Three Weeks Earlier
10 miles outside of Rock Creek, Midnight
The campfire burned brighter as more fuel feed it higher. The three men setting up camp each would look in to the darkness, searching the horizon or the woods for a sign of pursuit. Finally, ease seemed to fill the camp when time passed and no sounds were heard.
They were rough men, lackeys for men with more brains and power, they did what they were told; as long as the work was easy and they were paid well for it. This job was no different.
"It was easy as pie I told you." Charlie Moore threw another log on the fire watching it grow higher. He leaned back into his bedroll watching the flames grow high almost licking the sky. "Kidnap two brats to get those homesteaders, ransom to give up their land, how simple as that?"
"Simple, if we get away before Teaspoon Hunter gets wind of what's going on." Travis Olsen said taking a long draw of his canteen.
"I tell you all this was a bad idea. We're too out in the open." Big Crow walked in closer to the fire throwing his saddle to the ground. "We should of Gone to Johnson's pass."
"It would of tak'n us hours longer especially with those brats." Moore told him inclining his head towards were the children were tied up. "Besides, no one saw us take the kids; so how anyone follow us?"
"I just have a bad feeling about this boss." Olsen shrugged looking over his shoulder.
"Now is not the time to be get yell'w on us, Olsen." Moore shrugged the man's fears away. His fearlessness was belied when the crack of a twig caused him to jump. Heads whipped around peering into the inky darkness. They all shared a look when nothing was seen. Olsen expelled a breath he did not know he was holding.
Moore began to laugh but was stopped short when his eyes feel on the tree he noticed the children were gone. "What the…"
Another noise this time caught their attention, a noise that their lawless lives had come to fear and to react to it was subtle, but the meaning was clear to these men. They looked over the fire a form stood there dressed in black eyes hidden behind a mask firelight glinting of the muzzle of the colt. They knew they had been followed alright; by the Hunter.
Richmond, Virginia
Eve Wells had been born and raised in Richmond; she had built this store with her own hands practically and since the beginning of the war she had watched it going to ruin almost. Now her she stood behind the counter of her shop watching the two men carry one touching every precious bottle and fragile fan she should be mad she should tell them to take there leave but she didn't have the heart even if one was a Union Officer.
Through veiled lids, she watched the two of them; if she was twenty years younger, she might even flirt with them. She smiled when the darker of the two made a crack about the others love of horses; he had a speedy comeback, neither man took offence. She could tell they were close it was strange how two men so different could be so close.
The darker one was dressed more for a night on the town then the dregs of war. Though both men seemed close in age, his eyes though seemed haunted he was what her mother would of called him an old soul. Eve was sure it had something to do with the guns strapped to his waist.
The dirty blonde was dress in a uniform of the cavalry with guns and sabers hung to his waist. He had a sweet smile that was easy to come and blue eyes that held the world in an innocent light.
She smiled as there laughter filled the room, she felt slightly guilty in listening in to the conversation but both men seemed so happy. "I tell you, Captain, you bought enough stuff in Washington DC why you buying more?" The dark one said leaning against the display slightly amused, as the union officer smelled various soaps.
He smiled "For all I missed maybe." He shrugged picking up a soap that smelled like jasmine.
The taller man seemed to know where the Captain's thoughts were going. "This is Lou were talking about, she'll just be happy your home."
Shaking his head as if to banish the gloom, he then turned and smiled at the man, "Jimmy, why do you keep calling me Captain?"
"Well, Captain if I knew your name…" Jimmy smiled waiting for some enlightenment.
His eyes became suspicious nothing new to him the longer he knew his adoptive family the more often they tried to fish it out of him. "You know my name."
"Now how silly would it sound to call you Kid in that get up?" Hickok asked "Besides aren't you a little to old to be called Kid?"
Jimmy's comment went ignored as the Captain picked up more of the fragrant soaps trying to find the perfect one. It seemed he could decided she smiled as his eyes lit up at a pretty bottle of Lavender water. With a triumph smile, he placed the pretty glass bottle on the counter. "Fine Jimmy.." He place his coin on the counter Eve had to hide a grin when the Man looked expectantly, like a child waiting for Christmas morning, at his friend. "You can call me man." She could tell Jimmy was not pleased with the Captains answer.
Brown eyes glared as he took what the Captain said. Then the well-dressed man started giggling. The giggles turned to guffaws of laughter, which got worse as two of the town old biddies walked in giving him a disapproving stare. The Captain was quick on the up take, tipped his hat to the two elderly matrons he stated sweetly in an over exaggerate Southern accent "Sorry man we're jus' countr' folk neve' been to the big city." He said taking his packages.
Jimmy lost it then taking a knee in hysterical laughter, she got the feeling that this man very rarely took time to laugh, to serious for his young life she thought wistfully. The Captain too was taken aback slightly, but allowed the man to laugh. "Come on Jimmy." He grabbed the man who was trying to compose himself "Lets go home."
Eve watched the two men leave; they were oblivious to the looks of disdain for the union solider and what he stood for defeat. It seemed they only had one thought on there mind home.
Twenty miles outside Rock Creek
She just wanted some water for her horse. She had been riding five hours straight with no stopping on the heals of that good for nothing …
He eyes lit up when she saw a homestead in the distance hopefully they would be nice enough to let her water her horse. Maybe they could give her some information on the town coming up Rock Creek she thought the name was. If she had tracked him right She hopefully catch up with that good for nothing, son of a… ..
She reigned in her mount looking at the homestead it seemed deserted, but there was still clothes on the line. "Hello?" looking around she waited for an answer but when none was received she started towards the house.
"Hello?"
Still Nothing. She made her way to the porch knocking on the door it swung opened. Steeping in she let her eyes adjust to the darkness as she walked into the humble home. Looking around the main room she noticed food was still on the table from a breakfast that was at least two days old. She walked slowly in to the bedroom…
She was out of the homestead so fast her throat closed up she tripped down the stairs praying to god to take the sight she just saw from her eyes.