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"Hey, wake up sleepy head, you're sleeping your life away!"

Daniel's golden eyes opened lazily as he sat up from the stack of hay he had fallen asleep in. The coyote's morning chores had started and ended at cleaning the stables, but with just two horses in residence the task had taken almost no time at all. "Come on Jebb, Pa won't be back for another week at least, there's nothing to do." Struggling to his feet Daniel brushed some of the hay off his cotton shirt and jeans.

His brother was a good foot taller than the fifteen year old, Daniel was still hoping that he would end up at least as tall as Jebb, if not his Pa. Though it had been a while since his last growth spurt and it seemed unlikely that he would ever reach up to his brother.

"Yeah well find something to do, I'm going to head out check on the cattle we have left," Snorted the older coyote, grabbing a saddle and throwing it onto one of the last horses. Picking his rifle up from the rack Jebb made to put it in the rifle holster attached to the saddle, he paused and turned to his brother with a grin. "You could practice your aim for a bit if you want?"

Grey ears picked up and Daniel couldn't help but grin, his father hadn't allowed him his own rifle yet. However, Jebb had been teaching him to shoot in secret since he was twelve. "Really? On my own?"

"Yeah, you are almost a man now, hell next month you turn sixteen." The older coyote replied, ruffling his brother's grey hair and chuckling as Daniel yelped in disapproval. "Just remember breath slowly, steady and don't jerk it. Hell this thing has a hair trigger, ya don't need more than a small squeeze."

"I will, thanks Jebb," replied the young man taking the rifle slightly awed, for a moment the boy looked up at his big brother, their golden eyes meeting. Then Jebb swung up into the saddle and with a wink at his brother he rode out onto the plains.

Daniel watched his brother go, clutching the rifle tightly and then as soon as the older coyote was out of sight he practically danced out the door. There wasn't much to do on the ranch, town was a good mile or two away and all it had was a saloon, shop and church. Being too young for the saloon, having no cash for the shop and church was the weekly penance they all paid for their sinful ways, there was nothing there to hold his interest. The only exception being some of the other kids, he attended school twice a week with forty other kids of varying ages.

The young man walked out and gasped as the heat of the morning sun was already becoming too much. He grabbed his hat and pulled it on for the little shade it offered to his face. He also thought the hat made him look more manly, it added an inch or two to his height, though it tended to squash his ears a little. With the excited zeal of a young man with something fun to do he bounded up the small hill near his home. The view was good you could see for miles across the brown fields. The heat of the summer was more than oppressive, it stamped down on his head as if trying to force him into hiding.

However, with a rifle in paw, and twenty cartridges to spend, nothing was going to stop him. He reached the peak of the hill and lay down with the gun. Sighting along the barrel he looked out. The ground was already war enough to bake his fur, the haze of the heat reflecting off the ground made the air shimmer with a glorious sheen.

As cubs he and Jebb had sat on the hill fighting off wave after wave of imaginary savages. They had been the backup for Custer, the heroes of a thousand wagon trains, the sheriff and his faithful deputy bringing hundreds of outlaws back to the hanging judge Carson. A scary bear if ever there was one, the local judge, black fur and blacker temper. He yelled at the local kids and was free with his paw, beating anyone who got in his way. How he became a judge none of the kids knew but he made the perfect ending for the imaginary criminals they young heroes brought to justice, he only ever delivered one verdict and one punishment. Swift brutal justice, what the people needed in these hard times, or so his Pa told him.

From up on the hill the young canine could see the town, the store, saloon, jailhouse and the cathouse. Daniel had been surprised at how few cats lived there until his brother opened his mind to the reality just a few months earlier, after coming home drunk and broke. Part of him couldn't wait until he was old enough to go get drunk and visit the cathouse. Part of him was terrified at the second half of that, but he was curious now and he had already set his mind to try it. After all Jebb had done it and his younger brother was determined to follow in his footsteps, no matter how scary the females inside were.

He didn't think of any of that as he sat on the hll, he just glanced down the barrel and found his target, an old gnarled tree, just half thick bough and a single bough of dead leaves remained after a bolt of lightening struck it, when Daniel was five. The tree somehow had clung to life, year after year it's single branch came back to life. He sighted down the barrel feeling the little thrill of power and then steadying his breathing he pulled the trigger.

BANG

With a snort of disapproval the coyote saw a puff of dust from where the bullet landed several feet from the tree. He chastised himself for jerking the trigger, he knew better than that, the rifle had kicked stronger than he remembered as well. He cocked it again and lined up his shot, slowing his breathing he calmed himself, focusing on the brown of the tree trunk.

BANG

Daniel fought back his urge to whoop in triumph like the cub he once was as the tree trunk took another lead nail into it's coffin. The boys had used it for target practice so much that the coyote wondered that it hadn't succumbed to lead poisoning. With the heat of the sun baking him from above and the slightly lesser heat from the ground baking him from below the coyote scored another three hits.

Then, his shooting back eye in form, the young boy let it roam looking for new and more interesting targets. A small boulder took a firm hit and then a fallen half rotten log took a hit. It was fun and yet something was missing, even if the coyote was hitting them all. The challenge was almost gone. He had hit every single one of these targets before. He wished Jebb was still there, he always found his younger brother a challenging target to aim for.

It was as he was thinking of his brother and scanning for targets some movement caught his eye. A horse and rider, slowly crossing the plain. A black wolf, Zack, he was a ranch hand of Daniel's father. Unlike everyone else he hadn't gone on the cattle-drive. His wife was expecting his second child and he had decided to stay home and watch over her.

The coyote liked the older wolf, he didn't say much but he had always been kind of tongue and soft of paw. Daniel remembered one night when he was fourteen and his father had allowed him along on a cattle-drive. It wasn't a real one, just moving a couple of dozen old cows from one part of the plains to another. However, to a young cowboy it had been an amazing adventure, right up until he had dropped Jebb's gun. The hair trigger had proven itself by making the gun discharge and the ranchers had spent an entire day trying to round up the spooked cattle.

His father hadn't been pleased and he had beaten the young coyote harshly, whipping him with his belt. Afterwards Zack had approached him and Daniel had cowered on the ground expecting the older male to give him a lashing or two for the trouble he had caused. Instead the wolf had offered a paw and pulled him to his feet saying, "t'ain't nothing I ain't done before, learn from it an move on," the wolf said giving the young boy a wink.

Daniel never forgot that moment of kindness and he had a deep respect for the wolf from that day. He had given the coyote back some modicum of self respect and dignity on a day he just wanted the ground to open up and swallow him whole. However, in that moment he didn't think of his respect for the wolf, just the excitement of a new target. He swung the gun and aimed slowly, accounting carefully for distance and speed. His heart raced as he felt the power over life or death, with the gun in his paws he was a god and he could strike down any mere mortal he wished. Of course he had no intention of firing, it was a challenge, nothing more that practice to set up the shot.

He held the target for a few seconds and his finger every so lightly caressed the trigger, enjoying the feeling of power, or strength, of being a real man, of...

BANG

His heart stopped in his chest and his eyes refused to close, he watched every detail as the horse galloped off across the plains, it's rider now hidden from sight where he lay in the grass. His mind went white, all thought stopped and his body acted on instinct. It was fight or flight and there was no-one left to fight.

He didn't rise to his feet he scrabbled on all fours at first, pushing up after a few seconds. Jebb's rifle fell from his paws, disappearing into the sheen of the plains as he ran. He wasn't running to anything, he just had to get away, away from the hill, away from the gun, away from... the fallen rider.

Tear's streamed down his cheeks and his legs pumped away, running into the wooded swamp near the river that flowed down near to town. He tripped over a log and crashed into a pile of leaves and dried grass. Curling up he began to shake and then he wept, huge tears soaking his face as his little voice echoed through the woods. He cried until he fell into a disturbing sleep.

It was hours later that the sheriff, a kindly, portly and old tiger, found him. The sheriff was known to be an expert tracker and the young coyote had proven all too easy to track down. He woke the coyote with a gentle shake and Daniel's golden eyes had flown open, for a moment he thought it had been a dream and then he saw the looks of hate on several of the deputies' faces.

"Why did you do it son?" The tiger asked as he pulled the young boy to his feet with brute strength, Daniel's legs felt like jelly and he had to lean on the old tiger.

"I... didn't m... mean to... it was an accident." he stammered as he looked around wild eyed, his cheek fur matted from the tears he had cried.

The old tiger took one look at the young face and he knew he was telling the truth, "why did you run, son?"

As he asked Daniel's legs gave out as he saw it again, the black rider falling, a crimson rainbow shimmering in the sun as it stained the brown grass. It was then he realised just what had really happened, he saw the old wolf falling again and again, he whimpered and began to sob. He couldn't answer his mind filled with thoughts of the wolf, his friend, the woman he had widowed and their now fatherless children.

As two of the deputies approached with cuffs at the ready the older tiger growled, "ya don't need the irons boys, he ain't gonna run. It's one for Judge Carson I'm afraid." Even through his grief the coyote could see the hard looks on the deputies faces soften.

The coyote was lifted onto a horse and the old tiger sat behind him, one arm around the grief stricken boy. He didn't remember much of the trip to the jailhouse, he was grateful for the old tiger who put him in a nice cell, with a mattress on the bed and he didn't lock the door so he could go to the outhouse instead of using a bucket. He made him a cup of tea and sat patiently with him.

Jebb visited and Daniel could see the tears in his brother's eyes as he asked what he had done. He mumbled an answer, he wasn't really sure what it was. He apologised and Jebb hugged him, and cried whispering his own apologies. He took the blame for himself, saying he should never have left him alone with his rifle.

Time seemed to fly by as the canine lived in a daze, every time he closed his eyes he found himself seeing the wolf fall again and again. Someone mentioned something about going before the judge the next day and he heard Jebb arguing with the old tiger. He wanted to wait until his father was back, the old coyote should be there by his son's side.

Daniel felt his eyes getting heavy and the words of the others faded in his ears. He blinked and found himself back on the hill. He gasped and looked around, the rifle lay at his feet and as he turned he saw a horse and rider coming towards him. Panic gripped him and he turned to run, he knew the rider had come to clam his vengeance, the coyote scrabbled down the hill, sliding half on his ass. The fear gripping his heart so tightly he could barely breath and then as he got to the bottom of the hill he tripped.

He opened his eyes and he was back in his cell, the red light of a sunrise peaking in through the bars. He looked out the window of his cell and he could see the hill he had sat on less than a day ago. He saw it the moment again, the wolf on the horse jerk, the crimson rainbow, the screaming neigh of the horse as it began to gallop, and the black body being swallowed up by the brown grasses. Daniel stumbled backwards landing on the floor behind him, his head hitting the bars with a clang.

The coyote lay there stunned his golden eyes staring up at the ceiling as he began to weep again. His entire body shaking as he thought about what he had done, the kindly sheriff woke and came to him. He held the trembling boy as he cried and his eyes welled up with pity for the coyote. The trial was already set for that morning in the church and the gallows were already being prepared for the verdict. Judge Carson believed in 'swift justice', though he focused more on the first word than the latter. The old tiger knew what the verdict would be, so did most of the town. Of course they would have a trial so everyone could see justice being done and a sinner justly punished.

Breakfast was barely finished before the deputies turned up for Daniel. This time the manacles were fasted, wrists and feet, there was nothing the old tiger could do. The judge liked his prisoners looking like they were guilty and ready for his judgement. Daniel didn't fight or struggle he just whimpered and complied, he shuffled awkwardly through the streets he had known all his life. As faces he recognised stared at him, some with pity and many with hatred. A stone flew out of the crowd and he yelped as it hit his back.

The sheriff gave a yell and waved his rifle, snarling at the crowd that no-one would harm his prisoner and get away without being taken before Carson themselves. That was all the crowd need to be cowed, nobody wanted to be brought before the black bear. The young coyote least of all, he blinked as he entered the church the pews were all full and he could see Jebb standing at the end of the aisle.

To the left on the pulpit stood the black bear, his shoulders broad and his stomach bulbous. He ranted and raved, white spittle sticking in his fur as he went on about the young murderer in front of him. He demanded to know why he had taken Zack's life, he demanded to know what went through the young man's mind.

"I... I... don't know!" Daniel wailed as he fell to his knees weeping, he felt his brothers arms around his shoulders and heard Jebb shouting.

"He's just a boy, it was an accident," the elder brother argued, the only line of defence he could.

"Accident or not, it seems your brother's guilt is clear," the old bear replied and turned to the jury ten men of the town sitting on the front row. "What say you?"

Ten answers, ten tolls of the bell, ten guiltys and Daniel's fate was sealed. More ranting more spittle and the boy's days were numbered and that number was one.

Daniel felt nothing but relief at the verdict, he had known what it would be, now at least he knew the guilt he was feeling would end and soon. Jebb had cried and escorted him back to the jail, even the tiger had shed a tear. Daniel heard the old male mutter, "this year I'm running against him. This is just too much." The old tiger shook his head and promised himself he would run against the judge this year. He'd said it before but watching the two brothers crying through there last day together was more than his heart could bear. If he won he swore to himself he would bring true justice, if he lost he would leave town and find somewhere to start over.

Jebb sat on the small cot inside the cell with his brother. The two couldn't speak there was nothing that could be said that would make it better, words could offer no comfort. However, the warmth of his brother's body, the feel of his arms around him and the love reflecting in those pain-filled eyes, they made Daniel feel better in a strange way. He just rested his head on his brother's shoulder and closed his eyes. It was strange to think in less than a day he would be gone.

Their embrace was disturbed by the arrival of a panther, dressed in black with the dog collar. Peterson, the preacher come to take the confession of the damned. Jebb left and Daniel wished he hadn't, however, Peterson was insistent that his brother needed time to confess his sins, so he could face the lord with a clear conscience. There wasn't much to confess that he hadn't already confessed too, and been judged for. However, the preacher refused to leave until he talked, it was for the sake of Daniel's immortal soul, after all he didn't want to go to hell.

The coyote started to cry again, the preacher placed a paw of support on his shoulder. It felt like nothing, cold and uncaring like the panther's eyes when he looked up into the black face. In a moment of clarity the coyote realised, he wasn't there for the coyote's sake or to save his soul. He was there for everyone else, for the town so that they could know, when his lifeless body was swinging, he had gone where he deserved to go. Heaven or hell, they didn't care which, the preacher would tell them if he had died with a clear conscience or not and they would rejoice in his salvation or damnation equally, knowing they had done the right thing.

Daniel spoke no more, his sins were minor and he had shared them, the feline could take that and offer what comfort he could to the crowd. All the coyote wanted now was for the end to come, he wanted to see his brother and feel the comfort of his love for the last hours of his life.

After far too many of Daniel's precious hours the preacher gave up and left, and Jebb returned. It was growing dark and cool outside, the kindly tiger provided the brothers a meal. Pork and beans, his last supper, he was surprised by how hungry he felt and delighted when the tiger gave him seconds and thirds. The sheriff gave him his own portion without letting on, after all he knew he would take no harm from a missed meal and a condemned man shouldn't go hungry.

The coyote didn't remember falling asleep, but he awoke in the early hours of the morning, the sunbeams streaming through the windows, the bars casting shadows on the floor. Specks of dust dancing in the light, without a care in the world. Daniel got to his feet and turned to look out of the window. He could see the hill only it was different now, on top it stood a hastily built gallows, the noose swinging in the light breeze. Movement caught his eyes, a lone black rider on a horse riding slowly toward the jail.

This time Daniel felt no fear, he knew his victim was coming to claim him and he was ready for justice to be done.

"Wake up," Jebb's voice cut through his dream and the coyote opened his golden eyes on his last morning. His brother was standing over him, tears in his eyes but his jaw set and determined, his expression one of pride.

"I'm sleeping my life away," Daniel replied, a poorly judged attempt at humour that brought his brother to his knees weeping and begging his forgiveness. He held onto the smaller coyote tightly as his body shook. There was nothing for the younger brother to do but hold on and tell Jebb that he loved him and that it was not his fault. He gave him some words to pass in to their father, asking him to say that he died as a man, facing his end without fear and accepting the punishment for his crimes like any man should.

Then it was time and his hands were bound, a sack was placed over his head. The comfort of Jebb was taken away and he was alone in a word of stinking brown Hessian. He was relieved that he didn't have to see the crowd, the hood protected him from their eyes. That had been the worst part of what they called his trial, the eyes of Zack's widow filled with tears looking at him intently and so full of hate. The coyote understood why she hated him, why she smiled as the verdict and judgement were passed. He took away the one she loved, took away the father of her children. Even if they had pardoned him nothing he would have ever been able to do would make up for this crime.

The tiger guided him gently through the crowds, there was strange hush as he emerged. However, as they began to walk up the hill, Reverend Peterson began to sing 'Shall we gather at the river'. It was a common hymn sang at weddings, services and funerals. Daniel had always enjoyed it, enjoyed singing everything really. There was something about it, being part of a crowd sharing a feeling. Now he took no joy or comfort in the words, they were not being sang for him and he was not a part of this crowd anymore.

His feet landed on a wooden step and he gulped, a warm paw landed on his shoulder and he heard someone whisper," it's ok son, I know you're scared. I know what I'm doing, I promise just one drop and no pain, no dangling."

Daniel nodded, an odd feeling of gratitude filling him for the kindness of his executioner. He had seen a few hangings and he knew that the worst fate that awaited him at the bottom of this drop would be a neck that didn't snap. Then his death would be long and slow, kicking and struggling to breath.

He could hear the Judge giving a speech about justice, he didn't listen to the words. His thoughts turned to Jebb, remembering last year when the two had went on a trip by themselves, out into the wilderness, eating what they shot and fished. It had been such a fun time, the sun beating down as they skinny dipped in the river splashing each other and laughing. It was a beautiful memory and he kept it in his mind, the sounds of the world outside faded away.

THUNK! SNAP!

Daniel opened his eyes again, blinking n the bright sunlight. He looked around but he was alone on the hill. The gallows, the townspeople and even Jebb were nowhere in sight. Suddenly he heard the sound of hooves in dry grass and he spun around. Behind him on the hill stood a tall golden horse, sitting on it was a black rider. The sun was directly behind the rider and it wasn't until he dismounted and tipped his hat that Daniel saw his face.

"Zack!" He exclaimed, he knew he should feel worried and yet something told him that everything he had to worry about was over now.

"Yup," replied the wolf with a nod.

"I thought I shot you," whined the coyote looking up at the bulky wolf. "I... sorry."

The wolf looked away for a moment and then took a step forward, reaching out a paw he touched Daniel's neck his fingers running over the scar the rope had left. "I never wanted that... t'ain't your fault. Can't change it now, learn from it and move on."

"Where to? What do I do now?" Whispered the coyote trembling a little as he looked to the adult for support."

The wolf didn't reply he just turned to look out over the plains and then he stepped towards his horse and pulled himself into the saddle. "When I was a lad my father took me up into the mountains, there was this lake, the water was crystal clear and freezing cold. They had fish in there as big as your leg." He said as he looked out over the plains and then he looked down at the scared boy, "wanna come with me, see if we can find it?" Zack asked holding out a paw to his killer with a friendly smile on his face.

A large grin spread over the coyote's face as he took hold of the warm paw and was swung up behind the wolf. The blonde horse was spurred to life and leap out across the plains leaving their earthly lives behind them. No more fear, no more pain and no more justice.

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