Brian Kinney looked at his friends, his gang, and inwardly smiled. They were camped out inside a cave, for the night. They had eluded a posse, a couple of hours before, that had been chasing them. Brian smirked as he remembered robbing that bank in Eagle Bend. 'Like stealin' candy from babies,' he thought.
The downside was that they had been chased by a posse for a day and night, but in the end the Kinney gang had gotten away with ten thousand dollars. And, they hadn't even had to kill anyone that time. Brian didn't relish in killing, but if it needed doing, then he would. Without a second thought.
Right now, he was seated around a fire with the members of his gang; Ted, his best friend Michael, Emmett, and Michael's partner Ben. Of course they couldn't advertise it, but Michael and Ben were lovers. Brian, himself, was also gay, but he didn't believe in relationships or love. Not with the life he lived. when he needed the itch scratched, he would find someone discreet in another town. He refused to sleep with any member of his gang because he knew that sex would ruin their frienships. Ted and Emmett were also homosexuals and were just as discreet as Brian. Brian gave a little chuckle as he thought about how his outlaw gang had to be the only all homosexual outlaw gang ever.
"What's funny?" asked Michael.
Brian just shrugged. "Just thinkin' is all. So, Emmett, what's the next town from here?"
"Four Corners," Emmett answered immediatly.
Brian knew that people had to wonder why Emmett was in the gang. He was a well-dressed young man. Always wore impeccable clothing. Dressed like a gambler, with a nice black jacket, nice pants, and a gambler's hat. Even though he wasn't a full-time professional gambler, Emmett could hold his own in a card game. And, he always seemed to know where all the towns were. He was like Brian's own personal map.
Brian nodded. "I guess that's where we'll head next."
"Isn't that where those seven lawmen are?" questioned Ted.
"Yeah. So, what, Theodore? We've held our own against posses, Texas Rangers, and Federal Marshals. Don't tell me you're worried about a few lawmen," Brian smirked.
Ted sighed, but shook his head. Brian smiled. "Good. Now that that's settled, why don't we all try to get a little shuteye." It wasn't a suggestion, they all knew that it was an order. They'd have to be up early, and Brian didn't tolerate anyone dragging behind.
As Brian laid in the dark cave, he thought about past life and his gang. His father had been a violent drunk, always beating on Brian and his sister Claire. One night, when Claire was thirteen and Brian was ten, Jack beat Claire to death. Of course the sheriff in their hole in the wall town didn't do anything. Him and Jack Kinney were friends. And, Joan, his mother never did anything. Just sat at the table, reading her Bible and praying for all of their lost souls. When he had turned fifteen, Brian had took off, never telling his mother or father that he was leaving. When he was sixteen, he had met up with Michael and Michael's mother Debbie. Debbie owned a brothel and a boarding house in Tombstone, Arizona, along with her brother Vic and took Brian in like he was another son. From then on, he and Michael were best friends. When they were eighteen, Michael and Brian took off, figuring they would see what the world had to offer. By the time they were twenty, they were outlaws. Criminals. Debbie and Vic knew, and would always provide them with a place to stay.
Ted, Emmett, and Ben had met Michael and Brian in a town called Hole. Hole was a hideaway for outlaws, or anybody wanted by the law. The law hated to even go in there, so the criminals were usually left alone. Ted, Emmett, Michael, and Brian formed the Kinney Gang. They would rob banks, stage coaches, any place that they figured had enough money to be worth the trouble. They had also killed. Only men, though. And only ones that needed killing. They had an agreement, no women and no children. Now, it was three years later, and they still hadn't been caught by the law. And, they loved their occupation, they had fun.
As Brian felt himself drifting into a light sleep, he could feel that something was going to happen. He didn't know what, but he had a feeling that it was going to change his life, and that it was going to happen in Four Corners. Usually, he would decide to go to another town. But, this time, he just had to find out why he had that feeling.