Butterbeans and the tavern ghost

The cave-in left Jared disoriented and confused. The path beneath the old ghost town is no longer passable. However, he is worried less, since he spoke with Alex on the two way radio. Fortunately, the way back was short, and within minutes, he can see the opening where he entered the underground tunnel. He climbs back up into the saddle room of the old dilapidated barn staple.

The day has moved toward evening, and the shadows outside the old barn, are getting long. Jared moves toward the door of the barn, but not before checking to make sure he still has the old map and key he found in the old mill work. He still has them. He couldn’t wait to show Alex what he found. Furthermore, he couldn’t wait to find out where the map leads. And what about the key? Jared’s imagination runs wild with the possibilities of what the key unlocks.

Butterbeans and the Tavern Ghost

Alex catches up with Butterbeans, and they continue jogging back in the direction of the old ghost town. Once Emily Kate returns with her truck, they will make better time. His concern about Jared getting into trouble before they reach him is low. The old town is deserted and only has a few buildings left standing. Therefore, the chances to get into trouble were slim.

With this in mind it does seem like a good idea to hustle. It was approaching dark and things would become complicated then. Butterbeans leads the trek back into the old town. Not for the first time, Alex feels impressed with her intuitiveness. He thinks back to their recent encounters with the strange beings from another dimension. If not for Butterbeans the outcome would have been very different.

Alex remembers back, and jogs forward. After another ten minutes, the sound of an approaching vehicle, gets his attention. Up ahead Butterbeans stops, and turns to see where the vehicle is. Her tail begins wagging energetically and Alex doesn’t have to look, to know that Emily Kate has arrived with her truck.

Tavern Ghost

Jared is at least half way back to the entrance of the old ghost town. Furthermore, he is starting to notice things he missed before. For example the old wagon sitting in front of the old hotel. Or the fact that there was a tavern just beyond there. At first he couldn’t make out what the ancient and weathered sign had on it. However, once he was closer, it was possible to just make out the words on the sign above the door.

Winnie’s Tavern. Jared studies the old sign. There was more written on it, but it weathered away years ago. Only the slightest traces remained. As he stares he gets an idea. He pulls the old parchment he found in the mill work from his pocket. Then he begins to look over the drawings and symbols. Yet nothing seems to line up. He stuffs the paper back in his pocket, feeling a little foolish. Of course treasure maps were not that simple.

Butterbeans

However, he feels a compulsion to look inside the old tavern anyway. Walking to the door, he pushes against it, and it opens with a loud squeak of rusted hinges. The interior of the old tavern is dark. And the place reeks of age and decay. Jared gazes around the inside of the tavern, and jumps suddenly, when his eyes make out a figure standing in the dark interior. Jared’s first instinct is to run like hell. However, before he can move or even blink an eye the figure speaks.

“Howdy partner.”

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The Pawn Ticket Redemption

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