Chris walked out into the street. It was early morning, around 7:00 A.M., and he just woke up from an uncomfortable night. Besides a hangover and about a hundred nightmares, all focused on his family's death, he was relieved to walk out into the fresh morning air. It was so peaceful in the morning. His wife and him used to get up every morning and sit on the porch, taking in the cold air. Now, it was just a time to get his mind off of everything. Today, however, he was thinking about Mary, and her little boy.
He turned around, thinking about going over to her house, but he shook it off. It had been nearly a week since he even had a conversation with her. Right now, everything seemed out of place. There were no robberies, no gunfights, no crisis in the past week. Everything was calm. "That is supposed to be a good sign!" Chris told himself, smiling. He couldn't believe that he was actually hoping for some drunk or some bank robber to give him some excitement, so that he wouldn't have to face up to settling down again. Chris shook his head. "Why was he worrying?" He should be enjoying himself like everyone else. Nathan was thinking about opening his own office, for anyone who needed medical assistance. Rain had come to visit him and Inez, whom she had recently become friends with. Buck was hounding all of the ladies, as usual. Josiah was building a new roof for the church with the help of J.D..Vin was actually writing some of his poems, after some persuasion from Mary, for the newspaper. And Ezra was most likely inside, trying to scam another card-player into... Chris turned around and saw Ezra, sitting on the dirt, on the corner by the bar. He was picking up the dirt and letting it sink between his fingers. He was staring out into the sky. Chris glanced at him, wondering what he was up to. He could see a few sparks flying between him and Inez lately. Although he would never admit it, when Inez started talking to him, his green eyes would almost twinkle, and he would look down at his drink, grinning. Inez was always catching a glance at him when Buck wasn't hounding her. He strolled over to him. He never saw Ezra sitting in the dirt before. He walked past him, and leaned against the building. Ezra jumped up, seeing Chris walk by him.
"Oh, Mr. Larabee," he said, a little uncomfortable, wiping under his eye.
"How are you this fine morning?"
"Not too bad." Chris answered. He looked at his red eyes, confused.
"You?" he asked.
Ezra nodded. "Yes, I'm doing fine."
"Long night." Chris replied.
"Yes, it was." Ezra said. "I should know, I was awake half of this dreaded evening."
"Seems we have something in common." Chris remarked.
"Yes," Ezra said, grinning, his gold tooth shining. "Our love for the drink, and the great feeling we have afterwards."
"That, and other things." Chris replied. Ezra looked down at his shoes.
"Well, I'm going inside for another reminder of the privledges a man can recieve for the hard hours he puts in. Good day to you, sir." He tipped his hat, and walked in slowly. Chris turned around, and to his suprise, saw Mary walking in the distance with a stack of papers. She waved to him, but before she could call out, she tripped over a pebble and her papers flew on the floor. He ran over to her, helping her up and picking up her papers.
"Oh, thank Mr. Larabee," she said, wiping the dirt off her papers and her skirt. "I guess I'm a little clumsy this morning."
"No trouble at'tall. You're up early?" Chris remarked.
"Yes, well Mr. Coleson has closed his shop and he has asked me to deliver letters to everyone in this town before 9:00, when most people come to deliver telegrams and pick up their incoming mail. What are you doing up this morning?" Mary said, trying to make conversation, sorting through her letters.
"I'm always up this early." Chris said, bluntly.
"Oh, well..." Mary replied, not sure of what to say. He tipped his hat and began to walk away. "Oh, Chris!" she exclaimed. He turned around.
"Here is a telegram that came for you." she said, giving him a letter and then walking away.
"Thank you." Chris said, watching her walk away.
He opened the letter, wondering who it was from. It looked worn, and was not addressed. But then again, who did he know that would write a proper letter? He opened it and read it in the middle of the street. His eyes widened as he read the letter.
Mr. Larabee,
Remember me? Quite a town you have settled into. You didn't think I would forget about our little disagreement, did you? I said that I was going to come back and repay you for hanging my baby brother. Oh, don't worry; I won't kill you or anyone of your loved ones just yet. There is always room for suffering. Just remember: I'm back, with a few of my friends, and I'll be watching your every move. I see that you have made some new friends. If I was you, I'd keep a close eye on them.
Coleson
~ That's a nice lady friend you've got there. Sure hate for anything to happen to her or her little boy.
Chris closed the letter. His heart started beating rapidly. He vaguely remembered a Jake Coleson, who, with his brother, Joey (aside from other heinous crimes), kidnapped a wife of an old blacksmith and his teenage son just to mock the man, who had no money for the ransom. They ended up killing the women and badly beating the boy. Nathan, Vin, and Josiah stayed with the family while Ezra, Buck, J.D., and Chris went after the two. They managed to capture Joey, but Jake escaped. Jake did come back, though. He tried to break his brother out, but to no avail. Chris spotted him at the hanging and tried to catch him...
Chris chased Jake. The rage collected in his heart as he strainingly tried to catch up to the killer. All he could think about was that poor old man's face, holding his dead wife in his hands, and softly stroking his unconscious son's hair. Chris suddenly lost sight of Jake. He stopped, looking around. Suddenly, a sharp object hit Chris in the head. He dropped to the ground, his head piercing with pain. His gun lay on the floor. Jake grabbed it and pointed it at him.
"You bastard!" Jake screamed, his voice out of breath, shaking. "You killed my brother!" Chris rubbed his head, eyeing the gun, shaking in Jake's hand.
"He deserved it, just like you do." Chris replied. Jake aimed the gun at Chris.
"You are gonna pay!" Jake put his finger on the trigger. A loud noise crashed behind him. Jake flinched, turning slightly to eye a small dog. That was all that Chris needed. He kicked Jake's feet out from under him, hitting him to the ground. The gun flew to the side. Chris dove for it, grabbed it and turned to the already standing Jake.
"Freeze!" Chris shouted. "It's all over, Jake. You're coming with me." Jake's eyes flared, bloodshot.
"I'll get you for this, Chris Larabee! Some day, when you don't expect it, I'll be back, and I'll show you and your friends pain that you have never known!"
"Well, you have some high hopes to coming back from hell, because that is the only way that you are going to avenge us on this Earth!" Chris replied.
"I don't think so," Jake said, suddenly kicking dirt in Chris' face. Chris flinched, still holding his gun, but rubbing his eyes. He looked up, and saw Jake running away. He ran after him in the fog, but he lost him. Chris threw his hat down on the ground. He couldn't believe Jake got away...
That was nearly a year ago. Chris kept his eye out for Jake for a month or so after that, but he never saw or heard from him again. Until now. Chris looked around frantically, trying to find Jake in the shadows. He ran to Mary's store and pushed the door open. The slam startled Mary. She gasped and turned around.
"Chris, what is it?!" Mary asked, in shock.
"Mary, you have to get out of here!" Chris screamed.
"Hey, wait a minute. Why? What's wrong?!" Mary answered, confused.
Chris exclaimed, impatient and worried. "You and your son are in danger. A madman has sent me a letter, saying that he's come back to hurt the people close to me. You need to leave here now!"
"What madman?! Why did he say this?!" Mary asked.
"Because I arrested his brother, who was executed, and because there is an unfinished dissension between us. Please, Mary, you are not safe." Chris said, pushing her upstairs.
"No, Chris!" Mary exclaimed. "I am not going to run away. I can handle myself. As you know, we have been in situations like this before..."
Chris sighed. "Mary, I don't want anything to happen to you, or Billy."
"I know, Chris." Mary said, stroking his cheek. Chris turned away, not knowing what to do. "Look, I'll send Billy to stay with Mrs. Artin. Her son is staying with her, and he's a deputy in Sandsburg. But I'm staying here."
Chris rubbed his head. "O.K. But I'll get Vin and Buck to keep watch on your place and Mrs. Artin's, just in case. I just want you to be safe." Chris looked into her eyes. She nodded, trying to be calm.
"I know, Chris. You just find this man, and catch him. This town doesn't need any more problems than we already have. Is there anything I can do to help? Who is this man? What..."
"No, Mary." Chris said quickly. "I don't want you involved. Just stay in your home, and everything will be fine. Don't answer to anyone but Vin and me. Promise me."
"I promise." Mary said, saddened by his face. Chris nodded, and walked out, looking cautiously around.
Vin moaned under his covers. He had stayed out late last night. He had to clear his head. All the silence lately had made him jumpy, wondering if at any second, bounty hunters would come through, looking for him. A loud knocking at his door clouded his thoughts. "What?! Who is it? Come in." Vin bellowed. Chris walked in, quickly closing the door behind him.
"Vin, wake up." he said. Vin turned over.
"What's wrong, Chris?" he asked, rubbing his eyes.
"I need your help." Vin's eyes narrowed, and sat up.
"I'm listening." Vin replied. Chris continued after a pause.
"I just got a telegram from an old foe of ours. Jake Coleson." Vin tried to remember.
"Jake Coleson...what did he do? I don't remember." Vin said, confused.
Chris sighed, frustrated, not wanting to leave Mary alone. "He murdered the wife of a blacksmith in New Mexico. Kidnapped the lady and her son..."
Vin staightened. "Oh, yes. He wrote you? What did he say?" Vin said, standing up.
"Just that he was back and was going to avenge his brother's death by hurting the ones I love." Chris replied, pacing back and forth.
"Same 'ol, same 'ol." Vin said, trying to lighten his worried friend. Chris eyed him, and walked closer to him.
"I need you to watch Mary. Her son is staying with a friend in town. I will get Buck to watch him, but I need you to keep extra watch. If you see Jake or anything unusual, I want you to tell me. Plus, I need you to get word to the others just to keep an eye out for anything suspicious, but don't tell anyone but Buck about the letter. I don't want to make a big deal out of this. Otherwise, Jake might do something unexpected if he's knows he is caught."
"Ok, Chris, whatever you say." Vin replied. "But remember, I only saw Jake for a second. I was with the family the entire time."
"I know, Vin. But right now, you are the most inconspicuous. I'll tell Buck to give you a little more insight, but right now, I don't know what else to do." Chris shook his head, dismayed.
"Don't worry. If this guy is really coming back, we'll find him. Everything will be O.K." Vin said reassuringly. "Besides, there have been men who have done this and then been mistakingly spotted before they did anything, or have just done this to put a scare in..."
"I know, Vin." Chris said, opening the door. "And I hope you're right." He walked out.
"I'm telling you, Josiah." J.D. said to Buck and Josiah, taking a sip of his drink. It was around noon, a week later. Chris was still apprehensive, looking out for Jake, but the chances of him reoccuring were slim. Buck, Josiah, and J.D. were sitting at a card table. Chris was sitting at the bar. "It's a great feeling. To be with someone who makes your day light up. Casey is a great rider, and a great dancer. Why, we were dancing last week by the river, to an old women who was singing a fine tune. I tell you, I miss those days." J.D. looked down, sad. Buck laughed out loud.
"Oh, come on boy! It has only been a few days. She'll be back next week. You sound like a lovesick puppy!" Chris shook his head, grinning with his back towards his laughing friend.
"Well, ever since she went to visit her family, I have been thinking of what it would of been like if I went with her." J.D. said.
Buck leaned over to him. "Well, if it makes you feel any better, you still have us. And I'm free tonight. Would you like to go dancing?" Buck smiled. J.D. glared at him.
"No thank you. Even your animal magnetism can't work on me." Buck shrugged and walked over to the bar by Chris. Vin walked in, tipped his hat to J.D. and Josiah, and walked over to the bar.
"Josiah, come on. You know what I'm saying. What do you think I should do?" J.D. asked. Josiah sighed, shutting his eyes.
"Patience, J.D. The Lord will guide you and will help you. Just use the virtues he gave you."
"I don't need guidance." J.D. said, unpatient. "I need to know that she is the right one before I make any...decisions...you know. Do you think she the one for me?"
"J.D.," Josiah said, opening his eyes. "You don't need me to tell you what you should do. The answer will come in time. Just be patient. When the time comes, you will know what to do. ' Put thy trust in the Lord, and you shall be saved.' "Josiah closed his eyes, laying back in his chair. J.D. looked at Vin, who was looking at them. J.D. shrugged, stating that he was totally confused, and walked over to the card table.
"Where have you been?" Buck asked Vin, who was ordering a drink.
"Just riding. Went to the mountains and slept under the stars. Been doing that a lot lately. You?" Vin asked.
Buck smiled. "Well, I haven't been sleeping under the stars; if you know what I mean." he took a gulp of his drink and went over to talk to the new bartender. Nathan suddenly stormed in and sat down hastily next to Vin, passing Buck.
"Woh, easy there, partner." Buck replied, hitting J.D.'s hat off as he passed him.
"What's up?" Vin inquired.
"Ezra, that's who." Nathan replied. "If he tells me one more time to rearrange my medicines in an 'orderly way', he's gonna need some medicine. God, he always has to be superior in everything. Saying, ' I would never see tools as dirty as this in Boston.' He should go back there if he doesn't like my ways of..." Ezra suddenly walked in, taking his hat off, walking on the other side of Chris. He ordered a drink & looked over to Vin.
"Mr. Tanner," Ezra said, acknowledging him. Vin nodded, not wanting to get between the quarrel that was about to start again. Nathan stood up and walked over to Ezra. Josiah opened his eyes as Nathan walked by.
"You know, you got a lot of nerve, telling me how I should handle my things." Nathan said. Ezra turned around, putting down his drink.
"Well, pardon me if I was lending my superior knowledge of business matters to someone like yourself." Ezra remarked.
"Someone like myself?! And what do you mean by that?" Nathan said, louder.
"Oh come now, Nathan," Ezra said, shaking his head. "Do you have any skills in finance whatsoever?"
"No, and I don't need to. Unlike you, my life doesn't revolve around making money off of less-fortunate people." Nathan commented, walking back to his seat. Ezra stood up.
"Well, if you want to go bankrupt in a week, that's your business. You're foolish not to take my advice in charging your patients for your services."
Nathan grinned, turning to him. "I wouldn't take your advice if you were the last man on this Earth. And for your information, it's a free clinic. Do you know what free means, Ezra? I suppose you aren't familiar with that term unless you were using it to con someone..." Nathan went on. Ezra shook his head, saying that he was finished talking and grabbed his drink.
"You're foolish, Nathan. I wash my hands of ever trying to get you to see the real world."
"Now that's the one good news I heard all day." Nathan stood up. Vin looked up. "You think you're trying to help me? You're not. Don't try to help me." Ezra pushed his chair out from under him and turned to Nathan.
"Oh, don't worry, I will not!" Ezra remarked. "You can be stubborn and set-in-your-ways for all I care..."
"I'm set-in-my ways!" Nathan screamed, so that the other men were looking at them. "I have never met a more selfish, conceited, and stubborn man like you in my life!" Vin put his hand on Nathan's arm, trying to calm him down, but Nathan brushed him off. "Everything you do is for your own benefit. Nothing is to help others. You spent your whole life cheating innocent people so that you could live like a king! You're a liar and a self-centered..."
"Oh, yes Nathan!" Ezra said, overdramatic. "You think you are some big benefactor, helping the less-fortunate like you were. But face it. Your sad stories, you just do it so everyone will pity you and think that you're a wonderful man..."
"Oh come on!" Nathan yelled. "Only someone like you would think that! My life..."
"Oh, you think I'm making this up!" Ezra interrupted. "Isn't it the truth? You tell yourself that you are such a good guy, who was subjected to a horrid childhood. You are just trying to find an excuse to the sins you have committed. You have killed men, people, just like the rest of these gentlemen." J.D. and Buck were now watching them. Nathan looked down, looking as if Ezra had hit a nerve. "We've all had bad moments in our lives. But we don't have to flaunt them like you do!"
"You have had a bad life!" Nathan exclaimed, now very angry. "Don't you dare ever compare your life to mine or anyone elses. Everything was handed to you on a silver plate! You got money, rich clothes, education. I got nothing!" Nathan put his hands out, signaling the other five. "Any other one of these men, I would understand; they have led hard lives. But you, you are just spoiled and inconsiderate! So don't ever compare yourself to me!" Ezra took his hat in his hands.
"You don't know me, Nathan!" Ezra shouted. "Don't pretend that you do."
"And don't you pretend that you know me!" Nathan answered. Nathan walked near him, looking for a fight. Buck started to walk over to them, eyeing Chris, who was glancing at Buck. Ezra looked into Nathan's fiery eyes, then shook his head.
"This is becoming tiring, Nathan." Ezra said, looking down at his hat.
"You have never liked me, stereo-typing me from the first day I met you."
Nathan looked shocked. "You are the prejudice fool you didn't want to join the group because of me, and then almost got us killed when your greediness stepped in. You sure you're not talking about yourself?!"
"You're wrong, Nathan. I never stereo-typed you. I thought..." Ezra shrugged his sentence off. "Forget it! I'm wasting my time trying to explain myself to you." Nathan still stood in his way. Buck looked up as he saw two women walk into the bar. The others didn't notice. Nathan went on.
"No, I think reality is setting in. You don't belong here. You belong with all the self-centered, cheating criminals in your rich hometown. You think that you have changed, that you have helped these people somehow..." Ezra tried to pass, but Nathan jumped in front of him. "You haven't changed, Ezra. You're still the hard-headed, greedy son-of-a-bitch that you always were!"
"Get out of my way!" Ezra yelled, pushing Nathan back. Nathan pushed him in the chest, harder. Buck and Josiah grabbed the men, and Chris stepped in front of the two men who were about to start fighting.
"That's enough!" Chris exclaimed. "You wanna settle this, you take it outside, but not in here!" Nathan brushed Josiah off of him.
"You're not worth it!" Nathan said, Ezra breaking free from Buck. "No one cares about your ideas and business establishments that you want to organize in this small town. We don't need a money-grubbing man like you in our group!"
"Oh, are you our leader now, Nathan?!" Ezra shouted. "You speak for everyone?!" Nathan grinned.
"Think about it, Ezra. How many times have one of us asked for your advice? How many times have they stood up for you when you ran off or got stuck in jail for jumping bail, or one of the criminals that escaped stole your precious things? If you would disappear now and never come back, no one would even notice. And if we did, you know what we would say? Good riddance!"
"Enough now, Nathan." Josiah interrupted. Nathan ignored him.
"It's true, Josiah! We'd say you probably ran off with some gold you found, or got killed by a card player that you were trying to cheat, but that would be the end of it. You have never done anything for us, despite all the benefits these people have given you, and who accepted you." Ezra shook his head and put on his hat, ready to leave. He stopped, looking at the two girls, blocking them from Nathan's view, and then walked off with Nathan yelling after him.
"You have no friends here, Ezra! Don't act like you have helped any..." Nathan stopped as he saw Inez and Rain standing by the door. Inez glanced at Nathan and then walked after Ezra. Rain stared at Nathan. He walked over to her. "Rain, how long have you been here?" he asked, trying to calm down, the men still looking at him. Chris nodded to Buck. Buck walked after Inez and Ezra.
"Long enough, Nathan." Rain remarked, looking disappointed.
"I've had enough of him! He is a conceited..."
"Stop it, Nathan! Haven't you said enough?!" Rain said, shaking her head.
"Don't defend him. He's had it coming..." Nathan began to say in his defense.
"I'm not defending anyone! You are both acting like children! Taking your anger and frustration out on each other in front of all these people! Grow up!" Rain walked out.
"Rain..." Nathan began to call after her.
"Hey, Nathan! Just get a drink and calm down." Vin said to him. Nathan nodded. He sat down and looked up at his comrade's faces. Josiah shook his head at him and walked over to J.D., who looked shocked and wide-eyed. Vin looked over to Chris, trying to find something to say to Nathan, but Chris stood up, paid his drink and walked outside to stand on the street. Nathan looked down at his drink.
"He deserves it!" he told himself. "I have been waiting to say this to him for a long time. I did the right thing." He paused. "I did..." Nathan took a sip, still a little shaky. A mysterious man, his head covered by a dark hat, grinned and walked out, unnoticed by the men.
Inez ran after Ezra. She could sense that he was uneasy about something, so the fight with Nathan couldn't of helped.
"Ezra! Wait!" Inez called. Ezra turned around, stopping.
"My dear Inez, when a man storms out of an establishment from a bitter quarrel, he does not want to be softened by a young lady. Now, good day to you." He tipped his hat.
"Where are you going?" Inez asked, seeing him get on his horse.
"I don't know. And I don't care." Ezra replied, riding off, leaving her in the dust. Buck reached her.
"You alright? What's the wanderer have to say about that small war back there?" Buck said, candidly. Inez shook his head.
"Oh, Senor," Inez said, turning to him. "Does anyone ever understand what he says."
"No one I have ever met." Buck said, grinning. Inez stayed serious.
"He's not himself. He seems lost, and hurt." Inez walked away. Buck looked down, trying to shake away the misfortunes his comrades were being dealt with. A horse winnied right next to him, galloping away with a man dressed in black. Buck jumped back.
"Woh!" Buck exclaimed. He stared at the back of the man. He shook his head, thinking that he saw something, and walked back to the saloon.
Chris stood out in the street. Nathan had rushed back to his clinic, looking troubled and tired. Buck was charming the ladies, as usual, and Rain and Inez were talking to J.D. Josiah was at the church, making repairs. An hour had passed, and Chris didn't know what to do. He was about to walk to Mary's when he spotted Vin, motioning to him from across the street. Chris walked to Vin, who strolled into the saloon. He nodded at J.D., who was charming the girls, mostly making them laugh. Vin sat at the bar.
"What's the news?" Chris asked, ordering a drink.
"News has it that a bank was robbed in a town not 15 miles from here. The townspeople said that a gang of around eight men were terrorizing the village and injured three citizens. Townsmen said they were heading north, in our direction. The town right between us and them is Hartfield. It's a small town, but their bank is on route to a train station that runs all the way to Massachusetts. The sheriff there says he thinks Hartfield & this one will be hit in the near future."
"Well, we better be prepared then." Chris said. Vin nodded.
"O.K. So the question is, which town should be protect? This one or Hartfield? I'm assuming Hartfield doesn't have a sheriff." Chris replied.
"Naturally," Vin answered.
"O.K. here's what we'll do..." Chris started. Josiah suddenly walked in.
"Chris, may I lend your ear for a moment." Josiah asked. Chris nodded. Josiah walked to the bar.
"A note was attached to the church door, addressed to you."
Chris grabbed the note.
You didn't forget about me, did you? I left a present for you in the woods. Come see it, no rush. I'll be in touch. This is far from over. Coleson
Chris jumped up. "Mary!" he thought in horror. He turned to his friends. "Josiah, get over to Mary's house, and make sure she and her little boy are alright. I'm going to find Coleson."
"Wait, I'm coming with you." Vin replied, following Chris. Chris didn't stop him.
"Josiah, find Buck and be ready for my return." Josiah nodded. J.D. jumped up, curious.
"Josiah, what is it?" J.D. asked.
"Nothing. Just stay here with the women. If we need you, we'll call you." Josiah touched his shoulder and walked out. J.D. plomped down, upset. He was always left out.
Chris and Vin rode out past the town.
"Hey partner," Vin asked. "Do you have any idea where we're supposed to be headed?"
"I got a good idea." Chris replied, serious. "The only place I can think of is deep in the woods where we found the wife's body a year ago."
"Good thinking." Vin replied, trying to lighten the mood. "This reminds me of that time not too long ago when the twins left a love letter for Josiah, but J.D. thought it was meant for him." Vin grinned. "And J.D. went out into the woods..." Vin suddenly stopped. Ezra's horse was tied to a tree in front of them. There was dead silence around them.
"Get down." Chris said, softly. Vin took his gun out, climbing off his horse, tying them next to Ezra's horse. Chris walked slowly, looking around. He could hear the birds chirping around him. Vin gasped.
"Chris!" Vin pointed his finger. Chris looked in that direction. He saw a body laying under a tree. He gulped when he saw the man wearing Ezra's coat. "It's Ezra..." Vin exclaimed. They ran to the body, and Chris turned him over. Chris had to do a double take. Vin shut his eyes, looking away.
Ezra was badly beaten, unconscious. His face was all bloody, and his eye was swollen. His lip had a deep cut on it, and his head was bleeding.
"Oh, God..." Vin said, his head in his hands, not knowing what to do. "Chris, what? What should we? God..." he rambled on.
"Vin, get the horses. Go, get them." Chris quickly said. Vin nodded, his mouth wide open, and ran back. Chris tried to pick Ezra up, but a moan came out of his injured friend. Vin shouted back, mounting his horse.
"What should I do?" Chris stood up and turned to him.
"Take all three with you. I can't get him on a horse. I'll have to carry him. Go, go tell Nathan. Go!" Chris shouted. Vin nodded, agreeing, and grabbed the other horses, holding their reins with difficulty. Chris gently put his hand behind Ezra's head, and picked him up. Chris looked at his friend, whose breathing was short and very light. He didn't look good. Chris' eyes widened. He knew Jake was laughing about this in the shadows. He would get him for this...