Garrett's Place

We rode hard for a few hundred miles and when it looked like we weren't being followed, I tugged on the reigns of my horse. "I think we can slow the pace a bit now, boys" I said slowing down to a walk.

The boys nodded and checked their horses as well.

We rode in silence and the only thought in my head was Billy, and whether or not he'd survived. I commanded myself to be positive; Billy had done it before so he'd damn well survive this time. There was no point to wishing Doc and Tom alive again; as much as it hurt. They were gone and nothing was gonna bring them back. A few tears rolled down my cheek which I quickly brushed away.

"Chavez. Chavez, you all right?" Hendry asked suddenly.

I looked over at Chavez and saw how pale he seemed.

"What?" Chavez lifted his head and looked around. "Yeah, yeah. You?" he asked.

"Just fine" Hendry replied.

….

I cautiously lead the way into Fort Sumner; on the look out for any soldiers. We left the horses behind Beever's place and went in the side door.

Chavez sat heavily in a chair and leant his head against the wall.

Hendry sat down and stared at the table.

I went over to Beever and asked him to bring over something to drink, and then sat down opposite Chavez.

After Beever brought the bottle of whiskey over, I poured myself a large glass and drank it quickly. I offered one to Hendry but he shook his head. I went to pour myself another when the barrel of a gun poked through the curtain behind Chavez's head.

"Buenas tardes, amigos" Billy chuckled stepping through the curtain.

"You're not dead" Hendry said slightly amazed.

"Do I look dead?" Billy smiled "you should have seen the short work I made of Bob Ollinger. Spread him out like Tularosa".

I ignored the glass and took a swig out of the bottle. I was glad Billy was alive but he seemed a little too cheerful for a man who'd just lost two close friends.

"We're skinning out" he said moving around the table "there's a herd of slow elk resting up at Grezchelowski's sheep camp". Billy sat down on a spare chair "we'll cut them, and then we'll ride for Canada. Chavez, make sure the horses are watered. Hendry…"

"I'll be staying here" Chavez cut Billy off.

"You stay here, Garrett'll take you" Billy replied, the smile fading off his face.

"Garrett already took me" Chavez replied.

"When?"

"When he took Doc".

Billy got up and stepped over to Chavez. He eased back Chavez's jacket and I could see blood spreading out over Chavez's stomach. I took another swig from my bottle and wiped my eyes free of the fresh tears.

"That's a bad shot Chavez" Billy said in a low voice "a man gets shot like that, it's, uh…"

"It's over" Chavez finished Billy's sentence.

"Boy, I guess I…I guess I really got us into it this time huh?" Billy walked a few paces away and looked back at Chavez with tears standing in his eyes "it ain't supposed to be you sitting there like that; it's supposed to be me".

Chavez got slowly to his feet "Gatito" he nodded his head at me and looked at Billy "Chivato" then he headed for the door.

"Where are you goin'?" Billy asked in a thick voice.

Chavez gave a small smile and walked out the door.

Billy went to the door and whispered Chavez's name.

I was crying hard now because with Chavez gone, the old gang had died. It was just Billy, Hendry and me, and it wasn't the same.

Billy came back over to the table and picked up a small buckshot ball. He looked at Hendry "Buckshot George, that's your name" he said rolling the ball in his fingers "you wanted a name, that's it". Billy nodded and swallowed hard. "Buckshot George, it's a good name" Billy nodded his head.

"My name's Hendry William French" Hendry replied.

"That's a good name too" Billy's voice broke a little and then he turned his gaze to me. "I'm sorry Jackie, I really screwed things up" Billy lowered his head and I saw tears drip down his face onto his shirt.

I stood up and went to embrace him, my shoulder thought otherwise. "Shit!" I cursed placing my hand over the wound.

"What's wrong?" Billy asked raising his head.

"That bastard we call Pat shot me, and it hurts something bad" I replied gingerly moving my arm around.

Billy's face clouded with anger "that son of a bitch!"

"Excuse me" Hendry said standing up "if it's all right with you, I think I might go my own way".

"Sure Hendry, it was great riding with you" I replied turning to face him. I patted his shoulder and smiled "be safe out there".

Hendry left the room and I turned back to Billy "I hear the locals are gonna be having a festival tonight, you wanna go?"

Billy gave me a small smile "I think I'll pass, I'd much rather spend tonight alone with you".

"Okay, we can use Tom's old place where we won't be disturbed" I tugged Billy's hand and lead him out the door.

As we walked up the street the locals were scurrying about as they set up lanterns for their festival.

"Tom would have loved all this excitement" I said through the threat of more tears.

"Hush, we need to look out for just us now" Billy said wrapping an arm around my uninjured shoulder "we have to live for Tommy, and Doc, and Chavez, and for Dick, Steve, Charlie, Alex and John as well. We have to be strong Jackie, we need to survive so their sacrifice wasn't for nothing".

….

It was nearing midnight when a single gunshot rang out, stopping the festival in its tracks.

I'd been dozing on the mattress and I jerked awake "what's going on?" I asked Billy sleepily.

"I don't know, stay here and I'll go find out" Billy kissed me and got up.

"Be safe" I whispered.

Billy returned a short time later with a troubled look on his face.

"What's wrong?" I asked sitting up straighter.

Billy sat next to me on the mattress "Pat shot Hendry".

"He did what?" I looked at the flimsy door as though expecting Pat to barge through at any moment.

"We need to leave now, Jackie, before Pat realises we are still here" Billy stood up and held out his hand.

I took it and we were soon sneaking back to Beever's to collect our horses.

I pressed myself against the wall as I heard footsteps and hushed voices.

"Is it true sheriff? Did you get the little bastard?"

"Yes, now let's bury him quick before we attract attention".

Pat passed by the gap in the buildings I was looking through and he looked troubled.

"Come on" Billy whispered when Pat had disappeared.

We crept towards the horses and I prayed they wouldn't start making noise.

My prayers were not answered as the horses started whinnying when they saw us.

"Shh" I whispered grabbing hold of the reigns on Doc's horse. I mounted with some difficulty and waited for Billy.

"Let's go" Billy whispered mounting Chavez's horse.

We rode out of Fort Sumner without looking back. I had one thing on my mind; revenge. Revenge on Pat for what he did, and I hoped I would be around to see him pay for the pain he caused me and Billy.

-x-

Heartless-x-Love: second-last chapter is done. This is also the last chapter I'm using the transcript for, the final chapter is going to be in a timeline-esque format. I'm going to be jumping ahead to important dates in my writing, so I apologise if you get lost.

Until then.

Adios.