Secrets and Shadows
by Angelwings23123
The stagecoach's arrival that day created many murmurings among the townsfolk because of its lone occupant. There was much speculation about the obviously educated Englishman dressed in a very nice suit that arrived in Four Corners that afternoon. The speculation only increased when the man inquired about their new sheriff, JD Dunne.
In the Saloon, JD was just about tell another one of his jokes to the rest of The Seven when the man walked in. The words died on his lips as he watched the man make his way across the room--his eyes focused on JD. JD briefly considered trying to hide, but knew that it was too late--he had already been recognized. With a sigh, he ignored the questions of the others as he stood up and walked over to the man. The rest of The Seven watched as the two retired to a secluded area of the Saloon and whispered furiously to each other.
THREE DAYS LATER
The first faint beginnings of dawn were breaking on the horizon as JD quickly climbed through the window into his room. Filling a basin with water, JD watched detached as the water in the basin turn to red as he washed his hands and face.
Changing clothes, he realized with a sigh that the shirt was beyond repair and would have to be somehow replaced before its loss was noticed. He had been sloppy tonight and could not let that happen again. After cleaning up, he briefly looked longingly at the bed--but he was running late today, so sleep would have to wait.
Walking into the Saloon, he met Mr. Hobson at the same table that they had been meeting at every morning since the Englishman's arrival. The rest of The Seven had been curious about the Englishman and his relationship to their youngest. It didn't help that anyone could see that JD and Mr. Hobson did not get along at all.
Buck especially couldn't understand why JD continued to hang around the man. Mr. Hobson constantly made snide and belittling comments to JD and JD barely concealed his dislike for Mr. Hobson. Which was one of the reasons that The Seven kept a close eye on the two. They made a point to let JD know that all he had to do was say the word and they would chase the Englishman out of Four Corners. But, JD wouldn't let them--he kept saying that it was his business and they were to keep out of it.
"I wish you wouldn't daydream when there are such important matters to discuss," Mr. Hobson said, cutting into JD's thoughts.
"And you really should wash-up before a meal," he chided.
JD gritted his teeth and bit back the impulse to retort that he had in fact just washed up. But, he knew it would fall on deaf ears and their meeting wouldn't start until he had done so. Walking over to wash-up, he didn't notice as Mr. Hobson took a vial of liquid out of his pocket and quickly poured it into his drink. The Englishman straightened up as JD sat back down and they began to talk.
From across the room, Buck glared at the two as he walked in.
"What the hell do ya think they talk about over there every day?"
"It's none of our business, Buck--the kid would've told us if he wanted us to know," Chris answered.
"Well it ain't nothing good; I can tell ya that--we should just..."
"I don't like it anymore than you do, but it's his business," Chris said firmly, cutting him off.
TWO DAYS LATER
JD sat down on his bed, puting his hands over his face and taking a shaky breath. Something was wrong. He had tried to convince himself that he had just caught a cold or something and would be fine. But this was more than that. He felt weak. He couldn't do the things that he could normally do with ease. Something was very very wrong--and that terrified him. It didn't help that today was the one year anniversary of...
NO, he would not think about it. Closing his eyes, he quickly pushed those thoughts aside and taking a deep breath he opened the door and stepped confidently out--ready to pretend that everything was just fine...
LATER THAT NIGHT
JD resisted the urge to roll his eyes as Mr. Hobson lectured to him from atop his horse. The two were currently riding to an abandoned town where according to Mr. Hobson 'suspicious activity' had been reported. Mr. Hobson had just finished talking about 'duty' and 'obligations' when they arrived at their destination.
The night seemed eerily quiet as they dismounted their horses. The hair on the back of JD's neck stood on end as a sense of foreboding swept over him. His thoughts were interrupted by Mr. Hobson.
"Now, just go into that building there," he whispered, nervously glancing around, then said in a much louder voice, "and do try to do your best."
Without even looking back, JD stepped through the door--only to have it slammed quickly shut behind him. As he whipped around, he heard the sound of a lock being put into place. With a sudden sense of panic, JD attempted to get the door open trying every means he could think of. When it didn't even budge; he started pounding on the door.
He stopped abruptly when a sound from inside caught his attention. Turning around, he realized that something was in there with him...
"Slay-er," a voice called echoing from the darkness.
A shiver ran down JD's spine. As JD surveyed the darkness in front of him his thoughts inevitably drifted back to a year previously...
