CHAPTER 11.

The sound of the keys jangling against metal brought her awake. She waited, eyes searching when finally, the door opened. "Step out here Mrs. Wilkes and be quick about it."

She didn't recognize the voice. She stepped out as directed. A different man stood in the corridor with a gun trained on her. He motioned her to start walking. They went down another corridor where she was ushered into a well furnished room.

"Captain says you can freshen up in here. There's breakfast on the table. I'll be back in a while to fetch you." He left locking the door behind him.

Rayne was glad enough to get out of that dark cell but every fiber of her being was ringing with alarm. She washed up and sat down at the table. She carefully examined the food, not trusting any of it. Finally settling on an apple and a slice of bread and butter, she ate. She sniffed and lightly tasted the coffee…no drugs that she could detect. She drank it cautiously. The cooked eggs and sides she completely ignored. Eventually the unknown man returned for her and motioning her to accompany him, they headed down yet another corridor.

They finally arrived at what appeared to be a reinforced jail cell. The entire front was barred along with a heavily barred door. Just then Cutty strolled down the corridor to join them. "Captain says he wants you up top Jake. I'll take over here." Cutty smiled luridly at Rayne. "Well purty thing, maybe you and I can get to know each other later on. But right now, you just git yer purty self in this here cell." He unlocked the door. Grabbing her by the arm he ruffly pushed her inside. The sight before her made her catch her breath.

The cell already contained and inhabitant. The man was manacled by both wrists with a short chain between them. From the short chain, a longer length ran to a ring in the wall. The man sat on the sleeping platform, his back against the wall. He'd obviously been horribly beaten. The dull pained eyes focused on the visitors. Rayne stepped back and away. She couldn't believe any of this was actually happening.

Cutty stepped forward. Sneering, he began to taunt the prisoner. "See here what we brung for ya. She's real sweet, ain't she? Course, you ain't much in any shape to 'preciate her but don't you worry none. Ol Cutty will keep her warm at night if you can't. He, he, he," Cutty snickered.

That did it. Rayne snapped to. She quickly surveyed the cell, the door and Cutty…she calculated her chances and made her choices. She ran straight at him. Cutty turned his head toward her with that sickening grin, but too late. She leaped at him and twisted herself almost horizontal, putting every once of weight she could into the heels of her boots as she slammed them into the side of his knee. The loud sharp snap of breaking bone was drowned out only by his scream of pain as he went down. Rayne hit the floor rolling and was back up on her feet in an instant. She bolted out of the cell and down the corridor.

The man in chains pulled himself forward as if he might watch her exodus. "Run girl!" He whispered weakly. "Run!"

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Artie stepped out into the morning sun. It was a bit cooler today, as if the intensity of the last few days was lifting just a bit. He hailed a carriage and directed the driver to take him to the livery where his horse was stabled now. They passed the cemetery on their way. He closed his eyes against the scenery but no amount of self imposed darkness could dim the bloody image of Jim that haunted him continually.

They arrived at the stables. He paid the driver and bid him a good day. A familiar whinny drifted on the morning air, causing him to turn away from the barns and head toward one of the grassy paddocks. Jim's black horse pressed up against the boards of the fence. The black had apparently recognized Artie's voice and now he was poised, alert, awaiting some attention.

"Hello boy, how have you been?" The black nuzzled him. Artie ran his hands over the silken head and neck. He felt the familiar lump rise again in his throat. "I'm sorry fella." His voice caught, struggling around the lump. "I'm so sorry, I never meant for it to happen. You're going to miss him terribly aren't you?" He spoke the seeds of his own hurt into the velvet ears. His hand shook as it came to rest on the stallions nose. Artemus had always carried a vague idea that the stallion might possibly meet his demise someday while engaged in some bullet laden last stand with Jim. But here he was, oblivious to what had really happened to his master. Now he awaited a new and probably less dangerous life. Artie pulled on of two apples from his pocket. The stallion eagerly took the treat, tossing his head to shoo away a fly.

Artie watched him a moment longer. He wished he could keep the black, but he was way too feisty a mount for him. He had suited James perfectly. The two of them had been of the same spirit. Artie smiled, patted the velvet nose one last time, then he headed up to the barn to find his gelding.

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Rayne darted down the shadowy halls as fast as she dared, carefully listening for anyone who might intercept her. She heard footsteps coming. She quickly hid behind some large empty boxes and held her breath as quietly as she could. They passed by in an agitated manner. She assumed that someone had heard Cutty's scream. As soon as they were out of sight, she dashed again along the way she remembered coming in. Finally, finding the stone stairs, she crept up them quickly and silently. Still listening carefully for any telling sounds, she found a matching lever and the door opened to freedom. It didn't take her long to slip outside. Heading out past a section of unfinished wall, she ran with all her ability into the wasteland of brush and rocks. She headed west and didn't even bother with one look back.

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