Chapter 16

Tessa and Wes heard the shots and Lou's scream. Tessa was already leading them in that direction.

"Quick! She is there!"

Teaspoon, Cody, and Kid watched how the night darkened overhead and the fog rolled at their feet. Shivers ran down their spines as they ran on.

Jimmy watched as the night got so dark that he couldn't even see his hand in front of his face. He heard movement. He couldn't see his guns in the deep grass. He stiffened as he felt fingers run down his cheek.

"Don't be alarmed. I know all about you. She was my only friend you know. The woman you just killed. You know by now that you have to die. I'm just waiting on Tessa and Wes to get here so they can join in the fun."

Jimmy tried to pull away but he couldn't. He felt like he couldn't move.

"Be patient. They are close."

Jimmy could hear footsteps running.

"Tessa stop!" He yelled.

The hand came and covered his mouth.

"Come on in my dears. I could see you coming a mile away!"

Wes turned to Teaspoon and the others.

"Wait here. If she gets out, shoot her."

Tessa and Wes eased on into the thick fog. They couldn't see anything as they edged closer. Tessa stopped him when she sensed they were close.

"Come on now. I know you're right there. I can smell you." Laughed the woman as she pulled a long sword.

Jimmy felt the cold steel at his neck.

"You ready to play?" Asked Wesley as he snapped his fingers. The flame jumped up in the fog lighting his face.

"The question is are you ready, Wesley?"

The woman laughed as she quickly vanished in the fog. Jimmy found he could move. He turned to look around.

"You can't get in my head, Tessa dear. Let's play a game. Let's see who is stronger!"

She laughed as she brought the fog in thicker. Wesley clapped his hands and started spreading fire around to give them light. Jimmy saw Tessa across the circle. He saw the woman lift and throw her sword. Jimmy yelled as he reached for her. The blade got thrown to the side. The woman shrieked and turned back to Jimmy. He froze under her gaze. Wesley saw her stalking toward Jimmy. He ran and got between them. He lit a huge fireball in front of himself blinding her momentarily. She lost her gaze on Jimmy.

"Run Hickok!" Yelled Wes.

Jimmy went to run to Tessa.

"Jimmy stop! Hit the ground!" She yelled.

Jimmy didn't hesitate. He fell onto his stomach. Fire shot over his head. He saw Wes struggling.

"Get your guns Jimmy! To your left! Shoot her!" Yelled Tessa.

Jimmy went to crawl over to his left feeling around in the deep grass. Wes flew over him and hit the tree across the plain. He fell to the ground.

"She's coming for you! The sword! Fall back!"

Jimmy fell onto his back as the sword moved right across him barely missing.

"You have got to go young lady." Said the woman turning full on toward Tessa.

Jimmy heard Tessa scream out. He saw the woman pick her up and lift the sword. Jimmy pushed his hand out making the blade fall away. He felt something in the grass. He looked down. It was his gun. He saw fire fly toward the woman. The woman turned toward Wesley as she blocked the fire. She lifted her sword. Jimmy saw it soar in the air toward Wes. Jimmy yelled and jumped in front of the sword. He put his hand up and watched as it stopped, floating in air right in front of his hand.

"Clever." She smiled.

Jimmy felt his hand moving. He yelled out. They watched as the sword turned and flew straight into Tessa. It went through her and out her back. She screamed out. Wes started shaking and rushed forward fire coming up all over. Jimmy picked up his gun and fired all six shots. The woman distracted by Wes jerked around as all six shots found their mark. She smiled at Jimmy as she fell to the ground.

Jimmy and Wes ran over to Tessa. She lay gasping on the ground.

"Tessa!" They both yelled.

"Wes, it's over." She said.

"Yeah, it's over." He told her.

"I'm sorry, Jimmy."

"For what?"

"I'm so sorry." She held her hand up to the moon in the sky as the clouds started clearing.

Jimmy looked up with tears in his eyes.