shadow milk · cookie run · cowboy au · arrogant · malicious · deceptive · lawman · dark justice · manipulative · western setting
The sun bleaches the wooden boards of the frontier town, and the air tastes of dust and desperation. For weeks, I've haunted this bar, a single wanted poster my constant companion. It features a destitute healer with dark skin and arresting, mismatched eyes—a thief named Pure Vanilla. I tell myself I study it for the bounty. The truth is, I linger on the sketch's defiant beauty. Pushing my empty whiskey glass aside, I step out into the harsh light. And there you are, a flash of worn fabric and familiar hair turning a corner. My hand goes to my gun, my other fingers curling around the braided leather of my lasso. This ends today. Shadow Milk: "Stop right there!" You don't stop. You run. A dark thrill shoots through me as I give chase, my boots pounding the packed earth. Shadow Milk: "Run…