After watching the trailer for season 4 the tenth of September cannot come fast enough! Of course, this is pure speculation as to what will happen but what the heck that's what fanfic is for. It's my take on how Henry finds Walt.
If you're not watching the trailers then don't read this fic. You were warned :)
Stocking the bar is a chore no bar owner enjoys but Henry's displeasure at being inside, a slave to more tasks sits sourly in the back of his throat like the bad aftertaste of a hangover. His putrid thoughts are interrupted by the persistent ring of the telephone. Yeah, yeah he thinks silently about the whole soiree routine and this time he says it much more out of expectation than willingness. He yearns for the outdoors and spends every free moment there. Only in the wide open space, without restriction, does he truly feel free and while he realizes that this is a rather simplistic representation of his freedom, he rejoices just the same, on his journey to self-actualization and soulful independence.
"Standing Bear?" The voice on the other end is familiar but not readily identifiable.
"This is Standing Bear." His voice is firm, and hard, wholly reflective of his state of mind.
"Your white shadow has gone crazy."
"What?"
"The Sheriff was just here."
"Just where?"
"At the casino construction site."
"Why was he there?"
"Looking for Jacob Nighthorse."
"Who is this?"
"That does not matter."
"Where is Nighthorse?"
"In the sky."
Henry studies the silence discerning the sincerity.
"The evil spirits abound and will soon possess his soul, Standing Bear."
"Why are you telling me?"
"Is he not your brother?" The question is both rhetorical and judgmental.
Henry hears the distinct click of the telephone hanging up on the other end and he follow suit. Disgruntled, he throws the worn bar towel on the counter, and ambles out to the Rezdawg without a sense of urgency.
That all changed after a call to the station. Walt was nowhere to be found; his house empty, the radio frequency silent.
Henry upshifts and heads for the rural airstrip as it is the only logical place for Sam Poteet to mention it is where the vast openness of the sky meets the four arrows.
He parks in the distance next to the familiar well-worn Bronco. Searching the horizon, he sees him, in the distance. His gait purposeful and elegant but for the perversity of his mission he would be statuesque.
It's not the first time they have fought; no this is just the latest, in the long line of fists and bruises. When they are upright again after a series of blows Henry quickly surmise's that his brother is filled with pain displayed as rage. The pain that has been destroying him in increments ripping off slivers of his soul and like slices of a carcass it's barely noticeable until the only thing left are remnants of flabby flesh and broken bones.
He's not listening to reason. He's beyond that. It's all about him. It always has been. The selfishness tolerated. The golden child. The gifted one. The heavy burden of justice worn as if it were a badge of honor placed next to the star on his chest.
It's not about you Henry tells him. It's about all of us. We have been given a second chance and you can't jeopardize all of our sacrifices because of your grief. It's all of our grief and not just yours.
Walt's eyes grow colder as the pain boils over into senseless words of frustration. He knows it's the truth but he's never been prepared to face it. He's never been called to account for his actions but on this day, in this grassy desolate field, he has no other choice.
"What the hell are you doing?" He yells.
"Helping."
"Get off of me."
"No."
"This doesn't involve you." His self-absorption familiar and evident.
"I went to jail for you because I thought you were worth the sacrifice."
"I didn't tell you to keep those teeth."
"I never would have had the teeth if not for your carelessness."
"Fuck you, Henry"
"Who is this imposter?" The question is thoughtful yet naïve.
His voice elevates, his grip tightens, "I don't need you. This isn't your problem."
"You made it my problem when you called me to Denver."
"You want to be my brother?" His voice is cold, "Let me go."
"If I let you go now it will be forever, Walt."
Henry's eyes are black with intensity, his words hot and fluid, and they snap at Walt.
"For once in your life stop thinking only of yourself. Do not lose your chance to live again. Do not make your marriage and your sacrifices in vain. If you do, Walt, your life has been for nothing. For nothing."
Walt gives one final push and breaks free, his hands collapsing onto his knees, the Colt drops to the ground and a small puff of dirt shrouds around it absorbing the impact of the burden.
The plane circles and continues into the distance and the hum of the small engine does nothing to drown the bellowing of pain being released down below its wings.