After successfully foiling a bank robbery, Pieter Smit took one of the surviving criminals to the jail in downtown Sandburg—to the town's main law enforcement office. The afternoon air was heavy with dust and sweat from the residents who had gathered to witness the incident. Meanwhile, the accomplice of the criminal who died in the shootout was taken by officers to the town cemetery for a proper burial.
In front of the law enforcement office, Pieter Smit patted Kyne on the shoulder, his face weary but with a relieved smile. "Thank you, young man," he said sincerely. "Without you, I might not have been able to stop them today."
Pieter Smit had often been overwhelmed by criminals. His advancing age made him tired quickly, and the fact that he worked alone as sheriff made things even more challenging. He was no longer the young man who could brave the night with a bullet in his hand and a fire in his chest. But his spirit was still burning, and now, seeing Kyne's abilities, he felt like he had found someone he could trust.
"I want you to join me," Pieter said suddenly. "As a sheriff, I need someone tough, and you… fit the bill."
Kyne looked at Pieter with unreadable eyes. "I don't know yet, Mr. Smit. Perhaps it's not the right time for me to decide on such a thing." His voice was flat, but there was a hint of respect.
Pieter smiled faintly. "Okay, no problem. I'm not forcing you."
They walked slowly along the cobblestone streets of Sandburg, letting the afternoon breeze blow gently. Pieter suddenly remembered something. "Oh yeah, I just remembered. We haven't finished our previous conversation. I wanted to ask—do you have any plans for your future in this town?"
"Plans?" Kyne looked up at the sky, which was turning orange. "I just arrived here. Maybe I haven't thought about anything yet."
"Do you have a place to live yet?" Pieter asked again.
"I was thinking of renting one of the houses here," Kyne replied casually.
Pieter shook his head slowly, then said in a friendly tone, "No need to rent a house. You can stay with me. Coincidentally, I've always been lonely at home."
Kyne was surprised. He stared at Pieter, as if trying to read the meaning behind the offer. "You're offering me a place to stay?" he said quietly. "Even though I don't even know much about you…"
Pieter just smiled. "Sometimes we don't need to know everything to trust someone. This world is already too full of suspicion."
Kyne fell silent. There was something in Pieter's voice that melted his heart. Perhaps it was the simple honesty. He finally nodded. "Okay… I'll stay at your house. But only for a while. I don't want to bother you."
Pieter patted his shoulder lightly. "Do you think I'll be bothered? I've been waiting for someone to talk to at home for a long time. So, just think of this as fate and a gift for your help earlier."
The journey to Pieter Smit's house was quite long. They walked through sandy roads, vast rice paddies, and wheat fields swaying in the afternoon breeze. The sun began to set in the west, casting a golden hue across the road.
Kyne glanced at Pieter, who was walking ahead of him with steady steps. "Your house is quite far from the city center," he said. "You must be very tired from making this journey every day."
Pieter chuckled. "Exhaustion has become a part of my life. But I don't mind. Life is like that, young man. Sometimes the longest journeys are the ones that make you appreciate home the most."
Kyne smiled faintly. He thought to himself, "Now I understand why my parents rarely paid attention to me when I was little. They must have been very tired working hard for their children's futures."
After a long journey, they finally arrived at Pieter Smit's house—a simple, dark brown wooden house. The walls were warm in the afternoon light, while the front yard was filled with wildflowers growing haphazardly.
To Kyne, the house looked simple yet calming. It wasn't as luxurious as the houses in downtown Sandburg, but somehow, there was a sense of peace that couldn't be described in words.
As soon as he stepped inside, Kyne froze. The walls of the house were covered with faded sheriff's awards—a testament to Pieter's long and arduous past. On the other side, hung several handguns, ropes, and sheriff's attire, neatly arranged as if they had been worn only yesterday.
"Your house… is amazing, so tidy," Kyne said quietly.
Pieter smiled. "The tidiness makes me feel alive. Maybe it's because I've been alone for so long."
Kyne stepped behind the house, and his eyes widened. There stood several majestic brown and black horses, neatly tied up in a spacious stable. They neighed softly as Pieter approached.
"Why are there so many horses here?" Kyne asked, surprised.
"Because they've been my companions when I'm lonely," Pieter replied softly, stroking the neck of one of his horses. "I brought them with me on assignments, and they helped me more than any human could."
"Are they all yours?"
Pieter nodded with a small smile. "Yes, each one has its own story."
Kyne watched in awe. He could sense the sincerity in Pieter's way of talking about the horses. He thought, This man may be alone, but his heart never dies.
Now he truly understood why his parents had remained patient and persevered through life's hardships. Because companionship—whether with humans or other creatures is what makes life meaningful.
They returned to the living room. Kyne sat on a simple wooden chair, while Pieter went to the kitchen. A few minutes later, he returned with two glasses of fresh water.
"Drink," he said, handing Kyne one glass. "You must be thirsty."
"Don't worry," Kyne replied politely.
Pieter shook his head. "Don't be shy. It's only right that I welcome you. I rarely have guests in my house."
Kyne stared at Pieter for a few seconds before finally accepting the glass. The water was cool and refreshing, soothing his throat after the long journey.
For the first time in a long time, Kyne felt… comfortable. Not because of the house, nor because of the drink, but because of a simple feeling—that someone treated him sincerely and selflessly.
He stared out the window, watching the fading sunlight. He thought to himself, Life isn't always beautiful, but that's precisely why it feels meaningful.
Life isn't just about how much wealth or possessions we have. It's about how deeply we feel comfortable in the life we live. Because in the end, life will not last forever… but it is through life that a person can become more meaningful.