Chapter 21
"On the count of three," said Matthew. "One, two…"
"Wait," said Jake. He cupped his hand around his right ear. "I hear somethin."
The rattling of a hurried wagon and the galloping of horse hooves sent a flock of birds from their trees, squawking and flying into the air. The driver tugged hard on the reins and jumped off the wagon seat.
"Alright, when they open the door we'll rush in," said Matthew. "Now!"
Jake, Robert E, and Matthew raced towards the open door with Michaela pulling a hesitant Catherine along by the arm. The driver of the wagon tumbled inside. Matthew fell on top of him.
The room became a blur of flying fists. Jake saw Wil standing next to Sully with his gun. He jumped over a toppled chair to help Sully. Glass shattered and Jake fell to the floor, unconscious. Matthew pulled the tall, thin man away from Jake and they wrestled.
Wil spied Michaela standing in the doorway. With Matthew and Robert E occupied, it was the perfect chance to exact revenge. He raised his father's pistol and smirked. "Say goodbye Mrs. Sully."
"Michaela!" Sully screamed as he rocked his chair against Wil's body sending the bullet crashing through a window.
"Sully!"
"Get outta here," ordered Sully.
Wil jumped over Jake's limp body and dashed towards the door. Michaela saw him coming her way, but she would not move. She must not lose sight of Sully. She dug inside her doctor's bag for her scalpel kit, but it was too late. Wil knocked the bag onto the grass outside. He grabbed a fistful of Michaela's hair and smiled the smile which had sent shivers down her spine while she was a captive in his house.
Sully struggled to free himself. His only thoughts were of saving his wife. "Michaela!" He slammed the chair on the ground, hoping to break it into pieces.
Robert E and the wagon driver rolled on the floor. Matthew gazed in Michaela's direction just long enough to receive a hard punch to his stomach. He doubled over, stars filling his eyes. He had to go help his mother.
Matthew dodged the next fist and shook the fuzziness from his head. He swung hard and fast at his opponent's face. Teeth flew into the air and the man spit out blood. Matthew could see Wil aiming his pistol at Michaela's head and heard Sully shouting from behind him. Matthew pushed the tall, thin man against the cupboard and hopped onto the kitchen table. He lept onto Wil's back, sending all three of them out onto the grass. The tall, thin man headed towards the door to help Wil, but Sully, still tied to the chair, ran at him and knocked him into the wall.
Michaela rolled away from Wil. Catherine, too petrified to move, remained by the door to the cabin as Matthew and Wil got to their feet. Wil looked quickly for his gun, but Matthew yanked Wil by the shirt and head butted him.
"Damn!" shouted Wil.
The two wrestled—their faces red with fury. Wil, angry that his plans were unraveling, pounded on Matthew's body. Lefts and rights landed on Matthew's chin and into his mid-section. He gasped for breath.
Michaela scanned the ground for Wil's gun. Her eyes popped open when she saw it in a small mound of greenish-brown grass. She ran for it, but Wil spotted her and picked it up. She stood like a statue, waiting for Wil's next move.
Robert E had dusted off the driver who now lay passed out on the floor. Then with the help of a kerosene lamp knocked the tall, thin man unconscious too. Robert E now worked furiously to untie Sully from his chair as they both glanced outside to where Wil was now once again in command.
"Get over there with your mother," Wil ordered Matthew. "I hope you're watching Mr. Sully because I am going to kill your wife, your son, and then the Indian woman you were so taken with."
Catherine gasped. "Wil…"
"Shut up. You're of no use to me now. I have what I want."
"But you promised," cried Catherine.
"And you were foolish enough to believe me. Don't you know I never would have let him live," he said pointing at Sully. "He killed my father."
"I trusted you," screamed Catherine running at Wil with her arms raised over her head.
Bang! Catherine fell into a heap on the ground. A pool of blood quickly gathered around her.
Sully, Robert E, and Matthew charged at Wil. The gun flew into the air and out of his reach. Matthew and Robert E held Wil while Sully released all his pent up fears through his fists into Wil's body. Once the young man lost consciousness, Robert E and Matthew let his body fall to the ground, but Sully hopped on top of him and continued his merciless pounding of the man who had tried to kill his family.
Sully felt Matthew's hand on his arm. "It's over. Let him be."
"No."
Robert E placed a hand on his shoulder. "He can't hurt them anymore."
Sully looked up at his son and his best friend. Tears of fury and fear trickled down his cheeks. They helped him up and Matthew embraced him.
"Help me get her inside," said Michaela who had begun working on Catherine.
The men carried Catherine's limp body into the house and laid her on table. Jake, had just regained consciousness. He rubbed his aching head as he stumbled over to the kitchen table.
"What happened?" asked Jake.
"Catherine got shot," replied Michaela. "Jake, can you get some water boiling on the stove and see if you can find some clean sheets?"
"You're not gonna help her, are ya?"
"Yes, I am. I took an oath to save lives…no matter who it is."
"But…"
"Just get that water started please." Jake shook his head but did as Michaela asked.
"In my bag, Robert E, is a bottle of chloroform. Can you stay by her head and make sure she stays unconscious?"
"Sure thing Dr. Mike."
"Sully, I'll need you to keep the wound clean and dry so that I can find the bullet."
"What do you want me to do?" asked Matthew.
"Why don't ya get some rope and tie those guys up before they come to," said Sully. "We don't want any more trouble from them."
"I can't take this anymore," screamed Brian, grabbing his coat. "I'm gonna get the police." He stormed out before Loren could object.
"Darn kid," cursed Loren. He picked up his coat and headed out the door. "Brian, wait for me."