The six men sat soaking wet, perched high in the saddle. Vin searched the
horizon through the diminishing rain.
"It's hard to tell which way she went," he said. "I didn't see Ace in the stable, so she could've gotten ahead of us," he said. Vin tried to keep his voice calm, although he was incredibly worried. He had developed a sort of bond with Anabelle, and was scared to death that she might be hurt. Trying to cover up his fear he started shouting, hoping for her to respond. Ezra sat in his saddle, near tears.
"Oh God. Why did this have to happen?" he said, his voice cracking as he looked up at the sky. "Why?" he whispered, and Nathan rode up next to him. Without saying anything, he placed a kind hand on Ezra's shoulder. Ezra smiled warmly yet shakily, glad to see his only friends there with him.
Suddenly Vin shouted out. His eyes were locked on a part of the horizon. The other men turned, but they didn't see anything. Vin kicked his horse into a flat out gallop, with the others not far behind him. Vin only stopped when the figure he was seen was close enough to make out. His shoulder's drooped and tears came to his eyes in defeat.
"Oh no," he said under his breath. The girl lay unmoving on the wet ground. There were hoof prints visible in the mud beside her.
Ezra dismounted first, but Nathan got to Anabelle before anyone else. "Don't move her," he warned. Nathan quickly checked her pulse and breath, and heaved a sigh of relief. "She's alive," he said thankfully. Suddenly he looked at her closer. He keaned close to her chest, then backed away slowly. "Josiah pick her up and carry her back to Four Corners," he said quickly. "Everyone else follow him," Nathan said as Josiah carefully picked up Anabelle.
"Nathan what's wrong?" Ezra asked fearfully, grabbing Nathan by the elbow.
"She's having trouble breathing. I'm afraid she's gotten some sort of nasty cold....hopefully not pneumonia," Nathan said, a slight element of fear in his voice. He may be a doctor, but if Anabelle died the others may be angry at him afterward. As Nathan mounted his horse and galloped off after Josiah, he suddenly wasn't so sure of himself anymore.
*******
JD sat outside, watching the storm roll off into the distance. He could see the lightning strike the horizon, and in it's glow he saw the shape of six men riding, one carrying a girl. JD stood up quickly, and started pacing nervously. The figures grew closer, and JD could hear the pounding of hoof beats, beating with his heart.
"JD! Take her into the church," Josiah said as he galloped up to the boy. He gently lowered Anabelle down. JD wavered as he held Anabelle. She was his size, and he wasn't sure if he could carry her. Then he heard her raspy breathing, and he hurried towards the white building.
"JD wait up!" Buck called as he ran after JD. Ezra and Nathan weren't far behind him, while Vin, Chris and Josiah put away the six horses. JD slowed his hurried pace until Buck was by his side. JD looked up at Buck worriedly.
"Will she be okay?" he asked as Buck kicked open the church door.
"I sure hope so," Buck said, putting his hand on JD's shoulder. JD gave Buck a small smile.
"Me too," he said. Then Nathan pushed past them, leading them into a back room of the church.
"Bring her in here," he said, grabbing anything soft and making a sort of bed out of Josiah's clothes and such. JD gently laid Anabelle down on the pile. Nathan looked around frantically.
"We need to keep her head elevated. At least higher than it already is," he said. Buck quickly took off his hat and gently placed it under Anabelle's head with a small smile.
"I always knew that this thing would come in handy for something other than keeping my head dry," Buck said quietly. JD smiled slightly, before looking at Anabelle's pale figure and turning away. He looked at Ezra, who was standing in the corner, appearing smaller then ever.
"Are you okay?" JD asked, approaching Ezra. Ezra nodded, but his eyes were shining. JD took another step towards the man, and then he saw one single tear make it's way down Ezra's cheek.
"Oh my Anna," Ezra whispered. "My dear Anna, how could I have let this happen to you?" he asked. It seemed to JD like Ezra was breaking down before his eyes.
"Come on Ezra, lets go to your room," JD said kindly, taking Ezra by the arm. The crying man leaned on JD and allowed the kid to lead him out of the room. Nathan glanced up at Buck after he heard JD and Ezra leave outside.
"Buck, can you get some supplies from my room?" Nathan asked, bending over Anabelle. Buck nodded and Nathan read off a mental list of the supplies he'd need to help cure Anabelle from whatever was ailing her. After Nathan finished, Buck walked quietly out of the church. Nathan watched him go anxiously, hoping that Buck could remember everything that Nathan had said. Nathan frowned, hoping that he had asked for the right supplies. Anabelle's life may depend on it.
*******
"Nathan!" Chris called from outside, early the next morning. Nathan glanced up, his dark eyes weary.
"Still in here Chris," Nathan replied in a strained voice. Chris walked briskly into the back room of the church.
"How is she?" Chris asked, kneeling down beside Anabelle's still form. Nathan leaned back on his knees and then stood up.
"Stable. She's got a bad knock on her head from when she must've fallen off of Ace, and she's still not awake, but I got her fever down and her vital signs are good," Nathan said, and Chris herd the unspoken "but" in his voice. Then quietly Nathan continued. "Her breathing is still a little abnormal, though, and I've tried everything to fix it. If she doesn't wake up soon she may never wake up again," Nathan said, pained.
"But you've done everything you can?" Chris asked, worried about Anabelle and about Nathan. Nathan sighed and nodded.
"Everything I can think of," Nathan said, pacing back and forth. "But what if that isn't enough? What if I've forgotten something. Chris, she needs a real doctor. If she dies, I'll never forgive myself. I can't do that to her, or to Ezra," Nathan said rapidly, growing more and more agitated by the minute. "We have to get her to a doctor, I can't care for her myself," Nathan said, and was then cut off by Chris.
"Did you just say can't? That's one word I never want to hear from your mouth again, Nathan," Chris said sternly but supportively. "You're the best doctor I've seen, and you're the only one who can save her now," Chris said quietly. His voice seemed to snap Nathan out of his delirium, and Nathan calmed down a little bit. "Listen, Anabelle's stable you say?" Chris asked, and Nathan nodded.
"She's as good as she's gonna get anytime soon," Nathan said, and Chris smiled slightly.
"Why don't you take sort of a brake. Ezra's going out to look after the wagon. Ace came back, so Vin's going to see if Ace's trail will lead us somewhere. Anabelle seemed to know where she was going," Chris said. Nathan considered the idea, glancing at Anabelle.
"If I leave, who will watch her?" Nathan asked, unsure if he should go or not.
"I've already put JD on her watch," Chris said, and Nathan raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"JD? But he's only a boy. He knows almost nothing about medicine," Nathan protested, but Chris stood his ground.
"Trust me, JD is one of the only medicines Anabelle needs right now, aside from Ezra, and Ezra's coming with us," Chris explained. Nathan seemed slightly puzzled, but he agreed to coming on the search with the other men.
"Are we leaving now?" he asked, and Chris shook his head.
"Not yet, Josiah wants us to have a group prayer for Anabelle," Chris said. Nathan smiled slightly, It was just like Josiah. Still, Josiah had taught Nathan that sometimes prayer was the best medicine possible.
"Chris, Nathan, are you guys ready?" Josiah called, and Nathan was for the first time was aware of the group of men gathered outside. Chris glanced at Nathan and Nathan nodded.
"Okay come on in," Chris said, walking over the Anabelle. The black clad man stared at the girl, looking almost sad. "I hope she's alright," Chris said. Nathan nodded, watching Josiah walk in with the bible. JD and Ezra followed with Vin and Buck. Nathan glanced at Ezra worriedly. The gamblers eyes were glistening with tears, and he seemed uncommonly pale and haggard. JD looked at Nathan, and Nathan saw that JD was just as worried as Ezra was. For that matter, so was Vin. Buck seemed worried, but the three other men seemed to be most affected by it.
"Okay men, gather around the bed," Josiah said, positioning himself at the head of the bed where Anabelle lay unmoving. Her hair lay spread out on the pillow, and JD could spot the bruise on her temple where she had hit her head. As he stood on the left side of her head, he watched as Ezra positioned himself across from JD. Ezra looked up and looked JD in the eye. There was an unspoken message between them, and they both bowed their heads in silence. "Lord, protect and heal out friend..." Josiah started. As he continued to speak, JD took Vin's hand. Vin glanced up in surprise, then relaxed when he saw JD's face. Vin smiled encouragingly and took Chris' hand, who was standing next to him. Chris silently took Buck's hand, who took Nathan's hand. Nathan hesitated a second, glancing at Ezra. Ezra was looking down at Anabelle. Nathan grabbed Ezra's hand, and Ezra glanced up. He simply looked at Nathan and attempted a feeble smile. Ezra then reached over and reached for Josiah's hand. Josiah put down the Bible and took Ezra and JD's hand, and the circle was complete. Seven men stood in silent prayer, and the only sound was Anabelle's breathing. There seemed to be a power generating from the seven men, and it looked as if Anabelle was getting stronger by the second.
They remained silent for a few more minutes, until Ezra broke the chain.
"I'm going after the coach," he said, glancing back at Anabelle. He paused and pointed at her. "If she dies, they'll pay," he whispered in a choked voice and hurried out of the room. Chris and Buck glanced at Anabelle once more, and they hurried out of the room. Josiah and Nathan followed them, leaving Vin and JD alone with Anabelle.
"Are you okay Vin?" JD asked, concerned about the worry that clouded over the trackers eyes. Vin nodded, walking up to Anabelle's side.
"Yea, I'll be okay," he said, taking Anabelle's thin hand in his own. He squeezed it slightly, and JD saw a single tear make it's way down Vin's cheek.
"Vin..." JD said, genuinely worried about him. Vin stood up quickly.
"I'm--I'm okay, don't worry. It's just hard t'see her just lying there like that, you know?" Vin said, remembering the fire that had once burned in Anabelle's eyes. JD nodded, and Vin turned and hurried out of the room.
"JD," A voice said, strained. JD jumped, and turned towards Anabelle.
"Ana," he breathed, and he rushed over to Anabelle. Her head stirred slightly and JD grabbed her hand. She tried to sit up but JD gently pushed her back down. "Don't strain yourself," he said gently, his voice shaking in excitement. "Let me get the others," JD said, started to stand up.
"No!," Anabelle said as strongly as she could. JD turned and walked back over to her.
"What is it?" he asked, and Anabelle just shook her head.
"Let them go, I don't want to stop them," she said. "They have to find the coach," Anabelle said. "You stay," she said simply, laying back on the pillow. JD watched her, his heart filled with love for her.
"How do you feel?" he asked, and she sighed.
"Like I got run over by a coach," she said. "Ace spooked at some thunder, and the last thing I remember is him rearing," she explained, then looked at JD worriedly. "Ace...where's Ace?" she said, sitting up quickly. The movement caused her to sway and fall back on the pillow rubbing her head. "Ow," she muttered.
"Ace is okay he came back please don't do that," JD said in a rush, afraid that Anabelle might injure herself even more. Anabelle relaxed and glanced into JD's dark eyes. His heart leapt into his throat as he remembered what he had been saying at the bar. "Listen, Anabelle, about what I was saying at the bar..." JD started, afraid that if he didn't say what he had to say right then he may never try to again. However, Anabelle stopped him and put a finger to his lips.
"Shh...don't worry about it. I know what you were going to say, and I know about that whole incident. It wasn't your fault. I personally don't see how your bullet his Miss Anna, and I certainly don't blame you," Anabelle said. She quietly lowered her hand and smiled slightly at JD's astonished face,
"But how...how'dya know?" he asked in extreme surprise.
"My Nanna still hears from Ezra sometimes," Anabelle said. JD realized that Ezra must have mentioned the incident at the bank in one of his letters to Maude, his mother and Anabelle's Nanna. Still staring into Anabelle's eyes, JD leaned down and kissed her quickly.
"I love you Ana," he said simply, holding her hand.
"And I love you too JD," she replied. It was then that JD realized that everything was going to be alright. The storm had passed, and the sky was clearing for the people of Four Corners.
"It's hard to tell which way she went," he said. "I didn't see Ace in the stable, so she could've gotten ahead of us," he said. Vin tried to keep his voice calm, although he was incredibly worried. He had developed a sort of bond with Anabelle, and was scared to death that she might be hurt. Trying to cover up his fear he started shouting, hoping for her to respond. Ezra sat in his saddle, near tears.
"Oh God. Why did this have to happen?" he said, his voice cracking as he looked up at the sky. "Why?" he whispered, and Nathan rode up next to him. Without saying anything, he placed a kind hand on Ezra's shoulder. Ezra smiled warmly yet shakily, glad to see his only friends there with him.
Suddenly Vin shouted out. His eyes were locked on a part of the horizon. The other men turned, but they didn't see anything. Vin kicked his horse into a flat out gallop, with the others not far behind him. Vin only stopped when the figure he was seen was close enough to make out. His shoulder's drooped and tears came to his eyes in defeat.
"Oh no," he said under his breath. The girl lay unmoving on the wet ground. There were hoof prints visible in the mud beside her.
Ezra dismounted first, but Nathan got to Anabelle before anyone else. "Don't move her," he warned. Nathan quickly checked her pulse and breath, and heaved a sigh of relief. "She's alive," he said thankfully. Suddenly he looked at her closer. He keaned close to her chest, then backed away slowly. "Josiah pick her up and carry her back to Four Corners," he said quickly. "Everyone else follow him," Nathan said as Josiah carefully picked up Anabelle.
"Nathan what's wrong?" Ezra asked fearfully, grabbing Nathan by the elbow.
"She's having trouble breathing. I'm afraid she's gotten some sort of nasty cold....hopefully not pneumonia," Nathan said, a slight element of fear in his voice. He may be a doctor, but if Anabelle died the others may be angry at him afterward. As Nathan mounted his horse and galloped off after Josiah, he suddenly wasn't so sure of himself anymore.
*******
JD sat outside, watching the storm roll off into the distance. He could see the lightning strike the horizon, and in it's glow he saw the shape of six men riding, one carrying a girl. JD stood up quickly, and started pacing nervously. The figures grew closer, and JD could hear the pounding of hoof beats, beating with his heart.
"JD! Take her into the church," Josiah said as he galloped up to the boy. He gently lowered Anabelle down. JD wavered as he held Anabelle. She was his size, and he wasn't sure if he could carry her. Then he heard her raspy breathing, and he hurried towards the white building.
"JD wait up!" Buck called as he ran after JD. Ezra and Nathan weren't far behind him, while Vin, Chris and Josiah put away the six horses. JD slowed his hurried pace until Buck was by his side. JD looked up at Buck worriedly.
"Will she be okay?" he asked as Buck kicked open the church door.
"I sure hope so," Buck said, putting his hand on JD's shoulder. JD gave Buck a small smile.
"Me too," he said. Then Nathan pushed past them, leading them into a back room of the church.
"Bring her in here," he said, grabbing anything soft and making a sort of bed out of Josiah's clothes and such. JD gently laid Anabelle down on the pile. Nathan looked around frantically.
"We need to keep her head elevated. At least higher than it already is," he said. Buck quickly took off his hat and gently placed it under Anabelle's head with a small smile.
"I always knew that this thing would come in handy for something other than keeping my head dry," Buck said quietly. JD smiled slightly, before looking at Anabelle's pale figure and turning away. He looked at Ezra, who was standing in the corner, appearing smaller then ever.
"Are you okay?" JD asked, approaching Ezra. Ezra nodded, but his eyes were shining. JD took another step towards the man, and then he saw one single tear make it's way down Ezra's cheek.
"Oh my Anna," Ezra whispered. "My dear Anna, how could I have let this happen to you?" he asked. It seemed to JD like Ezra was breaking down before his eyes.
"Come on Ezra, lets go to your room," JD said kindly, taking Ezra by the arm. The crying man leaned on JD and allowed the kid to lead him out of the room. Nathan glanced up at Buck after he heard JD and Ezra leave outside.
"Buck, can you get some supplies from my room?" Nathan asked, bending over Anabelle. Buck nodded and Nathan read off a mental list of the supplies he'd need to help cure Anabelle from whatever was ailing her. After Nathan finished, Buck walked quietly out of the church. Nathan watched him go anxiously, hoping that Buck could remember everything that Nathan had said. Nathan frowned, hoping that he had asked for the right supplies. Anabelle's life may depend on it.
*******
"Nathan!" Chris called from outside, early the next morning. Nathan glanced up, his dark eyes weary.
"Still in here Chris," Nathan replied in a strained voice. Chris walked briskly into the back room of the church.
"How is she?" Chris asked, kneeling down beside Anabelle's still form. Nathan leaned back on his knees and then stood up.
"Stable. She's got a bad knock on her head from when she must've fallen off of Ace, and she's still not awake, but I got her fever down and her vital signs are good," Nathan said, and Chris herd the unspoken "but" in his voice. Then quietly Nathan continued. "Her breathing is still a little abnormal, though, and I've tried everything to fix it. If she doesn't wake up soon she may never wake up again," Nathan said, pained.
"But you've done everything you can?" Chris asked, worried about Anabelle and about Nathan. Nathan sighed and nodded.
"Everything I can think of," Nathan said, pacing back and forth. "But what if that isn't enough? What if I've forgotten something. Chris, she needs a real doctor. If she dies, I'll never forgive myself. I can't do that to her, or to Ezra," Nathan said rapidly, growing more and more agitated by the minute. "We have to get her to a doctor, I can't care for her myself," Nathan said, and was then cut off by Chris.
"Did you just say can't? That's one word I never want to hear from your mouth again, Nathan," Chris said sternly but supportively. "You're the best doctor I've seen, and you're the only one who can save her now," Chris said quietly. His voice seemed to snap Nathan out of his delirium, and Nathan calmed down a little bit. "Listen, Anabelle's stable you say?" Chris asked, and Nathan nodded.
"She's as good as she's gonna get anytime soon," Nathan said, and Chris smiled slightly.
"Why don't you take sort of a brake. Ezra's going out to look after the wagon. Ace came back, so Vin's going to see if Ace's trail will lead us somewhere. Anabelle seemed to know where she was going," Chris said. Nathan considered the idea, glancing at Anabelle.
"If I leave, who will watch her?" Nathan asked, unsure if he should go or not.
"I've already put JD on her watch," Chris said, and Nathan raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"JD? But he's only a boy. He knows almost nothing about medicine," Nathan protested, but Chris stood his ground.
"Trust me, JD is one of the only medicines Anabelle needs right now, aside from Ezra, and Ezra's coming with us," Chris explained. Nathan seemed slightly puzzled, but he agreed to coming on the search with the other men.
"Are we leaving now?" he asked, and Chris shook his head.
"Not yet, Josiah wants us to have a group prayer for Anabelle," Chris said. Nathan smiled slightly, It was just like Josiah. Still, Josiah had taught Nathan that sometimes prayer was the best medicine possible.
"Chris, Nathan, are you guys ready?" Josiah called, and Nathan was for the first time was aware of the group of men gathered outside. Chris glanced at Nathan and Nathan nodded.
"Okay come on in," Chris said, walking over the Anabelle. The black clad man stared at the girl, looking almost sad. "I hope she's alright," Chris said. Nathan nodded, watching Josiah walk in with the bible. JD and Ezra followed with Vin and Buck. Nathan glanced at Ezra worriedly. The gamblers eyes were glistening with tears, and he seemed uncommonly pale and haggard. JD looked at Nathan, and Nathan saw that JD was just as worried as Ezra was. For that matter, so was Vin. Buck seemed worried, but the three other men seemed to be most affected by it.
"Okay men, gather around the bed," Josiah said, positioning himself at the head of the bed where Anabelle lay unmoving. Her hair lay spread out on the pillow, and JD could spot the bruise on her temple where she had hit her head. As he stood on the left side of her head, he watched as Ezra positioned himself across from JD. Ezra looked up and looked JD in the eye. There was an unspoken message between them, and they both bowed their heads in silence. "Lord, protect and heal out friend..." Josiah started. As he continued to speak, JD took Vin's hand. Vin glanced up in surprise, then relaxed when he saw JD's face. Vin smiled encouragingly and took Chris' hand, who was standing next to him. Chris silently took Buck's hand, who took Nathan's hand. Nathan hesitated a second, glancing at Ezra. Ezra was looking down at Anabelle. Nathan grabbed Ezra's hand, and Ezra glanced up. He simply looked at Nathan and attempted a feeble smile. Ezra then reached over and reached for Josiah's hand. Josiah put down the Bible and took Ezra and JD's hand, and the circle was complete. Seven men stood in silent prayer, and the only sound was Anabelle's breathing. There seemed to be a power generating from the seven men, and it looked as if Anabelle was getting stronger by the second.
They remained silent for a few more minutes, until Ezra broke the chain.
"I'm going after the coach," he said, glancing back at Anabelle. He paused and pointed at her. "If she dies, they'll pay," he whispered in a choked voice and hurried out of the room. Chris and Buck glanced at Anabelle once more, and they hurried out of the room. Josiah and Nathan followed them, leaving Vin and JD alone with Anabelle.
"Are you okay Vin?" JD asked, concerned about the worry that clouded over the trackers eyes. Vin nodded, walking up to Anabelle's side.
"Yea, I'll be okay," he said, taking Anabelle's thin hand in his own. He squeezed it slightly, and JD saw a single tear make it's way down Vin's cheek.
"Vin..." JD said, genuinely worried about him. Vin stood up quickly.
"I'm--I'm okay, don't worry. It's just hard t'see her just lying there like that, you know?" Vin said, remembering the fire that had once burned in Anabelle's eyes. JD nodded, and Vin turned and hurried out of the room.
"JD," A voice said, strained. JD jumped, and turned towards Anabelle.
"Ana," he breathed, and he rushed over to Anabelle. Her head stirred slightly and JD grabbed her hand. She tried to sit up but JD gently pushed her back down. "Don't strain yourself," he said gently, his voice shaking in excitement. "Let me get the others," JD said, started to stand up.
"No!," Anabelle said as strongly as she could. JD turned and walked back over to her.
"What is it?" he asked, and Anabelle just shook her head.
"Let them go, I don't want to stop them," she said. "They have to find the coach," Anabelle said. "You stay," she said simply, laying back on the pillow. JD watched her, his heart filled with love for her.
"How do you feel?" he asked, and she sighed.
"Like I got run over by a coach," she said. "Ace spooked at some thunder, and the last thing I remember is him rearing," she explained, then looked at JD worriedly. "Ace...where's Ace?" she said, sitting up quickly. The movement caused her to sway and fall back on the pillow rubbing her head. "Ow," she muttered.
"Ace is okay he came back please don't do that," JD said in a rush, afraid that Anabelle might injure herself even more. Anabelle relaxed and glanced into JD's dark eyes. His heart leapt into his throat as he remembered what he had been saying at the bar. "Listen, Anabelle, about what I was saying at the bar..." JD started, afraid that if he didn't say what he had to say right then he may never try to again. However, Anabelle stopped him and put a finger to his lips.
"Shh...don't worry about it. I know what you were going to say, and I know about that whole incident. It wasn't your fault. I personally don't see how your bullet his Miss Anna, and I certainly don't blame you," Anabelle said. She quietly lowered her hand and smiled slightly at JD's astonished face,
"But how...how'dya know?" he asked in extreme surprise.
"My Nanna still hears from Ezra sometimes," Anabelle said. JD realized that Ezra must have mentioned the incident at the bank in one of his letters to Maude, his mother and Anabelle's Nanna. Still staring into Anabelle's eyes, JD leaned down and kissed her quickly.
"I love you Ana," he said simply, holding her hand.
"And I love you too JD," she replied. It was then that JD realized that everything was going to be alright. The storm had passed, and the sky was clearing for the people of Four Corners.