by Ryan King
Chapter 7 – The Burned City
An old man in sweat-stained overalls galloped up to the McCracken County Municipal Building in Paducah on a lathered horse. He slid from the saddle before the horse had even stopped.
"They're coming!" he yelled as he hobbled up the stairs, "From the south, on the river, dozens of them, filled with soldiers!"
Some gathered on the steps to discuss what the now vanished man had been hollering about. He did look old enough to be senile. They smiled, shook their heads, and continued on with their business.
About five minutes later Mayor Leslie Mitchell fled the building taking one of the fueled up police vehicles with the lights and siren going as he sped off to who knew where.
Several men and women still stood in the mayor's office not sure what to do. The old messenger had been questioned by those in the room and then with his duty done had departed. The room was quiet and those in attendance kept unconsciously looking to the empty mayor's chair.
"Maybe he went to get help or something," said the mayor's secretary referring to her now fled boss.
"You heard what he said," answered the County Clerk. "The mayor isn't coming back, at least not when we need him."
"What about County Executive Williams?" asked a sheriff's deputy who happened to be in the building when the old man stormed in.
The Clerk shook his head, "He's out of town, won't be back in time."
"What are we supposed to do?" asked the secretary. "Who the hell is in charge now?"
Everyone looked at the clerk expectantly and he looked almost sick. "You won't like it," he said.
Confused looks stared back at him until understanding dawned in the deputy's eyes. Incredulous he said, "You can't be serious!"
"I'm afraid so," said the clerk. "That damn murdering gang leader is now in charge of everything. God help us."
"Best run while you can," said the deputy.
They did just that.