[Hippie]

On a Dying Wish

A skeletal hand emerged from the dead center of his poncho to tip the straw sombrero out of his way, while the other held onto the length of rope joined to the horse's halter. He tugged gently off to the side to guide the horse around the herd of loose cattle, whilst the barking dog sprinted to the opposite side and chased any runaways back into the mass of panicked cows. The horse's hooves thudded softly against the dry grass below, outdone by the dozens of heavier steps of the herd kept in check. Two farmhands waited ahead, holding open the wooden gates to the ranch, through which the mass of animals was guided through by the odd duo.

Not a single cow had run loose. The gates were promptly shut and locked. One of the farmhands climbed over the fence and greeted the happy dog before finally turning to the Lich on horseback.

"Gracias, Cadaver!" thanked the man.

The same hand free hand inched upwards to take hold of his hat and tip it to the farmhand before promptly turning about and trotting off into the distance.

Giving a hand around the old pueblo was a task the Lich had always enjoyed. Every now and then, the occasional farmhand would lose control of a herd they had taken out to pasture and would quickly turn to Cadaver and Maria for aid. Either of them were not the type to say no and the whole town knew this quite well. Reminiscence was all that the Lich could think about as he made his way back deeper into the town on the dirt roads, greeted by the different townsfolk that recognized his distinguishable attire on his way.

Eventually, Cadaver arrived at an old wooden building that shared a resemblance to an old saloon. Both of his skeletal feet were thrown over the horse as he finally dismounted and tied the animal to the post outside. One hand reached out to caress the horse's snout before he finally made his way inside. He approached an old coathanger just by the entrance and removed his straw sombrero, exposing the demonic horns at the top of his humanoid skull. The red poncho followed and exposed the brown duster and red bandana underneath - as well as the front hip holster holding his sawn-off in place.

Claw-ridden skeletal feet started on their stride on towards behind the counter and into a door, where the kitchen was. A cabinet was swung open and a clean glass snatched, placed on the table ahead. The other hand took a water jug and pulled out the cork, pouring the glass to the brim. With the water jug set aside, the demonic Lich took the water glass and walked into the table - disappearing into thin air.

He materialized at the doorframe and cast his white-orbed glance to the resting old lady without uttering a single word, the glass of water in hand.

"You're back already?" asked the elderly woman, sitting up against the bed's' headboard.

"I wouldn't want to leave you alone for too long, Maria," replied the demonic Lich.

He stepped forward and made his way towards Maria's side, lowering his looming height to a kneeling and offering the glass. The woman reached out her wrinkly, frail hands to take it in her grasp and move it to her lips for a handful of sips. While the skeleton couldn't exactly smile, his white orbs curved into a joyful expression at Maria's compliance.

"You worry too much, Cadaver. A little bit of heat isn't going to do this fighting body much wrong. You don't see me as just an old lady, do ya'?"

An ethereal chuckle resonated in the air.

"Of course not. You're still the prettiest and strongest lass I have ever met. That's no excuse to not take care of you, however. Try as you may, you won't dissuade me."

Though the woman huffed, her attempt at trying to conceal a small smile was quite unsuccessful. The Lich finally rose to his full height once more and headed for the nearby window. He slipped his claw-like osseous fingers underneath the frame and lifted it up to allow some fresh air inside. He turned back to the resting woman, only to notice the smile seemed to have vanished entirely. Instead, replaced by a frown.

"What's wrong?"

Maria didn't dare look at Cadaver directly in the eyes. She looked to be on the verge of tears all of a sudden. His white orbs squinted in worry, but he didn't move from his post by the window.

"You... knew this time would come, right? You're ageless, and here I am... a wrinkly, rotten mess. I can hardly walk on my own. I can barely take care of myself. I'm not the woman I once was. We can't ride from town to town as we used to, we can't help those in need... I'm-... I'm scared, Cadaver."

Even through her wrinkles, she sounded like the young woman the Lich had grown to care for so much.

"Don't be scared, Maria," he replied solemnly. "The Maria I know would never fear death. She would face-"

"I don't fear death!" interrupted the elderly woman and coughed after.

The sudden interruption seemed to surprise the demon, forcing him into silence.

"I'm... scared of losing you," she admitted with a tone full of sorrow. "We've spent fifty years together, Cadaver. You're the closest person to me, and I really hold you very dear to my heart. When I pass away... I don't know what I'll do without you. You've taken care of me for so long and made me so happy. When I die, you'll just... keep on living. Decades, centuries, maybe even thousands of years. I don't know if we'll ever see each other again..."

A painful shiver spread across his soul as he heard the elderly woman's words. The thought of never seeing her again. Such a thought he could not bear. The white orbs flickered weakly, nearly vanishing entirely. And there he stood for a moment. Soon, his eyes would regain their lost splendor and his mind newfound resolve. He walked into the window frame and disappeared entirely, only to resume his walk by Maria's side. He kneeled to her and reached out a skeletal hand to tilt her head towards him.

"Don't be giving up on me so easily, mi dama. I will never forget you, not now, not tomorrow, not in a thousand years. I could never forget the woman who changed my unlife for the better. The woman who taught me to be the honest man they don't want to let go of. Hold me to my word; someday, Maria, we shall meet again. Even if I have to walk to the end of the world to find a way, I will. Just for you. I would never let you go so easily, either. All those adventures we've had will always stay with me. All the things you've taught me. I will never forget them. I will never forget you."

Tears trailed down the elderly woman's cheeks, which were deftly wiped away by the Lich's bony fingers.

"... t-thank you, Cadaver. You always know what to say to make this old lady feel better."

Cadaver's white orbs curved into that of a joyful expression, one to inspire confidence into the frail woman in his grasp.

"T-Tomorrow... would you take me to where we first met?"

"The center of the pueblo? Of course, Maria. There's nothing that I wouldn't do for you."

She smiled, and died the next morning.