Chapter 1
The pair searched along the banks of the river. They walked their horses along hurriedly. Their eyes searched the water and low lying areas.
"Tessa, are you sure that he is here?"
"Yes, he is close. I can feel it."
"I don't see anything yet. If we don't find him soon, then we're screwed."
"Shut up, we'll find him. He's still alive. We have to hurry."
"I hope we're getting close cause if we lose another one..."
"Stop! He's here!"
Wesley jumped down from his horse. Tessa ran behind. She ran along the muddy river jumping over fallen trees. She held her hand out and waved it around.
"There!"
Wesley ran over to a small dam of fallen trees. He saw the man. His clothes had snagged on one of the downed trees. He waded across the water and pulled him to the shore. He leaned in close across him.
"Tessa, I ain't so sure that he is alive. You were right, she shot him in the chest." Wesley said as he started pulling his shirt off.
"I feel him. He's still there. Hurry Wes. You know what we have to do. We can't lose another one."
"He don't look good. He's too cold and he's losing too much blood."
Tessa looked at his face. She reached out and went to touch it. Wes grabbed her wrist.
"You think that's wise? He is gonna be in a hell of a world of pain."
"He is strong. He can handle it. We need him to live and if I don't, I see him slipping away from us."
Wes looked at Tessa. He trusted her with his life. He nodded. She reached her hand toward his face. She closed her eyes and laid her palm on his cheek. Wes leaned back and waited for it.
Jimmy felt his lungs fill with air. He opened his mouth and let out a deep breath. His eyes fluttered open. He started gasping.
Tessa pulled her hand away. Wes leaned back over him and went to work.
"It's still in him. We have to get it out."
"It's in his lung."
"Tessa, once you get it out, he is going to start drowning in his own blood. You have to be fast."
"So do you. You know what to do."
Tessa took her blade and slid it across Jimmy's chest. She opened his chest up. She took a smaller blade and went in. She quickly pulled back her bloody hands to reveal the lead ball.
Jimmy felt a sharp pain across his chest. He was still gasping to breathe. He felt his body begin to shake uncontrollably as he felt pressure and horrible pain. He tried to scream but couldn't. He couldn't see the faces over him. He couldn't move his body. He felt so weak. He started coughing. He could taste blood. He was choking.
Wes watched the blood start rushing up out of Jimmy's mouth. The poor boy coughed splattering blood all over them. Tessa pushed his shoulders down. She felt his panic and fear as she touched his shoulders. Wes closed his eyes. He pushed into Jimmy's wound. He smelled his flesh burning. He held it there until Tessa spoke.
"You got it."
Wesley removed his hand and proceeded to burn the cut that they had made shut. He leaned back on his knees when he was finished. Tessa removed her hands from Jimmy. She leaned back as well. Wes looked over to her.
"Well?"
"He's gonna make it."
"The only one we get to in time is a drunkard with a temper. That's awesome ain't it."
"I feel the good in him, Wes. I can't describe the connection that I have with him. He will understand. I can make him understand."
"You know I trust you but you also know that she will know that he made it. She will come again."
"I know. We can't stay long. She is getting closer to her next target."
"What are we gonna do with him? We can't move him right now."
"Take him to his family when he's ready. We'll drop him off and proceed on."
"It will put them in danger again."
"She won't hurt them. She only wants us. She will keep herself hidden from the common folks and try to separate us. You know that."
"What if she backtracks for him? He doesn't know anything yet."
"We have to take that chance. Wes, trust me. His family is strong, they will watch him until we return."
Wesley looked at Jimmy panting. He looked back at Tessa.
"Put him out."
Tessa nodded and reached out to touch his face again. She closed her eyes. She felt his breathing relax as he closed his eyes in a deep sleep.
"Alright, James Butler Hickok. We move in a week."