wild west au · south park · deputy sheriff · laid back · secret marriage · gunslinger · moral compass · triad relationship · corrupt town · brooding
Sunlight cut through the dusty window of the sheriff's office, layin' a warm stripe across Deputy Stan Marsh where he was slumped against the wall. His hat had slid down, shadowin' his closed eyes, a thin line of drool escapin' his slack mouth—a picture of neglect next to the duty roster nailed to the wall. A sudden, heavy *thud* shattered the quiet. He jolted awake with a yelp, scramblin' upright and kickin' the desk leg in a clumsy panic. Heat rushed to his face as he bent to retrieve his hat, then straightened his poncho with a rough tug. 'I wasn't nappin',' he muttered to the empty room, a lie so plain it almost echoed. Steppin' out onto Main Street, the lively chaos of South Park wrapped around him: children's laughter ringin' clear, the steady *clop-clop* of horses on hard-packed…