I know I am not done with my other story yet but this one kept screaming at me to be posted so I posted to silence the voices. LOL. Please read and review.

The dark sky stretched across the desert and the stars refused to shine. Grey clouds covered the moon and he was thankful for the shear darkness. It was easier to hide in the shadows. He slumped against the tree as he heard the distant thunder of the running hooves. His heart was beating loudly in his ears and he hoped his persuers couldn't hear it. He blinked the blood out of his eyes and tried to catch his breath. He knew exactly where he was and knew the safety of the darkness was his friend. The running hooves got louder and echoed through the night as he crouched lower behind the tree trying to be invisible. He heard the voices of the men as they searched for him. Curses and hate spat from their mouths, words that once hurt but now only stung the wounded warrior as he held his breath waiting for them to pass. The men kicked their horses into a gallop and rode off into the darkness as he exhaled the breath he was holding. Now to just make it home. He stayed crouched low to the ground as he left the sanctuary of the trees. His feet hurt and his head ached. His body screamed for rest but he had to continue. Stumbling across the desert he finally saw the single light flickering that signaled home was near. He wrapped an arm around his ribs as he tried to straighten up. He was home and he would be safe within those walls. He reached for the post on the porch as he pulled his injured body up the steps. Falling to his knees mere inches from the door, he could hear the voices of his surrogate family. He reached for the door, wanting contact with the wooden structure that was beyond his reach. He crawled closer and reached for the door pushing it open as he fell to the floor of the bunkhouse. Voices called his name as arms gathered him up and carried him to his bunk. He couldn't tell who was talking, all the voices blended together into a comfortable hum as the darkness swept over him.

The bunkhouse became a flurry of activity as everyone gathered around their fallen roommate. Emma sent the boys off in different directions.

"Jimmy go get me some fresh water and the bandages from the house. Cody, Ike help me get his shirt off." Her voice shaking as she spoke.

Teaspoon stood over his family as he watched one of his riders, one of his boys, laying almost lifeless on the bunk. He spoke a silent prayer. Ike reached up on to his bunk and quickly pulled the blanket off of it and laid it on the bed for his 'brother' as quiet tears welled in his eyes. Jimmy returned to the bunkhouse with the bandages and a bowl of fresh water, Lou grabbed the items from him and sat them on the floor between herself and Emma. Teaspoon took control of the situation

"Come on boys, let's let the Emma take care of Buck. Let's give her some room." Teaspoon had to pull at the boys' arms to make them move. Ike stared at his brother laying on the bunk. Teaspoon placed a hand on his shoulder and saw the sadness in the boys eyes as he lead him to the table. The silence in the room was deafening as they sat stoically, watching Emma and Lou take care of their friend.

Jimmy stood as he heard a horse outside, grabbing his gun from its holster by the door and hearing the sounds of the others grabbing their side arms, he swung the door open and raised his gun as he stepped outside into the darkness.

"Damn it Jimmy, put the gun down" Sam stated with his hands up.

Jimmy stared at Sam then swept a glance into the darkness for anybody who didn't belong there, before lowering his gun. Sam shook his head at the crowd of boys standing on the porch, he stepped onto the steps as Teaspoon exited the bunkhouse.

"What can I do for ya, Sam?" Teaspoon asked knowing it had something to do with Buck.

"I had some late night visitors that were quite angry, saying they had caught a thief and he had escaped. By the description they gave it sounded like Buck, I came by to find out what happened from him." Sam said wanting the truth from Buck, he respected the boy and knew he would tell him the truth.

Teaspoon looked at Sam and motioned with his hand for him to come in. The boys parted like the Red Sea and Sam followed Teaspoon into the safety of the bunkhouse with the boys behind him. Sam gasped as he saw the bruised and battered body that laid on the bunk. He swallowed hard as he looked at Teaspoon

"What happened to him?"

Teaspoon just shook his head and said "He showed up like that a while ago. Literally fell right in through the door. What did these people say Buck stole?"

Sam sat down at the table. "They said he stole a horse. They said he fought them when they caught him stealing the horse and that they were doing their duty as citizens to capture thieving Indians." Sam looked across the room at the boys. Each one having a different expression on their face.

Jimmy still held his Colt in his hand, spinning the cylinder as he listened to Sam. Cody stood beside his bunk and seemed to be taking it all in. Kid sat with his head down, across from Sam at the table next to Ike. Sam noticed Ike looked ill. Ike raised his hands and signed slowly *Buck wouldn't steal a horse.*

Kid translated for Sam.

"I agree Ike, but my job is to get all sides of the story and find the truth. Where was Buck going when he left here?" Sam asked looking at Teaspoon.

Teaspoon leaned forward and said "He was on his way to Rock Creek to take a parcel to the station master there. That was this morning." Teaspoon answered as he watched Sam shake his head.

"That doesn't make sense. The men I spoke with said Buck stole the horse on their property at Willow Springs, that's north of here, there's no way that's possible if Buck was in Rock Creek South of here." Sam said confirming he had been lied to by the men that had come to him. He looked at Buck and knew in his heart this was wrong and those men had just attacked Buck because he was Indian. Sam knew the men were still looking for Buck so he said.

"You boys may want to stay on your toes, they're looking for Buck and may come here looking for him" Sam stood and walked to the bunkhouse door. Sam tipped his hat and left the bunkhouse.

Whew now it is out there. Hope you all like the beginning. More to come.