FAITH
FAITH (after an idea by Nesciri)
Night fell at the waystation and it was quiet. Rachel
had gone to get some sleep in her house and Teaspoon was out making a quick
check of the town. Jimmy and Lou hadn't returned yet and Kid was getting anxious
about Lou's safety. Kid was planning to ride to the Fort the next afternoon
if there was still no sign of them. He was in the barn now with Cody, checking
the horses and making sure everything was locked up for the night. They weren't
taking chances anymore.
Buck was resting quietly thanks to the sedative.
A pan of ice sat by his bed and every few minutes Ike wrapped some in a cloth
and pressed it against Buck's skin. In between, Ike kept his eyes fixed on the
floor. Occasionally he would shift his weight and stretch a leg out in front
of him. The chair was uncomfortable, but Ike was not going to leave Buck. Ike
leaned back slightly and closed his eyes. He remembered his mamma tucking him
in bed and telling him that nighttime was the best time of all. At night, he
could have wonderful dreams that would take him wherever he wanted to go and
all he had to do was close his eyes to get there. She would smooth the quilts
and make sure his favorite blanket was touching his face. That memory usually
made him sad but now he thought it ironic. He wished he could close his eyes
and dream his way out of this mess. He sighed when he realized that was impossible.
One thing that was certain though was his decision about Buck. He wasn't going to let Buck go to any asylum. He had heard about them and he knew they weren't pleasant. He knew they practically tortured patients just to keep them quiet. If he had to, he would take Buck and leave. They had been on their own before and they could do it again. Ike tried not to think about how hard that time had been. Buck was half-Indian and Ike was mute. Many people had turned them away just for who they were. He wasn't sure how they would make it now especially with Buck being sick, but he was determined. He would wait for now, but that's what he would do if the time came.
Kid reached into the stall and patted Katy on her
neck. "I know you don't like being locked up but it's for your own good.
Tomorrow, we'll go find Lou." She made a little nickering sound at him
and stomped a hoof in reply.
Kid turned away from his horse and took a good look
at the barn. Kid let his eyes wander over the walls where the symbols had recently
been painted over. Even though he couldn't see them anymore, he knew they were
still there. Just thinking of that night left him feeling tense and edgy. He
was glad for Cody's company and he watched as Cody finished putting the last
of the tools away. "Well, I guess we're done for now," Cody said as
he brushed bits of hay from his jacket.
Cody reached and turned off one lantern. The remaining
lantern cast flickering shadows across the barn and Kid was anxious to get back
to the bunkhouse. Suddenly, he realized he had that same feeling he had all
those nights ago. Someone was watching them and waiting for them to leave the
barn. Kid stood still and strained to listen to the slightest noise. Cody sensed
something was making Kid nervous and caught his eye. Kid put a finger to his
lips and pointed outside.
Cody wished he had brought a gun with him but all he could do was creep as quietly as he could back to the tools. He picked up a pitchfork and clutched it in his hands. He turned back to Kid and made a slight motion with the pitchfork toward the door. The two made their way over and Kid pushed the door ajar. They couldn't see anything except the light from the bunkhouse in the distance. Cody took a tentative step outside. He looked around but saw nothing unusual. Suddenly, a movement by the corner of the bunkhouse caught his eye. Someone was creeping around the back of the house.
