The man in black sat in the corner with his bottle of Red Eye and a shot glass for company. All around him was general chatter and music streaming from the off tune piano. He could hear his associate up at the bar laughing with some woman. The man could literally talk his way into any woman's bed.
Outside, Chris could hear the sounds of men yelling and shots going off. Taking one last drink from his shot glass, he signaled to Buck that they were going to check it out. The last thing they need was for someone to be going after them while they had their guard down.
The two walked out the batwing doors. The taller of the two going out, sauntering out with one hand in the front of his pants a little. The second followed behind slower, his spurs jingling as his footsteps fell. The two looked around and saw a group of rough looking men pushing around a black boy who looked frightened at being surrounded by big angry white men.
"Looks like ugly is starting early this morning." Chris murmured.
"And I do hate ugly." Buck nodded.
The two descended the boardwalk and walked towards the group.
Chris also saw a large man make his way to the group with determined steps. He would have to keep an eye on him.
As they reached the crowd, some people who were just spectating stepped aside to let them through.
Buck frowned as he saw one of the men kicked the little boy hard in the ribs.
"That's enough." Came Chris's cool voice, gaining everyone's attention.
The man who had just kicked the boy turned around and wiped his face with his sleeve before spitting on the ground beside him.
"And who are you?" the man snarled.
"Someone who don't take kindly to people who prey upon children." Buck said, resting a hand on his gun.
"That boy thinks he can go around here demanding equal treatment like us white folks."
"Slavery is over. He's allowed to do as he pleases." Chris said, remaining calm, though he was ready to kill the sons of bitches.
The man took a step towards Chris. "I don't think the two of you can take all of us." He man said, gesturing to the five men behind him.
"Even God worked in threes, my friend." Said the big man that Chris had spotted earlier. He stood over the boy in a protective stance.
The man whirled around and saw the new threat.
"Hey, isn't that guy in black Chris Larabee?" hissed one of the men.
"No shit. It is him. I ain't about to die today over some darkie kid."
The men began abandoning their friend until it was just him surrounded by the gunslinger and his two friends.
"You all can go to hell." The man snarled before quickly getting out of there himself, but had to push his way through the crowd, trying to keep up the 'tough guy' act.
The big man bent down to the boy who was holding his side in obvious pain.
"Let me help you there, son." The big man said gently.
"I don't have nothing to give you in return, mister." The boy said, not even the least bit scared.
"Well that's alright. Helping someone in need shouldn't come with payment."
Josiah helped the boy up, he turned to Chris and Buck.
"I'll take care of him."
Chris nodded to him, "Alright, but we got to head out before it gets too late."
"Thank you misters for helping me out. I know you didn't have to."
"Ain't nothing, son." Josiah smiled down at the boy.
"What's your name?" Buck asked.
Nathan Jackson." The boy said stiffly.
"Names Chris. These are my friends, Buck Wilmington and Josiah Sanchez." Chris bent down to look Nathan in the eye, "You were brave for what you did. Only cowards gang up against one person, and even greater cowards gang up on a child."
Nathan stood a little taller at the praise. Josiah took him to the church where he said he would look after the boy. The big man always seemed to gravitate towards the place.
Chris and Buck looked at each other before going back into the saloon. Knowing there was no cause to fear someone was out for one of them, made them relax.
Just as they walked into the saloon, a call came out that the stage coach was pulling in. The driver pulled the horses to a stop and then proceeded to drop off bags for those who were staying in town. They would need a fresh pair of horses before heading back out in an hour.
The door along the side of the vehicle opened and a woman stepped out. She surveyed the area with skepticism before turning back to the door where four heads peeked out.
"All right now, you can come on out." She said.
The three boys climbed down the step and stood in wonder at the town they were in. The lady brought their attention back to herself as the girls stepped out of the coach.
"Now we're going to be heading out in an hour. I'm allowing you all to stretch your legs, but I want you all back here by the time the coach driver calls, you hear?"
All five heads nodded, but didn't appear all that serious to keeping to that promise.
The lady herself went to go and get something from the municipal store, leaving the children to entertain themselves. After riding ten miles already with no break, she needed time to herself.
The boys went their separate ways and before long the girls too had disappeared.
The first boy, dressed in fine clothes walked intently to the saloon. He was still short enough that he could slip under the batwings.
Looking around, it was dingy and dim, but he could see a few men playing a card game at a table. He smiled and continued to look around the room. It was better to know your surroundings. At a table sat a lone man in black. From the gun belt on his hip, the man knew how to shoot.
Turning back to the poker table where the game was just ending, he decided to assert himself.
"'cuse me gentlemen, but do you mind if I play a hand with you all. I've been practicing and I know the rules."
The men all looked at him as if he was serious. One of them finally caved, "Alright boy, do you want to play for sweets or something?"
"No, I can play for money. Will nickles suffice?"
"Man I ain't taking some kids money." Huffed one of the men.
"It's quite alright. The experience will be more than enough payment if I lose." The boy smiled innocently.
"Did you hear that boys? He said 'if'. Alright kid, take a seat."
The boy took a seat in an empty chair at the table and waited to be dealt his cards.
The first round he lost, but that was just for show. He didn't want them to suspect him or anything.
"Another round?" he asked.
The men didn't seem willing, but they did.
That time he won, and won the following one.
After his third round, one of the men started getting frustrated.
"What you playing at kid?"
"I don't think I understand what you're implying at sir." He frowned.
"You cheating?"
"I assure you I have not cheated at any point in our games."
"Kid, it ain't good to start cheating even if you're young. No one likes a cheater." Said the man who had invited him to the table.
"I assure that I don't need to cheat."
The man who was getting frustrated got up from his seat and pulled the boy from his chair by the arm. "Imma bout to teach you what we do to liars and cheaters, boy."
A clicking of a hammer made Ezra look behind him. The man in black was pointing his gun at the man holding him.
"Put the boy down."
The man roughly pushed the boy back in his seat.
The man in black got up from his table, his gun still trained on the man, "Now walk away."
The man grumbled a bit, but left the building. Chris turned to the rest of the people at the table, "Who won this round?" the nicer guy pointed to Ezra, "Get your money son."
Ezra picked up the coins and put them in his pocket. Chris gestured for him to get up and he did, albeit reluctantly. He still wanted to play a few more rounds.
Chris led him back outside the saloon and then turned him around to face him.
"I thank you sir for intervening. However, I was not in the wrong. I had no reason to cheat. I've been practicing cards since I was four."
"Well that don't change the fact that you could've gotten hurt by playing with those men. Some of them can be sore losers. Now how about you go find your parents, son."
Ezra maintained a stoic face and walked back down the board walk. He blinked back frustrated tears thinking about the fact that his mother was in Yuma prison and he had no father that he knew of.
He shivered at the thought of that man who had grabbed him. It always scared him when some grown man grabbed him. Some of his step-fathers were abusive and he always shied away from physical contact if he could help it.
The man in black never touched him, his hand only hovering over his shoulder or back. It was like the man wanted to try and offer a physical comfort, but stopped himself just before doing it.
Ezra wondered what that was about. He was distracted from his thoughts by the appearance of the woman he and his companions were traveling with. Not wanting to be seen, he quickly ran off to hide somewhere safe.
Another person who was running away from someone was a scrawny boy in too big of clothes. He was running from a man who had chased him from the restaurant. The boy held in his arms a loaf of bread. He was so absorbed in running away from the man that he didn't see the oncoming horses coming towards him.
"Hey get out of the way!" yelled the man on the horse.
The boy was caught off guard and froze in shock. His legs wouldn't move anymore, and the horses were almost on top of him. Closing his eyes, he tried to block it with his hands up to prevent the hooves from hitting him in the face.
Quick footsteps were heard and the boy felt himself being pushed out the way. Uncurling, he saw a man in black looking down at him with concerned eyes.
"You alright son?" the man asked him. Vin clutched the loaf tightly but he could feel himself still shaking. The man picked the boy up and pulled him close.
"That little runt stole from me." Growled the man who had been chasing the boy.
"He almost got himself killed and you're busy worrying about a piece of bread." Chris growled. He dug into his pocket and produced a coin to pay for the stolen property. "Take your money and leave the boy alone."
The man huffed, but took the coin and walked away.
Chris maneuvered the boy towards the board walked and sat at the edge. The boy stood between his legs, looking at his feet.
"You going to be alright by yourself son?"
Vin looked up at the man before nodding. He offered the loaf to Chris.
"Here. You paid for it." The boy mumbled under his breath.
Chris took the bread, he knew in order for the boy to take it, he would have to feel like he didn't owe Chris. It made him wonder why he was any different from the man he stole it from.
"How about this. You can get this back if you do me a favor." Chris said and smiled a little.
Vin frowned in confusion, "Like what?"
"I have a friend who decided to take a nap a little while ago but I need to start heading out. Can you knock on his door really hard and really loud for three minutes?"
Vin thought about it for a moment before nodded. It sounded simple enough.
The man in black told Vin where he could find his friend and Vin headed over to the boarding house. He found the exact door and took a deep breath before banging on it loudly. He actually started to enjoy it.
At first he was worried it wasn't working since no one came to the door, but after his three minutes were up, he ran back to the man in black.
Beside the man was a disgruntled taller guy. He looked a little frazzled and his clothes were not all the way on.
"Thank you." Chris said as he handed over the bread.
"Wait, this little guy is the reason I'm not spending any time with Charlotte?" Buck groaned.
"You'll survive. I want to start heading out soon. Josiah is going to stay here a little longer before joining us. Wants to make sure Nathan is going to be alright."
Buck nodded and went to go get his horse.
Chris would go get his horse after dealing with the boy.
When they were alone again, Chris turned his attention back to the boy who was beginning to nibble on the bread. "So what's your name, son?"
"Vin Tanner."
"Well my name is Chris Larabee. Where are your parents, Vin?"
Vin dipped his head. "Don't have any. I'm on a wagon coach on my way to find a new family. No one wants to adopt us though. Me and my friends."
"I'm sure you'll find your family in no time."
Vin nodded though he doubted it. The man named Chris was pretty nice and even saved him. He thought the man was amazing.
Buck walked quickly to the livery. He was thinking about the time he got to spend with Charlotte even if it had been twenty minutes.
As he made his way to where his horse's pen, he heard a small voice. Getting closer, he saw a little boy climbing up the gate to hand the horse some hay.
The chubby little hand was practically in the horse's mouth and Buck had to push the horses head back.
"Whoa there, little feller, you almost got your hand chomped off by Daisy." He picked the boy up and set him down on the ground.
"Your horse sure is pretty mister." The boy said with a big smile.
"Why thank you. She loves getting compliments as well as food, but you shouldn't try to feed her without someone watching you. You're so little she might mistake you as food."
The little boy giggled.
"Can I ride her?"
Buck thought about it before nodding.
He saddled his horse and then lifted the boy up on the saddle. He led his horse out of the livery with the little boy grinning wildly.
Buck led the horse over to where Chris was sitting on the edge of the boardwalk. Vin was still sitting beside him eating his bread.
"Vin look! I'm riding a horse!" the little boy called out enthusiastically.
Vin's eyes shot up and his jaw slacked with food still in his mouth.
"Not fair."
The boy named Ezra reappeared at the sound of the little boy's voice.
"How is it JD that you always seem to find a way to ride a horse whenever you get the chance." Ezra said with a smirk. He was a little jealous of the boy's ability with horses.
"You boys know each other?" Buck asked.
"We're all heading to find families." Ezra answered the question so the others wouldn't have to. None of them were too keen on their futures.
"There you all are." Came the annoying voice of the woman in charge of watching the boys. It's bad enough I can't find the girls, but here you all are messing with these men. JD let that man have his horse back. We're leaving in ten minutes."
All three boys looked glum and kept to their places. The woman didn't seem to care that much because she still had to find the two missing girls. It was fine since all the boys were together.
"Nice talking with you boys." Buck grinned.
"Stay out of trouble now." Chris said.
He went and got his black stallion which the boys were all allowed to pet before the two men got in the saddle and started out of town.
A/N: While I have quite a bit of this written I will take my time posting chapters so I have a sort of buffer in between. Hope you like it. Happy New Year!