*Okay, I didn't want to do this to you guys, but this chapter starts the string of sad chapters. Here you will know which major character is going to perish, although I think you already know who. I promise I will explain why I chose that character. Read on if you dare!*
"Come on, she's this way!" Carl shouted. He, Rosetta, and Jessie rode on Bullseye as quickly as they could back to the ditch. Angelica was sitting with Zach when she heard Bullseye's hooves hitting the ground.
"Jack! Jack, Carl is back. He brought Jessie and Rosetta with him!" She cried happily. Carl dismounted from Bullseye and helped the girls down. Rosetta ran to Angelica.
"Rose!" Zach cried, hugging her.
"Hi Zach! Angie! You're both okay!" She said, embracing her.
"As are you, my dear. Good to see you. And Jessie, thank God!"
"Angelica. Jessie said, hugging her. Are you alright? Carl said your foot was hurt."
"Crushed by a boulder, nothing to worry about. It's Bo I'm concerned for. Jack needs your help, now." Jessie nodded and she and Rosetta climbed down with Carl. Jack saw them and hugged Rosetta.
"Wee lass, you shouldn't see your mother like this." He said holding her.
"I want to be here. I need to see her." Rosetta said. Jack released her and she walked over to her mom. She gaped when she saw her eye.
"Mama, can you hear me?" She asked, taking her mom's hand.
"Ro, Rose?" Bo said, opening her good eye. She saw her daughter standing beside her and sighed with relief. "Oh my dar, darling girl. Thank th, the stars you're alright."
"I'm fine, mom. Try not to move, we're going to get this brick off of you."
"Grab a side, me hearties!" Jack shouted. They each grabbed a corner. "On three. One, two, three, lift!" They all lifted the brick, heaving and huffing until they were able to move it to the side. Bo let out a deep breath and coughed. Rosetta saw her mom's legs and gasped.
"Auntie." She said, grabbing Jessie's arm.
"Sweet cheese and crackers. Jessie whispered. We have to move her."
"I got her, Jessie." Jack said. He carefully placed one hand on Bo's back, and the other around her waist, slowly lifting her up. Slowly and swiftly, he carried her up and out of the ditch and lay her on the soft grass, away from any further danger. Jessie went to her.
"Bo. Bo, I'm here. You're okay now. It's going to be okay." She said. Bo moaned and looked at her.
"My legs are gone, aren't they?" She asked. Jessie gulped and then shook her head.
"Yes. Yes, they are, Bo, but we can find you new ones, better ones. Ones that aren't porcelain..."
"No, Jess. Lo, look at me. My legs are gone, along wi, with my eye and arm. I'm bro, broken beyond repair."
"Don't say that. We can fix you, we just need to..."
"Jessie. Look." The cowgirl did as Bo moved her hand from her chest. Several cracks had formed along it, some ready to break away. Bo looked at her with sad blue eyes. "Th, that brick did me in, Jess. I'm not going to make it much longer." Jessie looked down at her friend. She knew in her heart that she was right, but she wasn't ready to give up yet. Beside them, Jack removed his hat and held onto Angelica, who held onto Zach. Rosetta took her mom's hand.
"Mama, no. No, we can save you. We just need to get to a safe place and then we'll find someone to help you. You just need to hang on." Bo gripped her daughter's hand.
"I can try, baby, but I don't think I can make it." Rosetta closed her eyes, crying. "Oh my dear, it's okay. I knew wh, what I was risking wh, when I went to find help. I would risk it all again if it meant you, your father, and our family were safe." Rosetta's eyes snapped open and turned to look at Jessie. Bo looked at her daughter and sister in-law. "Woody is safe, right Jess?" Jessie hesitated for a minute. How could she tell her that her husband was still in danger? She took a deep breath.
"Buzz and the others are with him. Jessie fine said. They are trying to find a way to get him out safely."
"So he is still alive. That's good. I'm glad you found him." Bo took a breath. "Can, can I ask you to go back an, and bring him here? So I can, so I can say..." She closed her eye and swallowed hard. "Goodbye?" Rosetta broke down, sobbing. Jessie closed her eyes tight, trying her best to hold back tears.
"Y, yes. Of course I can. Rose, honey?" She motioned for Rosetta to follow her. They both got up and walked away from Bo. Rosetta looked at her aunt.
"You're going back? No, there has to be more we can do for mom, there has to be!" She cried. Jessie pulled her towards her and hugged her tightly. When she pulled away, tears were streaming down her face.
"You know if there was more I could do, Rose, I would. Jessie whispered. But I'm afraid, due to the extent of her injuries, there is not much more we can do for her except make sure she is comfortable. I need you to keep her calm and keep her talking until I get back. Can you do that for me?" Rose took a long, deep breath before nodding.
"Yes, I can do that." She went to turn away, but turned back and hugged her again. "Please be careful, auntie Jessie. I love you."
"I love you more, sugar plum." She kissed her cheek. Then she ran and jumped onto Bullseye's back. "Giddy up, boy! Back to Woody and the others. Yah!"
*For those who said it was Bo...I'm sorry! You are right. There will be a reason, which I will explain later. I don't hate Bo, that's not why I'm doing this to her. I promise to explain!*
