Louie rubbed his knuckles in his eyes as he yawned. "Festus?"
There was no response from the deputy so Louie rolled over and sat up looking over to the empty cot across the small room. He called out again, "Festus..." Perhaps he was helping the marshal or feeding Ruth.
Louie pushed himself up from the cot and ambled to the open door. "Festus?" His voice was rough.
The deputy was nowhere in sight. Louie walked slowly to the main door of the livery when he spotted someone out of the corner out of his eye. "Oh, hello." His mellow voice sounded as soft as the words spoken and he smiled. "I haven't seen you around Dodge lately."
The figure shook their head and then whispered a "no."
"Are you looking for someone?" Louie asked.
The figure nodded and pointed to Louie, then motioned for him to come closer.
"Me? What do you want to see me about?" Louie moved toward the figure.
The person pointed out to the street and Louie looked. He saw nothing in particular and he was about to turn back when a red hot pain ripped thought his body. He staggered away from the figure and gasped in pain and managed to yell out for help. His forward motion took him out to Front Street where he collapsed with a large kitchen knife protruding from his back.
The assailant fled out the back door of the livery as Matt and Doc hurried down to the street, seeking the source of the call for help.
Newly was awakened by the clamor and quickly exited the jail house where he was staying the night. His eyes immediately spotted Louie and he ran toward the prone man. As he knelt down he heard Louie trying to say something. "Louie, it's me. Newly. Just hold on there and I'll get Doc."
Newly was about to stand and fetch Doc but both Doc and Matt were hurrying to the scene. Doc knelt down quickly and felt for a pulse and he closed his eyes with thanks as he felt one. It was weak but it was there. "Get Louie up to my office, quickly. There isn't much time..." Matt and Newly carefully hoisted Louie up and Matt carried him carefully to Doc's office.
Festus heard the commotion through the open door. He stood holding tightly onto the bars that held him prisoner. "Oh, Louie..." A glitter of tears welt in his hazel eyes as he closed them the tears ran down his tanned weather cheeks. Slowly the rested his forehead on one of the cold iron bars. "Oh, Louie..."
