Programmed Frustrations

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Patrolling the town and kicking off little clouds of dust with each step was the town’s sheriff. It was her duty to keep the town safe and whoever thought that meant a morning and evening patrol on a predetermined route could rot in hell. The creature was out there again, she could see it against the quickly fading light. But what use was it, if she couldn’t deviate from her trajectory for the next 247 steps, let alone leave the town’s premises to take a closer look. Whatever it was, it kept stalking the town since the incident, but it never came close.

173 steps left. Faleena wouldn’t see the creature for a while as the buildings obstructed her view. She hated this routine in particular. Only Betty understood her discomfort in being forced to march a certain route over and over again, yet Betty only had to do it once a week to check the general state of everything in the town.

126 steps to go. The creature was in view again. It looked like a dragon, that much she knew. But why would one spend so much time circling around the town? If it was a bandit, they would have tried to attack already. And tasted the lead from her revolvers. But what else could they want? Why were they here?

64. Almost there. She could almost swear she just saw the creature shine like if it was made from metal, but she wasn’t sure, with the sun shining directly against it. No matter, she had to make a turn and the creature would be gone. Until a few days later, as it seemed to be the trend lately.

19 left. But how did it learn her routine? How does it know to only come at the time she can’t act on it? It couldn’t be one of the previous settlers, could it? She ought to discuss this option with Charlie, but she didn’t want to give them false hopes.

And done for the day. She returned to where she saw the creature, and as predicted, it was long gone. Faleena let out a sigh, frustrated with the routines programmed into her core.

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