Chapter 10
Light began to stream weakly through the rags on the windows of the old cabin, a breeze ruffling them slightly. Doc roused from a dream free state and leaned towards the boy lying unmoving on the bed. His face bathed in sweat, he moaned softly.
Doc reached a hand down to the youngster, sadness marring his features as he took the boy's pulse. Shaking his head, he laid the hand back down and turned his gaze to the others in the cabin. Four men lay wrapped in blankets by the cold fireplace. Four more were somewhere outside, guarding them and the road. How long did they have till the boy died? And what happened to him and Kitty when he did?
His musings were cut short when the makeshift door that lay propped against the side of the house was opened and the leader, Jace Sutton strode through, pausing to prop the door closed again. He walked to Doc and looked down at his brother in sadness. "How's he doin'?"
Wiping a hand over his mustache, Doc looked up at the outlaw, nodded and lied. "Better I think."
"Good. We need to be moving. The rain's stopping and that means we're gonna have the law on our tails. Pack up yer stuff and be ready to move."
Doc rose quickly, grabbing Sutton's arm. "Wait a minute! I said he was better. But if you take him out of here on that buggy or on a horse, you'll be killing him!"
"I don't see I got a choice, Doctor. The law's on our trail sure as I'm standing here. I know it. What choice I got?"
"Well, how about you give yourself up?"
Sutton laughed and clapped Doc on the shoulder. "You're real funny old man. Now pack up."
"Wait. If you won't give yourself up, why not leave the two of us here with the boy and get him back to Dodge City. I can help him better there."
"No. He comes with us. Now get ready."
Doc watched the outlaw wake his sleeping men and turned to look at Kitty who rose slowly from the chair she had used as a bed and walked to him. "How long's he got?"
Doc shrugged his shoulders tiredly. "Hard to say. He may last till tomorrow."
Kitty sighed and looked at the boy lying still and pale before her and grimaced. Such a waste. She only hoped Matt or Festus or someone came along soon.