BEHIND THE WALLS DA’ OUTLAW — CHAPTER 8 Performed by Da’ Outlaw Written by TWELVE 12Gauge858 Music | October 8, 2026 Intro — Dripping water, distant thunder, low cello, iron door] [Zoec — quiet male spoken] Amy… You still awake? [Amy — whispered] Been counting footsteps. [Zoec] How many? [Amy] Three guards. One walks different. [Verse 1 — Low gritty male vocal, sparse resonator guitar] Stone walls underneath the old mill One dim lantern in the hall Zoec carved three marks beneath him Amy counted every call One guard walked with heavy footsteps Second dragged his left boot slow Third one never checked the doorway Just the window down below Amy found a loose floorboard Zoec heard a wagon roll Two Compadres held in darkness But they hadn’t lost control [Chorus — Dark soulful outlaw blues, restrained all-male harmonies] BEHIND THE WALLS! BEHIND THE STONE! They can lock away our bodies But they can’t decide our home! BEHIND THE WALLS! WE AIN’T LOST OUR NAME! You can bury us in darkness But we’re Compadres just the same! [Verse 2 — Rolling bass, heartbeat percussion] Zoec tapped three against the iron Held two beats against the frame Same old signal from the crossing Where a stranger heard his name Amy whispered, “He took your mare.” Zoec answered, “That was planned.” “Gave him words to tell the Outlaw If the message reached his hands.” Then they heard a silver chain Dragging softly through the hall Amy moved behind the doorway Zoec stood against the wall [Chorus — Gritty male lead, deep gang harmonies] BEHIND THE WALLS! BEHIND THE STONE! They can lock away our bodies But they can’t decide our home! BEHIND THE WALLS! WE AIN’T LOST OUR NAME! You can bury us in darkness But we’re Compadres just the same! [Breakdown — Music stops, only footsteps and keys] [Unknown Guard — spoken] You two been making plans? [Zoec] Mostly counting. [Guard] Counting what? [Amy — quietly] How many mistakes you make. [Iron keys rattle] [Verse 3 — Low menacing guitar, tension rising] Amy heard the fourth man breathing Though his boots made not a sound Zoec saw his shadow moving Through the lantern on the ground Silver chain beneath his collar Face concealed behind his hat Same small gesture at the doorway Amy knew she’d seen him act Then a woman spoke above them Through the wooden ceiling floor “Don’t hurt them. We still need them.” [Sudden silence] [Outro — Bare cello, faint thunder] [Zoec — whispered] Amy… You hear her? [Amy] Yeah. [Zoec] Know that voice? [Amy] I’ve heard it in Mercy Creek. [Slow footsteps overhead] [Unknown Woman — spoken] Bring me the one called Zoec. [Zoec] Amy… Don’t show ’em what you found. [Iron door unlocks] [Hard cut to silence]
