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This was a drabble I wrote back in 2009 for my mom after finding out she enjoyed reading stories about her favorite show, Johnny Lancer. This isn’t overwatch, it’s just that I found an old flash drive of mine from many years ago and have been finding all kinds of weird things. This is dramatic/comedy in case you lose the context of the story lol! xD

A Johnny Lancer drabble.

"The Journey to- Where Again?"

Lately I've been catching myself staring at the sky. The vastness up above intrigues me to no end and somehow I wish I could be apart of that infinite escape. I do long for a retreat beyond these dimensions of the human world, to be apart of something greater and less frightening. To be away from the blood shed and leave the past far behind in the deep reaches of my subconscious, left to be forgotten and erased from my memory. It's plain today I haven't been myself. I was watching the clouds creep by in that infinite sky and the patterns that emerged from them dissipated to something completely different, unlike the everyday stern looks and stares a person holds with them till death. Ah yes, the sky is ever changing and it's will to do so is unstoppable by any human hand. My father was talking to me about the ranch and bringing up such topics as his will and how me and Scott will become the land owners when he finally passes. I secretly prayed to myself that that the reaper could spare my father, at least for another 10 years or more. I've grown attached to the man and Scott as well. There is this spot on my belly that has been bothering me for days now! It itches like hell and no matter what I put on it it doesn't seem to make it any better. Teresa took a look and I knew for sure she'd pull something out her ass and fix it right up but she suddenly disappeared about a week ago and we haven't seen her since. I just don't want anyone finding out about this, it's annoying but I'll live. I also found another spot on my -

"John! Get out here!" A shout from the door startled the man and he hastily shut a small notebook and slid it beneath a pile of paperwork on his work area. He rose quickly and stumbled to the door, but regained himself before Scott could have a chance to notice his odd behavior or at least he hoped so.

"What is it Scott? What's the problem?" Johnny managed to breath out before he was shoved outside. The sun hit him like a train. His eyes narrowed instinctively as he felt the sun burn into them. He had been inside all day and barely realized it was day time. In fact, it was early morning. Murdoch stood a few feet away, a solemn scowl crossed his face as he regarded the blue eyed man who returned with a slightly more bewildered expression.

"Whats the problem?" He repeated his last and unanswered question to his father who merely shook his head lightly and closed his eyes. "Well son, I've got some terrible news. " He began, his eyes darting to Scott who seemed a tad on the nervous side.

"Yea?" It was all he could manage to get out. He eyed both his father and Scott and tried to gauge their behavior on the situation. It must have been real bad for them to be gathered like this in such a rush and on such short notice. Murdoch continued, letting his folded arms fall to his side. He raised a hand and held it above his eyebrows, scanning the horizon as he chose his next choice of words carefully. "There was a fight in town between some young boys and it got nasty. You see, Teresa was up there gathering some supplies and found herself in the middle of it all. Well, poor girl got herself caught up in a knife fight and was..." He couldn't finish the last sentence. He breathed in slowly and turned to Johnny, knowing the rest could go on without being said.

Judging from the man's reaction, he was right. Johnny's body slumped slightly as he tried to take in the information and shook his head in disbelief. "Well god damn..." He cursed a few more times under his breath and paced about, kicking at the ground beneath his feet. Scott swallowed hard and took a step forward. "That's not all." He added, his eyes nervously darting between his father and his brother. Johnny instantly ceased movement and raised his head at Scott, interest imprinted in his scowl. "W-well... I did a little investigating of my own. I went to town and talked to a few of the people that witnessed it and it appears it was more than just a fight between two men." He paused for a moment, trying to hold eye contact with his brother whose glare was shooting daggers through him. It wasn't anger towards him but none the less he didn't like those eyes staring at him like that.

"It appears they were fine before Teresa arrived but when she did come they noticed her satchel and obviously saw something they wanted. She... She didn't have a chance." As he finished his last statement, Johnny let out a grunt and rubbed the back of his head rather harshly out of frustration. "Those damn kids. Where they'd get off to?" His voice was hoarse, low and void of question, rather he was demanding an answer. Scott lowered his head at this and fumbled with his holster. "The law never got 'em. They got out of there just in the nick of time. I heard from a man he saw them riding west of here, toward some canyon. But that's at least a 2 week ride from here." He stated. He kept his head lowered but raised his eyes to Johnny, noting the subtle difference in his brother. He could tell the gunslinger was plotting.

Murdoch approached the door and rested a hand on Johnny's shoulder. "You two boys should know what you have to do. The funeral will be a week or 2, so that should give you enough time to be gone and back again in time. Don't worry about anything here, I'll take care of it." He declared, patting Scott on the back as he stepped by him. The two brothers didn't need to acknowledge this. It went without saying what they were about to do.

It took them only an hour or two to saddle up and bring only what they needed to be there and back again within the week. The trail was cooling off, and time was off the essence. They had to be hasty if they were going to take of the murderers and retrieve any of Teresa's belongings. Within the morning they managed to get everything and prepared and set off.

They hit the town and asked around a little more, trying not to waste too much time on the same old clues. The only hit they were able to dig up was names, ages, and possible hide outs. "Cori Benkston and Jessie Escaban. Cori's 33 and Jessie's 28. " Johnny recited from his mental notes. Scott followed closely behind as they sped off deep into the west. They had learned the two boys were gun fighters themselves, but rogue fighters that used dirty tricks and stole what they wanted, rather than earning it. They fought dirty and didn't care who died in their wake.

It took them 3 days to reach a sliver of a river, flowing gently due south of them. The clear crisp water waved at them, as if inviting them to a break. However time could not be wasted. They refilled their water supply and continued throughout the day, camping at small little concealed sites so it would be much harder to be spotted when they awoke in the morning to pack up and leave.

It was hard to believe it had already been a week. Off in the distance, at the very farthest reach for the human eye to see visibly was a small protruding piece of earth. It was the makings of a canyon. They were traveling in the right direction but it would be at least another few days before they got there. That night they spent most the time relating tales to each other and gossiping about past events and the dumb antics of the drunks at their favorite local bar. Scott had noticed Johnny had become much calmer than he was when they first started their journey. But something was bothering Scott tremendously. He couldn't quite put his finger on it but he was best if he didn't worry Johnny with his petty self-issues.

The next day a small town laid across an equally small patch of land. It was surrounded by cliffs, hanging several hundred feet above. It was good to finally see some kind of civilization after almost a week and a half of nothing but the vast desert and your brother to keep you company. But within the town, there was no one. The streets howled a lonely tune as gusts of wind stirred layers of sand and dust from not only the streets but from the buildings themselves. "It's empty." Scott relayed the obvious information to Johnny, but it was good to hear it at least. It confirmed his suspicions.

"Well I'll be damned." Johnny let out a sigh and approached the last building of the town. "There's not a trail out of here. We'll have to head back and go around." Judging from the distance of the cliffs and the terrain amidst all of the bouldered rock, Scott was able to safely estimate the time of arrival. "That will be another day or two added to our litle trek, and that's if we can safely get our horses over those rocks safely. " He stated, his brow lines pinching together in concern. Johnny didn't offer any words, he simply turned his horse around and left the town.

As Scott predicted, it took them longer than usual. The horse had problems manipulating their way through the tough terrain but after 2 days of careful footing, everyone made it out okay. But as the horizon came into view again, both of them noticed something very daunting. The protruding rock that called to them previously was suddenly gone and westward only promised a vast and endless desert that seemed to lead to no where. Johnny, almost breathless at this realization, jumped off his horse and immediately set up camp. He was too frustration to weigh his options or even discuss it.

Quietly the two sat by the fire, watching the flames lick the open air and dance wildly in it's confined spot on the ground. For a while Scott had been wanting to mention something to Johnny but couldn't find the courage to do so. Finally, he gulped hard and opened his mouth to speak. "John, I got something I gotta get off my chest." He said, though his voice was quiet. Johnny heard him however and raised his head. "Yea, what is it?" His response was calm and showed none of the previous frustration whatsoever. This made Scott relax and he sighed inwardly. "Well, we've been out here for almost 2 weeks now, and lately I've been catching myself asking this one question. But I didn't want to bring it up because for some reason I felt guilty. So I just followed you, thinking you knew where we are going. But I gotta ask... What are we doing out here?" He finally asked, sincere confusion in his tone.

Johnny was startled by this question and froze for a moment. He didn't want to admit it himself but he was in the same boat as Scott. "You know what Scott, I'm not too sure myself. I've completely forgot why we're here too." He conveyed honest confusion as well that complimented his brother's. Together they sat for a long while, juggling reasons in each other's thoughts. "Well, I think we were following some trail to a canyon. But for the life of me I can't recall why." Scott finally said. It seemed both of them were unable to remember why they were there, which left them with only thing to do. "I suppose it's time to saddle up and head home Scott." Johnny stated. Scott nodded and could think of no other thing to do.

The next morning they awoke, packed up and spent the next week heading home. It was drizzling when they finally arrived and Murdoch was at the door already, watching the rain. He waved to his sons and offered a warm smile. "Where you boys been??" He asked through the light padding of the rain against the buildings and earth. Both of the men got off their horses and hurried inside. They sat down in the kitchen and shared a pot of coffee. Murdoch sat down across from them and nodded slightly. "A canyon? Why were you two headed off that way? I've been wondering where you two went off too. Well just glad you're back. We got some ranch business to take off tomorrow morning. Get some rest and we'll talk then." With that he raised his glass and retreated to his study.

Johnny decided he'd do the same. He said his good byes and closed himself into the safety of his room. From beneath a pile of paperwork he dug out a small notebook and pulled a pen out of a drawer next to him. He opened it up, dated it and began writing.

About that thing on my belly--

The End.

#drabble #johnny lancer #not overwatch #scott #murdoch #and everyone forgot about teresa