The autumn leaves crunched underfoot as Tobias Hughes made his way through the darkening forest. He could feel approaching winter in the air and already the trees shed their leaves and were left naked and exposed. Far off in the distance, Tobias could just make out the pillar of smoke rising from the coal mine in the town. The black fumes rose into the sky obscuring the clouds and casting a dark shadow over the valley. The hills and mountains loomed over head and all around as Tobias picked his way down the steep slopes. The sun was squarely place between the peaks of the two tallest mountains, like a child seeking the comfort of his parents after a bad dream. Soon the child would fall asleep and disappear beneath his mother's embrace.

Clouds of cold air billowed around Tobias with each breath and he could feel the cold seeping into his extremities. Ignoring the discomfort, he pushed on, scanning the horizon for sighs of movement. Shouldering his gun, Tobias brushed though the undergrowth searching for anything that he might be able to bring home to his wife and child. His heart ached to think of his poor little child, once full of life, lying listlessly in bed with that terrible cough. His wife too, was coming down with a cold and Tobias feared for the safety of his family. The more he thought about it, the more helpless he felt and the more helpless he felt, the angrier he got at the world for dealing him such a poor hand. He wanted someone, something to blame for his misfortunes and misery.
Like rain on a window, these thoughts pattered against his mind, driving him mad. He remembered his father who had been racked by the same worries.
“Son,” he had always said, “your job is to look after your family you hear me? Don't let anything stand between you and them. We are luckier than those rich men at the mine. We know what love is and don't ever forget. You can repay me for the advice later, when it saves your life.”
Tobias knew what his father was talking about. Those fancy men in suits were the reason for his woes. He had never liked them, never respected them when they came to the coal mine to oversee his progress. His fellow workers had detested them from the start, the way they sneered down at the common man, the way they talked to Tobias, as though he were incapable of proper speech. Yes, the Suits were to blame. The fancy executives that never lifted a finger somehow brought in thousands of dollars each year, only to indulge in expensive cigars and fancy clothes for their horribly vain mistresses. Times were hard for normal folk now, due to the depression, and it was hard to make ends meet. But the Suits never so much as gave a penny to those who supported their companies. Instead, they had laid off well over half the workers due to “tax reasons” but no one seemed to be sure what those were. The day that he lost his job was one of the worst of his life and he could remember it clearly as though it had only just happened.

“Hughes,” said a burly worker, covered head to toe with coal dust and grime, “the boss wants a word.”
Tobias straightened up carefully, as experience had taught him not to perform sudden movements for fear of hitting his head.
“Why?” said Tobias, wondering what on earth he could have done wrong this time.
“I dunno do I, just get there fast cus' they ain't in a pleasant mood, I'll tell yer' that.”
Tobias hastily moved along the tunnel he had been excavating and out into the main tunnel. A steady stream of workers milled about, shouting orders and hauling rock back up the surface. Turning left he stepped up the steep slope which led to the administrative offices of the mine. Tobias rang the bell at the door and without waiting for a response, entered. The lobby was unnaturally quiet and peaceful. Two lanterns hung from the ceiling and swayed every time the workers used dynamite to blast holes in the sides of the mountains. The secretary looked up at his arrival and seeing who it was, continued her work.
“Excuse me,” said Tobias uncertainly, “I was told the boss wants to see me.”
“Who are you?” asked the secretary without looking up.
“Tobias Hughes.”
“I mean your pin.” The secretary rolled her eyes.
“Oh of course, C-20: Division six under O'Grady.”
The secretary shuffled though a filing cabinet and pulled out a slim folder. She handed it to Tobias, still not looking at him and said, “Go right in and give this to them.”
“Thank you.”
Tobias placed his hand on the door knob and held his breath. The sound of voices made their way through the door and he stopped to listen.
“How many need to go?” asked a dull voice.
“As many as possible.” answered a second, this one much higher, “I tell you Hartman, we can't afford this and I am certainly not paying extra for that waste management business.”
“What about the forest?” asked a third voice, quieter and softer than the other two.
“I don't give a damn about the forest!” Said the first man, his voice rising to a shriek, “The only reason why we are here in this godforsaken place is to get money!”
Deciding that he had heard enough, Tobias gently opened the door and stepped into the room. Cigar smoke curled lazily through the air, hovering at eye level and obscuring the corners of the room. Expensive painting lined the walls but nobody was paying attention to them at all. Most of the room was dominated by a large oak table set in the center and around it sat three very distinct men. The one closest to the door was incredibly fat. His small eyes darted about the room, never focusing on anything for more than a few moments, just as a rat would do. The buttons on his coat were taking an enormous amount of strain and Tobias feared they would burst and shoot out in all directions. The second man was terribly thin and his eyes drooped like that of a very old, ill-tempered dog. His long, spindly fingers curled over the arms of the chair, reminding Tobias of the talons of a vulture. He was dressed all in grey, in a perfectly tailored suit that managed to fit his exceptionally lanky form. At the far end of the table, opposite from were Tobias was standing, sat a man with warm eyes. He had curly brown hair, like most of the people from the town and struck a remarkable contrast against the other two Suits. Despite the fine jacket that he wore, the man was obviously uncomfortable with his present company.
“Don't you country folk know how to knock?” said the fat man irritably.

“I wouldn't think so Tanner,” drawled the thin man, “It's a wonder he even got through the door.”

“Why don't you take a seat.” said the man with the curly hair, gesturing towards the chair directly opposite him.

Tobias hastily handed the thin man the folder and dropped into the indicated chair and settled himself on the very edge.

“You probably don't know this,” began Hartman, lazily reaching out for the folder, “but there is a depression going on, they call it the Great Depression. Anyway, we have come to the decision that we need to let go of some workers to keep this mine afloat, so to speak.”

“Oh get on with it!” Tanner blurted out excitedly and turning to Tobias said, “We're firing you.”

“We are no longer in need of your services. You will pack your things and leave” said Hartman expressionlessly, promptly tearing the folder in half. “And Mr. Turner, you can leave as well.”

The man curly haired man stood up and motioned for Tobias to follow him. Numb with shock, he followed Mr. Turner back into the tunnel, deaf to the noise of the other workers. He only looked up when Mr. Turner placed a long hunting rifle into his hands.

“You'll need this.” said Mr. Turner, his kind face wrinkled in worry.

“But why?” Tobias felt hopeless, what was he supposed to do with a gun?

“I know a good butcher in town; he will give you fair prices. If you need me, I'll be there.”

“I don't understand.” Tobias was feeling more confused by the moment.
“You still need to feed your family, don't you?” and with that, Mr. Turner walked away, quickly disappearing in the milling crowd.


Tobias clenched the gun in his fist as he thought back on the events that had led him here. It was hard to believe that it had been barely three months since he had lost his job. The gun had become such a central part of his life; it had allowed his family to survive in the hard times. Tobias felt as though he had known the weapon as a friend his whole life, a friend who never ceased to help him.

Snap

Tobias's head snapped up at the unexpected sound. He spun around and to his utter astonishment he saw a deer stagger into the clearing. Following by it was a fawn, which looked too weak to walk any further. Completely ignoring Tobias, the two animals hobbled over to the stream that passed through the clearing. The fawn bent its head down to drink from the water but before it could the animal collapsed on the ground. Tobias rushed to its side, determined to help. The sight of Tobias running forward caused the deer to flee, its white tail bobbing as it sprinted away. Tobias returned his attention to the fallen deer and as he looked at it, a feeling of pity welled up in his heart. The fawns breathing was ragged, coming out in short bursts. Its eyes widened as Tobias placed a hand on its heart, feeling the irregular heartbeat. Tobias knew that the best thing to do was to put the poor creature out of its misery so he raised his gun and brought it level to the fawn's chest, directly over the spot where it heart was. Then unbidden thoughts of his child rushed through his mind. The way the deer lay on the grass, all hope gone, painfully reminded him of his own daughter. Her struggle against the cough, her constant pain. He tightened his grip on the gun, his finger pressing against the trigger. But he couldn't. How different were they, his child and the deer? No difference at all.

His heart drummed loudly against his chest, synchronized with the frantic beat of the fawns heart.

The fawn let out a pitiful cry of pain and looked Tobias directly in the eyes. Brown met blue and Tobias pulled the trigger.

The life drained from the animal's face and its head fell onto Tobias's lap. He staggered back, away from dead form and bent over the stream. He splashed the freezing water over his face to calm his reeling mind. Eventually, his breathing returned to normal, the beating of his heart died down. It was then that he noticed a trickle of black dust at the bottom of the stream. He could recognize that anywhere. It was coal dust. He felt deeply concerned now, if there were traces of coal dust in a clear mountain stream, how much grime would be in the water near the town. His eyes found the dead fawn; it must have drunk from this polluted water. Then with a shock he realized that his daughter was sick because of the killer dust. If this continued the whole town would be in danger. Steeling himself, Tobias walked over to the deer and lifted its prone form onto his shoulders and staggered back through the valley.


Tobias's arms were burning in protest as he passed into the town. As always, the clouds of smoke billowed out from the coal mine and the nearby factory. He looked around at the dark buildings. There must be someone who could help him. Willing himself not to give out, he racked his mind of a place to go to share his findings.
“I know a good butcher in town; he will give you fair prices. If you need me, I'll be there.”

That was it. The butcher's was not far from here, he could make it. Summoning the final dregs of energy he had left, Tobias made his way unsteadily down the winding streets. He attracted a certain amount of odd looks from confused passersby but he was too tired to care. Following his nose, Tobias eventually located the shanty butchers shop on the corner. Relief surge through him as he caught a glimpse of the man he desperately needed to see. Mr. Turner was standing inside the doorway of the shop, looking closely at the large row of steaks. When he saw Tobias coming down the street with a deer on his shoulders Mr. Turner's eyes widened with shock. Tobias was glad when Mr. Turner ran over to him and took the load from his shoulders.

“Get inside.” said Mr. Turner, “I got it.”

Too tired to reply, Tobias shuffled under the doorway and collapsed on a hard wooden chair.

“You alright there Tobias?” inquired the butcher, a large stocky man with a brilliant handlebar mustache. “Look like you've been through mill.”

“You could say that.” gasped Tobias.

“Give me a hand here Erik.” called Mr. Turner.

“You need not worry, I can handle it.” Erik the butcher walked to were Mr. Turner was standing and calmly plucked the fawn from his grasp and with no discernible effort, carried the dead animal to the back of the shop.

Mr. Turner pulled up a chair opposite Tobias and looked him dead in the eyes.

“What happened out there?”

Tobias relived his strange encounter with the two deer, telling the man everything he could remember. Mr. Turner stiffened abruptly when Tobias mentioned the coal dust in the stream. He allowed Tobias to finish and with a sigh, ran his fingers through his hair, looking more tired than Tobias felt.

“I'm afraid I haven't been completely straight with you Tobias.” Mr. Turner looked regretful, “I haven't told you the real reason why I am here in this town.”

“I thought you worked for the mine.”

“In a manner of speaking, yes. Let me tell you everything.” Mr. Turner drew a deep breath, then took the plunge, “As a young man I lived in this town. I grew concerned with the loss of the wilderness here and I resolved to stop it no matter what. So I joined the state department for environmental protection. After a while they told me to come here. They had received news that the men heading this particular coal mine were not following waste protocol, thus endangering the forest. In my short time here I have documented their lack of concern for the environment and have noticed that people in the town are starting to get sick, presumably from the coal dust.”

“My daughter is ill.” Anger surged through Tobias, filling him with newfound strength, “Are you telling me that those rich puffed up power hungry morons are causing this because they don't want to pay extra?”

“Exactly. But there has not yet been enough evidence to shut down the mine. Your story however proves that they have gone too far. I think that you have just done this town a huge favor, we are in your debt.”

“It's done?” Tobias said with a smile, “I don't get to bring down the Suits?”

“You're welcome to join me, the more the merrier. But go home, it will take some time and you need to see your family.”

Gratitude welled up inside Tobias, and then a thought struck him.

“Why did you help me? I mean, why did you give me the gun?”

“You are a good man. I could tell. I knew your father before he died, he was an honest man. He cared for his family and I can see that you do too. I figured you deserved the chance.”

“Thank you.” Tobias was startled to hear about his father but very pleased with the comparison, “I won't forget it.”

Walking away, with the thought of seeing his family, Tobias's heart lifted. He felt at peace with the world, an emotion that he hadn't felt for a long time. The moon illuminated his path through the deserted streets. Tobias craned his neck to the sky, the stars twinkled benignly back at him.

“Well dad, I guess I repaid you.”