Tell it to a Deadman

Echoes of boots range through the empty hallway. A man dressed in riot armor was escorting a small boy. The boy was little worse for wear. His tears dried hours ago as he said his goodbyes to his sister. Now though, was not the time to cry in fear and worry. He was determined to see what the world outside the walls had to offer. He could only hope he would survive.

As metal double doors appeared around the final corner at the end of the hall, the boy breathed in for what he was about to face.

The guard came forward and opened the door, getting a stern look as he faced the boy. As the boy went through the large metal doors, he was immediately hit with noise that almost sounded like a riot. The boy could only look around in confusion as angry faces of people he once knew were yelling at him in utter anger. The boy felt something he never thought he would feel in the town he lived in for all his life.

Fear.

"Move. Don't look at anyone. Don't talk to anyone. Do you understand?" the guard behind him spoke as he looked at the angry mob of people all around, his expression hidden behind a bullet proof helmet.

The boy just looked at him, confusion clearly shown on his face. The guard pointed, and as the boy turned his head; he now noticed a path of guards keeping the mob at bay. Now noticing the path, the boy began to walk through the line of guards. As he was walking, he could not help but listen to what the rioting people were yelling.

"He doesn't deserve to be released!"

"Kill'em! kill'em!"

"I hope the wasteland is enough for you, Dead-man!"

It was impossible to tell who was yelling and who was trying to grab him as sets of arms could be seen trying to pass the guards. The sight of it all was anarchy. As he neared the end of the line; he could see the gate that lead to the outside. When he approached, a group of guards escorting the mayor approached.

He looked tired, and seemed to have not slept well. As he spotted the boy, his face morphed to one of disgust.

"Well now, look what the dead-lands will claim this time." the mayor said with a sneer.

"To think that such a nice town as ours would get something of the likes as you." he said, motioning his guards to open the gate.

"I am guessing you're wondering why the whole town hates you now, hmm?" he smirked with bemusement.

"You see, Dead-men are considered as outsiders, mainly because they actually have to 'live' in the outside world; tis a hard job, but, they are usually the filthy ones to begin with.

The boy could only look at him, not knowing how to respond.

All his life, he has wondered why he could never talk to the masked men that entered his little town. Why they taught him to hate them; to despise them. It was almost as if they were treated as filth. Yet the town gets supplies from them; but why do they hate them then?

So many questions.

Not enough time.

The angry mob was getting restless; they all began to yell at him in an attempt to get him leave.

As the mayor was getting ready to tell the boy to leave, a blonde woman breaks through the crowd.

"Wait!" she yells out of breath.

The guards rifles instantly raised at the ready as the mayor turned to see who would be brave enough to fight through the crowd. As the blonde woman got closer her features were soon made out.

The boy wanted to cry out; to run and hug her before he had to depart.

It was his sister.

It was his sister; Alice.

"Wait!" she yelled again in an attempt to stop the proceedings..

As she finally approached the group, the mayor became furious.

"What did I tell you young lady!?" he roared in hate.

Alice merely glanced at him, before approaching her little brother. Crouching down to his height with a smile, before finally looking at the mayor directly.

"I didn't come to try to persuade you." she states as she looks back at her brother.

"I came here, to give him this." she says as she pulls a hidden sheathed knife from a small pack mounted at her waist.

As he was handed the knife, the boy could not help by unsheathing the blade; studying it's every detail.

The metal was definitely reinforced steel. The back of the blade had a sharp, curved edges to it that would make it easier for cutting objects in a saw-like fashion. It was covered in splotches of grime from wear and tear; but all-in-all it seemed to be in almost perfect condition.

The boy looked up at his sister with smile. Alice returned the smile as she pulled her little brother in for one last hug before his departure.

"Look here, I want; no, I need you to be careful out there, ok?" she says, tears running freely from her eyes.

The mayor could only look at this display of emotion in disgust. As he motioned the guards to get the last of the boy's essentials; he could only smile as he got to break up this display with his power over the people.

"I know you two are having a moment right now, but I suggest he leaves now preferably." he finished motioning to the riot that was starting to win against the barricade of guards.

As the two siblings glanced with unease at the form of display, the guards that were sent away mere minutes ago finally returned carrying a duffel bag and a very grimy, very worn out leather trench coat. As the boy glanced at the coat, he noticed it was 3x too big for him.

The mayor, noticing the boy about to ask a question about the coat, answered it for him.

"You'll grow into the coat, it is not like we're giving it to you for no apparent reason." the mayor says with an un-kindly smirk.

Alice could only look up at the mayor in anger and annoyance that he wouldn't even give him a coat that grows with the user's height, and weight; like she knows the town has. The mayor just shrugged his shoulders in arrogance at the cold glare from Alice.

The boy only put on the coat, the tail and sleeves being very baggy. He then looked toward the gate with determination. Still holding the knife, he then found a built-in holder for all sorts of various things among the coat and placed the knife inside. Finally grabbing the duffel bag, he hauls it to his side, noticing it wasn't empty, he looks back up to the mayor.

"We wouldn't send you out the nothing my boy, now that would be just rude." he says with the warm smile the boy remembered him with before all this happened.

As the guards opened the gates to the outside, the boy finally noticed this was it. But before he could take one step forward, a man burst through the guards sprinting rapidly. The guards, once again raising their rifles, took aim at the approaching man. As the boy turned he recognized the man just by the limp in every step he ran.

It was his father.

The boy scowled as his father approached, anger clearly in his eyes. But those eyes weren't looking at the mayor, or the guards. No, the boy knew those eyes were directed at him. As his father approached, his sister stood up and yelled at the man.

"Why! Why did you come here!" she yelled in anger as the man came closer and closer.

His father only glanced at Alice, before raising his hand and smacking her to the ground. At the sight of this, the boy had to clench his teeth not to run and fight his father. Alice could only sniffle as her hand was clutching her cheek tentatively. As his father approached, the boy got ready to hear anything he had to say.

"Well don't you look special." he grunted.

"To think, that your loving mother; may she rest in peace, would give birth to the likes of you." he said sneering directly at the boy.

"You listen here, and you better listen good." his father stated, crouching down to look directly in his eyes.

"Pain. Pain is the only thing your gonna have left, ya hear? No one will ever want to be near, let alone even love the likes of you!" he yelled, spittle spraying in the boy's face.

As the man in front got up, he walked over to his sister who was still crying softly on the ground. Grabbing her by her arm, he lifted her up and started to drag her to the the line of guards, and through.

"Well now, that was... interesting." the mayor could only watch as the boy's father left with his sister.

The boy turned around, saying two words with pain clearly in them.

"I'm ready."

As the mayor heard these words, with a nod he gestured for the boy to leave through the opened gates. As the boy began walking, he took his chance to study the outer wall of his town. It was made out of metal of an unknown variety. It's surface was rugged and dented from weathering and attack. The color of it looked almost like obsidian, but without the glass texture. As he studied these, he did not look back as he heard the sound of the double door gate shutting. No, he only kept walking as he said the words his cruel father said to him.

"Pain is the only thing I have left?"

Outskirts of Ponyville

"Come on! Hurry up!" The small orange horse yelled at me.

I swear, the one I'm carrying maybe small, but weighs a lot more than I had originally thought.

"I'm coming! Do you think it's easy to run with a small full grown horse on your back!?" I yelled in return trying to keep up with them.

"Fer the last time, it's pony!" the one with the red mane yelled.

"Besides! We need to hurry, you promised me you'd get ma sister help!" she said as she started to slow down to get right next to me.

I wanted to complain if I didn't know she was right.

Judging from the almost unnoticeable trail of blood that was leaving, I knew if we didn't hurry, the little one's sister would not be long for this world. I could only hope that whatever doctor in the town they had could help her at this state.

Almost as if on cue though, I heard the sound of thunder in the distance. It didn't take a genius to know that it was about to rain. I soon felt the cool, wet drops on my face as we were nearing a town of sorts. It was nothing like I was used to as we entered it; with me still trailing behind the three little ponies, I took notice to how the buildings looked. Instead of rusted buildings made out of metal and scraps of rags, I saw houses made out of stone, and what appeared to be straw for roofing.

I also notice a few windows slamming shut as we got further in.

'Figures even in another world, people are still terrified by the sight of me...' I thought to myself as I heard doors locking as I passed them.

We finally were coming up on a fairly larger building. The sight of it reminded me of an old world building from my world with the red cross on it. As we entered into the lobby, a few ponies looked in fear as I passed them. When we finally reached a desk; the pony looked like a receptionist. She was reading a magazine of sorts, with red hair, and a white coat.

Without even looking up, she spoke without a care in the world.

"Welcome to Ponyville hospital, is there anything I can assist you with..." she took the liberty to look up.

Her mouth could only gape at my height, but what made her start shaking was the blood that covered almost every inch of me. I looked her dead in the eye as I told her about the wolf attack; the three little ones filling in any details. As they were talking, I could only glance at the unconscious hors- mare, I think mare is the female horse.

Anyways, as the three little ones finished their side of the story, the receptionist looked up to me. She could only stare at me for a few seconds before calling the doctors. In a few minutes, a stretcher was brought in by two winged ponies to which I laid the "mare" down on. As they wheeled her away, I could only look at the three little ones; the yellow one with the red hair looking the most troubled.

"Will you three be alright?" I said as I crouched down so I wasn't at my full height.

They all looked at me, for a few seconds they huddled together to whisper things I couldn't hear. After a few moments, they finally looked back to me.

"Uhhh... thank ya fer saving my friends mister. But, if ya don't mind me askin; what are ya?" the yellow one said.

I could tell them many things.

Assassin. Monster. Murderer. Savior. Guardian. Hunter. Trader. Walker...

So many things I have done, yet I couldn't help but smile as I decided to tell them only the half-truth.

"I'm a dead-man." I said with a smirk.

All three of them could only gain a look of curiosity.

Until the orange one asked a question with a smile.

"So whats your name then?" In truth, I was a little taken back by this.

No one has ever asked my name. Usually, they call me by my profession. Even I have not bothered to use names.

Names, can carry many messages about a person.

They're a lot like couriers.

I snapped out of my thinking as I realized three pairs of eyes were still staring at me, awaiting their answer.

"Uhhh... Jacob, my name is Jacob." I say.

'I really hope their as smart as children usually are.' I thought to myself.

All three seemed to burst into smiles. Finally they all told me their names.

"Well, ma names Applebloom!" The yellow one said.

"My names Sweetiebelle!" The white one yelled in a high voice that could only make me wince at the volume.

"And my names Scootaloo, personal trainee of the one, the only, Rainbow dash!" The orange one proclaimed.

'Must. Not. Laugh.' I thought trying my hardest to only keep a smile.

Sadly, I seemed to have only gotten confused stares as I could only keep a grin on my face as I chuckled.

"Hey! What's so funny?" Scootaloo asked in annoyance.

I waved her question away.

"Nothing, nothing, I just remembered a good joke is all." I lied.

"Anyway, I should probably go tell ma brother that Applejack is in the hospital." Applebloom said with a bit of anxiety.

"Yeah! I need to tell Rarity that Applejack is here too!" Sweetiebelle said with urgency.

"Rainbow dash probably wants to know if Applejack is okay as well." Scootaloo stated.

All three of them looked up at me, there eyes showing a bit of sadness in them.

"Relax. I'll be fine, I actually have to go back into the forest anyway, I had to leave a few things that are very important to me." I didn't want to tell them that some of those things are dangerous.

But the main reason I needed to get back there was that I needed to finish the job.

As we left the building, the three little ponies took off in various directions. I looked back to the direction I came.

'One way or another, I'm getting your gift back Volm. I'm getting it back.' I thought as I started my small journey back to the forest.

As I passed by, I swear I could feel the eyes of the entire town on me as I walked through this-so-called "Ponyville". It was only a matter of time before either I leave, or the "ponies" of this town make me leave. I stop to look at some building that seemed to be made of some kind of... cookie? The very notion of this world makes me think that I'm crazy. But this. This takes the cake.

Huh, I made a pun. That would be a first.

As I finally reach the outskirts of Ponyville, the rain finally stops pouring. I continue down the path, passing by a small river with a stone bridge leading across it. But as I looked closer, it lead to some cottage of sorts. I couldn't help but chuckle as I remembered old memories of cottages out in the Dead-lands.

I was walking for what seemed like hours of endless night. I knew it was around here somewhere, I just had to look for the light. Finally, after what seemed like hours, I see it.

Like a shining beacon of hope and happiness.

I smile as I start walking toward the warm glowing light that offered sanctuary. As I approach, it seemed to look like a cabin of sorts. Wood paneling lining the walls, with an almost dome shaped roof adorning the top of it. As I climb up small wooden steps, the stench of rotting wood enters my nostrils. At first it was a disgusting smell. But it is at this I realized it was better than the smell of piss or blood.

I approach the door still smiling. After I knock on it a few times, a man opens it. He had a look of shock on his face.

Before finally turning to one of fear.

"No! I...I still have a few days left..." the man whispered as he backed away from the door.

I walked in after him, the smile never leaving my face. As I entered, I smelled something that made his conviction true.

The stench of rotting bodies.

The man turns around and runs up the stairs trying to escape. I smiled even more now that I saw his fear. As I pass the stairs, I enter the kitchen through a hallway. I could only lose my smile as I changed it to one of disgust as I saw where the smell was emanating from.

Like out of a nightmare, bloodied cages lined some of the walls. Skeletons of past victims still remaining inside of them. Others weren't even bones, but skinned corpses that had faces of pain, and agony painted on them like some twisted form of art. As I looked toward the cooking area, there was pot from which steam was arising out of it. I saw a cutting board that seemed to have a chopped in half liver, a long intestine stuffed with what looked like cheese, and a heart that had a tomato inside of it.

I could only grunt as I tried hard to keep the lunch I had earlier in my stomach. I walk over to the pot and open it up. Inside was what looked like remains of a hand, along with eyeballs that now looked broiled and twisted to little tiny peas.

The smell from the pot was nauseating to say the least. I closed the pot. Partly saving my nose from the smell. I turn and walk out of the kitchen, drawing my machete from my bag, and my revolver from it's holster. As I climb the stairs, I hear what sounds like crying. I smile deviously as I reach the top. the hallway had two doors on the left, and one on the right. At the end of the hall was a plaque. As I walked toward it, I started reading what it had to say:

Through winters, through nights...

Those that give us shelter, that gives us food...

Family is always there; tis' what gives us warmth...

tis' what gives us love...

tis' what gives us loss...

But most importantly...

It gives us the strength to go on.

I could only stare as I read the final lines. My heart ached as I read it, but as I came back to reality; I remembered what I was here for.

I turn back around, the sound of crying louder and louder as I approach the second door on the left. As I open it, I could only stare emotionless at the scene.

It was a bathroom of sorts. But I was not focused on anything else except the bathtub, and what lay in it.

It was a little girl.

She looked up in me in fear, sobbing uncontrollably. The bathtub seemed to be filled with pounds upon pounds of ice. The girl herself was... skinny and pale.

But it was not from hunger.

She looked at me, her eyes pleading. I could only put on a sad smile as I crouched down next to her, pointing my revolver point-blank at her head. She could only mouth the words "thank you" for her tongue seemed to have been cut out.

As I pulled the trigger, I looked away. Not wanting to see the sight as I ONLY heard the *SPLAT!* of blood hitting the wall. As I finally look at what I had done, tears fell freely as I saw a bullet hole in her head. Sadness over took me as more tears fell.

It was soon replaced by anger

I exited out of the bathroom, entering through the door beside it. It looked like a broom closet of sorts. I noticed how it had a gasoline canister, along with a box of matches. I thought of an idea.

If there were a devil, he would only react in fear if he saw the almost psychotic smile I had on my face as I grabbed the canister and lighter. I turned around, envisioning the screaming of the bastard's torment as I kicked open the last door with a loud *BANG!* as it fell off the hinges and collided with the floor. The man seemed to be praying to a God that would offer him no mercy, finally looking up as I walked through.

Fear was on his face as he saw me. As I got closer, he started crawling on his back, trying to get away.

"No! No please!" he screamed.

"I... I have money! Lots of money! Please just have mercy!" he cried.

I almost felt sorry for this poor, sick son of a bitch.

Almost.

"John Craster... that's your name now... isn't it?" I asked with malice in my voice.

The man shook his head vigorously, tears staining his face.

He was about to speak before I cut him off.

"Your wanted for murder, cannibalism, rape, and torture... any last words?" I say.

The man looked at me as if I were his own personal demon, here to perform his execution.

"Please! I...I know what I did was wrong! But... you have to believe I was just doing it to survive!" Craster screamed.

"Survive? Hehe... Survive!?" I grabbed him off the ground and threw him into the opposite wall of the room.

"No! What you're doing isn't survival! It's murder," I pick him up and start punching him repeatedly.

"Cannibalism!" I punched him, feeling the *CRACK!* as I broke his nose.

"And TORTURE!" I scream at him as I grab his head and slam it into the wall, leaving bloody cracks against it's white paint-job.

Craster's face looked dented, bloodied and broken. He was still crying in agony as he lay there.

Time for the finale.

I grabbed the canister and open it, the smell of gasoline penetrating the stench of blood and death.

Craster whimpered as I started pouring it all over his face and body, spitting up blood and gasoline as it entered his mouth. I made sure to drench him in it, but to also make sure to save some for later. As I backed away, he looked at me through bloody, blackened eyes.

"preash! Saup!" he tried to yell with broken bloody teeth leaving his mouth.

"People say Dead-men are walkers of the waste, they look at us as monsters... When in truth, it is people like you! Who are the true monsters." I say with hate rolling off every word.

He raises his hands in an attempt to stop me. I pull out the matches, taking one; and only one out of the box. As starts screaming.

"Mommy! Mommy please!" he screamed, knowing his end was near.

"There's no mother where your going..." I say as I light the match, the flames dancing and flickering.

As I get ready to throw it, I say some final words.

"BURN IN HELL!" I yell with all my anger as I throw the match.

As the match landed on the twisted form of John Craster, the flames ignited and started to scorch his skin as he screamed in agony. His screams only brought a half smile to my face, for I wished I could do more.

Picking up my machete from when I started punching him, I grab the canister in the other hand and cut it open, it leaking gasoline in the process of cutting through the plastic. Trailing the leaking gasoline canister, I walk with it all through out the cabin. As I exit the cabin bringing the leaking canister with me, I still hear Craster screaming like a little bitch as he burned alive.

Dropping the canister and turning around, I pullout another match and ignite it.

I was having that feeling you get when you see your handy work and are proud of it.

I smile as I drop the match on the trail of gasoline, seeing the fire catch to it and trail up into the house. I start walking away as I smell the smell of burning wood and smoke. Looking back, I see the flames, for it was not a beacon of light at all, but a trap of agony, pain, and death...

As I remembered it all, I couldn't help but smile; though it turned to a frown as I realize that I'm starting to turn very twisted.

"Man, I'm fucked up in the head..." I said to myself.

I looked up ahead and noticed the treeline of the forest from where I started my journey in this new world. I smiled again as I pulled my revolver out of it's holster. Twirling it around with precision and skill, I then cock the hammer.

'Time to get to down to business.' I thought as I started walking to the entrance.

Ponyville Hospital

Applejack awoke with a start, breathing heavily as she looked at her surroundings. As she notice she wasn't in the Everfree forest anymore, she was still curious on how she arrived here.

Before she could call a nurse, her friends along with her older brother come quietly through the door. But as they look at her and see she's awake they cry her name in relief.

"Applejack!" the all cry as all of them group hug her. Being cautious as to not hug her too tight.

Twilight Sparkle was the first to talk.

"Applejack! What happened? I was rearranging all my books when Rainbow dash flew over and told me you were in the hospital!" Twilight said in distress.

"Uhh Twi, I'm al'right but I-" she never finished as she was interrupted by Rarity.

"Darling! Whatever happened!? Sweetiebelle came in and said something about a timber wolf attack and something called a "Deadman" was it this "Deadman" that did this to you?!" Rarity said in concern.

"Actually yall, it was him tha-" Applejack tried to speak, but is was Rainbow dash that interrupted.

"Oooh! When I get my hooves on this thing! Just you wait AJ, I'll show it no one messes with the world's fastest Pegasus in Equestria's friend!" Rainbow dash said in her boastful demeanor.

"Girls you have a mista-" Applejack was again interrupted by none other than her brother.

"Now don you worry sis, if I see this thing I'm gonna make it pay. You understand, you just lay hear and heal, I'm gonna get some of the town to help me hu-" Big Mac was never got to finish as AJ raised her voice.

"WILL EVERYPONY CALM DOWN AN LISTEN TA ME!" AJ yelled.

The room fell silent as Applejack eyed everyone in the room.

"Thank ya. Now it wasn't this "Deadman" that hurt me; it was the timber wolves. If there's anything ta do about him it's to thank him, not only did he save Applebloom and the crusaders lives, he saved mine." Applejack said with determination.

"But umm... I have one question though, if he saved you, then umm, where is he?" Fluttershy said in a timid manner.

As the group of friends all turned to look at her, Fluttershy made an *Eep!* as she tried desperately to hide behind her mane.

"Actually, yeah, Fluttershy your right, Applejack do you know where this creature is?" Twilight asked.

Applejack didn't know what to say. All she remembers is the creature saving her and the crusaders, then she passed out.

It was at this moment that Pinkie Pie came out of nowhere.

"He's in the Everfree forest!" she yelled as she started bouncing around the room.

The group could only look at Pinkie's hijinks; at least until Twilight spoke up.

"Um. Pinkie, how do you know that?" Twilight asked, wondering how Pinkie Pie knew that.

"Easy. The writer wrote him there after writing about an old memory of his." Pinkie said, smiling at Twilight.

Twilight just rolled her eyes and guessed it was Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie.

"Well, if that's where he is, then can you girls go and make sure he's alright?" Applejack asked as she looked pleadingly to the others.

There was a silence that fell upon the room as they seemed to look at each other and think. Finally, after what seemed like hours but was mere minutes, the five friends came to a conclusion.

"Don't worry AJ, you can count on us!" Rainbow dash hovering in the air.

At the sight of this, Applejack released a breath she had apparently been holding.

"Thank ya girls, this means a'lot." she said rearranging her body, trying to get in a comfortable position.

As the five friends turned to leave, Twilight spoke up to everypony.

"Before I forget, I should probably write to Princess Celestia about this "Dead-man" as Rarity called it. Ooh, but I forgot my quills and paper at the library." Twilight said with a frustrated sigh.

It was at this moment Pinkie Pie appeared and handed her a quill and paper.

"Here you go Twilight, hope this helps." Pinkie said as a purplish glow hovered around the two objects.

"Thanks Pinkie. Now then..." Twilight said as she began writing to Celestia.

Dear Princess Celestia,

I, your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle, have heard news of a mysterious creature that seems to call itself "Dead-man", it seemed to have saved Applejack, her sister Applebloom, along with Applebloom's friends Sweetiebelle, and Scootaloo. This creature has apparently went in to the Everfree forest; if you have any information on this mysterious creature, I ask that you write back immediately.

Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.

P.S. I think Rarity said it looked like a hairless ape of some kind.

As Twilight finished writing the letter, with a blast of her horn the small rolled-up paper vanished.

"Alright girls, lets go." Twilight said with determination, only to realize her friends were leaving her behind.

"Hey! Wait up!" Twilight yelled as she started galloping to catch up.

The Everfree Forest

'Man! I should have brought a torch, or even better; a lantern.' I thought to myself as the place was actually hard to see in.

I continued trying to "re-trace" my steps, but so far I've only managed to fall down not once, not twice, but seven times! I couldn't wait to get out of this stupid forest. As I continued to move blindly, I start to see old tracks.

'Bingo!' I thought in success.

Now that I found the tracks, I dug around in my pocket, as I lifted the I-pod out; I put in the headphones and decided to listen to a song.

Now listening to it, I couldn't help but smile as it sounded like a song played for the old-world "Cowboys" that was over a thousand years ago. As I continue to follow the tracks, my head starts bobbing up and down as it got a few minutes into it. After a few minutes, I finally arrive upon the ditch, but as I look at it, I couldn't help but gape at it. The edges were circular, and it was slightly deeper than I first thought. But as I looked at it more, the realization came to me.

"This isn't a ditch... It's a fucking crater!" I yelled as I saw how beaten the ground looked.

'and I...I did this...' I couldn't quite think clearly.

As much as I wondered how the hell this happened, I realize that my duffel bag; though clearly roughed up, was still in the middle of it. I race down the crater, being careful not to lose my balance, I then skid onto my knees directly in front of it.

I prayed silently that everything was still at least "partially" intact. As I zipped open the bag, I noticed that my machete was neatly placed in side. I smiled as I grabbed the hilt and pulled the blade out of the protector. Not only was it intact... it was polished! I most likely had the stupidest grin on my face as I stared at it. Putting it back in it's protector, I then go through a mental check-list of everything in it.

'Canteen, check. Ammo, check. Shotgun! Definite check.' And finally, I pulled out the most important thing in this bag that would be a fortune to sell.

It was three fairly small sized magazines. But I knew what they really were, since they were labeled with three big letters titled "XXX" on the pink cover of all of them.

I smiled as I remembered when I first realized that sex is a hard thing to come by in some towns. So, porno magazines are the next best thing to a lot of people.

'I wonder if these things would still be top-dollar?' I wondered to myself as I stared at them.

Carefully placing them back inside, I zip up my bag and shrug it onto my shoulders. Hoisting myself out of the crater, I turn to leave this stupid forest. At least I thought I was, right before I heard something in the bushes.

"GRRRRRRRRRR!" was the sound coming from them as a giant monster came out of it.

I only stared at this beast. It had the body of some large cat maybe, a tail of a scorpion, and what looked like wings! Oh fuck. This thing is gonna be hard to kill if it can fly. It only looked at me with malice in it's eyes. Finally, I drew my gun and pointed it directly at the beast.

"Well, bring it on! You ugly son'a'va bitch!" I screamed at it.

I could only pray that I didn't just make the stupidest mistake of my life...

(Well now! You gotta love cliff hangers! If there is any grammar problems and or stuff that I need to fix, please let me know and I will edit. Also, constructive criticism is also appreciated now.