Ch 13

Rhett and his men sat looking at the homestead. He was patiently waiting for the perfect chance. He saw a figure close in next to the house. He saw it was Mick. Clay looked at Rhett smiling. It looked like lady luck was on his side after all. He might not even have to get his hands dirty.

Jimmy sat downstairs staring at the wall. The others were watching as usual. Thunder hit in the distance along with bright flashes of lightning. The others came inside and took up spots near the windows and doors. The wind started picking up as the storm neared.

Rhett looked to Clay.

"This is it. The perfect chance. Shall we go see if Mick might need help." Said Clay

"I think so. Either way, he dies tonight and anyone else who might see us. Got it."

"Got it."

Rhett and his men slowly began descending to the house. Mick watched the lookouts inside. Lightning flashed again overhead. Perfect. Then he saw Rhett and his gang. He backed away. He would wait and let them flush Hickok out. Then he would kill him and collect his money. Easy, easy. He backed into the shadows.

Rhett and his men circled the house as lightning flashed again. Kid saw one through the window as darkness fell again.

"Hey! Someone is out there!"

Buck looked harder and saw movement as well.

"Here to!"

"They are all around us. Get ready!" Said Noah.

Lou took Emma and went upstairs. Jimmy wouldn't move.

"Go Jimmy!" Said Kid

"Where's my guns Kid?!"

"Just go Jimmy!"

"You need my help, you are out gunned! I know these men! I know how they work!"

Kid thought it over as Buck nodded. Buck went over and moved a floorboard. He took the guns out and handed them to Jimmy. Jimmy strapped them on as quick as he could. You could now hear the men outside. He looked at his family. All of them ready to fight for him. Him. A man who had shot them and left them for dead. It was time to make it right. He pulled his gun and aimed it at Kid. Kid turned to look back at Jimmy.

"Away from the window Kid."

"Jimmy what the hell you doing?"

Buck, Ike, and Noah all looking now.

"Step away Kid. You too Buck."

"Jimmy? What's going on?" Asked Buck

"Move now. Go stand over there with Ike and Noah." Jimmy said as he pulled the hammer back.

"Don't do this Jimmy " said Kid

"Drop your guns. Now."

"You ain't gonna shoot us and you know it." Said Kid.

Jimmy pulled the trigger and shot between Kid and Buck's head, the bullet striking the wall. They did as he asked.

"Back into that room."

They slowly backed up.

"Jimmy, please don't do this." Pleaded Kid

"Get inside." Jimmy closed the door and locked it.

"Rhett?! Don't shoot. I'm coming out!" Yelled Jimmy

"Come on out and play then Hickok!"

"I'll come out but you leave them be. Give me your word."

"We only want the one who knows too much and that'd be you my friend!"

Jimmy looked at the door where his family was as he kicked their guns away.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything. I have to make this right. I can't let them kill you all for me. I'm a murderer. It's time to fess up for what I did." Jimmy said through the closed door.

"Jimmy please don't!" Said Kid

"Let us help you!" Said Buck

"They are gonna kill you Jimmy." Stated Noah

"I know."

Jimmy took a deep breath and stepped out the front door. It was pouring rain now as he turned and met face to face with Rhett.

"My, my Colt. Looks like you remember now. Too bad. I liked you."

"I do remember. I also remember that you lied to me and made me turn on innocent people."

"It was in your nature. If it wasn't, it wouldn't have come so easy to ya. I think a thanks is in order."

"For what."

"For this." Rhett said as he hit Jimmy in the stomach with the butt of his gun.

Jimmy staggered but didn't fall.

"Just shoot him Rhett and let's go!" Yelled Clay

Rhett looked at Jimmy. He knew he had to do this but he truly didn't want to. He had grown fond of Hickok. Jimmy stood back up. Rhett was putting it off and Clay saw.

"Come on Rhett! Do it and let's ride!" Yelled Will

Rhett hit Jimmy again sending him to his knees. Jimmy pulled his gun and pointed it at Rhett slowly getting back to his feet. Rhett laughed as his men all pulled their weapons. Clay saw Mick standing on the edge of the trees. He touched the brim of his hat. Mick shot Will and five others in quick succession. He pulled his other gun and shot four more men. Rhett looked to Jimmy in surprise. Mick shot again as Clay pulled his own weapon. The shot tore through Rhett's chest and then hit Jimmy before they knew what was happening. Rhett fell to the ground. The rain was still pouring and lightning flashing. Kid and the others had their guns now and were running outside. Jimmy was trying to pull himself through the mud away from Rhett. He saw Clay take aim. He then saw him fall in the mud dead. He felt arms lifting him up and back toward the house. They pulled him along, the toes of his boots cutting ruts in the thick mud. He heard another gun shot and felt tremendous pain. He jerked and fell out of their grasp back into the mud. He heard more shots but his world was a blur. He felt cold. He felt someone pulling him along again. Felt something hard. When had the rain stopped? What was that pounding noise? He heard women screaming. He faintly saw Kid leaning over him. Then Noah. He started coughing. He was going under. He was slipping. He heard someone yell for him to stay. He knew he couldn't. He let himself go.