Anthonyverse©: Gahoachma: Issue #1

By: Anthony Maldonado

Gahoachma: issue #1

(FADE IN)

1885, in the city of Tucson, it’s Early morning, still dark and a group of Bandits come galloping in town with dark clothes and masks on. The moon lights up the center of town. Their leader is named John one-eye. He is the leader of the group known as the red-desert bandits. they have robbed many towns, cities, and carriages and are well known throughout Arizona and have high bounties on their heads. Each one wears a red bandana with a black mountain stitched into it indicating their members of the bandit group.

Tonight, they are robbing the Wells Fargo bank that sits in Tucson.

JOHN: Alright! this is one of our biggest scores of the year. We need to make this quiet and quick understood!

They all nod in agreement.

JOHN (cont’d): and if anyone shows up, a marshal, sheriff or otherwise. put them down. We won’t let anyone get in our way. Once we are done here, we will be set for life! We can all follow our dreams.

They all laugh and giggle and they go to work on the door. One bandit draws a mountain with a wavy line through it tagging their targets, so people know it is them. like a calling card. One works on the safe while the others grab any all money they can.

As they are doing that, the deputy sheriff Alan Watts comes walking in early and he spots the horses of the bandits who also have a red bandana around their necks to indicate they belong to the RDB’s. He draws his revolver and proceeds forward with caution.

As he does, Willie slick-fingers — their safe cracker opens the safe.

WILLIE: Hehe, I got it John! Let’s get his money and go!

Alan hears those words and goes in.

ALAN: Halt! You’re under arrest for robbing the Wells Fargo bank of Tucson.

John turns around slowly and laughs.

JOHN: ha-ha come on Deputy! You should know better than to come here by yourself.

ALAN: Give me a reason One-eye…

John just chuckles, turns to look at one of his people and then he quickly pulls a knife and slings it at Alan hitting him right between the eyes killing him on point.

JOHN: Haha let's get this money and get out of here.

John walks outside and grabs his knife from Alan’s body and mounts his horse. They all grab as much as they can put on their horse and their backs and gallop out of town just as the sun begins to rise.

(FEW MILES AWAY — YSA VILLAGE OF THE YAQUI PEOPLE)

In the Ysa village, next to the Grand Canyon river, The Yaqui people are up early doing their daily routines. The women water the gardens, some of the men fish, others hunt and some trap.

One Yaqui man in particular named Gahoachma baths in the river. He keeps his Winchester model 1885 lever action rifle and his colt single action army revolver close by due to the conflict between the Yaqui, American and Mexican army conflicts but little did he know, that the army was the last conflict he was about to have to worry about.

Just a short way away. the RDBs are heading towards Gahoachma’s village. Agatha, one of the women of the RDBs needs a break.

AGATHA: We need to stop! count this money! I’m hungry and thirsty and my horse needs a rest.

JOHN: Alright we’ll stop up here by the river. I could eat myself.

As they continue on, they spot Ysa. They all stop.

JOHN (cont’d): Well, looky there… an Injune village… how about we go and take it. make it our camp huh!

They all chuckle, nod and laugh in agree.

They charge towards the villages with their weapons drawn. The Yaqui hear them coming and the men draw their weapons. the women and children go and hide and just as soon as the Yaqui village is in range the RBD’s open fire killing the Yaqui’s quickly. they try to fight back but to no avail. men, women and children are all shot and killed quickly. but one bandit is shot and killed.

Gahoachma hears the echo of the gun shots and quickly gets dressed and hurries away. When he gets close, the gunshots have seized, and he proceeds with caution. He gets close enough to peek from behind a boulder and sees that the RBD’s have taken the village. He sees his people laying lifeless on the ground. the women and children. warriors.

He looks in shock and then he gets a good look at each all the bandits. notices their bandanas around their necks and on their horse. He gets a good look at John.

JOHN: We will make up camp here for now, then come morning, we will all decide what we’re going to do.

Gahoachma tries to hurry away before he is seen but Agatha spots him.

AGATHA: Hey! there goes another injune!

She fires her rifle at him but misses and she goes to pursue but John stops her.

JOHN: Don’t worry about one injune… the desert will kill him.

Agatha lowers her rifle, looks at John then back at Gahoachma as she watches him vanish into the desert looking in concern.

(BACK IN TUCSON)

The people are waking up and walking in town. Sheriff Marvin Gordon is talking to the mayor and suddenly sees Alan on the ground with the knife wound in his head. and sees the bank door open then notices the calling card mark of the RBDs.

MARVIN: The Red desert bandits… son of bitch! they killed Deputy Alan and robbed the bank! I want to add to their bounty on their head! fifteen hundred gold on each one and two thousand on John One-eye! now!

(He kneels down next to Alan) Rest in peace old friend… Some carry him off the street please…

Marvin looks out into the open desert in anger.

(IN THE DESERT)

Gahoachma seeks refuge in a water oasis that is kept secret away from the public eye. Water falls from a lake on top of the mountain inaccessible. He puts water on a wound he got from being shot at by Agatha and pulls a piece of cloth from his pocket, tears it and wraps it. He throws water on his face and sits back against the wall in disbelief at the loss of his people.

(IN YSA VILLAGE)

Everyone is counting the money and cooking food. As John goes to take a bit out of his cooked rabbit, a peregrine falcon swoops down and takes it from his hand. In a bit of rage, he shots the falcon down and it crash lands into the river, and the current carries it down.

(IN THE OASIS)

Gahoachma sits there still in shock and then he sees the falcon that was shot come floating into the oasis wounded. The bullet shot was a through and through wounding her wing. Gahoachma pulls her from the water and sees she is still breathing, and he proceeds to doctor her wounds with what remaining cloth he has left. He places her beside him to rest.

GAHOACHMA: You’ll be ok little one… the great spirit shall heal you. have faith. (he gives her a piece of meat)

The falcon just sits there by Gahoachma’s side as Gahoachma rests.

(NEXT MORNING)

Smoke from the fire they had going simmers out, the sky turns a orange, blue as the sun begins to rise. John and the others wake up at sunrise and gathered around.

JOHN: So where is everyone heading!

WILLIE: I go where you go John!

AGATHA: Same John. I’m with you all the way.

JOHN: Glad to have you. Anyone else?

The others just look at one another and nod.

JOHN (Cont’d): Alright then. enjoy your retirements.

They all mount their horse and head out.

AGATHA: So, what’s our next score?

WILLIE: Yeah… where we are going…

JOHN: Phoenix…

(BACK IN THE OASIS)

The sunrise light shines down through the roof of the cavern and into the water. the water flows nicely in and out of the cavern.

Gahoachma is awake and putting on his clothes and places his rifle back and revolver at his side. He tightens the straps but then he looks to see the falcon is still sitting there, but he notices the bandage has fallen off, and her wing is healed. He gives a double look. He kneels down to her.

GAHOACHMA: You’re wing… all-maker it is healed and so quickly… how?

Gahoachma examines her. He sees that the wound looks like it was never even there.

GAHOACHMA (Cont’d): Well, that’s a good. you are free to go little one. I wish you safe travels…

Gahoachma looks at the door and goes to leave but the Falcon flies to his shoulder as he tightens his rifle’s strap.

GAHOACHMA (cont’d): Where I am going little one, it may not be safe for you… You could get hurt again…

She lets out a loud squaw as if saying it’s ok.

GAHOACHMA (cont’d): Alright then… I shall name you Ysa after my village… you ok with that?

She lets out another squaw

GAHOACHMA (cont’d): Alright then Ysa, I guess we walk the road together. I have to make a stop at my village first let’s go.

So Gahoachma and Ysa head out of the Oasis and back to the village.

(IN THE DESERT)

Willie, Agatha and John are riding through the desert, they notice a passing cart with a blanket covering the back.

WILLIE: Why don’t we hit that cart see what they go…

JOHN: Good Idea let’s go…

So, they ride down ahead of the cart and prepare to ambush it.

As the cart gets closer to their destination Agatha sits like she is hurt and the rider dismounts his cart to check on her.

RIDER: Ma’am you, ok?

Then she quickly draws her revolver and holds it to the guys throat.

AGATHA: I’m fine thanks for asking now we will be taking those goods of yours and that cart.

The rider notices her bandana

RIDER: Red-desert bandits…

AGATHA: Gosh your good…. now get out of here…

The rider takes off down the road as James and Willie check the merchandise.

WILLIE: Food, clothes… and we can use this cart to haul or gold in these sacks, so no one suspects a thing Hehe…

JAMES: Good call Willie.

(BACK AT YSA VILLAGE)

Gahoachma arrives to find the bodies of his people laying down on the ground with no survivors. He places Ysa on a perch and gathers the bodies. He begins building a large wood mound over the large village fire pit at the center of the village, where he will place the bodies for spiritual release and return them back to the great spirit. called Spiritual cremation.

(few hours later)

He has the mound finished; he has his people dressed in traditional white regalia and he places the bodies one by one in perfect position, and he lights the fire which grows quickly. He watches in sadness. closes his eyes and looks to the sky.

GAHOACHMA (to sky): Please watch over the great spirit as they return to you as your spirit children.

He watches a little bit longer as the flames fully cover the dead then he turns around and prepares his for his justice.

He goes around the village gathering clothes and tools. He pulls off a black leather vest from the dead bandit. He puts on a traditional blue and red scarf around his neck, a leather brown shirt, pants and makes a mask out of a torn leather shirt and he knits a peregrine falcon on the sides of the mask as his symbol, and he carves it on all his weapons. He styles his long hair giving himself a mohawk. He places his revolver in his holster and his rifle on his back and his knives in their holsters.

Then a small breeze blows a wanted poster at his feet. Ysa sqaws at it. He looks down to see the poster is of RDBs each of their names and concept art., but he knows what they look like but now he knows they have huge bounties on their heads.

the poster reads: ‘Wanted dead or alive in all 38 states, red desert bandits 1500-dollar reward per bandit, 2000 for the leader John one-eye. Bring their bandana’s or their heads, bodies or any proof to any town or city of their death or capture. Signed US Marshal William Brown.’

GAHOACHMA: What do you say Ysa, ready to bring in these bounties?

Ysa squaws in excitement.

GAHOACHMA: Then let’s go.

He folds up the bounty sheet and places it in his pocket. He notices horseshoe prints heading back towards Tucson and others heading the opposite direction.

GAHOACHMA: What do you say we go and make sure the people of Tucson are safe?

Ysa Sqaws and Gahoachma mounts his horse and heads back towards Tucson and Gallops away.

A little way down the road he notices two men with rifles watching a horse cart come down the road with a man, woman and two female teenage children. He gallops away in a hurry.

As the cart gets closer, the two men jump out from hiding and cause the horses to stop in their tracks.

MAN 1: We’ll be taking those goods of yours and that beautiful wife and those children to…

HUSBAND: You won’t be touching my wife and kid's mister. (pulls up a shotgun)

MAN 2: Is that so…

The two men have rifles on him from front and back.

MAN 1: You can’t shoot us both boy.

Then the husband notices the bandanas.

HUSBAND: Red Desert bandits…

WIFE: aren’t they wanted in all 38 states!

HUSBAND: Yes…

MAN 2: You know who we are? good… then you should know what will happen if you try to stop us.

The husband lifts his shotgun, but he is shot in the back by one of the men. Then the bandit approaches the wife and the kids.

MAN 2: Looky here… eh Roy, these two are mine.

ROY: I’ll take the wife then Jake.

Jake proceeds closer to the teen girls but is suddenly shot off the cart and killed. Roy looks to see Jake shot between the eyes and killed. Roy sees Gahoachma, and goes to lift his rifle but Ysa is quick and charges Roy digging her talons into one of his eyes making him drop his rifle.

Gahoachma rides closer in and dismounts his horse and goes to hog-tie Roy. Then he goes to check on the husband.

GAHOACHMA: It was a through and through, you’re going to be ok, but we need to get you to town immediately.

HUSBAND: Thank you for the help stranger… What’s your name?

WIFE: Yes, thank you. Are you a member of one of the Local native tribes?

GAHOACHMA (Nods): my name is Gahoachma… this is Ysa.

HUSBAND: A Peregrine falcon? Well, I’m Wyatt Jones, and this is my wife Beverly, and our two girls Laura and Sara.

He pulls a cloth from their cart and wraps Wyatt’s wound with it.

WYATT: We’re not very wealthy we just moved here from Charleston Arizona, but is there anything I can do to repay you?

GAHOACHMA: We need to get you a doctor. Can I use your cart?

WYATT: Of course.

Gahoachma helps Wyatt up, then he hooks his horse to the front of the cart as the lead horse. Then he puts Roy and Jake in the back of the cart.

BEVERLY: What are you doing with them?

Gahoachma helps Wyatt on the cart.

GAHOACHMA: seeking justice…

Then they hurry on.

(IN TUCSON)

They come riding into town and they meet with Marvin.

MARVIN: Hello strangers? where are you coming in from?

GAHOACHMA: This man needs a doctor; he has been shot. and I am here to collect the bounty for the red desert bandits.

MARVIN: I trust you have them with you or at least their bandanas.

Gahoachma hopes off the cart and pulls them both from the back.

MARVIN: Hehe well, well… Roy Mcduggin and Jake Schnider of the Red Desert bandits… I see ol Jake done met his maker I see… but you’re going away the hanging line Roy Mcduggin. Let me get you your 3000 thousand from the reserve vault. And someone get Doctor Benner for this man. (Pointing at Wyatt)

WYATT: Thank you for all you did for us my family and I are very grateful to you.

Gahoachma nods and the girls hug him. Then Marvin comes out with two cloth bags with dollar signs on them and hands them to Gahoachma. He hands one to Wyatt.

WYATT: What’s this for?

GAHOACHMA: The cart. for letting me use it. and to help your family get started. Just keep an eye out for these bandits.

The Gahoachma walks around to Roy.

GAHOACHMA: Now where is John… he murdered my clan…

ROY: Murdered your… oh… you’re Yaqui… well that was a team effort. not just John… they all bled like stuffed pigs the children were the easiest…

Everyone looks in shock at Roy’s disgusting words. Gahoachma draws his knife and grabs Roy’s wounded shoulder.

GAHOACHMA: Tell me where John is… are I’ll make you feel the pain my people felt…

Roy spits in Gahoachma’s face.

ROY: Hang you, you injune.

Gahoachma wipes his face and begins digging his bone knife into Roy’s wound and he lets out a loud painful scream. People want to stop him, but Marvin stops them.

GAHOACHMA: Where is John….

He gets no answer, so he twists his bone knife deeper in Roy’s wound.

ROY” AHHHH! Phoenix! he is going to phoenix with Willie and Agatha! That is his next big score… I swear!

Gahoachma pulls his knife out of the wound and Roy let’s out a relieved pained sigh. Gahoachma mounts his horse as Ysa lands on his shoulder and gallops out of town, on his way to Phoenix.

He and Ysa travel through the day make their way to phoenix but he sees his horse is getting tired and they stop to rest by a small water hole for the night.

(OUTSIDE PHOENIX)

John and his three bandits are setting up camp in a cave just outside Phoenix.

JOHN: We will make up camp here and tomorrow we will start planning our hit on the Wells Fargo bank in Phoenix.

(LATER IN THE NIGHT — WATER HOLE)

Gahoachma is sleeping but begins tossing and turning. and he dreams about his people being murdered. people screaming, children crying. Homes burning to the grounds. Then he quickly wakes up in heavy sweat, cocks his rifle and looks around in panic but realizes it was just a dream and he settles down. Looks at his horse as he drinks from the water, Ysa as she sleeps soundly.

(EARLY MORNING)

Gahoachma is already on his horse and headed towards phoenix moving at a good crisp speed with the wind at his back, determined to get to John and his bandits.

(OUTSIDE PHOENIX)

John and his two allies are just now getting awake and getting situated before making their move.

They finally get fully dressed and as they head out.

JOHN: After this heist my friends, we will be set for life. He can go wherever we want, whenever we want. and there will be no one to stop us… you two ready for this?

AGATHA: You know it…

WILLIE: Hehe yep!

JOHN: Then let nothing or no one stand in your way…

And the gallop away.

(FEW MILES LATER)

John and the others can see the city from a distance.

JOHN: There it is folks… Phoenix Arizona… the city with the largest bank around these here parts. We take this, and we will be rich beyond our wildest dreams lets go.

And they hurry away but Gahoachma has finally caught up to them and able to see their dust trail as it leads towards the city and he hurries to catch up.

(IN TOWN)

John and the others arrive to see the prosperous city and people wearing fancy suits, shops and stores make up the acreage of the land.

JOHN: Hide your bandana’s, we don’t need these people to know who we are.

WILLIE: Right…

They all three stuff their bandanas into their jackets and proceed further into the city.

Gahoachma comes riding in behind them as the ride in slowly. He watches them. but then is suddenly greeted by the sheriff.

SHERIFF: Hello stranger, I’m sheriff Brad Huffman, I don’t believe I’ve seen you around her before. What’s your name?

Gahoachma looks at him.

GAHOACHMA: I’m Gahoachma…

BRAD: Gahoachma? You’re Indian?

Gahoachma nods in agreement.

BRAD (Cont’d): Well listen… Everyone is allowed here in the city… just keep yourself out of trouble…

GAHOACHMA: I’m not the one who is going to be causing trouble…

Gahoachma goes further into the city slowly.

BRAD: What did he mean by that…

Gahoachma spends time in the city waiting patiently. He finds a nice big ally and parks his horse next to a Saloon and sees on the porch of the saloon scouting the hotel John and his crew went into.

They rent a room and go upstairs into it.

JOHN: We need to change clothes; we need to scout the bank see what kind of safe we are dealing with. we need layout information. Let’s get to it.

John lays a map down.

(TWO HOURS LATER)

They’re cleaned up and are in fresh clothes. And so not to draw attention to themselves they come walking out one by one. Gahoachma watches as Agatha is the first to come out but he doesn’t recognize her. A few moments later Willie comes out unrecognizable looking like a regular city guy. Then lastly John.

They make straight lines to the bank. Each one does something different. Willie scouts the vault. Agatha looks at security. John walks around the building casual looking for an escape tunnel or route of any kind.

Inside Willie scouts the vault and just gives a big smile.

WILLIE: Piece of pie… *grinning*

Once they’re finished the return back to their hotel. and wait for nightfall.

(12 AM)

people gather in the saloon, others rest at home. John and his bandits prepare to make their move on the bank. They head out with their tools and guns. As they come out, they notice a sheriff sitting by the door of the bank.

JOHN: Damn... they have it right here I’ll give them that. But I also suspected as much that's why I brought this. *Pulls out a small pillow from under his shirt*

WILLIE: What are you going to do with a pillow chief?

JOHN: You’ll see come on…

They walk towards the guard.

GUARD: Sorry folks, bank is closed for night, you’ll have to come back Monday.

JOHN: No, I think we will be going in now.

GUARD: What?

John pulls his revolver and puts it against the pillow and fires at the guard killing him at point blank range with hardly any sound.

AGATHA: Ah, a silencer… smart chief…

JOHN: Let’s go.

Gahoachma who is inside the saloon slightly hears the gunshot, and he hurries outside and sees the bandits have killed the guard and are trying to break in.

Gahoachma hurries and just as they go unlock the door with the keys, they stole from the guard Gahoachma slings his knife and knocks the keys from John's hand. John and the others look in shock to see Gahoachma standing there in his knife throwing stance.

JOHN: Who the hell are you?

Gahoachma just stares at them in silent calm anger.

JOHN: Kill’m!

Agatha and Willie draw their knives. Gahoachma draws his two knives. Agatha and Willie fan out as if to try and flank him.

Willie charges first but Gahoachma kicks him down. Agatha comes in swinging wildly, but Gahoachma dodges her swings. He catches her wrist, bends and snaps it then he slams her down disabling her.

Willie stands back up and swings wildly at Gahoachma.

WILLIE: Come on you damn injune… what you got…

Willie continues swinging but Gahoachma, disarms Willie, snatches his knife and thrusts it into his shoulder and kicks him down to the ground.

Gahoachma faces John.

JOHN: Why you interfering in our heist? who are you?

GAHOACHMA: You and your bandits murdered my whole clan… and now it is my turn to take you and your bandits down.

JOHN: Clan….

(John has a flashback of the Yaqui’s he and his bandits killed then remembers seeing one running away)

JOHN: Oh yes, the Yaqui injunes… you were the one running and Agatha wanted to pursue but I stopped her… looks like I’m going to have to kill you after all. *Pulls his knife slowly*

GAHOACHMA: Try it…

John begins swinging at Gahoachma but he dodges but then catches him and slashes his arm. Gahoachma looks in shock.

JOHN: One for me…

Gahoachma retaliates and puts John on the defensive. He kicks John’s knife out of his, hits him with a three hit combo and uppercuts him down. John shakes his head in disorientation and slowly stands up and tries to charge but Gahoachma catches his arm, snaps it at the elbow and kicks him down.

Willie and Agatha look in shock as John is defeated. They get up to try and run, but Gahoachma pulls his revolver and shoots out their legs causing them to fall and catching the attention of those in the saloon.

Everyone comes running out of the saloon, including the sheriff.

BRAD: What in tarnation!

He looks to see Willie and Agatha down in pain. He sees John laying unconscious and sees his guard lying dead and Gahoachma standing in the middle of it all and he draws his revolver.

BRAD: I warned you injune now you…

But a civilian looks at Willie and sees his bandana.

CIVILIAN: Wait sheriff. this is the bandana of the Red-desert bandits.

Brad walks over to the civilian.

BRAD: Let me see that?*He yanks it from the civilian.

BRAD: Well, I’ll be…

GAHOACHMA: These three are the remanence of what is left of the Red-desert bandits. This is their leader… J…

But before he can finish Brad interrupts him

BRAD: John One-eye…

GAHOACHMA: Yes, he killed your deputy and was trying to robe the city bank. They’re yours now.

BRAD: We have been looking for their leader for 5 years. there is a massive bounty on their heads. You definitely deserve the bounty for these three.

Brad walks over to John.

BRAD: You are heading for the hanging line son… *looks at Gahoachma* someone get Gahoachma his bounty money. *Looks back and John* and take these three to the holding cells.

He walks back over to Gahoachma.

BRAD: Thank you for what you did friend. You’ll always be welcome here in Phoenix.

The men bring Gahoachma’s horse and a cart full of money and hand it off to him.

Gahoachma mounts his horse with his cart of cash and heads into the desert.

GAHOACHMA (Voice over): They may have killed my people, but I will honor them and not stop till I bring every single one of the bandits who murdered my family to justice and any who seek to follow in the bandit's paths. dead… or alive…

Gahoachma rides off into the sunrise.

(2 WEEKS LATER — PHOENIX)

John, Agatha and Willie are in line for public execution by hanging in phoenix. Everyone gathers around to witness the event.

BRAD: These three have been wanted for the last 5 years along with their gang of bandits and thanks to Gahoachma the bounty hunter. Now it is with great pleasure to announce the death of John One-eye, And his bandits.

Brad turns to face the three as they stand on barrels in a line.

BRAD: On my mark… ready… set… drop’m.

The deputy drops the floor from under them and the let the ropes do their job. their necks don’t snap but are continuously choked. Then suddenly a gunshot is heard from a distance, and their ropes are shot through perfectly.

On a hill is a man wearing an overcoat, a hat, and a mask all black. He has a sharps rifle with a scope on it.

BRAD (Cont’d): What the! Everyone get to safety go!

John, Willie and Agatha make a run for it as everyone tries to get in doors. They mount horse and head in the direction of the shooter.

They join the shooter.

JOHN: Thank you for the save stranger. We’re in your debt. but Who are you?

STRANGER (Spanish accent): The name shadow…

JOHN: Thanks for the save shadow.

SHADOW: You three looking to make some real money?

JOHN: We’re always down to make money.

SHADOW: Good because we need to go back to Tucson. we’ve been contracted by the Spanish to eliminate… the president of the United States and he will be in Tucson very soon. You ready to make history?

They all nod in agreement.

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