Chapter 3

Missing

Amy looked at her phone as Tim pulled his truck into Heartland. She wanted to call Ty but was afraid that if he was actually hiding she may give him away.

"stop with the down face Amy, "Tim smiled, "it's a good day, we got Cisco back"

"that's great dad, but we still have no idea where Ty is or even if he's ok" she rebutted sourly. Annoyed at her dad's glib attitude.

"he's fine Amy, come one, "Tim replied, Turing off the truck's engine and raising a hand to Jack and Shane as they came out of the house to greet them.

"what did the police say?" Jack asked, seeing the look on Amy's face,

"well, they, as usual, want to take all the credit, but they said they will follow it up and keep us apprised, as usual," Tim jested.

"not about the horses, "Jack growled, turning to hug Amy as she came to his side, "what about Ty?'

"he's not here, is he?" Amy said softly, already knowing the answer.

Jack nodded sadly, "no, afraid not Amy"

Tim's smile faded slightly, "it's been over 3 hours since you guys stole the horses back, he should have been able to…." He let his sentence fall short, seeing his daughters face.

"call him," Jack said to her, nodding to her phone.

"I was going to but I didn't want to put him in any more danger" she replied, looking at her phone.

"it's been long enough Amy, he could be walking back and safely out of harm's way, call him" Jack encouraged.

Amy nodded and hit the screen of her phone placing it to her ear.

They all watched her intently, waiting with baited breath, hoping to hear Ty's voice answer her.

{hey, this is Tys phone, leave a message}

Amy sighed heavily and looked at her father, Jack and Janice, "hey, call me back will you, we are all worried about you"

She put the phone down and hugged her grandfather, "it went straight to voicemail"

Jack pulled her close and shifted his worried eyes onto Tim.

A conversation without words ran between the two older men. Both acknowledged the issue at hand.

"I'm calling Murphy," Tim finally said walking back to the truck to get his phone,

"we have to find Ty," Shane butted in, "he saved the horses for us dad, him and Wade, we have to save him"

Jack looked down at Amy, concern running through his eyes. "Wade?"

Amy sighed and nodded, "yes, he was the one who brought the trailer to help, He told us where the race meet was and helped us find Cisco"

"he got us out of there too, when the man shot at us, he rammed him with the truck, it was awesome!" Shane blurted out, his excitement fading quickly when he saw Amy glare at him.

"a man shot at you!" Tim growled, returning from the truck and looking at Amy in disbelief.

"Dad, he hid in the truck, we didn't even know he was there until it was too late, "she explained,

"my god Amy, are you trying to get me in trouble with Miranda! "Tim fired, rubbing his face in exasperation.

"Shane is fine dad, he helped us, I don't see why you're worried about him when he's standing right here, Tys the one who is missing and you're not too concerned about that!" Amy snapped, her temper and fears getting the better of her.

"ok ok, now everyone needs to calm down "Jack interjected, "we can talk about Shane and his little adventure once we find out where Ty is and get him home"

"I'll go to the track and ask around, see if any ones heard anything, you know, on the quiet," Janice said, kissing Tim on the cheek and heading to her truck.

"Amy, do you have a number for Wade, "Jack asked softly,

"No, I don't, but he works at Paladin, "she said,

Jack nodded and looked at Tim again, "you go down to that police station and get Murphy to take this seriously, and Amy and I will go have a chat to Wade "Jack instructed.

"thank you, grandpa, "Amy smiled,

Jack touched her shoulder and headed back into the house to find his keys.

"I'm looking for Wade Dalton?" Amy said to one of the Paladin mechanics as she entered the workshop,

"he's not in today, took a sick day" the gruff man answered, "back tomorrow"

Amy bit her lip and looked at her grandfather,

"um do you have a contact number for him, I really need to talk to him" she asked, trying to give her best smile.

"not allowed to give out personal information love," he grinned, his yellow teeth showing.

Amy sighed and looked away.

"it's a personal emergency "Jack interrupted, stepping in front of Amy and shaking the man's grubby hand. "it's about his son"

"Oh, that kid in the motorcycle jacket who's been here a few times," he grinned.

Jack nodded, smiling under his mustache,

"Wades told me about him, bit of a loose cannon, hard to handle, "The man continued, "yeah been in and out of institutions and juvi, attacked Wade once you know,"

Jack nodded, his temper rising inside, but he hid it well,

"he told me that he'd tried everything with that kid but nothing worked. "

Amy turned away, her face showing her annoyance towards what the man was saying, it seemed Wade had covered his own indiscretions by blackballing Ty,

"yes yes, well, I need to talk to him about all of that, "Jack continued, keeping his tone even, "I work for the probation board"

"oh ok, so you're here to help then, "the man smiled,

"yes, so can I have a number" Jack insisted,

The man nodded and walked towards the office, returning with a greasy piece of paper with a phone number scrawled on it.

"not sure if it still works though, Wade tends to jump around a bit, "

He nodded and went on his way. As Amy came back to her grandfather and smiled at him.

"so, you work for the probation board?" she smiled, hugging him.

"come on, let's go before anyone asks to see some credentials" Jack gruffed heading back to his truck.

Amy called the number and spoke briefly to Wade, who agreed to meet them at Ty's trailer later that afternoon. Jack and Amy went over early, just to see if Ty had returned home but the trailer was empty and left exactly the way he had left it earlier that morning.

Wade's car pulled into the lot a little after 4 pm, he parked the car and slowly walked over towards Amy, watching Jack warily.

He hadn't actually been formally introduced to Jack, the last time they had met, Jack had chased him off the property after he had confronted Ty and his mom.

"Amy, "Wade said, butting out his cigarette on the veranda post.

"has he contacted you?" she asked,

"who, Ty? "he replied, "no, I haven't heard a peep from him"

"and you aren't worried?" she retorted. "because I sure am"

"have you any idea where this illegal race track is heading?" Jack asked, his eyes narrowing slightly, he still wasn't totally convinced that Wade was on the straight and narrow.

"you must be Jack, "Wade said softly, "Tys told me about you, the father he always wanted but never had"

Jack rolled his eyes, and huffed, "well, someone had to step up and it was obvious you weren't up to the job"

Wade smiled a curt smile, "touché"

"can we please stop, we need to figure out where these guys are heading "Amy interjected, her patience running thin. "Ty is still out there somewhere, "

"look, I'll talk to my contacts and see when the next meet up is, the problem is they need new horses now, so it may not be for a while, "Wade explained.

"do you think they have him?" Amy asked, her voice trembling.

Wade sighed and looked away from the young woman, "I'm hoping he's just hiding out, waiting to make a break for it, these are not the people you want to cross if you get my drift, there is big money in this kind of thing, if they have him, I hoping they don't realize he was responsible for the horses getting away"

"this is ridiculous, "Jack snorted, "we've told the police, I'm sure they will be able to find him one way or another. "

"I'm hearing ya, but leave it with me ok, I'll ask around and see what I can find out, "he tipped his head to Amy and walked back to his car, "I'll be in touch, "he stopped and turned back to Amy as he opened the car door "can I ask you to leave my name out of it, I mean when you're talking to the cops, I don't want any untoward attention coming my way"

Amy nodded and Jack huffed again and looked away as Wade reversed out of the lot and turned down the road.

Tys eyes slowly flickered open, his head felt like a million tiny hammers were pounding inside it. His arm ached terribly as he tried to sit up. he looked around, trying to focus on his surroundings but realizing quickly that his lightheadedness was making that impossible. His ears could hear the sound of a running engine, he could feel that the floor he was lying on was moving and shuddering underneath him.

Ty shook his head, and instantly regretted it, his stomach heaved and churned making him quickly lean forward and retch onto the floor, Ty spat out the remnants of what was left in his stomach and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

He looked around and rubbed his arm gingerly, trying to gain his bearings, he could see through the semi-darkness that he was laying on the floor of a horse trailer, it was empty apart from him and he was lying near the front. Ty slowly tried to stand up but the dizziness in his head made him nauseous again causing him to rethink it and decide to push himself over to the side wall and rest against it instead. He exhaled softly, wiping his forehead, feeling the sweat on his hand. He felt hot and clammy, and overall very unwell.

He looked up at the floats window, and noticed it was dark outside, he had lost all track of time. He shut his eyes trying to recall the events that had got him locked in a horse trailer, feeling ill and in pain and being carted off to god knows where by god knows who.

Ty rubbed his eyes and tried to stay calm as slowly the memories returned to him, the race meet, Amy and Shane, the horses, Wade, he recalled trying to free the last horse, falling from it and running from a group of rather angry men, he shook his head again, trying desperately to clear the fog, as he felt the trailer take a corner. Ty swallowed hard as another wave of nausea flowed over him, his mind recalling a middle-aged man, dressed in a flash suit and Stetson hat, and chewing on a cigar. Ty took a deep breath as he looked down at his left arm and slowly rolled up his jacket sleeve, his inner arm was red and inflamed with a definite track mark near the inside of his elbow. He touched it gently, wincing as his fingers ran over it. His mind remembering the injection and the confrontation with Mr. Dawson. He tried to calm himself as he realized that the nausea and the lightheadedness and disorientation where most likely side effects of the drug he had been forcibly given. He had been a vet assistant long enough to know the symptoms of Detomidine poisoning and that he needed to stay calm and hope the dose he was given wasn't too high for his body to combat without medical assistance. Scott had told him the risks of handling Detomidine and how it could cause low blood pressure, nausea, fainting episodes and irregular heart palpations if accidentally injected or absorbed into the human body. Mr. Dawson had administered an equine only drug into him deliberately, not knowing what the effects may be or even caring if it was safe or not, which Ty knew to be the latter.

Ty shut his eyes again and cradled his arm to his chest, there was nothing he could do until the trailer reached its destination, for now, he might as well rest and conserve his strength, and wait for the next opportunity to escape that came along.

Amy tried Ty's phone again but got the same voice message, she took comfort in hearing his voice even though it was just a recording. It was nearly 9 pm now and the police still wouldn't list Ty as missing until he had been gone for over 24 hours.

She laid on her bed, her eyes full of concern. Wondering where he was and if he was ok.

Her mind started to go to a dark place, picturing him on the side of a road somewhere, in need of help, calling for her. A tear rolled down her cheek as she tried to sleep. Her only solace being that with the new day the police would finally take her concerns seriously and go looking for him.

As the trailer shuddered to a stop Ty jumped and woke from a fitful sleep, he was still leaning up against the side of the float and decided to remain there as he watched the rear door slowly open,

He heard two sets of voices as the lights were flicked on causing him to blink and shield his eyes from the sudden brightness.

"he's awake," a gruff voice said, stepping into the trailer and walking over to Ty who still lay on the floor.

The man grabbed his chin and looked carefully at Ty as he tried to pull away from his grasp.

"he looks kinda rough," the man continued Turning Tys face side to side. "he's hot and a little sweaty too, I'm not liking this Rusty"

Ty recognized the voice as the man who had questioned giving him the drug in the trailer.

He was an older gent, with short greying hair that was receding slightly.

"let go of me" Ty hissed with annoyance, pulling his face out of the man's grip,

"he's still got the attitude though" the man chuckled, letting Ty go and standing up again.

The other man slowly walked over to the first and spoke quietly keeping their tone low.

"where am I" Ty stammered, his head still pounding. He blinked his eyes trying desperately to clear the haze that surrounded him.

The man called Rusty looked down at him and clenched his lips in thought. Considering their options. He finally looked at his watch and then, back down at Ty.

"Look, kid, I don't know what the boss has planned for you, but if you want to avoid another jab in the arm I'd just go along with whatever he wants. "

Ty swallowed hard, feeling like he was going to vomit again. "Ok, OK, I get it, I won't be any trouble." He agreed, knowing he needed to get out of that horse float, and if pretending to be pliable got him that, then he was happy to play along.

The two men turned as they heard another voice from outside.

"the boss wants to know how he's doing" it called,

"he's awake, but he looks kinda off, "Rusty turned back to Ty and tapped him with his boot, "how do you feel kid ok?"

"the same way you'd feel if someone stuck a needle full of horse tranquilizer in your arm" Ty spat, "It's made me sick, I need a doctor"

Rusty considered the request and walked back towards the open door of the trailer, he whispered to the man outside and occasionally looked back at Ty and the other man.

Ty took his chance to attempt to pull some sympathy from the man who stood above him. He had shown some form of concern when Mr. Dawson first went to inject Ty with the Detomidine. Maybe he could bend that to his advantage now.

"Hey, that shot really messed me up," he said softly, as to avoid the other men hearing him. "I work for a vet, Detomidine is dangerous it's not for use on humans. "

"Shhh, "the man said, trying to ignore him.

"come on man, I need a doctor, "Ty pleaded, holding his arm, looking up at him. Trying desperately to pull on any shred of humanity he had.

"It's not up to me" the other finally said, "it's up to the boss,"

"if you help me, I… "Ty started but was forced to drop his words as the other two men entered the trailer,

"get up, "the younger one said, a dry rasp in his uncaring voice.

Ty slowly pushed himself to his feet, and tried to stand as strong and as confidently as he could, but his head started to spin and the nausea returned. He felt hot and giddy as he staggered backward, the men either side of him grabbing him to stop him from falling. They guided him out of the trailer and Ty looked around the surrounding countryside, it was dark, and they were on a ranch property somewhere he assumed, there was no main house or outbuildings, however, just fenced fields and a large clearing where they had set up camp for the night. The breeze was cold against his hot face and they ushered him towards a large mobile trailer. The same one that he had been taken into when he met Mr. Dawson the first time.

Ty was tired, he felt fatigued and lightheaded. The effects of the drug still affecting him. He tried to get some perspective of where he was but nothing looked familiar. All he could do was play along and wait for a chance to turn the tables. His arm was throbbing as they manhandled him through the cool night air, his eyes hurt and his vision was blurred.

They stopped at the trailer door and Rusty knocked on it with his bare knuckles while the other two held Ty between them by his arms.

The door opened and Mr. Ben Dawson looked down at the trio. He was dressed in dark jeans and a button-down designer shirt. Ty noticed the glint in his dark eyes as he noted the cigar again in the corner of his twisted smile.

"arh, here he is, the young man who has cost me a lot of money" He smiled, stepping out of the trailer to stand before the group,

Ty swallowed and swayed slightly backward, still not steady on his feet.

Ben Dawson reached forward and touched Ty on the shoulder, a flicker of concern running through those dark eyes.

"we need to finish our talk," he said, his eyebrow raising as he assessed Tys condition. " but I'm now thinking you may not be up to it"

"I'm ok," Ty lied, but anyone could see he wasn't, he was sweating profusely and was still needing the support of the men around him to keep him on his feet.

"no, I'd say not," Ben mused, perplexed by what he saw before him. "how long has he been like this?" he asked Dusty.

"since we checked on him. "Dusty replied, "it's the drugs you gave him sir, they have messed him up"

"hmmm," Ben responded, "I thought I got the dose right, seems I may have over calculated,"

"you gave me a tranquilizer that's meant only for horses" Ty cut in bluntly, his voice a little shaky but clear. "I need to see a doctor! Detomidine causes low blood pressure in humans and can cause other complications,"

"well, look at you, spouting the knowledge "Ben smiled, looking a little surprised by Ty's outburst.

"he's a vet or something Ben, he told me he works at a vet clinic." The older man chimed in.

Ben Dawson watched Ty for what seemed like an eternity, contemplating this new-found information. Ty was having trouble staying on his feet, his knees buckling under him from the fatigue he felt running through his body. He was trying with all his might to fight the urge to shut down.

"Well, this may just work out ok, "Ben smiled, his eyes flicking quickly to the men on either side of Ty" Put him in the Bills trailer, and keep a man on the door," he looked directly at the older man who stood off to the side of the group. "Bill, he's in your care till morning " he turned back towards his trailer, walked inside and shut the door.

Ty looked at his bodyguards and felt them turn him on his heels, directing him to another living trailer that was parked just behind Bens, Rusty opened the door and turned on the light inside, ushering TY through the door and guiding him over to the bed.

Bill sat him down and touched his forehead. Concern crossing his aged features.

"you're hot as hell kid," he said, watching the other two men turn to leave.

"call Kallie will you, tell her to get over here, "He said.

Rusty nodded and stepped outside shutting the door behind them.

"who's, Kallie" Ty breathed, wrapping his arms around his torso, fighting the urge to vomit again.

Ben watched Ty dry reach, covering his mouth with his hand. He walked over the kitchenette and grabbed a plastic bowl passing it to Ty as a way to protect his flooring.

"she's my daughter, "he replied, "she will know what to do for you"

Ty ran his hand through his hair and took a deep breath, the trailer was a relatively modern design with a large bed and kitchenette set up. It was clean and well-kept and looked as if it was occupied by an older gent. There were cowboy pictures around the walls and form guides on the table. It smelt of old tobacco and coffee.

It was an improvement on the horse float he had woken up in previously, so for that he was grateful but Ty had a sneaking suspicion that this sudden act of compassion wasn't free from Mr. Dawson. And eventually, he would find out what the price really was.

The older man poured a glass of water and handed it to Ty as he sat on the bed trying to focus his clouded eyes.

"thank you," Ty said, taking the water and sipping it, feeling it slide down his dry throat

"why are you helping me"

"I'm not, Mr. Dawson said to keep you here, so that's what I'm doing" he grumbled.

"but your daughter," Ty questioned.

"that's different, she's a nurse, so she will know what to do" he continued, "nothing special, just keeping you breathing is all"

"Well, thank you for that," Ty said softly, putting the container on the bed next to him. "I appreciate it"

"Just keep her out of it ok, no talking to her about any of this" the older gruffed at him. His eyes taking on a serious note. "if you say anything, you're going to not only put yourself in more danger but her as well"

He turned and leaned against the counter. Blocking Ty's exit through the door.

"ok," Ty said to the first man in hours who had shown him any compassion or empathy. "I won't say a word"

Bill nodded in appreciation, apprehension on his face. He was going to have to trust the young man to stay true to his word.

Ty took a deep breath and slumped his shoulders slightly, pulling his arm across his chest and dropping his head, the fatigue finally setting in and taking over.

"we can use this to our advantage, Ben, "Rusty said to his boss as they walked over to the campfire at the far end of the clearing. The other workers sat around the fire, talking and drinking enjoying the night off.

"I'm listening" Ben smiled, lighting his cigar,

"he's got vet skills, we can use that" Rusty smiled, "we just need to convince him that it's in his best interests to stay with us, you know, persuade him"

"I see were you're going with this," Ben smiled, "it would be advantageous to have a vet on the payroll"

He tipped his hat at the men as he walked on by. "leave it with me, Rusty, I think you may just be onto something "

"well, we can't just keep him doped up and out of view, its gonna have to be one way or the other" Rusty had a slight gleam in his eyes that Ben recognized.

Ben dipped his hat as his cell started to beep in his pocket, he put it to his ear and stalked off into the darkness. leaving Rusty to join his other counterparts at the fire.

"dad, are you in there" A soft voice called as Ty watched the trailer door open. He still sat on the end of the bed, holding the bowl in front of him.

His clouded green eyes watched as a young woman, around Lou's age entered the trailer, she walked over to Bill who had stood up from the booth seat and hugged her gently.

"Rusty said you needed me to come and have a look at someone?" she said, her eyes flicking over to Ty and eyeing him suspiciously.

"yeah, Kallie, we have a new hand on the team, he's from one of those special schools, you know, doesn't really talk or understand much, he's been crook, not sure what is wrong with him" Bill lied to his daughter, causing Ty to look away in disgust. "he's been off for a few hours, I thought you could maybe give him something"

"dad, you know I can't do that, "She scolded, kissing his cheek, "why don't you just take him to the clinic in Okotoks"

A small unseen smile crept across Ty's lips as he ran his hand over his face.

"he doesn't want to go, Kallie, that's why I called you," Bill said looking sideways at Ty.

"Dad, "Kallie whispered "is this another one of those don't ask any questions kind of favors" she glared at him with concern, "you said you were getting out of this Dad,"

"Please, Honey, I am I promise, I just have to pay off the last installment and I'm out of this for good, you know that, "Bill dropped his voice as low as he could, not wanting Ty to hear his pleas and excuses. But Ty was secretly smiling inside, this was the opening he needed, He now had an idea as to where they were and it seemed now that Bill could be manipulated, he had already shown his weakness by trying to save Ty from the shot, and now, to hear that he was in debt to Ben Dawson and trying to get out of the business meant that he could use this to his advantage and possibly gain an ally. Be it Bill himself or possibly his daughter.

The young woman hugged her father again and touched his cheek, worry running across her porcelain features. She put her bag down and walked over towards where Ty was sitting. Kneeling in front of him and looking into his eyes.

"My name is Kallie, I'm a medical student and I want help you ok," she said slowly and clearly, talking to him like a scared child.

Ty smiled weakly back at her, he didn't have the strength or the energy to correct her. And wasn't sure really what he could or couldn't say.

"what's his name?' she said looking back to her father as she placed her hand on Ty's forehead.

"My name is Ty," Ty announced, swallowing quickly to clear his throat. His green eyes locked with hers and she could see she was not dealing with a fool or a simpleton.

"dad, who is this?" she asked shakily, watching her father expression. "what is going on,"

"Kallie, please, just give him something will you, "Bill said in desperation, "don't ask questions you know I can't answer"

Kallie sighed deeply and returned her attention to Ty, who was still watching her intently.

"you have a temperature, "she said taking his wrist in hers and feeling for his pulse.

After a minute Ty saw the concern flick across her face. "Ty, do you feel dizzy? Tired? "

Ty looked over at Bill and saw him nod his approval." yes, I also feel sick in the gut and my chest hurts,"

Kallie walked back to her bag and took out her stethoscope, she motioned it towards Ty who sat up straight and allowed her to place it under his shirt and onto his chest.

She listened for a while, moving it occasionally, asking Ty to take a deep breath, which he attempted to do but found the tightness in his chest made it relatively impossible.

"your heart rate is very low, "she said softly, "as too is your pulse, "She touched Ty's cheek and noticed he was cradling his arm.

"your hurt?" she asked, touching his shoulder, "your arm?"

"yes, it's killing me" Ty grimaced, he couldn't hide it anymore.

"Kallie, "Bill warned, "just give him something to bring down the temp and take away the pain"

Kallie glared at her father as she gently pushed Ty sleeve up his arm. Watching him wince as she did. Her eyes darted back at her father in shock and anger when she saw the inside of Ty's elbow.

It was a deep red and swollen with inflamed tissue around the injection site. There was a deep purple bruise that ran up from his inner elbow and shadowed his bicep.

"oh my god dad!" She gasped, "who did this! Did you do this?" She looked directly at Ty who then diverted his gaze back at Bill.

"Kallie, "Bill warned again, his eyes on his daughter, "no questions, just help him ok,"

"I need to examine him in private Dad, "she said coldly, "leave us, "

Bill went to open his mouth but saw the look on his daughter's face. He dropped his eyes to Ty who nodded slightly reassuring him that he would keep his word and not involve her.

"ok, you have 20 mins, that's it, I've got to go speak to Ben and let him know what's going on "

He stepped towards the door and turned, locking Ty in his gaze one more time, "don't even think of leaving this trailer, there's a man on the door."

With that, he opened the door and left.

"take off your jacket, "she said squarely, her coolness taking Ty by surprise, slowly he pulled his leather jacket down his arms and winced as he gently removed it from his injured one.

"lay back on the bed, now, quick, "she ordered, Ty nodded and slowly pushed himself back. Resting his head on the pillow as she listened to his chest again.

"I think your blood pressure is too low, that's why your dizzy and feel sick, and the pain in your chest is probably due to low oxygen in the blood making your heart overwork "

Ty's breathing was shallow, as he tried to minimize the pressure that sat on his chest.

"they shot me with Detomidine," he said softly, knowing he said he wouldn't say anything but realizing that Kallie may also be his only chance at freedom.

"Detomidine, that's for"

"horses, yes, "Ty agreed. "I need to get out of here, please help me"

"you need to rest, "she corrected, "I can give you something to help with the pain, "

"Please, can you get a message to someone for me "Ty pleaded, sitting up and grabbing her hands, "please, I just want …."

"Shhh," Kallie said, looking towards the door, she rummaged through her bag and pulled out a small bottle of pills, and passed it to him,

"take these, they will help," she said quietly,

Ty shook his head, defeat registering on his face, refusing the offer.

"Please, Ty, TAKE these, "she said again, putting more emphasis on her words,

He looked at her and noticed there was a piece of paper wrapped around the bottle that she was offering to him. Slowly he reached forward with his good arm and accepted it. Holding it in his hand as she turned away from him and stood up as the trailer door opened behind them. As she turned her hand dropped a pen onto the bed from her pocket. Which Ty quickly wrapped his fingers around and pushed it under his hip.

"dad, "she said, striding away from the bed and meeting her father as he stepped through the door. "we need to talk, outside,"

He nodded and allowed her to walk past him, shutting the door, leaving Ty alone.

Ty took to opening Kallie had given him and scribbled on the paper as fast as he could, His vision was still a little foggy but he knew this was the only chance he had of getting a message through. Once he was done, he quickly folded the paper and then tipped all the pills out of the bottle and onto the bed covers, he pushed the paper into the bottom of the bottle, then replaced the pills on top. The door started to open again as he pushed the pencil between the mattress and the base and laid back down.

Rusty stuck his head through the door and saw Ty was laying on the bed, his eyes closed,

He watched him for a while and then shut the door again. Believing him to be asleep.

"dad, he's hypertensive and I think he may even have Brachycardia" Kallie whispered up to her father as they stood beside the trailer, "his pulse is very slow and so is his blood pressure what the hell has happened to that young man?"

"is he going to be ok?" Bill asked looking over towards the campfire in the distance,

"I don't know, if his blood pressure stabiles, yes, but he needs medical help dad, I'm only a medical student, he needs a doctor"

"not going to happen, Kall, "Bill sighed, "just give him what you can and get on home please"

Kallie looked at her dad in despair, what had his gambling habit turned him into, he was hardly recognizable to her anymore.

Kallie walked back to the trailer door and nodded at Rusty who opened it for her, once safely inside again she walked over to the bed and sat next to Ty's hip, he slowly opened his tired eyes and handed the pill bottle back to her, a faint smile on his lips.

Kallie opened the bottle tipped out two tablets and handed them to him, "take these please, they will allow you to sleep and stabilize your blood pressure "

He hesitated but could see she was trying to help. Ty put the pills in his mouth and swallowed them. Taking a sip of water from a bottle she handed to him.

"thank you," he said softly, taking her hand, making her truly understand what the appreciation was for.

"rest, you need to regain your strength" she smiled, touching his forehead and pushing his long brown hair from his eyes.

Ty shut his eyes and allowed the fatigue and drugs to take control. He faded into oblivion with the knowledge that help would hopefully soon be on its way.

to be continued