Chapter 16

Silas stood waiting the next day at noon to meet the man. He didn't even know his name. He had been waiting for a few minutes when he walked up. The man looked at him.

"You ready?"

"I'm ready to eat if that's what you're saying. I need the money."

"Good. Let's go."

Noah, Jimmy, Cody, and Lucas watched as the two rode out of town. Noah nodded to Lucas to get their horses. They mounted up and followed a good ways behind. After riding for almost an hour, they noticed distant smoke in the distance. Jimmy pulled to a stop.

"This is it." Noah said.

"Yeah."

"Jimmy, it's gonna work out."

"We should split up. Circle them." Said Cody.

"Sounds like a plan." Said Noah.

"Cody, take Lucas. Keep your eye on him." Said Jimmy.

"Will do." Cody and Lucas went to skirt around.

"Here we go." Said Jimmy.

Noah nodded as the two edged closer to try to get a look at the camp. Jimmy looked around the camp. He counted about thirteen men milling around. He felt Noah nudge him. He looked to where he was. He saw Silas being introduced around the camp. He saw him talking to another man. This one was clearly the one in charge. He looked around again for Hunter.

"Jimmy look at Si."

Jimmy looked back at his nephew. He tipped his hat toward the rear of the camp.

"He's there. I see him." Said Noah quietly.

Jimmy strained to see. He finally could make him out.

"Is he ok? I can't tell. Damn my eye."

"He's alive. His arms are tied to that branch above him. Looks like they worked him over."

"Fuck. Five to thirteen. Odds ain't in our favor. We got to think of something."

"I'm thinking. Maybe I can get a signal to Silas and he can get to Hunter."

"No, that would out him. No."

Noah was thinking when he saw the leader walk over and get in Hunter's face. He spoke a few words before he punched him in the gut. Jimmy growled.

"Enough of this shit."

Noah went to grab his arm but missed. Jimmy holstered his gun and started walking straight to camp.

Lucas went to stand as he saw his father start making his way into camp but Cody held tight to him.

"I can't let him go this alone." Said Lucas trying to pull free.

"Just wait. Let this play out. Please."

Lucas looked at Cody before settling back down to watch. Jimmy walked closer when the men took notice finally. All three pulled their guns. He put his hands up and stopped walking. He saw them calling to the others. Soon the would be leader emerged.

"Daddy Hickok, I suppose?"

"Maybe."

"What brings you all the way out here? Better yet, how did you find us?"

"Just taking a little walk."

"Really. I know what you came for."

"Do you?"

"A man of little words. Like your son."

"I wouldn't know about that."

"Get his guns."

Jimmy stood with his hands up as two men grabbed his pistols. He watched Keaton turn them over in his hands.

"Legends right here. I honestly didn't think they existed. You either for that matter but yet here you are. Right in front of me."

"Where is he?"

"See I told you I knew what you came for. He's fine." Keaton said tipping his head to behind him.

"I'll cut you a deal."

"A deal?" Keaton laughed still staring at the twin pistols.

"My pistols for my boy."

Keaton froze. He stared at the guns. He smiled at Jimmy.

"A father's love. A love like none other."

"Take them. Give me him and we walk away never to be heard from again."

"Too good to be true."

"You have my word."

"You hear that boys?" Keaton laughed looking at all the men.

"Well what is it gonna be?"

"Get him."

Jimmy didn't fight as two men grabbed his arms and held him. He just watched the man in front of him.

"This is how it's gonna go down. I don't trust you. Not one bit nor do I trust that lying little shit back there. So, I have a friend here that needs something from you and he's gonna get it. Derek."

Jimmy just stood as Derek emerged from behind Keaton.

"You killed my father so now I'm gonna kill you." Sneered the man.

Jimmy didn't know him from a hole in the ground but apparently he had shot this man's father. He just looked on.

"So to make it fair, I'm gonna give each of you a gun with one bullet. You know how the rest goes down."

Jimmy didn't even take his eyes off the men. He just stared them down.

"Then after he kills you and we finish off your boy, I get your guns and a good night's sleep knowing that there is no one left to run their mouth about us. Now that there is a good deal."

Jimmy watched. He didn't fight as Keaton loaded each gun with one bullet removing the rest. He just had to keep their attention. He saw Silas easing back toward Hunter slowly. They left one man to watch Hunter. The rest gathered around for the show. The men holding Jimmy let him go. He saw the man named Derek go stand down from him. The men got quiet waiting.

Silas moved on back. He stood beside the boy watching Hunter.

"What do you want?" The boy asked.

"My cousin."

"What?"

Silas hit the boy. He watched as he fell. He quickly pulled his knife and cut Hunter down. He knelt beside him as he fell.

"You ok? Can you move? I got to get you out of sight."

"I think so."

Silas got under Hunter's arm. Cody and Lucas saw Si helping Hunter walk away. Cody lifted his rifle. Lucas made his way down closer to camp.

Noah saw Jimmy and the man squaring off. He made his way closer as he saw his son helping Hunter out of the line of fire. Lucas crept down behind the camp. He saw one of the men look to where Hunter had been. He frowned and walked over. Luke got him from behind. He smiled as the man fell. He pulled him out of sight.

Noah came down to the near side of the camp. He was close now. He saw sun glint off Cody's rifle. He frantically looked back at the gang. His fears were realized when he knew that some of the men had turned to look.

"We've got company!" One yelled.

Cody took that opportunity to let out a shot. The shot tore through two men standing side by side.

"Find cover!" Yelled Keaton.

Noah shot and hit another man rushing by him. He yelled out for Jimmy as Derek didn't run instead he aimed right for his friend. Jimmy was faster and able to get off a shot. The shot struck Derek high in his chest. He pulled the trigger before he was thrown back onto the ground. Noah saw Jimmy fall as well. He watched the remaining men scatter. He ran over to Jimmy and grabbed his arm. He pulled him back behind cover.

"You ok?"

"Fine. Where's the boys?"

"Silas took Hunter out of sight."

Jimmy nodded as he saw Cody take out another. Lucas shot two on the far side. Noah made his way over to where he saw some run. He left Jimmy where he was. He heard Noah's shots. He saw Keaton and two others trying to leave. He stood and shot the the two with Keaton. He frowned as Keaton galloped out of camp unharmed. He ran over behind him along with Lucas when they heard a shot in the distance. They rushed toward the trees when they came upon Silas and Hunter. Hunter stood hunched over Keaton's body. Jimmy made his way over to his oldest.

"It's over Hunter."

"He killed innocent people. I need to make sure."

Jimmy closed his eyes as Hunter shot the dead boy again. He slowly reached around and got his gun.

"It's over."

"It will never be over."

"Hunter, son?"

"It will never be over! People take one look at me and condemn me for who you are! Why?! Why do I have to look like Wild Bill Hickok?! Why can't I just be me! I'm not you damnit! Maybe I should just accept the fact that I am where I am supposed to be. In a gang of killers. It seems to come to me easy enough."

"Hunter, stop. I can't go back and change my past. I'm sorry that this happened. You don't know how sorry I am."

Noah and Cody just stood watching.

"I wish I'd never been born. I wish I didn't look like you."

"Hunter, don't say that. You know who Dad really is. He isn't at all what people made him out to be. Please, don't say that." Said Lucas walking to stand in front of his brother.

"I can't help but feel this way." Said Hunter.

"I'm sorry, son." Said Jimmy turning away.

"Hunter, don't do this. Come back home with us. You belong there." Pleaded Lucas.

"Why? I'm wanted for murder. I wanted to kill that boy. I wanted to kill Keaton. It makes no difference. Fact is, I guess I take a little too much after him."

"Listen to yourself. What the hell is wrong with you? Do you even know what you're saying? You ain't wanted for murder. Dad cleared it all up. You can come home."

"I feel like no matter where I go, people will hate me for who I look like. Just look at the past week. I was damned before I could crawl." Hunter took a deep breath and tried to stand up straighter.

"Well use it to your advantage. Hell, I wish I looked more like him. I wish I was him. If only I could be half the man that he is." Said Lucas shoving Hunter.

Hunter turned to look at his brother. He saw that he spoke the truth. Maybe he looked at this all wrong. He still felt angry inside. His brother stared at him waiting for his words to sink in like he knew that they would. He turned to see his father limping away.

"Dad?" Hunter said.

Jimmy turned and Hunter could see the pain of his words in his eyes. He felt like he had a knot in his chest.

"Dad. Wait." He said again.

Jimmy began limping back over to his son. Hunter waited for the harsh words but none came as his father pulled him into a hug. He hugged him back.

"I'm a little sore you know." Hunter said quietly.

Jimmy set the boy back. He shook his head.

"Let's get you cleaned up and looked at. I need help with this leg." Jimmy said.

"I'm sorry for what I said."

"Don't say another word. It's in the past. I understand."

Cody and Noah came over to help tie off Jimmy's leg so they could get him to town. Silas and Lucas tied up the two remaining men that were alive. The group set off back toward town.