Chapter 9th The Night Of The Swirling Mist

He senses were coming back to him. Slowly. He could hear voices in and around him. Gordon trying to remembered where he was for the moment. Or who he was at the time.

The last thing he did remembered. Actually he couldn't. What the hell!

"Please take it easy, Avery." The young woman told him to relax laying down on his small cot. Looking around his surroundings. He had looked like. They were inside some sort of an cave. With torch lights along the cave walls reflecting off the sides.

He's not able to comprehend. Just what exactly who or what is going on right now. All he does know. He's here and inside of an cave. And for what ever reason. She continued on with her words.

"Your name is Avery. From what I am told. We found you on the side of the trail near your carriage passed out. My name is Angel, I run the mining company with others and of these caves. We are currently doing work." She says to him as part of the set-up with Dr. Loveless.

"Ok, Angel. Then why am I here?" He asked in a low tone with his scratchy throat.

"Why? Avery, your part of our crew. Having come from another town to help us out. I really don't know why, you passed out, maybe from the blasted sun, heat and usual higher than normal humidity for this time of the year."

He tried to move with help from her and two others inside watching his movements. Making sure the drugs that he was given, were actually working on his brain and body systems.

"All right. I will help. But I need to eat something first and some water before I am able to begin." He says with a blank stare at those around him and of the young woman.

/

Along the trail heading for the caves. James West, Sheriff McCann and the posse. Had stopped to check out his partner's carriage with the two horses. Finding it, in the middle of the trail and no Artemus Gordon in sight.

James West having pulled the reigns of his stallion. Stepped down onto the pebbled ground. He was already soaked and wet from the humidity, along with the rest of the men.

He was mostly concerned for his partner. Gordon having to be no where in sight right now. Checking the trail, and the carriage for any signs of trouble.

However sheriff Thomas McCann did find boot markings. As if someone was being pulled away from the trail and disappearing into the hills and towards the caves.