While emptying the safe of the Chrysler City Bank had been easy, escaping proved to be far harder than any of the gang had figured it would be.
Instead of the inexperienced young deputy being on duty as they'd expected, they were facing the more experienced and horribly efficient Sheriff .
It was doubtful they would have even attempted the robbery had they known the deputy was ill and at home, as the older man was smart and diligent. As dusk fell, twenty minutes earlier than the deputy would have made his rounds, he'd recognised one of the tied up horses as belonging to a gang he'd chased not two weeks before. So he had quickly deputised a couple of suitable menfolk and also quietly assembled a small group of men all armed and decent shots.
He and the deputies had been waiting for the unsuspecting gang, as they exited the bank and easily captured three of them. The armed men started firing into the gathering gloom as the remainder of the gang had fled.
Kid had been winged as he ran for his horse, but somehow in the ensuing chaos, he'd avoided being caught, and had changed direction away from the horses, thinking that he'd have more chance of escaping by staying in the shadows and remaining on foot. The smell of his own blood seeping through his fingers, staining his hand and making it slick was making him nauseas, but he knew he couldn't dwell on that or he'd end up dead or captured. That was always the rule, if anything went wrong, it was every man for himself.
On reaching the edge of town, the Kid nearly stumbled over a prone form as a hand shot out to grab his ankle. With his heart pounding, he looked down and saw that it was Abe Jackson the second in command of his gang. Kid, seeing the blood staining his shirt, realised that he had been hit in the gut. With a wound as bad as his, it had taken some determination to get even as far as he had, but it was clear that his strength had failed and that he was very close to death.
Kid felt a wave of sadness sweep over him because he had a lot of respect for the tough ex soldier. He was responsible for instilling discipline in the gang, and while punishment for disobeying either him or their leader, could be painful, it was never excessive. Kid also admired the way he made sure that none of the men ever went too far during a robbery, or misbehaved too badly, in whatever town they spent their money in after.
Watching him dying so painfully was only adding to Kid's physical discomfort and his stomach lurched and twisted. For a dreadful few minutes he was even afraid he might actually be physically sick.
Abe watching him through slitted eyes, managed the smallest smile and briefly tightened his grip, before he gasped painfully, winced and loosened his hold completely. He thrust a heavy bag into Kid's hand on his injured side and said breathlessly. "Take it, boy... I can't use it where I'm goin' and better you than the law." With that he gave a final rattling breath and was still. The Kid knelt down next to him, not sure what to do, but as the sound of running feet came nearer, he quickly closed Jackson's eyes, then stood hurriedly, before running as fast as his wobbly legs would carry him, refusing the dwell on the memories that the situation had evoked in him.
He didn't stop until his legs buckled under him, and he fell to his knees some miles out of Chrysler, hopefully safe in the wilds.
As he knelt on the hard ground panting, his head thumping and his arm throbbing, he knew he had to get back to the hideout as quickly as he was able. He needed to know if any others of the gang had survived to flee and return to the cave. As without Abe to pull in their horns, he knew any remaining gang members, once they realised he had the money, wouldn't hesitate to hunt him down for it, under the assumption he'd stolen it. He was under no illusion that he'd survive that encounter and doubted he'd die quickly.
With this in mind he struggled to his feet, but the world span round him and he dropped back back to his knees. After several more attempts to stand, he finally got back to his feet, but exhausted, in pain and quite possibly in shock, he couldn't get his feet to move more than a few steps. He shivered, despite the warm night and figured the blood loss was likely partly the cause, though as he squinted at the wound, he could see that the bleeding had slowed to little more than drops.
It was too dark to see clearly, but ripping the left sleeve of his shirt, he managed to bind the wound, wincing in pain as he did so. He counted himself as lucky that the bullet wasn't still in there. Several deep breaths later, when he finally managed to control the spinning in his head, he decided while travelling any period tonight was out of the question, he could at east manage to get set up so he could survive the night.
Slowly looking round him, very grateful for the bright moon and twinkling stars, he pottered slowly round and eventually managed to gather enough to start a fire. During his slow exploration, he managed to find a stream where he quenched his thirst. It was too dark to hunt for anything to eat
About an hour later, he sat next to the fire, listening to the reassuring crackle and pop of the healthy blaze. Even with his Sherpa wrapped tightly round him and the shelter of the rocks, he was still slightly chilled despite the mild night, but he was comfortable enough given what he'd had to work with, and the fact he had nothing but the clothes he was wearing.
In spite of his determination to stay awake, he fell asleep, and when he was next aware, the sun had risen and the fire was only smouldering. He wasn't sure what had woken him, but then his sharp ears picked up nearing hoof beats. He span round, and squinted into the dawn. To his concern he saw what looked like a large dust cloud coming towards him. Damn, was that the townsfolk hoping to recover the money?
Kid didn't think anyone in the town had got a good look at him, so he was hopeful he'd be able to bluff his way out of this mess. Not for the first time, he wished that he and Heyes had managed to stop arguing enough to stay together, because he was sure his friend would have easily talked their way out trouble.
Knowing he had to hide the money as otherwise it's be game over, he clambered slightly stiffly to his feet, and found what he hoped was a good hiding place then made sure his wounded arm was covered and attempted to look like an innocent traveller.
As soon as he got a good look at the riders he realised he was in trouble. It was the Fuller gang, led by Milton Fuller, who knew exactly who he was and hated his guts. The whole of the group already had their guns drawn and they were soon pointing right at him. He held up his hands in a gesture of surrender, hoping that there might still be a way out of this for him.
"Well ain't this a pleasant reunion, son." Keeping his gaze on him, his face changing into an unpleasant smile Fuller added. "Ain't so cocky when you're outnumbered eh?"
Kid refused to show any of the fear that was sweeping through him and shrugged. "I ain't sorry Fuller, Ellie didn't deserve what you was trying to do to her!"
"Ellie was that her name? She were just a whore to me and I paid her plenty well enough to do what I wanted to her."
Kid gritted his teeth in anger, but didn't say anything as he remembered that day. No money would have been enough for what the man had expected. The saloon owner had obviously been reluctant to allow it, but too scared of Milton and his cohorts hadn't dared to disagree, leaving Ellie unsupported and facing a night full of pain.
Kid drinking at the bar, only a few days after he and Heyes had parted ways, watched it go down and feeling a little reckless had stepped in and chased off Fuller and his second.
Though even now, months later, despite the mess of trouble he was facing, he didn't regret it at all. He looked at the idiot defiantly, but with his hands still raised and replied calmly. "I ain't sorry for stoppin' ya." Despite knowing he really shouldn't say any more, he couldn't resist adding. "And you're still a walk-off."
Fuller's expression darkened and he obviously bit back on his temper as he said fiercely. "I ain't got time to argue with ya boy, so you just better tell me where the money is."
Kid lifted his chin and meeting Fuller's gaze said innocently. "What money?"
That was too much for the man and in an instant he was off his horse his rifle raised. Kid was sure he was about to die as he eyed the barrel, but simply kept his gaze steady, despite the pounding in his ears. Fuller instead of shooting him, spun his rifle and simply hit him hard on the side of the head with the butt, which left him sprawled in the dirt.
Kid surprised to find himself still alive, stared a little blearily up and couldn't help a grunt of pain, when with a malicious sounding laugh he was given a hard kick in the side as Fuller said. "Just in case we can't find the money, best keep you alive." He raised his voice and said loudly "Boys search for that cash as I know it's gotta be round here somewhere."
Kid didn't attempt to move, unwilling to provoke any further violence. He simply lay where he was, gasping hard, watching in some concern as the gang dismounted and started a methodical search of the area.
He wasn't sure how long it was, when as everything started to blur round him, there was the sound of cursing as someone said angrily" We can't find it nowhere Milt, little shit musta hid it well."
He found his head held in a hard grip, as Fuller leaned over him. His blackened teeth and bad breath making Kid's already unsettled stomach flip and threaten to rebel.
Still keeping a tight hold on him, Fuller again kicked him in the side, before lifting him half upright. Despite the burning pain in his shoulder, the ache in his side and his throbbing head, Kid refused to make a sound. Fuller angry at his lack of reaction, twisted his hair even tighter as he hissed in a voice cold enough that Kid felt a chill run through him. "You gonna tell me where you hid that money, boy?"
Kid bound and determined not to surrender, despite the agony, simply glared balefully up and spat in his face, before repeating. "What money?"
Fuller's grin widened and he shook him so hard, that Kid's teeth actually rattled. "Oh son, that weren't your best decision. But I think one of us is going to enjoy what comes next." He paused and added almost gleefully. "But it won't be you."
That was the last thing Kid knew, as then something smacked him hard in the side of the head, and everything went black.
ASJ
Heyes stared down at their unconscious prisoner, securely tied and already looking like he'd been beaten and sighed heavily. "Oh, Jed, you're a mess."
Heyes had joined the Fuller outfit in a gesture of desperation, a few weeks after The Plummer Gang had gone to pieces. He'd been broke and with a storm brewing had feared he'd die out in the cold. He was beginning to realise it had been a mistake. He had thought the Plummer Gang had been rough, but they looked like a bunch of missionaries next to this lot.