Kid looked up just in time to see the bushes around him go up in flames. He sprang from his hiding place and ran as fast as his 10-year-old legs could carry him. Suddenly, a huge black horse reared up in front of him. Stunned, Kid fell backwards and covered his head with his arms, certain the horse was going to trample him and he was going to die. He waited for the blow, but it never came. When he opened his eyes, he had a gun in his hands. Slowly, his little fingers quivering, he lifted the gun at the man behind the mask. He tried to pull the trigger but he couldn't keep the gun straight; it was too heavy for him. Tears falling from his eyes, a prayer spilling from his lips, he pulled the trigger. BANG! The man fell dead. Cautiously, Kid approached the fallen figure. Blood was already pooling under the head. With a mixture of fear and anticipation, Kid tugged at the mask covering the man's face.

"Kid." The sound of soft whimpers had woken up Lou. She quickly realized her husband was once again caught in the throes of another nightmare. Gently, she shook him. "Sweetheart, you're dreaming. Wake up." The skin beneath her hand was as cold and clammy and taut with tension. Suddenly, Kid opened his eyes. They were wild with fear and anger. Lou felt like she was watching a volcano up close. Rock hard all around, the violence trapped underneath.

"It's OK. I'm here. It's OK," she repeated over and over again until she felt that the words had finally broken through the wall of terror surrounding Kid.

After what seemed like an eternity, Kid's heart finally slowed down to its normal rhythm. He kissed Lou on the lips, drawing strength and comfort. Then he slid out of her embrace and padded silently to the window, which he opened. For a long time, Kid stood there breathing in fresh air, as if he could cleanse the darkness inside him by inhaling and exhaling almost rhythmically. After a while he pointed to something in the sky. Lou stood up to see what it was.

"See that moon?" Kid asked, nodding at the bright, round sphere of silver. "It was almost like that when Pete was killed. I remember because we were playing marbles and we didn't need any light at all because the moon was so bright — so bright we could see almost everything clearly." He turned to wrap his arms around Lou and place a soft kiss on her brow. "I dreamt of that man again tonight, but it was different."

Lou looked up at her husband. "How so?"

"I had a gun. And I killed him."

Lou stiffened. She searched her husband's face, and the moonlight made it easy for her to see the growing resolve in it. She shook her head. "No, Kid. No. Don't. You don't have to do this."

"I don't think the nightmares will stop," he said sadly.

"Yes, they will." Lou knew exactly where the conversation was going and tried to head it off. "We can leave Sweetwater. You said so yourself, you didn't have nightmares after leaving Virginia. We can take the family to a place where they've never heard of the Raiders."

"Then what? If the Raiders aren't stopped, their reign of terror will spread until there's no place I can hide from them. I don't think I can run away anymore. I have to do this, Lou," he pleaded. "You see that, don't you?"

Lou wanted to say no she didn't see why Kid had to go after the gang, why he needed to risk his life. But she couldn't.

"I don't want to do this, Lou. But I have to." He begged for her understanding. Lou could hear the steely determination in his voice. Her tears flowed unchecked. Her lips sought out his and they clung together, fearful of what tomorrow might bring.


"Lou, told me everything. Are you sure, son?"

Kid and Buck were preparing to ride after their friends and the Army. The break of dawn brought not only Kid's resolution to go after Jimmy and Cody but also news from Mayor Jenkins that a ranch in Blue Creek had been attacked.

"I don't have any choice, Teaspoon. I've got to do this before I go insane." Kid meant it as a joke but it came out as a grim admission. "Besides, we have to go after Jimmy and Cody. They have no idea what they are up against."

"Jenkins should have gone straight to the Army. He shouldn't have approached you again," Teaspoon said crossly.

Kid smiled at the older man's protectiveness. "No, he was right. I should have done this before. Anyway, there are more soldiers joining us. We'll be meeting them halfway through Fort Laramie. Some folks saw masked riders around that area."

"We won't get into a fight unprepared, Teaspoon. We'll just scout the territory and get the boys and the posse out of there," Buck added reassuringly when he saw Teaspoon's frown deepen.

"Hickok is doing this because of me, isn't he? He thinks he needs my forgiveness." The guilt in his heart was growing heavier. He knew that if the boy died he'll never be able to forgive himself. I should have told him I didn't blame him for leaving, Teaspoon thought.

"Does he?" Buck asked quietly.

Teaspoon shook his head sadly. "No, but I never told him that, did I?"

"You'll get the chance when we bring him and Cody back." Kid assured him. He tightened Katie's cinch before walking back up the porch where Lou was standing with Marylou on her waist and James at her feet.

"I'm glad Buck is going with you."

"I'm glad he is coming."

"You take care, OK. James and Marylou need you. ... I need you."

"Don't worry, sweetheart," Kid said as he took James into his arms and hugged him and kissed him. "Mind your mother, James." He did the same to Marylou, who tried to wriggle out of her father's grasp. Finally, he wrapped his arms around his wife, inhaled her scent and kissed her deeply.

Lou held on tight, almost unwilling to let go. "If you feel you can't handle it, you ride out of there, OK. Just leave and return to the ranch. No one will think less of you," she whispered.

Kid caressed her cheek with a finger. Dropping his hand, he slowly turned away.

Buck, who'd come up the steps to say goodbye, kissed the children as well. "Don't worry, Lou. It'll just be like old times," he said with a teasing smile.

"That's what I'm afraid of," Lou answered ruefully.

Dropping all signs of humor, Buck embraced his friend. "I'll look after him, Lou."

Lou's hug tightened, an acknowledgment of Buck's pledge. "I know you will."

After Buck had taken a few steps away, Lou called out, "Buck, may your spirits protect you."

Buck gave her a smiling salute. Then he noticed a figure hovering just behind the screen door. It was Louisa. He wanted to ignore her, just as he had for the past couple of days, but her downcast expression touched a part of him. Cody, Lou said, didn't even say goodbye. Buck felt he should make up for his friend's neglect. "Louisa," he called out gently.

Louisa looked up, surprised by Buck's attention and unsure of what to do. She was terribly insecure of her place in the family, not helped by Cody's abrupt departure.

"Have you come to say goodbye?" Buck asked.

Taking a deep breath, Louisa pushed the door open and waked outside. "No goodbyes. I'm sure we'll see each other again," she answered, her voice almost too soft to be heard. Lou smiled at Louisa reassuringly and caught her hand, bringing her closer. She smiled gratefully at Lou, then shyly, she stole a glance at Buck, then at Kid. "Take care."

Within moments of their farewells, Buck and Kid were mounted on their trusty steeds, galloping away. Lou followed her husband's figure until it disappeared into the horizon. Kid will come back safe, she told herself. Beside her Teaspoon whispered a familiar refrain. "Ride safe, boys, Ride safe."


It was late afternoon when Kid, Buck and the soldiers rode slowly into a clearing, careful to avoid a few remaining embers. Their eyes took in the devastation. The house and barns were completely burned down. Even the trees around them were singed by the intense heat of the fire. It was the site of the Raiders' latest attack, a small but well-known ranch in Blue Creek. The mayor had told them six people died, apparently burned alive.

The two riders dismounted and began scanning the place. When the soldiers tried to follow, Buck held up a hand. "Stay there," he shouted. The major, who'd seen Indian scouts at work before, signaled his men to obey.

Buck noticed an uneven spot and kneeled down to take a better look. Kid went around the blackened remnants of the house to check for clues. He didn't expect anything. He found nothing. He went back to where Buck was still crouching, frowning at the deep and ragged marks on the ground.

"So, what do you think, Buck?"

The Indian shook his head. "Hard to say." Buck stood up and moved to get another angle. Silently, he followed something on the ground only he could see, looking back several times to the spot he left as if to gauge a distance.

"What?" Kid asked.

"The tracks were washed away by the storm last night but from what I could make out there are thirty horses. Some are fresher than the others." Buck pointed to a mark on the ground. "Look here. Do you

recognize this?"

"It looks vaguely familiar." Kid angled his head to get a better look.

"It's Jimmy's horse. See, it's got a nipped hoof."

"So they're on the Raiders' heels."

Buck's mouth twisted into a wry smile. "Ever wished our friends weren't too cocky?"

"Cockiness will get them killed."

"Teaspoon told Hickok that when we were riders."

"And he never listened."

Buck sighed and finally told his friend what had been on his mind throughout the ride. "Kid, you know they won't go back with us."

Kid gave a sigh of resignation. "Of course, I do. Never really thought otherwise."


"Spit it out, Cody." Jimmy carelessly threw his dirty saddle next to Cody, who immediately started coughing as dust flew around him. Around them, most of the men and soldiers were getting ready to get some sleep, while others were setting up watch.

"Spit out what?" Cody asked when he managed to speak.

"You haven't said much since we left the ranch. Ain't like you at all." Jimmy plunked down beside his friend and stretched his legs with a groan. It had been a hard ride. After leaving the ranch last night they rode swiftly toward Redford to meet up with other lawmen. When they heard the news about Blue Creek, they immediately doubled back. Jimmy and Cody had been on the saddle for nearly a whole day. "What are you thinking?"

"Well, if you must know I was thinking about the Kid."

"What about him?"

"Him not going with us?" Cody asked incredulously. He shook his head. "It don't make sense. I could have sworn he would be the first out here and after the gang."

"People change, Cody. They get settled, get comfortable. Pretty soon they can't be bothered by things outside their safe—" Jimmy began.

"No, it ain't that," Cody interrupted.

"How do you know?"

"I've heard Kid and Teaspoon have ridden together against some pretty bad guys over the years," Cody replied. He shrugged at Jimmy's questioning look. "So, I keep track," he said in a slightly defensive tone.

"What is it then? Why do you think Kid is being such an ass about the whole thing?"

Cody shrugged again, but his eyebrows pulled down into a frown. He felt something different about his friend but couldn't quite figure what it was. "I ain't sure. But I know Kid. You know Kid. He ain't like that. And even if he did change, he won't change that much. There's something else. I wish I could talk to Buck."

"What for?"

"To ask him. I'm sure he knows."

"Yeah, sure," Jimmy drawled out. He tried to sound dismissive but he couldn't quite pull it off, not when Cody's questions were the same ones going through his mind during the entire ride. He was beginning to regret his outbursts against his friend. Kid might be a righteous bastard sometimes, but one thing he ain't is a coward, Jimmy thought. He shifted uncomfortably as he remembered his anger toward the Kid. But was it Kid he was really angry with? Jimmy frowned at the direction his thoughts were taking. He pushed away the potentially shameful ideas in his head. He stretched is legs farther and covered his upper body with his warm jacket. He tried to force himself to sleep, but Cody had a different idea.

"Jimmy?"

Hickok grunted in response.

"You seem to have formed a pretty good idea why Kid is not going after this gang. I want to know your reason."

Jimmy didn't respond for a long time. He couldn't. The seconds turned to minutes and Jimmy began to squirm under the jacket. Finally, he flung his cover aside and blurted out, "It's Teaspoon, okay?"

"Hmmmm," Cody nodded. Jimmy waited for Cody to say something else. When he didn't, Jimmy thought he'd let the subject drop. He made himself comfortable under the jacket again. Then Cody continued in a musing tone, "You barely spent two minutes with the old man."

"I didn't want to tire him out. Now, go to sleep."

Cody let out a snort but remained silent. He had given his friend food for thought. He wasn't sure exactly what was going on with the Kid, but Lou and Buck can help him figure it out. Hickok, on the other hand, had kept himself apart, probably so no one would ask him what was wrong, Cody thought. Then he heard Jimmy speak.

"I don't know what to say to him."

"What's that?"

"Teaspoon. I really don't know what to say to him. We had a fight before I left. He was furious when I went back to Kansas. I didn't ... don't think he would ever forgive me."

"And this is your atonement for abandoning him."

"Maybe. Hell, I don't know—" The sound of twigs breaking alerted Jimmy and Cody. Both had their guns cocked and ready before they finished asking, "Who's there?"

"It's me," came the response from the Kid.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

Kid stiffened at Jimmy's tone.

Buck saved him from answering. "You'll need the extra guns."

"Glad you're here," Cody said, ignoring Jimmy's sharp glance.

Kid responded with a slight nod, his eyes never leaving Jimmy's face.