Ace-High

by Band-007

Sequel to "Notches". It's a month since Hatch died. Rocked by the news that the real Hatch isn't dead like they thought he was, Mort, Slim and Jess work tirelessly to find out who he really was and what was he doing in Laramie in the first place. Last of all, what's Scott Matthews hiding and how far is he willing to go to protect his secrets?

I do know own any part of Laramie other than my own secondary characters. No copyright infringement is intended.

He hit the ground hard, and moaned. After three months, three months, he was so close! Dark spots danced in his vision and he coughed, hard. Attempting to draw air into his starved lungs, he gritted his teeth. He needed air!

"I'm gonna kill you Harper!" The voice was getting closer.

Panic struck as he stared at the pistol sitting in the dirt a couple feet away. It wasn't very hard to get to, but it was far enough for his injuries to make a big difference. They'd sooner put a bullet in his back before he made half the distance, but he had to try. It was better than waiting to die. Pressing his fingers into the thick sand, he pulled himself forward. White hot pain shot through his broken leg as he forced it to work.

"Just a little further." He whispered softly, stretching his hand out to grasp his lifeline.

"Found you." The evil tone sent shivers down his spine. Footsteps crunched beside his ear. A shadow fell across him as a hammer was pulled back for the last time.

A last-ditch effort to find a way to live, he forced his broken leg to push him the remaining distance to the gun. A broken scream burst from his throat the same instant his fingertips brushed the wooden stock. Inching it closer, he let out his final breath, stirring up a tiny cloud of dust in his face.

Rolling on his back, he jerked the hammer back and pointed to the man standing above him. Then he fired.