Ch 20

"Get him up." Said Garth.

Mick went over to Jimmy and hauled him to his feet. Jimmy grimaced as he pulled him onto his bad leg.

"Time for your reckoning." Said Mick in Jimmy's face.

Jimmy didn't even take notice. He just stared off in the distance. He had heard Emma's voice. He saw Lou. He knew the others were close by. They would try to help him. They should just let him hang. The burden of having him around would be over. They wouldn't have to get him out of trouble ever again and they wouldn't be in danger. They would be safe. He knew they would try to stop them before town. He would have to think of another way.

Mick pulled Jimmy over to his horse and got him to mount with help. Jimmy sat slumped in his saddle. The blood still dripping from his hand down onto his horse, staining his hair. He watched as Mick mounted and walked his horse over to Garth.

"You take him in. I'm going to be watching out on the distance for anything unusual. I don't think his people will give up this easy. And you better not cross me either. I want my cut."

"Don't worry bout that. I value my life."

Mick spurred his horse and rode out on the plains. Garth got Jimmy's reins and slowly began making their way toward town. Garth soon came upon Lou and Emma on the side of the trail. He tipped his hat as he rode by not even bothering to see if he could help. Lou and Emma watched as Jimmy barely sat on his horse. They saw the bloodstains on his horse.

Teaspoon, Sam, and Kid rode out of town. They kicked their horses into a gallop as they saw horses up ahead. Lou signaled to Emma as she saw the dust coming. They took cover behind the wagon and waited. Teaspoon saw Jimmy on top the horse. They all drew their guns. Garth saw the men approaching fast. He looked to his side and saw a dip in the plain. He jerked their horses off the trail. He dismounted and grabbed Jimmy's arm, dragging him to the ground in the dip beside him. Teaspoon saw him take cover. He motioned for the others to dismount and try to find what little cover was out there. Garth began shooting as soon as they were in range. Teaspoon, Sam, and Kid fell flat on their stomachs. Kid returned fire. The shooting quieted for a moment.

"Throw your gun down! We just want Hickok! No one has to get hurt!" Yelled Teaspoon.

"Hell no! This money is mine!"

"Ain't no money! The charges have been dropped! It's over!" Yelled Sam

"I don't believe you!"

"We just want Jimmy!" Yelled Kid

"You let me pass or I'll just kill him now!" Yelled Garth

"There ain't no money in that!" Yelled Teaspoon

"You said it was dropped so what do I care if he dies!"

Garth pulled Jimmy up and put his gun to his head. Teaspoon and Sam looked at each other unsure of their next move. Kid saw Emma and Lou trying to come up behind. Garth noticed and turned sideways still pressing his gun into Jimmy's head.

"I see y'all! Hold it right there!"

"Ya ain't got nowhere to go! Let him go!" Yelled Teaspoon again.

A shot rang out and Garth fell backwards. Jimmy slipped to the ground unable to stand. Teaspoon and Sam looked around.

"It was Cody!" Yelled Kid as he saw his horse coming in the distance.

Teaspoon and the others ran to Jimmy. He was trying to get back to his feet. Teaspoon and Kid got his arms and pulled him up.

"Jimmy, we got you. It's over." Said Teaspoon.

Just as Jimmy was about to warn them of Mick. He saw movement to his side. A shot fired as Jimmy stumbled into Teaspoon pushing him out of the way. Jimmy's head flew back as he fell. Sam spun around and fired striking Mick in the center of his chest. He sat on top of his horse for a moment before collapsing on the ground dead.

"Jimmy!" Screamed Lou and Emma at the same time. They ran to his side.

Teaspoon knelt down. The back of Jimmy's head was covered in blood and it was steady flowing. Teaspoon turned him onto his side. He looked to Sam.

"The head." He said

Sam turned around while Kid fell to his knees. Cody sat on top of his horse trying to keep it together. Teaspoon sat back on the ground staring at the prairie. Sam tried to stop Emma and Lou from getting too close but they pushed to him anyway. Emma put her face on his back crying while Lou sobbed beside him. Emma cried for a while before she got herself under control. She sat up.

"He's breathing." Emma said

"What did you say?" Asked Sam

"He's breathing!" She turned him over. The bullet hadn't struck him directly. It had just grazed the side of his head.

"We need help!" Screamed Emma

"How can he be alive?!"

"It just grazed him!" She began putting pressure on the gash.

"I'll get the wagon!" Yelled Cody

"We can't take him into Willow Springs." Said Teaspoon

"We will ride like hell back to his friend in Cohen's Bluff!" Yelled Lou

"He might not live to make the trip." Said Sam

"He will." Said Kid

Cody came rushing up with their wagon. They loaded Jimmy in the back while Emma and Lou hopped in with him taking turns holding pressure. They rode and made camp for the night. They continued on the next day. As they pulled into Cohen's Bluff three days later, they were exhausted and starving. Jimmy was still hanging on. They went straight to his friend the doctor.

They waited for word. The doctor finally came out wiping his hands on a rag. They all jumped up.

"He is gonna be fine."

"Thank the Lord." Said Emma

"What are we looking at?" Asked Teaspoon

"That's the good news. Bad news is he probably won't have much use of his hand anymore. It has too much damage. The leg wound should heal fine but he may walk with a limp from here on. It took damage to the muscle. The head wound is mostly just a bad gash. He will have one hell of a scar."

"If that's all, then he is lucky." Said Sam

"He is awake. Has been for a while. He doesn't understand why he is still alive. Mr. Hunter, I spoke with him about a new beginning. I think you should go in and see him."

Teaspoon looked around before making his way in. He pulled a chair beside his boy. Jimmy opened his eyes and looked at him.

"You don't know how happy I am to be sittin here with you." Said Teaspoon

"I needed to talk to you."

"I know."

"I will never live in peace, Teaspoon. I am destined to live a hard life and die any day."

"Don't say that. You have been cleared of the charges against you."

"Edison spoke with me. I think he is right."

"About what?"

"I need to die. I need to be dead and buried."

Teaspoon didn't know what to say. Jimmy closed his eyes.

"Jimmy? What are you sayin?"

"I need you to kill me."

"I can't do that."

Jimmy started to doze off. Edison walked in and put his hand on Teaspoon's shoulder.

"He wasn't very clear was he?"

"I can't kill him." Said Teaspoon

"Not literally."

"What are you talkin about?"

"James Hickok needs to be dead. He needs a proper funeral so a new James can be born."

"I kind of follow."

Edison pulled another chair beside Jimmy.

"You see. James Hickok, pony Express rider, will be called dead. You will have his funeral. He will change his name and find a new job. He can then live his life."

Teaspoon sat back and thought it over for a while.

"I got ya."

"That's his wishes."

"Then I will make sure it happens."