Author's note: With sincerest apologies to David Adams Richards and the producers of the movie adaption of his novel For Those Who Hunt the Wounded Down, an excellent movie you should check out when you get the chance for watching it. There are quite some parallels between some of his characters and mine, as well as a strong resemblance between the deer stories which are told in both places.

Dedicated to Dan Ker, who made me write the story in first place. After we had watched the movie together, I was pondering about Jerry Bines' sorry end and how good the plot would fit into an Old West scenario. There had to be some place in time and space where things went a different way. She just said, "Then write it!". So, here we are.

This story has been part of the Virtual Season 2022.

Thanks to Penski and Moonshadow, who helped me to get the show on the road.

And many thanks to my co-author Hanna Heyes for a brilliant Hannibal Heyes plan I wouldn't have come up with. You're the best! :-)


Chapter 1

The West has some amazing landscapes and Heyes and Curry were riding through one of them: soft tree-covered rises separated by lovely green valleys. Everything looked lush and fresh and – soaked, including our boys. Soaked, that is. Otherwise, they appeared worse for wear. Their horses and gear were dirty and covered with mud in different states of desiccation. In a slow walk, they plodded their way up yet another rise.

Kid Curry's face showed clear signs of displeasure while Heyes was beaming with joy, chattering and enjoying the view. "Isn't it a lovely day? The sun's shining and illuminating the leaves so pretty."

"About time it shines," Kid Curry growled. "Didn't see it the past ten days! Never had so much rain this time of the year around here."

"That's why it's so pretty! Everything's growing and glowing and bursting with life." The dark-haired one underlined his words with a sweeping gesture, indicating their surroundings.

His partner wasn't quite as impressed. "Yeah, great. Let's hope the creek isn't burstin' out, too."

"C'mon, Kid, stop worrying."

"You said you like me worried, 'cause I'd be more alert."

"Alert and sulking are not quite the same," Heyes lectured gently, "and right now I could do with a less cloudy face at my side. There's a sure ford and the creek isn't running high this time of the year anyway."

Side by side they reached the peak where they reined in their mounts. Heyes' smile faltered visibly.

"You mean the time of the year it never rains...?" Kid Curry deadpanned.

Below them the view opened to a wide riverbed filled with gurgling, muddy water. The surface looked treacherously calm, but the occasional tree branches and bushes floating downstream told about a strong undercurrent. Crossing the stream was a heavy wagon, fighting the steady pull of the flood.

Heyes and Curry exchanged a long look. Heyes' face twitched self-consciously. He took off his hat, ran his slender fingers through his hair, replaced the hat, pushed it back on his head, then pulled it forward. In the end he looked at his partner again and shrugged. "At least we'll be clean soon."

His blond partner huffed and glared at him.

In unison they turned their heads and faced the river again.

The prairie schooner had made it almost to the far side when the team of draft horses balked and refused to take one more step. The usually even-tempered creatures were shaking their heads and rearing up, causing heavy jolts to the carriage. A blond boy, pale, about five years old, sat in the front holding the reins.

A young, and equally blonde, slender woman was trying to calm the beasts down and coax them forward with soothing gestures. Her long, braided hair and dress were soaked, for the flood reached well over her waist. At the back of the wagon, a slim man supported her efforts by pushing the resisting vehicle from behind, but to no avail. The tumbling and spinning debris carried by the water spooked the horses even more and made it difficult for the folks to keep their footing.

Just then a large tree trunk bumped into the wagon and all hell broke loose. The horses finally lost it, screamed and started pushing and pulling in different directions. The jolt and the scared cries of woman and child occurred almost at the same time, as the boy lost his grip and fell into the flood. The woman dropped the halter, reaching for the kid, but couldn't fetch him before he disappeared under the opaque surface.

Ignoring the distance separating them, the man lunged for him and failed, too. Still, he followed the boy, barely able to navigate in the strong current which played with their bodies like dolls. It forced them to drift further apart until it threw the man against a boulder, leaving him stunned and trying to regain his bearings.

Heyes and Curry exchanged a quick glance, a curt nod, and spurred their horses into breakneck speed. Nearing the riverbank, they parted, forcing their animals to leap into the churning waters simultaneously.

[Well known trailer]

Once in the water, Kid Curry went downstream, scanning the part of the river where the boy's head appeared now and then in the seething flood. As fast as possible, he approached the child trying to catch him. When he bent down to pick him up, the remainders of a bush were carried their way, reeling and turning. The Kid's horse reared up and sent its rider tumbling into the water. Fighting to keep his head above the surface, Curry refused to let go of either the boy or the reins. Struggling against the current and his jibbing horse, he pulled the child closer, shoved him up into the saddle and then pulled himself up behind him.

Meanwhile, Heyes steered his horse towards the man plastered to the rock and reached down.

The soaked man, who looked a few years younger than his rescuer, clasped his forearm with a smile of gratitude and hauled himself up with Heyes' support. Barely up on the horse's back, he turned his head, watching out for the boy. Once he saw him safe in the stranger's arms, his stance relaxed.

Slowly trudging through the deep water, Heyes' mount carried its two riders to the wagon. When they reached their destination, his fellow passenger slipped down and checked on the woman while Heyes fished for the reins of the draft animals. Trying to gain control, he pushed his own mount against the panic-stricken team, talking and soothing them with calming noises.

With joined efforts they got the wagon into movement again and directed it up a low slope out of the riverbed. Sheltered by a copse of trees, they halted, high enough above the water to be on the safe side of any unwelcome surprises by nature's force.

Heyes dismounted and slumped against the wagon beside the young man, both of them trying to catch their breath. They exchanged a brief smile and a curt nod.

The woman hurried towards the river instead, where the Kid's horse climbed up the bank in slow strides, the beast as tired as its riders. Neither the muddy wet dress, nor the tousled hair, diminished her grace. Reaching up, she took the child that Curry was handing over to her into her arms. With tears shimmering in her eyes, she pressed the boy tight against her chest as if she would never let him go again. "Are you alright, Billy?"

The boy nodded weakly.

"Your boy's alright, ma'am. A mite shaken and soaked, but nothin' some rest and a hot meal won't cure." The blond outlaw slipped off his horse, his shoulders slumped down, reins in his left hand and favoring his right arm. His partner's eyes followed his every move under furrowed brows.

"Oh dear, you're hurt! How are you?" the young woman exclaimed.

When Kid Curry answered, his eyes darted into Heyes' direction. "It's nothin', really. Sprained my wrist when I wrangled with my horse."

"Thank God, and thank you, Mister...?"

"Jones. Thaddeus Jones, ma'am," the Kid offered, facing the woman in front of him again, and tipped his hat with his left hand.

"God bless you, Mister Jones. I'm Delilah Brock," the woman introduced herself and then turned to the wagon, indicating her companion. "And this is..."

"...Jack Odium," the young man beside Heyes threw in, his voice soft and gentle. Turning to his neighbor, he proffered his hand with a brief smile.

He was a man of lean but wiry build, his face angular and covered in three-day stubble of undefined color. His striking bright eyes were calm and observant, shaded by a mop of mud-blond hair of middle length.

Heyes sought brief eye contact with his partner before he accepted the hand of his new acquaintance, smiling brightly. "Joshua Smith, pleased to meet you. Looks like we've got here in just the nick of time."

"Heaven-sent." Delilah's voice was filled with gratitude and relief.

Jack surveyed the ex-outlaws, his eyes lingering just a moment too long on the other men's tied down guns, then mirrored Heyes' smile. "Yeah, thanks. Thanks a lot."

"Don't mention it," Heyes replied. "Nothing anyone else wouldn't have done, too."

"It's nothing to be taken for granted." Delilah shifted the weight of the boy to her other hip as she started towards the wagon. "You've got to stay with us."

Jack's head snapped around. He furrowed his brows almost imperceptibly, but she held his stare and insisted, "We owe you, and we would be honored, if you'd have supper with us."

"It'd be our pleasure, ma'am," Heyes accepted. "You don't mind us changing out of our wet clothes, first?"

"No, not at all. We all need to get dry and warm again. Jack, would you get a fire started while I take care of Billy?"

"Of course, ma'am," the addressee replied.

Delilah smiled at him briefly, then lifted the boy up on the wagon and followed him inside.

Clad in dry clothes, they gathered around the fire where Delilah had a stew and biscuits on its way. She had changed into a modest dress and apron which underlined her natural beauty.

Seated on logs or their bedrolls, everyone enjoyed the spreading warmth as well as Delilah's cooking.

"It's delicious, ma'am. I haven't had such a fine meal in ages," Kid Curry told her between two bites.

"Why, thank you, Mr. Jones. I just wish you could enjoy it more with your hand hurting." She nodded toward the injured limb, which was wrapped up in a bandage by now.

"Thaddeus, ma'am. It's nothin' really."

"So, you think you could manage another helping?"

"I wouldn't say no, ma'am," he answered with a happy, boyish smile.

"Delilah," she offered while she refilled his plate, much to Kid Curry's delight.

His partner flashed him a wolfish grin which earned him a scowl in return. Heyes' lips twitched as he suppressed a comment. Instead, he turned his attention to Jack who attended to the meal in silence, but with vigilant eyes. "So, you're heading south?"

Jack merely nodded.

"Just like us. You're aiming for Silverton?"

"Somethin' less crowded. Durango, maybe. It's up to Missus Brock, my employer."

"Ah." Heyes nodded and darted a brief look towards her. "Of course. She couldn't travel alone as woman. Not in times like this, with prospering mines attracting all kind of folks with all sorts of intentions."

Jack nodded again. "Yeah, I'll get them there safely to start their new life."

"I hope you will. There's a lot of trouble out there."

"You mean men like Racine?" Delilah threw in.

Her employee's face lost all expression, as did his voice. "Racine? Lou Racine?"

"Yes. There are rumors about a prison break in the Territorial Penitentiary in Cañon City, him gathering his old gang. I heard it at the general store where we picked up supplies. The man has killed two guards and is said to be very dangerous."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Jack's eyes narrowed, and his voice had an almost imperceptible edge to it.

"I didn't think it important. He means nothing to us, does he?" The woman's blue eyes were big with surprise.

When the young man didn't answer, Heyes stepped into the breach. "Men like him should always be taken seriously." Facing Jack, he added, "You know him?"

"Seen him long time ago. A lifetime ago." Swiftly, his eyes flickered to Billy.

Heyes followed his look and threw a sideways glance to his partner before he flashed a reassuring smile. "Cañon City is not on our way. I doubt he'll be heading our direction. If he's smart, he's half-way down to Mexico by now."

"Yeah, sure. Smart. That's what he's known for," Jack answered, the look in his eyes betraying his even voice. "We better keep watch tonight, if it's alright with you. You mind me takin' the first turn?"

"Sure. It's fine with us. C'mon, Thaddeus, let's check on the horses before we turn in for the night."

"Thanks for the hospitality. The cookin' was delicious, Delilah," Kid Curry added and tipped his hat before he and his friend stepped into the falling darkness.

Delilah moved around the fire and sat down beside her employee. Gently, she laid her hand on his arm. "What is it... Jack?"

The young man kept silent, but his face closed up even more. His jaw tight, his eyes hard and cold he stared into the fire.

"Same old story?" she asked softly.

"Yeah, old story." His eyes smoldered in the darkness. Just a moment later the hard expression disappeared, and an infectious smile split his face and lit up his eyes. "But how are you? And how's Billy?"

Delilah couldn't help but smile back at him, before she went serious again. "He's not doing well. We need to get into town and soon."

"It'd be best if we could avoid folks for a while, but I guess we've got no choice." The happy expression on Jack's face was wiped away in a blink. "Dang!" he busted out and punched the ground in a sudden outburst of violence.

Delilah didn't as much as flinch, just watched him in silence. Immediately his hot temper ceased. "So, what do you think? Are we moving on together?"

"Guess we should ask them," Jack murmured, his eyes filled with unspoken thoughts.

"Do you think they mean a threat?"

He pursed his lips, but then shook his head briefly.

"So...?" Delilah inquired.

"I don't like the way they carry their guns. Looks like they draw the wrong kind of attention."

"Jack, they were nothing but kind. And they helped us when they had no need to. If Billy really gets sick..."

"Yeah, I know. We'll need any help we can get." Jack ran his hands over his face. "Guess, we'll just keep our eyes open." His look wandered into the darkness where their new companions had disappeared.

As silence stretched, he turned and faced Delilah again, his eyes gently caressing her face.

-o-o-o-

Meanwhile the boys had tended to the horses, and Heyes checked on Kid Curry's hand.

"Jack Odium?" the blond said in a mocking voice, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

Heyes nodded and smiled, removing the bandage. "Yeah, a man with a past. Most likely a man like us."

"You know him?"

"Nope, haven't seen him before. But I know Racine – and he knows me."

"He as bad a guy as they say?"

"Worse. He's mad like a dog, and there's more blood on his hands than running in his veins. Guess he had nothing left to lose when he decided to take the chance and go for a break-out. Wouldn't mind a couple of dead men more on his slate."

"You think he's headin' this way?"

Doubt showed up in Heyes' dark-brown eyes. "I don't know, but Jack seems to be sure."

"Why?"

"Some old story? He said he knows him, and he looked rather concerned. Maybe a score to settle?"

"You think Jack's that kinda guy?"

"Doesn't strike me that way, but who knows? Looks can be deceptive. Just look at you. Who would take you as the fastest gun in the West by face value?" Heyes teased, as he moved and prodded the Kid's injured wrist. "Knowing Racine, I doubt he's gathering his old gang. If he's not straight due south yet, he's out for revenge. And he won't chance meeting the hangman's daughter in leaving witnesses behind."

"Ouch! Be careful!" his partner complained. "You wanna get outta here?"

"I don't think we have that choice," Heyes said seriously.

"Why not?"

"You can't handle your gun..."

"Yeah, bad luck at its worst. But we wouldn't need my gun, if we'd make a run for it."

"...and we can't run, because you can't handle a horse with a swollen paw like this either." Heyes put more force than necessary into the task of dressing the hand again.

Kid Curry sucked in a breath and snapped, "You care about your horse! I care about mine! I can handle my horse anytime with my left. Nothing I haven't done in the past."

"Yeah, with a good enough reason."

"And Racine isn't good enough a reason?"

"It's not like it's life or death. He knows me, so what's he gonna do? Run to the sheriff and get arrested?" Heyes told him softly. "We don't even know if he's coming our way."

"We could play it safe."

"And leave Delilah and the kid behind?" Kid Curry's eyes grew hard, and Heyes nodded before he continued, "Jack might be a good man, but whatever it is, he has a history with Racine. You think he can handle him alone?"

"I don't know. Do you?"

"Nope, and I very much doubt you'd take a chance. See – no leaving." Heyes smiled briefly, his voice was tight, but fondness warmed his dark eyes. "Let's go to sleep. Maybe things will look better in the morning."