Festus made a pot of coffee over the small fire. The night seemed cool. Matt sipped from his cup and his eyes watched Festus. The hillman paced around the parameter of the dark watching for something out in the shadows. Finally Matt broke the silence. "Festus? Just what on earth are you looking for?"
Festus turned on his heels. "Matthew. I heard back in town...from some old farmer, that thar was a mad cat out this way..." Festus scrunched up his left eye and sighed . "I jist hope ol' Doc and Miss Kitty don't have that thing to tangle with. Why, a mangy cat like that could track a wounded animal until it dropped fer days, ifin it got its way. The only way to stop em is ta shot em..." he turned back looking into the dark night.
"I'm sure that Doc and Kitty are just fine and waiting at the stage stop. I suspect that the telegraph lines might have come down in the storm. Why don't you sit down and have a coffee. We'll set out at first light." Matt tried to calm his friend, even if what he said seemed like a glorified cover-up or sad excuse in reasoning.
"Sure, Matthew..." Festus slowly and methodically walked with his spurs jingling back to the fire. "I sure do hope yer right. Can't imagine that ol' scutter having to fend fer himself anyhow. Why, Matthew, you should see the fixing's he takes fishin'! Why no self-respecting fish would glum on to half those things he's got!" Festus ranted and yet deep down inside he knew that both Doc and Kitty were in trouble.
Matt could only half chuckle. He was equally deeply concerned with both Kitty's and Doc's well being. He sipped more coffee back as he watch Festus settle down and pour a cup for himself.
Doc looked more closely at his leg, while Kitty applied the dressing. "Hum...that don't look so good. And this situation doesn't either." he groaned while holding his thigh tightly with his hands, hoping to stop the pain.
"What do you mean by that?" Kitty looked up into his pale blue eyes which were filled with pain and fear. Doc rested his head back on the rock and took a deep breath and blinked his eyes before looking back at her. The fire cast eerie shadows on the rock face behind him and yet cast a warm glow over his face. "This is gonna slow us down a might." Kitty continued with her dressing noting what he said. "That cat will be back. I didn't kill it, ya know..." he continued.
"Doc. Could you be just a bit more..." Kitty searched for words, "up beat? Just maybe you wounded it enough that is will run off and die." She now tugged hard on the bandage which cause the doctor to wince. "I'm really scared too, you know..." she finished.
Doc hung his head. "I'm sorry Kitty. I just don't know what to do right now. I should, but I don't." He looked up into her blue eyes. "I kinda wish Festus or Matt was here, that's for sure..." He ran his hand over his moustache then looked deeply into the dark. "That cat will be back, and we both know that..."
Kitty had finished with Doc's leg and moved next to him. "Her, honey. Take this, it's cool tonight." he said as he wrapped his coat over her shoulders. "The fire will keep me warm enough. Now you get some sleep. I'll keep watch."
Kitty wanted to say something but her mouth opened and nothing came out as she realized that anything right now would be defeated. She nuzzled against the doctor's shoulder. "Let me know when I can spell you off..."
"Sure thing." He pat her shoulder. "Night Kitty." he said again looking deeply into the night.