Thanks to everyone reading/reviewing/favoring/alerting!
On the way to the shack, Ben and Candy ran into the rest of the search party.
"Lucas," Candy addressed. "We need you to go back into town and pass on a message to the Sheriff for us. Adam and Griff are in serious trouble." Candy explained the volatile situation to the ranch hand, who rode with the search party back to town to deliver Candy's message.
It did not take long for Ben to notice the tense way that Candy was sitting in his saddle and gripping the reins. Throughout the ride so far, Candy had not mentioned Griff. While Ben appreciated the genuine concern and interest that Candy had shown for Adam and Joe's wellbeing, he could see that Candy was scared out of his wits for the younger man. "Whatever the price…to get Griff back, just know that I'll pay it, Candy."
Candy looked down and sighed, then lifted his head up and turned to face Ben. "I don't really know what to say except, thank you. That really means a lot. I...I guess I've gotten used to the kid being around, y'know."
A silent understanding passed between both men. It was slow going at first, but as the sky began to lighten with the rising sun, they quickened their horses' pace to a gallop.
As the first rays of sunlight filtered through the small window, Adam stirred to wakefulness and slowly moved to where Griff was, still asleep but shivering uncontrollably. He checked the wounds to Griff's head and face. The youth was going to need to get them cleaned and maybe stitched. Griff groaned and slowly opened his eyes. He started to speak but his throat and mouth were too parched and all he could let out was a croak.
"Easy, easy," Adam hushed, stifling any further sound from Griff. "Don't try talking. Just lie still."
Griff's disorientation allowed him to forget for the time being that they were locked up in the small store room. He closed his eyes again as a wave of nausea hits bubbled up in his sore gut. He swallowed the bile down with difficulty. When Griff's head slumped onto his shoulder, Adam did not push it off. He did, however, notice the young man's irregular breathing and Adam carefully lifted Griff's shirt to examine his ribs.
Griff flinched and tried to move away from the pain but a restraining hand gently held him down. "It's alright," Adam assured. "I know it hurts, but you gotta stay still." He could feel movement beneath his ministrations and knew the boy had at least a couple of broken ribs. The way Griff had contracted his stomach muscles and the bruising below his ribs did not bode well either and Adam feared that he had far more serious underlying injuries. As Adam carefully pulled down Griff's shirt, the sound of the door unlocking greets them.
"Howdy!" Cutter smiled and approached Adam. "Didja sleep well, Cartwright?"
Griff was vaguely aware of a grainy, threatening voice looming over him. Still unable to open his eyes, he turned his head to face the presence, but Adam protectively pushed Griff's head into his chest instead.
"If you're here for conversation, come back later," Adam snarled. Griff uttered guttural noise from the back of his throat and Adam was quick to squeeze his shoulder, wishing he could relieve the young man's pain. "We're a little preoccupied right now."
"Gosh darn-it!" The outlaw mockingly placed his hands on his heart and feigned a look of agony. "Now you gone an' hurt my feelings, Cartwright. Ya must've..." He paused for dramatic effect. "Slept on the wrong side of the bed!" As he burst out laughing, Adam came to the conclusion that Issac was not the only truly insane man inhabiting the shack. "That explains why you're so dang grumpy." Cutter glanced at Griff, who still shook visibly, probably from an infection starting in his uncleaned wounds. "Looks like the boy here slept well." He cocked his head, waiting for a sarcastic response from Griff. Too impatient to wait long, he kicked Griff's outstretched right foot, which jarred the youth into full consciousness. "Rise and shine, Griff! It's time for both of you to meet some company, so get up!" he ordered with venom. "Hurry it up! We don't wanna keep Mr. Benjamin Cartwright waitin' long, now do we?"
Adam ignored the asinine question. "Boy needs a doctor."
Cutter sighed, fed up with the interaction. "Well, I guess he's gonna have ta stay in the hellbox then."
Adam contemplated what would be the better option but Griff's muttering protests decided for him.
"No, not… Not the box," he whispered in agony.
Adam's brow creased with concern at the barely audible, raspy sound coming from the young man's throat.
"Better make up your minds!" Cutter snapped.
Adam quickly reported, "The boy's coming." He climbed to his feet with Griff's arm draped across his shoulders but the pain of putting weight on his injured leg was excruciating. Try as Adam might, he did not have enough strength to lift Griff to his feet. Not wanting to drop the youth, he slowly lowered him back to the ground.
"Shame he's gonna miss the show," noted Cutter. "Let's go, Cartwright!"
"I'm not leaving him," Adam insisted.
Cutter kicked Adam's legs out from under him.
Surprised, Adam yelled in anguish and clutched the fiery wound as he rolled on his back on the ground. He could feel the makeshift bandage was damp, meaning the wound started bleeding again.
Issac intervened and each of the men took hold of Adam's upper arms and yanked him to his feet.
"Look, at least give the kid a blanket and some water," Adam said breathlessly. "He'll die if you don't."
"Oh my bleedn' heart," Cutter mocked. "That'd be a darn shame, won't it?"
Adam glared at Cutter but bit his tongue. The door was shut behind them.
"Wait." Issac stopped Cutter from locking the door. "Travis!" he shouted. "Get the kid in there some water and a blanket."
"Not after the stunt he pulled last time!" refused Travis, placing a hand on his inner thigh.
"Do it!" Issac repeated. "And I don't want a hand laid on him either. I ain't finished with him yet."
Adam let out a relieved sigh.
Travis causally tossed a thin blanket in Griff's general direction and placed a cup of water near his head. Taking a good look at the obviously-suffering boy, he shook his head. "Boy, it wouldn't matter if I gave you a dozen blankets and a gallon o' water." Griff offers no response and showed no sign that he was aware of Travis. "You're gonna die anyway." He slammed the door shut and joined the rest of the group.
As Griff cracked his swollen eyes open, he realized he was still locked in the small room. Blinking back tears of frustration, he attempted to summon strength to stand. If it was the last thing he did, he would escape the darkness.
See you next chapter!