THE BEGUILEMENT OF KID CURRY- Chapter Thirteen

Kid had a split second decision to make; stop and search the house or find the hole or grave as Marie had described it. His instincts drew him to the pile of dirt set close to the black gum tree and the barn. He spurred his horse toward the hole.

Kid quickly slid off his horse, half blinded by the increasing rain. He held his gun ready as he cautiously peered into the hole. Someone was struggling in the dirt that was rapidly turning into mud. Kid saw the hand claw at the dirt but it was evident it was becoming a hopeless effort. The hand struggled then fell away, laying silent on the wet dirt.

Kid holstered his gun and without care for his own safety jumped into the hole and on hands and knees began feverishly digging.

"HEYES! HEYES!"

He clawed at the wet dirt, frantically pushing it aside until Heyes' face was exposed. Heyes lay unmoving with his eyes closed.

"NoNoNoNoNo! Don't you die on me!"

If he had been a split second too late, he could never have forgiven himself.

Kid pulled his dirty gloves off with his teeth, turning his head to the side to quickly spit the dirt out. He took one hand and squeezed Heyes' mouth open, as his other hand snaked two fingers into his mouth trying to remove the dirt. He carefully maneuvered his fingers so as not to push more dirt down his partner's throat. With his hand now free, he took off his wet bandana and cleared Heyes' mouth and nose then slapped him sharply across his cheeks. Kid felt Heyes jerk and let out a long gasp, which immediately caused coughing spasms.

Kid tried to work Heyes to a more upright position trying to help him get much needed air. Heyes felt like his chest had been crushed, every cough causing intense pain. The gritty earthy taste of the dirt that coated his mouth and teeth made him sick to his stomach. Heyes wiped a cautious hand across his eyes, carefully opening them for fear more dirt would fall into them. He blinked back the rain that fell in his eyes but it did help wash some of the dirt away.

"Do you know where Martha is?" Kid asked as he continued to dig.

Heyes gave him a quick shake of his head as he looked up towards the edge of the hole. The mere shake of his head caused intense pain. He reached a hand to the back of his head and felt a painful lump, stinky with dirt and blood.

Kid finally had Heyes' upper body exposed and tried to pull him upright but something held his lower body firm. Kid realized Heyes was not alone. He crawled to the end of the hole and quickly revealed a piece of a girl's dress. Kid rapidly uncovered Amy's body.

"AMY?! AMY?!"

Kid frantically cleared the dirt from her face and mouth, trying desperately to find any sign of life. Foam dripped from her mouth. There was a nasty gash on her face that was caked with dirt and blood. Her lips were blue as she lay limp in his hands. There were small red and purple splotches on the face and neck

Kid knew he was too late.

Kid turned away from Amy, still cradled in his arms and met Heyes' eyes. There was horror and pain etched in Kid's face. Heyes struggled to free himself and crawled towards Kid, ignoring the pain in his leg.

"Amy!" He managed to choke out. "Kid...she tried to save me," Heyes said between coughs. Guilt consumed Heyes. "Help her...please Kid."

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Martha watched from the partially open barn door as Kid rode up. She started to level the shotgun but lowered it when she saw Kid jump off his horse and into the hole. She would have to thank him later for making it easy on her. All that was left was a couple of well placed shotgun blasts and refilling the hole. With the steady rain, the walls of the hole would become slick as ice. They were trapped.

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Marie ran as fast as she could, into the woods towards the temporary safe haven. The girls always called it a cave but it was really a small bunker that was buried deep in the woods. Her feet slid on the wet ground, as she stumbled through the thick woods; low branches clawed at her face and clothes.

When she finally reached the opening she banged on the old wooden trap door.

"IT'S ME!" She yelled, trying not to scream.

Marie heard several attempts to open the door until it finally was pushed open enough so she could squeeze through the opening.

Most of the girls were huddled in the corner of the cramped bunker. Their eyes were red and puffy. They look terrified and confused. An oil lamp, sitting in the corner, was turned low.

Grace reached out and placed a hand on Marie's arm, "Are you okay? What's happening?" She struggled to keep her voice under control so as not to scare the younger girls more.

Marie wiped a quick hand across her face and looked at it, realizing she was bleeding.

"Where's Amy?" Olivia asked.

Marie shook her head, "I don't know. I don't know." she answered, trying to catch her breath. "Thaddeus is here...He told me to run. We have to go back. We have to go back and help," she said with a newfound confidence and strength.

"We don't have any weapons. What can we do? Why is she doing this?" Olivia asked as tears started to run down her face.

Marie looked Olivia in the eyes and said softly. " You know why...You have always known. Don't pretend you don't know where the bodies are buried." Marie turned away from her, "We have plenty of weapons." She said as she started back up the small wooden ladder. "Come on, we have to help. You know we won't be safe here for long. Olivia stay with Emily and Alicia."

"NO!" The younger girls screamed in unison. "DON'T LEAVE US!" They fled from the corner and started up the ladder.

The girls climbed the ladder out into the rain. Marie held her apron out as she gathered rocks and placed them in it. They watched her for several seconds before quickly gathering rocks too. The younger girls each grabbed a large stick and hurried after the older girls.

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