Page 155 of Wildest Forever

I don't hesitate and click onto it within a split second.

It takes a moment to load and it's grainy as fuck but I think I can make out what it is.

There are four people.

No one is speaking and after a moment or two, the camera focuses, and the image becomes clearer.

“So, we agree, we hit the ranches and once we've run them out, your guys will move in and take the land?”

I know that voice in an instant.

Marty.

Fucking snake.

“Yeah, that's right,” now that voice, I have no idea. He is tall, a little rounded and his voice sounds like he is from out of town. A soft orange glow from his fingers and I realise he is smoking.

“I don't think this is a good idea, the Riveras are not going to be run off their ranch.” Conrad's voice is the next one I hear and my blood boils.

“Fuck the Riveras,” Luke snarls and Marty chuckles.

“They'll kill you,” Conrad's voice is hard like stone and a sense of pride blooms in my chest.

“They can give it a go, I've got an army ready to take down the Riveras, don't you worry about that Conrad.” The man I don't know says and my fist balls.

“Remember Conrad, I will kill Sunny then pick your family off one by one if you do not get us in there like we asked.”

Get them in where?

“We've already done the The Old Dusty Boot, next it's the ranch, then I’ll pluck their houses and finish off with the sheriff and then finally, that badge will be mine.”

“Fuckers,” I growl.

“It was easy enough to wipe Jorge out, he was the glue that held that family together, next will be Orla, then Riggs...”

“Let me put the bullet between his eyes,” Luke bounces on the spot and I see Conrad look across to where the video is being recorded, the camera zooms in, and I see Conrad give him a soft nod. If you weren’t looking for it, you would have missed it.

“I want out,” Conrad says with a trembling voice.

“You want out?” Marty toes him and Luke is behind Marty in seconds.

“Yeah, I won't let you get near Sunny, my family or the Riveras. You want the land? They won't give it to you, so you think it is acceptable to take it from them, murdering them...”

My blood runs cold and that's when I see Marty snap, his fists pummel into Conrad’s face and he falls to the ground, shielding his head and face. Bile creeps up my throat, my closed fist in front of my lips as I watch it all unfold.

Luke and Marty beat him with their fists and feet till he barely has a pulse.He doesn't put up a fight, just takes it and my fucking heart breaks.Marty and Luke step back, glancing at each other as Conrad just lays there.

“We stick to the plan, first the ranch, then we will take the rest out one by one...” the stranger says as he walks over to where Conrad is and tosses his cigarette onto him.“Finish him,” he orders Luke, giving him a squeeze on the shoulder before he and Marty begin to walk away.

And that's when I watch our friend die.

Another one strikes off the list.

All because they want the land.

What a fucked up and sad existence I have found myself in.

Where greed takes precedence over a life.

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