That can be any take on the word that you can come up with, from an actual blind being pulled down, to a loss of sight, to a play on any common idioms like "blind as a bat, or "blind drunk", "play a blinder" or "turn a blind eye".
It can also be any other take on the meaning your fertile brain can come up with.
What are you waiting for? Get writing.
rachel741
Posts : 102 Join date : 2019-09-15 Age : 50 Location : United Kingdom
Subject: Re: Blind Mon Jul 03, 2023 10:01 am
Standing in the walled courtyard that he'd spent much of the last week staring out at through a barred window, with rough hemp biting into his hands, which were tied tightly behind him as his heart thudded hard in his ears, the Kid was left contemplating the unfairness of fate. He was even wondering if they should have just stuck to the outlaw life, because in the almost eighteen months that they'd spent going straight they'd found nothing but trouble, and now he was facing something even worse than the twenty years in prison they'd been trying to avoid by going for amnesty. Because despite trying his damnedest, Heyes hadn't been able to find the miracle they'd needed to get him out of this.
The Kid squinted over at the assembled line of armed men, each holding a gun, that would very soon be pointed straight at him, and thought that perhaps refusing a blindfold hadn't really been that wise a choice after all.
The Kid in an attempt to keep the fear that was racing through him show on his face, allowed his mind to drift to his friend, who would be pacing and cursing in the Alcalde's Office. He was being kept there by the watchful immovable presence of three armed men, with his view of what was going on out here blocked by the heavy curtain that the Alcalde had ordered to be drawn across the window as the Kid had been led out.
The memory of Heyes practically begging to be allowed to watch the execution, with his panicked pleading tone holding more pain than Kid could remember hearing in his partner's voice in many years was embedded in his brain. The last time he had heard so much agony in his voice had been back when they were still children. His distress had convinced the Kid to say yes, despite his deep reservations. But of course the decision had turned out not to be his to make, and the Alcalde had been implacable in his refusal to allow it, leaving the Kid feeling reluctant gratitude towards his executioner. Heyes would be living with enough of a guilty conscience without the addition of the horrific memory of having had to watch helplessly as his partner died shot to pieces in front of him.
They'd talked about what to do after in hushed tones once they'd realised the miracle wasn't going to happen and had decided that Heyes would let him to be buried here in Santa Marta under the name Thaddeus Jones. The Kid didn't want to be remembered as a murderer, and he firmly believed that there was absolutely no need for his partner to be subjected to the horror of transporting his body anywhere else. He'd been firm in getting Heyes to listen to him, because even though he wouldn't know, it had felt important for him to hear his friend say yes. And Heyes so despairing of his own failure to stop today happening, had for once easily agreed to anything the Kid asked.
As dawn had broken they'd been given a last few precious minutes together under the watchful eyes of armed soldiers. The Kid had stared at his partner's stricken expression, the grief he could see already settling on his face threatening to rip away his fragile composure. Heyes' eyes had been glittering with tears, and the lines on his face were stood out in sharp relief adding years to him, as he'd mouthed. “I'm sorry.” The Kid suddenly needing to offer some final comfort, had despite his own desperation, and not trusting his voice tried to smile, knowing that was all he had left to give his friend to attempt to reassure him that he didn't believe he was to blame for any of this. But his pained grimace had done nothing to ease his friend's guilt, despite his sincerity. And before he could try again, they'd been out of time, and a heavy door had slammed shut between them as the Kid was led back to his cell to wait for the firing squad to be assembled.
He pushed the painful memory away as his attention was drawn back to the row of men in front of him by the sound of movement. The man in charge of the firing squad, who the Kid recognised as an army captain nodded sharply and straightened up, his face hardening. The Kid realised he must have missed some kind of signal from the Alcalde because after a deep breath the Captain shouted what was obviously an order, and even with the Kid's limited Spanish, he understood its meaning.“Apunter.”
As several rifles were suddenly aimed straight at his chest, the Kid determined not to show any emotion forced his mind into the calm that he always found when facing a gun and waited to die. But to his shock rather than feeling a hail of bullets ripping into him, he instead heard a disturbance behind him, and he swirled round almost eagerly, as hope that Heyes had finally pulled off the impossible flooded through him. But the brief flare of optimism was quickly replaced by puzzled despair, when he came face to face with two men he'd believed he'd never see again, except perhaps in nightmares.
He couldn't understand what they were doing here, had he somehow missed being killed? Both of these men were dead by his gun. The last time he'd seen Hector Martin, was ten years ago, as he'd breathed out his last, outside a bank in Abilene, the weapon he had been aiming at the Kid's back on the ground beside him. The second man had lost his life less than two years ago, sprawled on the dusty street of Matherville, his face frozen in a parody of the grin he'd so often sported in life.
The Alcalde stepped over to greet the two villains with a welcoming smile. “Ahh it is good to see you, I was afraid my message would not reach you in time.”
The Kid stared in shock at what was happening, because he had until just now believed the Alcalde to be a decent man , albeit one blinded by his desire to find an easy way of solving an inconvenient murder, but before he could react any further, one of the men gave an irritatingly familiar grin. “We wouldn't have missed this for the world would we Hector?” The other man shook his head with a gleeful look over at the Kid as Bilson continued to talk. ”It's good to be somewhere cool. Lord Lucifer was more than happy to give us a few days to escort another soul into his tender arms.” He laughed, the unpleasant mocking sound brought the hair on the Kid's neck up and his stomach roiled in a mix of anger and fear. Bilson then twisted so he was facing the Kid, his smile even less pleasant than the Kid remembered as he said with amusement clear in his tone.“ Hector was disappointed that I won the toss and was given the live rounds.” He turned his gaze back to the Alcalde, as his smile grew even wider. “But with a little discussion, we decided to share the pleasure.” He turned back to grin at the Kid as he said. “I sure am glad you won't be firing back at us Thaddeus. It's going to be as easy as shooting plates, but far more satisfying.”
The Kid having heard enough, anger replacing some of his fear and confusion, started towards the men, but found himself restrained by the guards behind him. “No, Senor Jones, stay where you are.”
The Alcalde turned to his men who were looking more than a little puzzled, their rifles still half pointing towards the Kid and waved at them. “Estas despedido.”
As the Kid watched, his heart in his mouth, the assembled men in front of him seemed to sag in relief. It seemed that being part of a firing squad was not something they enjoyed, and with their Captain leading the way they quickly departed,not glancing over at the Kid as they passed, probably not wanting to acknowledge the condemned man for fear of nightmares.
The Kid sweating, his breath coming in short sharp gasps, didn't understand any of this, the strange fogginess in his mind, and the odd blurriness of what he was seeing wasn't helping his confusion any either.
He knew at this point that Heyes must be wondering what the hell was happening. The Kid looked over at the heavy gate at the far end of the courtyard, almost expecting to see his irate friend come barrelling through it, demanding to know what was going on.
But his attention was quickly drawn back to his own predicament as he was manoeuvred back into position. Without thinking he pushed back, irritated by rough handling, when he was hardly in a position to fight, but all he got for his trouble was a hard kick on his shin, a sharp prod in his back from a rifle, and an impatient. “Be still Senor, there is no escape.”
He almost rolled his eyes at the man, as if he hadn't realised that for himself. Straightening his back despite his fear and the growing nausea, the Kid stared over at the Alcalde saying firmly. “You know I didn't kill Ralph Hanley.”
The Alcalde met his gaze steadily. “I know nothing of the sort Senor Jones.” The Kid knew he was lying, and anger replaced some of the thudding fear. Deciding he wouldn't waste any more of his final breaths on the idiot, he simply threw him a final glare, shook his head angrily, and turned to face the men who would take his life. How someone claiming to be a decent man and an upholder of the law could watch him die, knowing he was innocent of the crime he was accused of he honestly didn't know. But as he stared ahead, out across the courtyard, the Kid was suddenly impatient. Now that he saw no way out of this, there simply being nowhere left for him to run, he wanted to get this over with. He hoped fervently that he would have the chance to settle the score with the two men aiming guns at him , when they were all on the other side. No more thought was possible as the Alcalde shouted in English standing a safe distance from the guns. “Aim, then fire when ready.”
Before the Kid could be torn apart by an oncoming wave of bullets, he was being shaken and an urgent voice was loud in his ear. He came awake with a start, surprised to find himself in what was obviously a hotel bedroom looking up at the very worried face of his partner as his heart pounded in his ears and his head span. “What the hell Kid?”
Struggling to catch his breath, he could only shake his head aware of being drenched in sweat as his hands trembled slightly. He tried to look away from Heyes, embarrassed at what his face must be showing, but Heyes held his head tightly and too shaken from what he'd dreamt to fight too hard, the Kid stopped moving and simply closed his eyes as the potent imagery and feeling brought on by the dream lingered, before reopening them to rest his gaze on Heyes and say softly. “They were going to kill me, Heyes, the alcalde was going to let Danny and Hector kill me.”
He swallowed hard and flinched as his mind finished the dream and he felt the impact of the bullets ripping into him.
“Great time to develop an imagination Kid.” Though the words seemed harsh, Heyes' tone was soft and reassuring, as still keeping their eyes locked, he released his grip on the Kid's head and began to gently stroke his arms, murmuring nothing words, as if settling a spooked horse, the touch and tone grounded the Kid, allowing reality to force the dream to begin to loosen its grip on him, though he was still breathing far heavier than usual and his heart seemed loud in his ears.
As he came back to himself, Heyes pulled back, but kept his hand on the Kid's arm, allowing him some space but still offering support as he said. “And before you ask, I'm back early, 'cos I didn't want to clean 'em out and cause a scene.”
The Kid took another steadying breath as he remembered that Heyes had gone to play cards, after filling him about what had happened and ruining his hat. He let the memory of their conversation drift into his mind, hoping that something so normal would dispel more of the dream as he swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood a little unsteadily, desperate for a drink of water to ease his dry scratchy throat.
“You ever gonna get outta that bath, Kid? I swear you're gonna scrub yourself invisible or just plain melt away if you stay in there much longer.”
The Kid had startled at the sound of his friend's voice, before frowning and shrugging, shivering sightly as he was hit by the fact that the water had gone cold.
He'd clambered out of the bath carefully, fumbling and barely catching the towel that Heyes had thrown at him. As he dried himself, he'd had to be careful not to trip himself up. He'd spent too much time in and out of jail in the past few days to fully relax, and the last two days of waiting for the miracle that Heyes had finally pulled off, had all added up to an almost total lack of sleep in the last week, other than a few restless hours. He'd looked up owlishly from drying his feet and shaken his head wearily, when his partner had asked if he was hungry. “More tired than anythin' else Heyes. Just gonna go to bed and sleep till breakfast, or maybe even lunch.”
A brief look of concern had crossed his friend's face before it'd faded, replaced by a small smile. “Sure, Kid, guess you ain't been sleeping good. But I'm in the mood to celebrate.” He'd paused and added with a dimpled grin. “So don't be worrying, and don't try to wait up.”
The Kid had again shook his head, as he'd snapped. “Ain't intending on doing either.” He'd been left feeling vaguely irritated and a little disappointed that Heyes wasn't staying in with him but pushing that away, he'd slid under the quilt, wearing only clean long john pants muttering. “Just don't lose all our money this time.”
Which of course explained his partner's comment as he'd woken. He poured himself a glass of liquid from the jug by the door, grateful that it was still cold, and finished it in one gulp, before walking over to stare down at the still busy street, feeling Heyes watching him, grateful that he wasn't pushing for answers. The memory of the dream was still far too clear in his head, and he blew out a heavy breath, willing his mind to quiet with little success. He rarely dreamt, usually only doing so when he was incredibly overtired or very stressed, but when he did, they were generally just like this one, painfully vivid nightmares, that were often hard to shake. And damn he was still too tired to be able to properly make the effort that was needed to banish the shadows from his mind. Tomorrow would be better.
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Kattayl
Posts : 47 Join date : 2020-08-10 Age : 69 Location : Los Angeles, Ca
Subject: Re: Blind Thu Jul 27, 2023 10:17 pm
The Dark Lady
July 2023 Challenge
Having been what Heyes considered enough time for the posse from Twisting Road to have given up and gone home, he called the meeting in the bunkhouse that the Devil’s Hole Gang had been eagerly anticipating. Timing his entrance so that everyone was already there, he opened the door wide, strode in with a smile on his face, and threw a traveling bag on the long wooden table.
“Woo-ee!” Kyle Murtry exclaimed. “That bag sure looked heavy, Heyes!”
The dark-haired co-leader of the gang caught the eye of his partner, Jed ‘Kid’ Curry, before starting.
The blond gunman stood, arms crossed, in the back corner of the room watching that the meeting stayed under control.
Heyes smiled widely. “Best take yet! More than eight-thousand apiece after I took out ten percent for Devil’s Hole maintenance and expenses.”
“Woo-ee!” Kyle repeated, wanting to grab the bag and rip it open.
“Before I pass it out, some rules. Go where you want but not within forty miles of Twisted Road. No more than three together. Be back here by the twenty-sixth. That’s one week, seven days, from now. Everyone got that?”
Impatient nods replied.
“And be careful. Don’t flash your cash and don’t brag about the robbery.” Reaching into the bag, he started handing a bundled stack of money to each one.
“Thanks, Heyes!” said Kyle.
“See you on the twenty-sixth!” Preacher waved as he hurried out the door to an already saddled horse.
“I would have given it out a week ago.” Wheat Carlson grabbed his stack.
The bunkhouse cleared out quickly, leaving Heyes and Curry.
“You ready to go, Kid?”
“Just got to saddle our horses. What is the place you’re so determined to visit?”
“The Dark Lady saloon, about fifty miles east of here.”
“That’s the name?” asked Curry/
“No, it’s called Fate’s Gate but that’s where the Dark Lady lives and she’s something special.”
“They got good poker there? Pretty girls?”
“Fair poker. Pretty girls, but it’s the Dark Lady herself that is so special. Twice I went hurrahing with Big Jim Santana there. And he let it be known that he would be monopolizing all her time.”
“Mon…op what?”
“Means taking up all her time. And he did just that.”
“She’s real pretty, huh?”
“Never saw her myself but she must be something special to pull Big Jim there like that.”
ASJ*****ASJ
Curry squinted as darkness fell as they rode into town. “No, lawmen’s office that I can see.”
“Another thing in this town’s favor. They don’t care where the money spent here comes from,” Heyes answered, heading straight for the saloon even in the darkness.
“Hotel first, then dinner?” asked his partner.
“You do that. I’m going to the Dark Lady.”
“Wait for me to have your back; you know I’m the only reason you’re still alive.” Curry’s teasing had an edge of caution.
Heyes looked at his partner, seeing only his outline in the darkness. He knew his face would be concerned; he’d heard the warning in his tone. “Think I got this one, partner. No poker, just want to spend some upstairs’ time with a special lady.” Heyes dismounted quickly and handed the reins to Curry.
“Heyes, try and be careful,” Curry whispered to his back.
ASJ*****ASJ
As he entered, Heyes stepped to the right of the door, letting his eyes adjust to the light. What there was of it anyway. It was dimly lit, just like he remembered. And it was crowded. Surveying the room quickly, he didn’t see anyone who looked familiar or wore a badge. Going to the end of the bar by the stairs, he waited for the older bartender he remembered to come to him.
“What’ll you have?”
Heyes put a hundred-dollar bill on the bar and covered it with his hand, making sure the barkeep had time to see it. He had watched Big Jim do this, but he was bluffing his way through now. Hannibal Heyes enjoyed a good bluff. “Looking to spend some time with the Dark Lady,” he said softly.
After studying him for a minute, the barkeep sighed before he put his hand on top of Heyes’. “Who sent ya?”
“Big Jim Santana.”
The man turned away. “Big Jim’s in prison…wait, you the young safecracker he used to bring here? You sure filled out, boy…grew, too.”
Not sure what to say, Heyes remained quiet.
Slipping the bill from under Heyes’ hand, the barkeep whispered, “I’ll see if she’s available.” Before he left, he poured a glass of expensive whiskey in Heyes’ glass. “Two dollars.”
Again, Heyes mimicked Big Jim and gave the man a five. “No change.”
Standing with his back to the bar, Heyes took a sip of the whiskey and smiled. He was studying the men playing poker when his partner arrived.
“Strike out?” Curry asked as he nodded to the other bartender for a drink.
“No, waiting for an answer.” He took the key Curry handed him.
“The Morgan Hotel across the street, room twelve. Hungry?”
“Go eat if you’re hungry. Like I said, I’m waiting,” Heyes answered.
Facing Heyes, Curry looked up the stairs, catching only the shadow of a woman.
Returning, the bartender asked, “The lady wants to know your name.”
“Hannibal He…”
“Hannibal is enough. Big Jim mentioned you to her several times. Go on up. Last door on the right.”
A dimpled smile crossed his face. “Expect me when you see me,” he told his partner.
Curry watched Heyes take the steps two at a time. When he disappeared, Curry tried to catch the eye of the barkeep, but the man was staring up the stairs. Abruptly, the man looked away and right at Curry, shaking his head. It was only for a second but there was something in the man’s eyes, something sinister and sad. “What has Heyes gotten himself into this time?” he muttered to himself.
ASJ*****ASJ
The upstairs hallway was brightly lit. Heyes, in his enthusiasm, passed the door then went back, took a deep breath, and knocked.
“Is that Big Jim’s Hannibal?” a sweet voice called from within.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“What are you waiting for? Come in.”
With only one candle in the corner, Heyes stopped just inside the door, trying to orient himself to the room.
“Close the door, sweetie.”
The perfume smell was sweet but erotic, probably from New York or Paris. He made out the woman on the divan beckoning him over. She reached out and touched him, handing him a blindfold. “Put this on,” she instructed.
“But?”
“You’ll find it enhances the experience,” she answered with a small laugh that sounded like bells ringing.
She was not wearing one but he did as she asked.
“Touch my face. I’ll touch yours around the mask.” Her touch was light, sensual, enjoyable. His fingers found her skin soft, pampered. She took his fingers from her face and kissed them each slowly. “Your fingers aren’t calloused.”
“I protect them with gloves. Need them to do my job successfully,” he whispered into her soft long curls.
Again, her magical laugh. “And that would be safecracking? That job has made you a wanted man.”
“Wait until the papers write about our next job in Oak Rock. I’ll have the highest bounty in the West.” His bragging was forgotten as her body leaned closer to him.
It was his turn to laugh but he said little as he slipped her dress straps over her shoulders, kissing them gently. She was right, the mystery of the mask was adding to the experience.
Her fingers wandered to his vest, removing it quickly. Feeling a need, he quickly removed his clothes and heard the swish, swish as her dress fell to the ground. What color was the dress, he wondered. And then it didn’t matter. It was just the two of them in a world of darkness, the blind touching leading to so much more.
ASJ*****ASJ
Heyes woke up in her arms in the dark room. Surely it must be morning. They had made sweet love all night until sleep claimed them. Heyes understood Big Jim’s almost compulsive return to her now. If he could, he thought, he would happily stay here.
Her fingers felt his face again, although the mask was discarded hours ago. “Do you have dimples, Hannibal?” she asked and a thought occurred to Heyes.
“Yes, and some of the ladies claim they like them. But you can’t see them, can you?”
“Ah, you found out my secret, Hannibal. I am nearly blind. Light causes me great pain. I’d thought you’d catch on sooner. Big Jim said you were very intelligent.”
“I would have but I was captivated by your charms.”
She laughed and he thought he could listen to it forever. “Ah, you have a silver tongue. Are you hungry?”
“For you,” he replied, laying back on the bed, taking her in his arms. The only light in the room was a sliver of sunlight at the side of the curtain, the candle having burned out during the night.
She wiggled free. “Time for that later. We must keep up our strength.” Standing, she ran her hand over the headboard, pulled the rope there twice. Heyes heard a bell chime twice. “Oh, the candle must have gone out.” she said and laughed that enticing laugh.
“Yes, but we don’t need light for what I plan to do.”
Heyes marveled as he saw her outline take four confident steps across the room and a flash of her face as she struck a match.
“Will you go downstairs and pick up our breakfast? The bartender will have it at the end of the bar when it’s ready.”
Dressing in the soft shifting light, Heyes was content, relaxed. He kissed her cheek before heading downstairs, lost in thought about spending the day with her.
It was a different, younger bartender that carried the tray over to the bar. “There you go, sir.”
“Thank you. What do I owe you?” Heyes asked. He cocked his head at the hesitation in the barkeep's answer.
“Ah, no charge, sir.”
“And for the continuing pleasures of the lady?”
“No charge, sir,” he said, turning away, but Heyes heard him mumble to himself, “That Dark Lady makes her money another way.”
“Sir, “Heyes called the man back, something tickling the outside of his thoughts. “Have you seen my partner? Blond, innocent-looking?”
“Kid Curry, you mean? Yes, he was looking for you earlier. Said to tell you he took the room for another night.”
“Thanks.” He slid the man a five-dollar tip. “For you.”
Heyes studied the man. He looked guilty as he picked up the money. Then, as if he had made a decision, he leaned towards Heyes, his eyes searching the room. “There is a back door down the far stairs. It’s always unlocked.”
“Er, thanks.” Heyes took the tray and headed up the stairs but his thoughts were on his strange conversation with the barkeep and not on the lady upstairs. As he got to the top of the stairs, he saw the old bartender from last night leave the Dark Lady’s room. “I’ll send that right away, ma’am.”
Taking a step back, Heyes hesitated, and watched him hurry down the back stairs. Something was going on, but he was going to enjoy the Dark Lady and puzzle it out later.
“Ah, safecracker, put the tray on the table in the corner and let’s enjoy breakfast. I smell bacon, sausage, toast, and coffee.” The Dark Lady had changed into a dark blue tight-fitting dress and Heyes couldn’t wait to take it off slowly.
“Your sense of smell is very sharp, my lady.”
“Smells can tell us a lot.”
Curious, Heyes closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Ah yes, the bacon dominates the other smells ...even the coffee. I would think the coffee would smell stronger.” He took the top off the coffee pot and sniffed. It wasn’t the strong coffee he loved.
“Well, it’s…it’s from the east. A special erotic blend.”
Deciding against the coffee, Heyes prepared a plate and handed it to her as she sat at the table. Then he joined her, picking at his food, anxious for what was to follow. Something was off, but he ignored the feeling.
“Heyes, let me know what you think of the coffee,” her sweet voice requested.
And he put it all together. She already had a filled coffee cup in her hand when he came into the room. The bartender must have brought it. And the one on the tray was drugged. He poured it into a cup so she heard the sound and pretended to drink.
“Why don’t you sit on the bed while I get ready for you,” she said softly, but her voice no longer sounded enticing to him.
The dark-haired outlaw stood and walked behind her, kissing her beautiful neck. “You’re beautiful, you know,” he told her while moving as silently as he could. She would expect him to pass out on the bed, depending on how quickly the drug worked. Instead, he put on his gunbelt and found his black hat.
“Why do they call you the Dark Lady?” He surprised her as his voice had come from across the room.
“Because I’m blind, of course. You’re not on my bed?” She laughed but it didn’t sound as sweet as last night.
“Big Jim was with you the night before he was caught. He told you about the robbery the next day, didn’t he?”
She turned quickly to face the door where his voice now came from. “Was he?”
Heyes turned the doorknob quietly and left, leaving the door open. Hurrying, he found the back stairs. The door was indeed unlocked. Running to the hotel, he found his partner eating in the restaurant.
ASJ*****ASJ
“Heyes, you said you had a VERY enjoyable night. Why’d we leave so quickly? Marshal go into the bar?” Kid Curry asked when they stopped to rest the horses after their hard run from town.
“She amazing…and blind, but that ain’t why they call her the Dark Lady.”
“It ain’t?” Curry leaned back against a tree and leaned his head on his folded hands.
“She’s like a black widow spider and I almost fell into her trap. Pretty sure she sent a telegram to get a lawman there so she could collect the reward on me…maybe both of us. The job in Oak Rock is off. The first time Big Jim was with her, the law showed up the next day. I saw them and we got out of there quickly. The second time I’m sure he told her about his last job. She didn’t call the law then but she let them know about the robbery…and the marshals were waiting for us.
“Big Jim wouldn’t tell her nothing like that,” Curry protested.
“She has her ways. She’s beautiful and seductive.” Heyes looked at the mountains in the distance. “And I bragged to her about Oak Rock.”
“Aw, Heyes.”
“Learned my lesson, partner. Going to spread the word to every outlaw we know to avoid the Dark Lady.”
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