When I was doing my writing course we did a fun exercise of ramdomly picking three cliches and using them in a short story.
This is my submission
The clicking on the spurs from the cowboys boots were heard clear across the town.
Click click click.
It was the middle of the night and the only other sounds were the gentle breathing of all the residents asleep in their beds.
Not me. I was awake. As the town Deputy it was my job to keep an eye on everything and everyone. I take huge pride in my job and protecting my people.
The night was cold but there wasn’t any wind, which made the clicking of the boots even louder. I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand to attention. I hadn’t heard anyone’s door open. So who was entering the town in the dead of this night? This can’t be good.
I shuffled towards the window, glad that the moon was high and bright. It made the main street light up with a beautiful lemon glow.
I could see the lone figure stumble in to the light. I waited for his face to look up so I could get a glimpse of what I would be coming up against.
My hand instinctively reached for my holster, yes my gun is there. I pulled it out, quietly, cocked it in to position. I am ready to take this lone ranger on.
Finally I looked up. I saw his face and wait…
I stepped out in to the street faced him straight on.
“Well, well, well.” I looked him straight in the eye. Flashes of my history with him went through my head. How do I feel about this?
“Brother!” His face looked relieved. “I am so happy I have finally found you. I have been searching for many days.”
His face looked ashen and distorted in pain. “Brother. What has happened to you?” I rushed forward and threw my arm around him and half carried half dragged him back to my office. I could see some lights starting to flicker behind curtains in the houses on the street. I would have to be quite now.
“I am very sick. I have been shot. I was running away from a town. I had robbed the bank for their gold. But they got me.”
I shook my head in disbelief, all the memories of him came rushing back. The reason we kicked him out of the town. Sadness rushed through my body. What can I do with him?
I lay him down on the floor of my office and lifted his shirt, I won’t lie it was a mess. Badly infected and I don’t think we had much time left.
“I am going to get Mother, she is still the town nurse. She will help you.” I turned to leave but felt his hand grab mine.
“Thanks brother, I don’t have much time left.”
With that I ran off, I wasn’t worried about the noise now. I had to save my brother. I arrived at my parents’ house out of breath. Banging on the door hoping to wake them fast.
“Mother, Father. Come quick.” Finally my father answered. Roused from his sleep, he looked panicked and scared. His eyes lit up when he realized it was me that had woken him.
“What is it son?” He reached for his jacket, knowing that if I came running over in the middle of the night, something was amiss.
“Brother has come home, he has been shot. We must be quick he is dying.” Father ran back to the bedroom and got Mother up and put a coat around her. Also grabbing her medical bag.
The three of us ran silently across the town, making it back to the sheriff’s office without pausing.
“Oh son, you don’t look to well.” Mother ran to him and knelt beside him. Pulling up his shirt I could see the pain in her eyes.
“How bad is it? “ Father couldn’t step closer, seeing his first born son in pain was too much.
“I don’t how much I can do. The infection is right through him.” Mother grabbed some gauze from her bag and began cleaning the wound. I could hear her quietly scolding my brother for his actions and being away so long.
“I am sorry Mother, I tried to build a good life, but I just couldn’t.” His breathing was getting harder.
“Come and say good bye to your son. He hasn’t got much longer.” Mother reached for Fathers hand and drew him closer. Father went willingly. Slowly sitting beside him.
“Father, please forgive me for my sins? I hope that with me no longer living you will have peace in your life.” I could see the light fading from his eyes.
“Don’t you die on me, son.” He had grabbed hold of Brothers hand, but I could see Brothers hand loosening as he left this world.
My mother wept quietly, while Dad lowered his hat in respect.
I just felt shaking. Two heavy hands shaking me. Why couldn’t I see them? Why are they shaking me?
….
“Dr. Thomas, wake up. Dr….”
My eyes slowly opened, I start to focus on what was around me. I was in the hospital. In the residents room, in a bed. What was happening? The haze lifted around me.
“Dr. We are ready when you are. The gun shot patient is all prepped for surgery.