The Secret Diaries of Katherine Barlow: Chapter 6
Author: C.L. Curtis
Disclaimer: Kate belongs to Louis Sachar. I'm only borrowing her for the sake of fun.
Authors
Note: Heads up--I am going to start skipping days, months, and
possibly years in the entries, because, surprise! I have twenty
years to cover. So, if one entry is in May of 1891, and the next is
December of 1894, be aware that that's not an oversight, but rather
an effort to keep the story moving.
July 28, 1891
We are headed west again. Within a week or so we should be in Fredericksburg. On a normal day, we rest four or five times and then camp out at night. To keep their minds off of the heat, the men take to jabbering, usually uselessly. Of course, occasionally something interesting comes up, such as the subject of how Jake came to join me.
"Believe it or not, I saved her from certain death," I overheard him boasting yesterday afternoon.
"That's what he likes to think," I called over my shoulder. "I expect you'll be smarter than to believe that nonsense."
Jake snorted in reply, while Pryce began to chuckle, before quickly changing his mind, falling silent, and looking back at me. I was pleased to see this evident fear of me—it was just what made a good accomplice.
However, Jake was never one to pick up on subtlety, and therefore nothing would keep him from finishing his story. Following this, I notified Pryce of my expectations of him.
"…You never shoot anyone without my signal. You do, there will be consequences, I promise you. I will not hesitate to kill either of you."
At this, Jake shot me a sideways glance and then rolled his eyes. He'd heard it all before, but I'll admit, that didn't always prevent him from making a few "mistakes". I pointedly ignored him and continued.
"And while we're at it, let's get something straight. We are not friends; You two are working for ME. And if you have any kind of problem with that--" I nodded to the vast desert that surrounded us, smiling rather sardonically. "I won't take any offense if you choose to leave now."
Automatically, Pryce shook his head emphatically, looking quite alarmed. "No, ma'am. No problem. You're the boss. Whatever you say, goes."
Jake let out a low whistle at that little testament, looking entirely amused. I, on the other hand, nodded my approval.
"After this conversation, there's no backing out," I concluded. "You already know too much."
"Yeah," Jake chimed in, sobering up and gesturing to the gun on his belt. "If you ever change your mind, just let one of us know."
I think Pryce got the point.
"Also," I added, my tone brightening ever so slightly. "You make sure you drink water, and plenty of it. And if you see a yellow spotted lizard, stay away. You're no good to me dead."
"Yes ma'am," he repeated.
August 3,1891
We arrived in Fredericksburg today, which created quite the spectacle. Though our visit was brief, by the time we left, you could cut the tension with a knife. People kept to their homes, the street was utterly deserted…the whole deal. It was actually very entertaining. Our intentions were to carry out a daytime bank robbery, a feat in itself, but one that I knew would add to our reputation.
When we reached the bank, we dismounted. Jake and I pulled our guns from the holsters, and looked expectantly toward Pryce.
"Well, Pryce, lets see what you've got," I prompted, quirking an eyebrow. He looked at the bank warily, and Jake gave him a little shove as he walked past him, holding open the door at grinning back at me.
"Ladies first," he said, giving a deep, theatrical bow.
I ignored him, and stepped inside to regard an extraordinarily frightened teller. Honestly, he looked as though he were preparing to run away, regardless of what was expected of his post.
"Is there, uh, somethin' I can do for you, ma'am?"
"Now, come on," I said to him, hands on my hips as I tilted my head to the side and gave him a 'look'. "Can't we please skip the formalities?"
"You-you're," he stammered, what color was left in his face draining completely away.
"Kissin' Kate Barlow, yeah, that's her," Jake said portentously, stepping up to the desk, and holding open a black bag. "Now be a good boy and just put all the money in the bag, and maybe you'll get a little kiss."
I wasn't able to keep myself from rolling my eyes at that. Sighing in frustration, I flipped my gun around my finger. That joke was getting old. Regardless, the teller filled the bag, never once taking his eyes off of me.
"What?" I snapped at one point. "Am I pretty?"
"No," He said immediately, before flinching, turning bright red and swaying as if about to pass out. "I mean, yes. Yes ma'am!"
I cocked my pistol. "What was that?"
"Yes ma'am, you're very pretty! Very pretty!"
Jake tied the bag, looking from me, to the teller, and then back at me again. He cleared his throat loudly, speaking up in bored tones.
"Just shoot him, Kate. I'm hungry."
I was affronted.
"I don't take orders from you!" I informed him sharply, rounding on him with the rifle still drawn. "If I decide I want to stand here all day, we damn well will!"
He muttered something that sounded very much like "women" under his breath, but I chose to ignore him. After one last hard stare at the teller, I pulled the trigger.
"Finally," Jake breathed, meriting an icy glare from my direction. He raised his hands in surrender. "Hey, I didn't say nothin'."
I drew a shade of red lipstick from my pocket, carefully applied it, and turned to face the boys.
"Does this color suit me?" I asked sarcastically, the question hypothetical. Ever eager to please, Pryce opened his mouth to reply, and Jake casually stepped on his foot.
"Very nice color," Jake replied in a dry tone that rivaled mine, and Pryce nodded, wincing at what I presumed to be the pain in his foot.
"Idiots," I muttered wholeheartedly. Approaching the teller behind the desk, I knelt down and kissed him on the forehead. While Jake would have led you to believe otherwise, the whole thing really did happen very fast. In fact, the authorities didn't show up until we were on our way out the door, and what followed then is utterly insignificant in the greater scheme of things.