Hey there guys!
I guess you all eagerly waited for this moment! We're now finished with evaluating the contest - gosh, it was so hard choosing the winners, really.
I struggled a lot and my friends already freaked out about me being so irresolute But I just loved every single entry and I felt bad for choosing only three winners.
I just want you to know that I appreciate every entry and that all of them got a very special place in my folder.
You really bothered to create interesting and creative pieces - and you were successful!
Thank you very much for entering my contest! Please don't be sad if you didn't win - hopefully you'll be joining next time I'm starting a contest!

Now, let's see our lucky winners!


►► Winners◄ ◄

First place

Phoentrix with "The Rescue" (7 Chapters)
The Rescue - Part 1Dry desert heat soared above unseasonably warm temperatures in mid-April. Travelers could've choked from lingering dust clouds kicked up by their horses. It hadn't rained in over a month. However, rolling clouds of another sort were rapidly moving across the plains, bringing an answer to prayer.
Still through this heat, a horse came running, almost as though trying to outrun the storm on the horizon. Thundering hooves tore across the dry land. Ridden with purpose, searching. Nothing could stop the rider's pursuit. Darker than night duster flowed behind him like waves on Lake Don Julio. Wide brimmed hat of the same color atop his head, held on by a strap around his chin as the horse raced. Sweat upon his brow, though it was from more than wearing a dark coat in the heat. A shot rang out. His heart stopped, the horse slowed to a trot then down to a walk as they came closer.
Immediately, the man dismounted from his horse, inspecting the corpse. Flipping it over, the poor soul had been sho The Rescue - Part 2Early morning hues washed over the landscape, dousing it in pale color. Puddles from the night before rippled the slight breeze on the wind. At Dawn's first light, the Armadillo law enforcement in addition to Austin met at the Sheriff's office. The gathering had a mix of wakefulness; Eli yawned but the blue eyes of Austin were sharp and alert as he came from the saloon. Jonah steadied his horse beside Matty's, almost in defense of his claim.
"Good mornin'." Austin greeted in amicable manner. Having slept well, despite his method being a bit skewed, he was close to obtaining his goal.
"What's so good 'bout it?" Jonah muttered.
"Well-" Austin mounted his horse, settling within the saddle. "We're not pushing up daisies, for one.  I don't know about you, but I'd rather keep it that way, wouldn't you Deputy Matty?"
"Just Matty is fine." She replied looking to Jonah whose glare at Austin could have melted metal.
"I'm sorry, Matty. Something my sister engrained in me, just want to g The Rescue - Part 3Jonah yelled just as gunshots rang out, sending a shower of rounds towards him and the posse.
A wayward horse ran off in the distance, frightened by the blast. The Marshal and Eli's eyes snapped and immediately went running to the source. Austin's followed shortly after, getting a good look at the horse.
Austin swore, pulling his rifle and sending a shot singing through the air into the skull of one of them. "It's an Ambush!" He called out, firing round after round towards the cliffs. The four men took cover, and fired into a group of bandits. Jonah's eyes stung with tears anger and anguish. Not allowing himself to blink to let them run down his face.
He was torn, heart breaking, not knowing if Matty had survived.
Several of them ran off, mounting their horses and fleeing.
"Come 'on Eli! Let's go!" The Marshal and Eli mounted their horses and were in hot pursuit of the remaining bandits. "Jonah, see if Matty's still alive!"
Dust settled as a small opening, no more than a few inches, at The Rescue - Part 4Dark shadow cast across the wall, as a silhouette came closer. Both women's hand weapons were drawn, looking towards the mouth of the tunnel leading into a bigger room, one that Aime had been camped in a mere 10 feet from where they were. Soon, the actual form of the source came into view. Black fur, cold eyes scanned the area, as though picking up on their scent.  Nuzzling the bedroll that Aime had slept on the night previous.
"Well, this'll be entertaining…." Aime muttered quietly.
"I hardly believe entertaining is the word for it." Matty whispered in a quip, iron grip on her rifle.
Aime thought for a moment, taking in account to her companion's condition. Slowly, she inched towards the bear, carefully and methodically. Her heart pounded within her chest as she moved towards the Repeater Carbine that was propped up against the wall, a mere foot from the hind quarters of the bear.
Matty watched, breath hitched as she watched the woman take hold of the rifle; shoulder st The Rescue - Part 5Finally free from the cave, Aime and Matty waited for the boys to circle around and find them. "Well, I think that's enough adventure for one day…I'll deal with the Courier Killer tomorrow." Aime commented.
Just then, the cocking of guns echoed around them.
"…I spoke too soon." She muttered followed by a curse.
Barrels of 20 rifles all pointed towards them, hushed whispers of which one to fire at was exchanged before a well-dressed man came towards them. "About time I caught you."
Aime's eyes narrowed, "Let her go." Voice strong, backed with strength and defiance. "She has nothing to do with this." This is what she wanted to avoid at any cost. Now she had to keep Matty safe and deal with Curtis. Every fiber of her being hated this. Inadvertently, she had also sent the Marshal, Jonah, Eli and Austin into the same trap, she prayed that they hadn't made it yet.
Hoof beats came to a slow as four men rode into the confined space. Close enough to see what was happening, but far eno The Rescue - Part 6Signature hat fell from Jonah's head as he fell backwards, falling to the earth in a soft thud.
A shot from Austin's rifle sung through the air and killing the last remaining sharpshooter.
Aime bolted, unhooking her medical bag from her belt as she skidded beside Jonah, pulling the bandana up over her face.
He was weak, groaning in agony. Carefully, Aime turned him over, she assessed the damage. The bullet had lodged itself in his chest between his ribs and pierced his lung, close to hitting a critical artery. Her breath hitched. Moving him was out of the question. "IMMOBILE!" She yelled, sterilizing her hands for the delicate procedure. It was not the greatest of conditions to do emergency surgery, but there was no question. It had to be done.  
Matty immediately was at his side, despite her hurt ankle.
The Marshal and Eli's eyes scanned the perimeter making sure that there was nothing but silence left in the valley.  "I'll go get a wagon for him." The Marshal repl The Rescue - FinalThree days had passed, green color dotted the landscape from the welcomed rainstorms. Jubilation from the rain lifted the spirits of Armadillo. The hot temperatures finally had subsided, bringing them back to normal.  
At the clinic, Jonah was making a speedy recovery, slowly working on getting back onto his feet. Matty was by his side as much as possible, watching over him like a hawk.
Austin came into the clinic, his face looked as though he hadn't slept in days and asked for quinine to see if a larger dose could help bring Aime's fever down.
"How is she doing?" The doctor inquired handing him a parcel. It also caught Matty's attention.
His voice was grim, "No change. She's still delusional…and has called for Alex." he paused. "Dylan is supposed to be arriving with him soon…hopefully not to say their goodbyes."
"How are you, Austin." Matty asked, turning to him.
Weary blue eyes looked to her, barely focusing. It took him a moment to respond, trying to word his ans

I just loved reading this story! The plot was awesome and well-panned - it built up tension slowly and ended in a great final.
Phoentrix really nailed all the characters perfectly and the way they were interacting felt really natural.
I loved how our OCs got together and how they were sharing their stories - (Specially Aime's story was touching) and how they managed to help each other in the desperate situation.
I just love every single sentence of it - really well written!
It's a well deserved first place

Phoentrix won 1500 points and a journal feature



Second place

Bistraja with "The calm before the storm"


The portrayed scene just made me laugh so hard…the expressions were perfect, as well as the story behind it!
The interaction of our characters is great and the whole picture just has this special atmosphere I can't describe!
Beautiful colors and composition, I really love it!

Bistraja won 800 points and a journal feature



Third place

keokotheshadowfang with "Matty and Missy" (2 entries - Writing & Picture)
Matty and Missy (Story)
The summer's mid-afternoon heat was almost unbearable. The gentle breeze that blew through the town was the only thing that made living in the region tolerable. Not even a tumbleweed blew across the nearly-empty dirt streets of Armadillo. It was a small town on the eastern side of the Cholla Springs region used only as a temporarily resting spot for weary travelers. It's high concentration of outlaw gangs and inhospitable weather, however, made Armadillo a dangerous place to stay in for too long.
An old Labrador Retriever panted fiercely as he rolled over on his side in the shade of the town's General Store. A few patrons walked down the road to saloon for a mid-afternoon drink. It was located on the west side of town, across from the town's telegraph office and train station.
The station was nearly empty save for one young woman in her early twenties. She waited on a tall skinny abandoned crate on the station's deck and her eyes scanned the desert landscape around her. Her name was Ma

What I specially loved about these two entries was that keokotheshadowfang really bothered to get into Matty's background story, to include it into her work.
The scene she portrayed was nicely chosen and well drawn! The written work goes well with it and brings the picture to life!
I loved both entries!

keokotheshadowfang won 300 points




►► Other entries ◄ ◄

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Mature Content

Hot Blood--Contest Entry"Well now, just who do you reckon that lady is now?" Tarren whistled just low enough for Scarlett to hear. He lifted the brim of his dusty hat with a finger. The corners of his mouth turned up in a surprised smile. "Mighty pretty too, if I might add."
God, how she wanted to shut this man up. Traveling to Armadillo with Tarren was like riding with an excited child; the further they rode, the faster his mouth moved until Scarlett wanted nothing more than to knock him from the saddle. Even Chance couldn't hide the irritated edge to his voice when he spoke. Much like she couldn't either.
"Tarren, I'm sure there are many pretty women—"
"And she's wearin' a badge too, Scarlett." He interrupted. "There can't be two woman deputies in one town. Looks like you'll have to give Chance his star back."
She had just enough time to throw him a steely glare before Chance approached the two of them.
"It looks like we ought to get comfortable, you two. Marshal Johnson requested we stay Don't touch them!"Hey, who's that man?" Elliot whispered.
"I dunno; I've never seen him before," Constance answered, glancing at the man. His blond hair was wild. She ducked back down. "Luke, have you ever seen him?" she whispered.
Luke shook his head. "Never in my whole life, cross my heart."
"Hey, children!"
All three looked up. The man was waving them over. Elliot, the bravest, got up and went over, Constance and Luke following him tentatively.
"Have you ever heard of cannibals?" the strange man asked.
"What's a cabbinal?" Constance asked.
"A cannibal is a person... who eats other people!" The man pulled a necklace out from under his coat. It was made of bones.
"I'm gonna go get Matty," Constance whispered before running off, her pink shift and strawberry blonde hair flying behind her.
"Matty!" she called. "Matty!"
A woman with red hair straightened, brushing her bangs out of her eyes and leaning on her shovel. "Constance? What is it?"
Constance stopped in front of Elliot and Luke's mother. "There's New Austin has treated you well... (written)The saloon was busy with a merry banter. As usual, the musician was playing the termite eaten piano tucked in the corner next to the stairs and sitting next to him were three attractive women as he gleefully tapped his fingers on the keys. The poker table was hosting its usual private game, and the five participants were sending unsettling stares at each other, yet not a flinch was seen.  Many a man was lined up against the bar each with a drink and the odd woman in their hands.  The tables were all full with groups of ranch-hands, prostitutes and gang members lying low among the merriment. Laughing and cheers rang out and filled the town with a gleeful uproar. Everything was in high spirits.
'One for me and the lady.'
A tall, dark man strode up to the bar, in his arms a beautiful woman.  A metal-rimmed Stetson hat shaded his eyes perfectly, and dusty hair framed his face in an untidy mess. Strapped under his chin was a close shaven beard that lined his ch:thumb318097382:

I enjoyed your pictures very much, and it's a shame, that there can be three winners only, but I hope you're not sad and keep up your wonderful drawing!



►► Afterword ◄ ◄

Again - I want to thank you for every single piece! I enjoyed this contest very much and hope you did too!
Looking forward to the next one and hope you'll participate again!

Love you guys!