Chapter 13

When Jimmy woke later the next morning, he again tried to focus his eyes. One was hazy but he could see somewhat. The other nothing. Panic again started to take hold, he tried to push it down. He looked over and thought it could be Noah in the chair.

"Noah? Is that you?"

"Yeah, it's me. Let me get you some water." Noah said.

Noah got up and walked over. He lifted the glass to Jimmy. He took a sip then shook his head.

"Jimmy you got to get liquids in you. You can't lie there and waste away. I know it is hard but try for us."

"I can't right now." Jimmy whispered.

"Well you are going to be ok now. We didn't think you would wake up. Been a lot of tears shed in this room past few days."

"I can hardly hear you Noah. I can't really see you either. I can't move. It hurts."

"It will be ok man. A few days this will pass and you will be up moving like nothing happened."

"I don't know. He should have killed me."

"Please don't say that. You have so much to live for."

"What do you mean? I just need to go ahead and die. Everyone would be better without me here."

"If I hear anything like that again, I will beat your ass myself. Here take this. Rachel set it out. Go back to sleep. You need more rest than anything. I ain't giving you but half cause you gonna git up and eat dinner today. You helped me back when, so I am damn sure gonna make it so that you don't give up."

"I should have died. I deserved it."

Noah went to say more, but Jimmy was asleep. Noah had to use the outhouse. He walked down the stairs. Teaspoon caught him at the door.

"I'm just going to the outhouse, and I will be right back. "

"You needin a break son?" Asked Teaspoon.

"Not yet, I won't to make sure that he eats. He woke for a few."

"How was it?"

"He kept saying he should have died. That we all would be better off. He is hurting real bad. I ain't gonna let him just lay there and die Teaspoon. He pulled me out a hard spot and I intend to return the favor."

With that he walked off.

"Oh Noah, come by the bunkhouse after. I got something to tell all y'all. Won't take long, Jimmy should be fine for a few."

"Ok Teaspoon."

Fifteen minutes later...

"Boys and girls. I got some news. Ain't sure what to make of it and ain't sure how y'all gonna take it. But. Kid escaped. He is gone."

Everyone jumped, shocked, except Cody. He looked down.

"It ain't your fault Cody. I sent the doc to tend to his hand. You had the town to look after also. I had no clue he would do this."

"What happened Teaspoon? How?" Asked Rachel

"Doc went in to tend to his hand after I asked him to. Kid still is one of my boys no matter what has happened. Cody had a young lady come, her purse was taken. It was Little Red Wilson again. While Cody was taking care of this, Kid punched Doc. He fled. Doc said all he remembers was wrapping Kid's hand, Kid said he was sorry, then nothing else. I don't know where he is."

"You think he will come after Jimmy again? Surely this was just a one time thing." Said Lou.

"I ain't sure of anything anymore. Someone will be with Jimmy around the clock. So that is all, Noah head on back up. I don't want him alone anymore but I doubt Kid will do anything else. He is a good levelheaded boy. He just let his anger get to him."

"I can't trust him anymore Teaspoon. I don't. I am scared of him. ..." Said Lou.

"Again we will watch the station, we are going to get through this. Meanwhile, I am going to try to find Kid. Hopefully he'll just turn up." Stated Teaspoon.

The room was dark even though it was around lunchtime. The curtains had been drawn. Kid leaned against the door. He looked at what used to be his best friend. His face was still swollen, the bruises going from purple to green now. The wound on his head and side still wrapped. He was breathing very shallow. But he was alive. Kid came to stand over the bed.

"I meant to kill you, you know. I hate you. I put my trust in you and you took everything from me. I confided in you. Now because of you, I am the bad guy. The evil one. I hope you remember this for as long as you live. I hate you."

Kid was shaking with anger. He stopped and took a moment. Now was not the time, he knew they were watching for him.

"I am gone Jimmy. But I just wanted to let you know one last thing. I will be around. I will hate you forever. You just wait and see."

With those last words, Kid turned to leave. He heard footsteps coming up the porch stairs. He left through the window.

Noah thought he heard someone talking as he got close to the front door. . It couldn't be. He took the steps two at a time. He burst through the door and looked around. Jimmy was sleeping peacefully. But the quilt on him had been pulled back to reveal his chest and the window was open. He ran to the window. He saw a rider riding hard on the horizon. It had to be Kid. He ran yelling for Teaspoon.