Jeremy was the first to wake up as the sun came through the crack in his blinds. 'My I slept late! I hope Artemus is feeling better;' he though as he stretched. 'He never came in for dinner last night. Poor guy; he comes back from the dead to find his best friend is a murderer. No, not from the dead… another reality.'
"Oh brother;" he muttered. Jeremy swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up. He exited his room, and walked over to Henry's room where Artie was staying. Quietly pushing the door open, Jeremy found the bed unoccupied.
"I guess he woke up;" Jeremy mumbled, and headed for the parlor. Henry was still sprawled across the couch (drooling), but Artie was no where to be seen. Nor was he in the galley.
Acting on a hunch, Jeremy left the parlor car, and entered the stable car.
"WHAT THE HELL?"
Henry flew off the couch and onto the floor. "Suh-what? I awake! Jer?"
Jeremy came running back into the parlor. His face was red, and he was clearly very angry.
"Henry, where is Luna?" he asked.
"Luna? She's in her stall;" Henry replied.
"No she's not; and Artemus is missing."
"Oh shit;" Henry said, and scrambled up. "Gordon took her? Where? Why?"
"To find James West;" Jeremy growled. "Get up and get dressed. We're going after him."
Jeremy rushed out, leaving the half dressed Henry. "I knew it;" Henry muttered before heading into his room to change. "I knew that guy was crazy!"
As Artie rode into the little town of Copper Junction, he could only hope that he had at least a few hours head start on Jeremy and Henry which he could use to find Jim.
Though the sun had just risen, the little town was already awake and moving. Artie tied Luna to a post, and began asking around if anyone had seen a young man matching Jim's description around. A few people had, and sent him to the stable where the young man in question apparently had found a job.
"You know, there was another man here yesterday lookin' for your friend;" one person told him. "Seems he's a popular guy."
"Yeah;" Artie said, and headed for the stable.
'Why did you get a job, Jim?' Artie wondered as he walked in.
The manager of the stable sat at his desk, widdling a small pipe. "Cin I 'elp you?" he asked.
"Perhaps;" Artie replied. "I'm looking for a friend of mine. Seems he was working here."
"Maybe, maybe not;" the manager replied. "What yer friend look like?"
"Young man, mid-thirties, about this height;" Artie said. "Green eyes, brown hair."
Seeing that he was getting nowhere with this guy, Artie added; "He rides a black stallion."
"I seen yer friend, had him in my employ for a little while. Fine horse he had; but a handful. It almost took my head off when I tried to fix its shoe!" the manager said.
Artie smiled. "That's him all right. Where is he?"
"Not here;" the manager replied. "You know, you're the second person to be…"
"Where can I find him?"
"Heck if I know; he left yesterday afternoon;" the manager looked his pipe over. "Headed west, I think. Hope he got over them all right, it rained heavy last night."
Artie handed the manager a $10 bill. "Thanks. And if you see two men ride in on one horse, give them this." He handed the manager a letter.
"O-kay;" the manager said. Artie tipped his hat, and left.
"Well, Luna, now I know where to find Jim;" he told the gray horse.
Luna blinked in response.
James West was glad to be on the move again. His horse Blackjack had been injured, forcing him to stay in town for a week. The manager of the livery stable had offered Jim a job and a place to stay while Blackjack recovered, which Jim gratefully accepted, but had been time to leave. Especially since yesterday a federal agent had shown up.
Jim hadn't recognized him at first, but soon noticed how the new comer went around asking questions. Jim had managed to avoid him, but he knew that it would only be a matter of time before more showed up. So Jim packed up and left. He had gotten a third of the way through the hills when it began to pour. Cold and wet, Jim had found a small cave and stopped for the night.
Now, Jim had made himself a small fire for some coffee before setting out again.
"We're close, Blackjack;" Jim told his horse. "But so are they. Once I track this man down, it will be over."
Blackjack shook his head, causing Jim to smile. He and the horse were inseparable partners, loyal only to each other.
"Who needs friends?" Jim said, rubbing the horse's nose. "I got you."
Blackjack snorted.
Jim laughed, and then froze. Not far away, he heard someone singing.
"Oh she'll be'a comin' round the mountain when she comes!"
Jim swore quietly and pulled out his gun. So far, who ever it was hadn't noticed him; but Jim could see the horse and rider through the trees. If he noticed Jim…
"She'll be'a comin' round the mountain when she comes!"
'Keep going, keep going;' Jim silently willed the rider on. 'That's it, don't mind us. Keep…'
SNAP!
"Shit!" Jim hissed. He had forgotten about his little fire, which had let off a loud snap at just the wrong moment.
"Hello up there!"
Jim looked back at the rider, who was now waving at him, and walking his horse towards Jim.
"Shit;" Jim repeated. He waited until the rider got close enough before he aimed the gun at the rider's head.
"Oh, wait! Wait! Don't shoot!" the rider cried, throwing his hands up. "I ain't goin'a hurt you!"
The rider had bushy blond hair and a beard. Jim couldn't place the accent… most likely from the Northeast.
"What you want?" Jim growled.
"Nothin', nothin' just passin' through;" the rider said. "Wheh yah headed?"
"That way;" Jim said, nodding his head in the direction away from town, and towards the next one.
"Well what yah know, me too!" the rider cried happily. "How's about we go togethah? It'll be fun."
'Right.' "I'll pass;" Jim said. "But if I let you go, you can't tell anyone you saw me."
"Well then why don't yah come with me and make suah';" the rider said. "C'mon, I need someone to ride with. What do you say?"
Jim sighed. "Fine." 'Might play out in my favor. The authorities are looking for one man, not two.'
"H'all right!" the rider said. "By th' way, the name's George Arthur Maude. What's yours?"
"Jack;" Jim said.
'Like hell it is Jim!' Artie thought, but instead smiled and said; "Jack, I like that name. Ready to go, Jack?"
Jim finished putting his breakfast away, and swung up onto Blackjack. "Let's go. Keep up, I ride fast."
"Okay!" Artie said happily.
Jim just rolled his eyes. It was going to be a long ride.
As I said before, I apologize if I make Artie butcher the Boston accent.
