Lost In Limbo
Ben's reaction after Search In Limbo
The taste of bile filled his mouth as his body flew into an interminable drop. His hands were bound behind his back with no hope of grabbing the rope in what would be a useless attempt to prolong his life. Perspiration beaded on his forehead while his tortured mind anticipated the snap that would end it all. Ben jerked in his sleep when his subconscious mind abruptly ended his fall and took control by changing the scene. Unaware of what he was doing, Ben reached for the back of his head. The throbbing pulse of pain felt as real as the day it all happened. The howl of the wind and the beat, beat, beat of the tree branches banging against the hotel sign haunted his dream. He felt the ominous clench of his gut as in his mind's eye he looked up the stairway leading to Sid Langley's office. Dizzy with pain, he climbed the stairs with unsteady steps and cautiously pushed open the door. Langley's taunting laughter filled the room. A sudden glint of light reflected off the revolver Zina Harris pulled from the holster hanging on the coat tree. And then there was the powder flash and the shot rang out. A wad of cash flew from the panicked man's hand as Langley staggered toward him. Sid Langley's pleading voice echoed over and over in Ben's swirling mind.
"Ben! Ben!"
Ben thrashed and moaned in his sleep as he relived the shooting again and again. But then another voice broke into his nightmare.
"Pa? Pa? Are you ok?" Jamie's face held an odd glow in the light of the lamp he held. "Pa?"
Ben's frantic movements slowed as the tormenting dream began to dissipate.
"Jamie.", he breathed out in relief.
"Yeah, Pa, it's me. Sounded like you were having a real bad dream."
Ben heaved a great sigh. "Yes, but I'm fine now. Sorry to worry you. You can go on back to bed."
As Jamie stepped toward his father, Ben brushed back his silver hair and sat up on the edge of his bed. The boy set the lamp on the nightstand and slid onto the foot of the bed.
Ben offered him a weak smile. "Really, I'm fine. You need your rest. Go on now and get back to bed."
"Would it help to talk about it?"
There was a low rumble in Ben's chest. His youngest son's caring heart was only outpaced by his determined spirit.
"Let's just say, I haven't quite come to grips with everything that happened in Mountain City. That's all."
Jamie gazed intently into his father's tired eyes for a moment and then nodded. "Alright then. Goodnight, Pa."
Picking up his lamp, the young man headed for the door.
"Jamie - I do appreciate your concern. Goodnight, son."
Jamie turned to give a little shrug and his lips curled into a satisfied smile. "Sweet dreams, Pa", he whispered before pulling the door closed.
Ben blew out a deep breath and climbed back under the covers.