SHOUT OUTS/ANSWERS
Long Live BRUCAS: Yeah, he does. This is true.
DayDreamer P: Yeah, I know, and I'm the one doing it to him. Yeah, poor guy. Yeah, they care, but they're also afraid, as is Kid.
Brankell: Thanks, glad you like it. Thanks. It's hard, but I'm hanging in there.
DISCLAIMER
Young Riders belongs to MGM Studios, Ogiens/Kane Company, and ABC. I only own the plot and any unfamiliar characters.
Several hours later, Sam and the Riders had finally made it to Prosperity. Sam glanced at the citizens through narrowed eyes. People here are mighty scared of somethin', he realized, noting how the townspeople stared at the ground rather than making eye contact.
"This place sure is spooky," Cody muttered.
"Sure ain't friendly looking," Buck agreed. "You think any of them would be willing to help us find Jimmy?" Lou wondered.
"I doubt it," Sam responded. Presently, a man noticed the group and walked up to them.
"Can I help you folks with anything?" he asked.
"Who are you?" Sam queried.
"That's the sheriff," Lou responded. The man chuckled.
"The boy's correct. I'm the sheriff here. Sheriff Richards," the man introduced himself.
"Where's Jimmy?" Lou asked, starting forward. However, Buck grabbed her arm and shook his head warningly. They didn't want to tip their hand. Lou nodded and Buck released his hold on the girl.
"Jimmy?" Sheriff Richards repeated blankly. Then, "Oh! You mean your partner in your attempted kidnapping of the mayor's son." Lou bristled and was about to charge at him again when Buck once again grabbed her arm, this time tightening his grip.
"Now hold on, Sheriff. You can't just accuse and arrest people with no evidence," Sam reminded.
"I had evidence: Kid was seen riding on the back of his horse," Sheriff Richards replied, pointing to Lou. "What's it to you anyway?" he wondered.
"I'm Marshal Sam Caine," Sam introduced himself. However, he didn't elaborate further.
"Well, like I said Marshal, I found Kid on the back of that boy's horse and they were heading out of town. It was a solid case of kidnapping," Sheriff Richards stated. "Which reminds me, you boy are under arrest for your part in the attempted kidnapping," he continued. He started forward, only to be met with a group of guns pointed at him. "Marshal, are you going to allow these boys to prohibit me from doing my duty?" he queried.
"If anyone should be arrested, it's you! You didn't do nothin' when that boy was bein' dragged through the streets by those horses!" Lou shouted.
"How Mayor Whitcomb chooses to punish his son is none of my business," Sheriff Richards stated.
"Is it your business to arrest people on trumped up charges?" Sam retorted.
"Careful, Marshal. That's a dangerous chargeā¦one that could get you killed," Sheriff Richards cautioned, drawing his own gun. Should I shoot one of the boys or the marshal? he wondered. If he shot one of the boys, he ran the risk of being shot by the marshal, who would then most likely continue into town. However, if he took out the marshal, the boys would scatter in fear. The sheriff's grin grew. The marshal it was then. He pointed the gun and stared to fire. However, Sam's shot was quicker. Sheriff Richards' eyes widened in shock. He had been beaten. It was impossible. Sam and the Riders watched as Sheriff Richards tumbled off of his horse.
"What do you want us to do with him, Sam?" Cody wondered.
"Leave him. We lost the element of surprise. The best course of action would be to continue on," Sam responded. The Riders nodded and they followed the man further into town. While this was going on, Jimmy followed Kid into his quarters.
"There's not really a lot of sleeping room, but you can sleep wherever," Kid stated.
"Works for me," Jimmy replied. Then, he went to one side of the small room and lay down, his mind racing with thoughts of escape. He wasn't sure how he was going to do it, but he knew he had to escape. Then, without another word, he lay down on the floor next to Kid and closed his eyes. Meanwhile, Whitcomb had just closed a deal with a man from town. He got up out of his chair and headed for the same building Kid, Jimmy, and the other workers were in. He confidently walked past several rooms, until he reached the one last one on the right. He then pulled out a key. In his room, Kid jerked awake when he heard the key in the lock. No. Not again, he thought to himself. Jimmy also jerked awake. This can't be good, he thought to himself. As the door opened, Kid scooted backwards. I can't believe Dad's gonna do this tonight, he thought to himself.
"Whatever you think you're going to do, you'd best just forget it," Jimmy warned. Whitcomb's eyes darkened.
"Don't tell me what to do, boy," he threatened quietly, pulling out a gun. He stepped forward, and Jimmy lunged at him, resulting in a violent struggle. Suddenly, a shot rang out!
