PT.10
"They Speak Without Words"
Martin and Donley were still trying to figure out where Kitty could have gone. After all, she was on foot. Arguing the whole way as to who's fault it was that she got away, now what would they have to bargain with if they ran into the law?
Kitty was mentally fighting with herself to move. Then she thought she heard voices, or was this her imagination? Was she even really awake? She just wanted to go back to sleep but she hurt and she knew she couldn't stay there. It was getting light out. Again she heard voices then she heard water splashing. She forced herself to turn, to follow the sound.
With her vision blurred she could see figures. She tried to yell out "Help" but her voice was weak. Again she tried. "Help!" Then she tried slapping her hand in the water, no response. Then she reached for a rock, held it for a moment, mustered up what strength she could, then tossed it to make a splash.
This now got the attention of the three figures just out of her clear vision. "Hey! What's that?"
"It came from over there."
"Looks like… Holy… It's a woman!"
"Let's get her out of there!"
"Is she dead?"
"No silly, she threw the rock."
"Are you sure?"
When they came close, Kitty opened her eyes. "I need help."
The three, partially dressed, women stared at one another. "She's hurt bad. Sarah, you stay here with her. We'll go get Ruby and Matt."
Kitty opened her eyes again. "Matt?" She repeated.
Lucy smiled. "Yeah, honey, don't worry he'll be able to carry you. Don't you move."
Lucy and Tess ran, forgetting to finish dressing. Not that Lucy was really worried about that.
Matt and Ruby were sitting quietly having coffee. "Matt, you know it wouldn't hurt my feeling's none to know I fill your eyes some?"
"Ruby, I'm just sayin' those three are young. Me, not so much anymore."
"If you had a mind to, I…"
"Well now, Ruby. I…"
"Are you sayin' you don't find me at all to your liking?"
"Miss Ruby, it's not that at all. It's..."
"Your taken?"
"Well, let's just say..."
Before he could finish his words, Lucy and Tess ran screaming into the camp. "Ruby! Matt! Hurry! We need help!" They were out of breath.
"Whoa, slow down here." Matt stopped them. "What's wrong?"
"There… there's a woman…" trying to catch her breath, "in the stream… hurt… bad… Needs help. You have to come."
"Show me." Matt took off running. Ruby followed.
Sarah was still sitting along side Kitty trying to talk to her. "It's ok. We're getting you help. You're going to be ok. How'd you get like this?"
Kitty couldn't answer, she kept falling unconscious.
When Matt made it to the stream, he was in total shock. "Kitty!"
Lucy looked at him. "What? What did you say?"
He didn't pay her any mind. He ran over and dropped to his knees, grabbing her up in his arms. "Where'd you find her?"
Sarah answered, "Right here. We were washing up and she tossed a rock. We looked to see where it came from and here she was. Don't know how she got here. You called her Kitty? Do you know her, Marshal?"
At first he didn't answer, then again Sarah said, "Do you know her?"
He looked up, "Yeah, yeah, I do know her. She's my… Yeah, I know her." When he stood, he turned. "We've got to get her back to camp."
Ruby was standing there staring. At that point, Ruby didn't need an answer. The look on his face said enough…
"Come on, girls. Matt needs our help, so does his friend."
TBC