that trench you call a mouth.” “ I believe you though. times are hard and It shows on the hair of your boy. It’s why I’ve volunteered to give him a free haircut with my dagger.” Averred Gallagher and applied the side of the steel-ware to the neck of the shaken lad.

“ No… ! Please wait. Wait..!” “ I have money for you.” Cried Matilda.

“ Then go fetch it bitch!” Durban yelled, provoking her to stand up and flee into her cottage. She returned in seconds and headed to him.

“ My Lord! Here you are. Two hundred and thirty dollars. It’s all I have saved for the year.” She cried and crashed before him.

“ Damn Urchin. This doesn’t pay up all you owe but I’m not a bad man I’m I Durban.” Inquired Gallagher and snatched the notes from her with his palm still on the boys shoulder.

“ No Captain! You are merciful” He gabbled.

“ Yes indeed I am. That’s the only reason I won’t take both of your cattle today.” “ Durban!” Gallagher called out.

“ Yes Captain!”

“ Seize her black bull. It’s now mine.” He averred and shoved the boy to his wailing mother on the floor.

“ Aye Captain!” Durban brattled with glee and pulled out his dagger while the wails of Matilda filled the air.

“ Get up wench! Take me to your damn ranch.” He ordered.

“ I have just two Cattle left. Be merciful my lord.” She cried, holding dearly to her frightened son.

“ Mercy huh? the only mercy we can offer is death.” Gallagher sighed, pulled out a pistol from his back- pocket and pointed it to the face of the crying widow. The grin on his face was gone.