Chapter Eight
He didn't hear the shout that burst through his lips or the crack of the rifle, but he saw Slim go down. Jess started to run to his partner, the snow becoming dotted with bullets at his feet, and he was forced to change course, the outlaw's aim now directed at him. Leaping behind a rock, Jess' ribs collided with a jagged edge and he held in the pained reply that coursed through his throat, the wince on his face momentarily blinding him from Slim's prostrate position in the snow. As a wave of pain dissolved into something more tolerable, Jess raised his head, but Slim's body was no longer in sight. It was too soon for any relief to touch his core, but one tell-tale sign was there. The snow was still white where he had lain.
Jess darted his eyes back and forth, not knowing if the bullets still flew or if the gunshots had gone silent. He could no longer see the adversaries, but that didn't mean they weren't there. Any man toting a firearm with the intent to injure or kill could easily be well placed to pull the trigger again once their victim was in sight. Jess didn't have all the answers that he sought, especially where Slim was concerned, but he wasn't about to step into the open to find out and have a bullet take him down instead. At least, not yet. His hearing loss wasn't going to stand in the way of the life of his partner for long. If his eyes couldn't find any evidence of the good or evil around him soon, Jess would make a move, because he wasn't about to stay stuck behind a rock without fighting for what was most important to him, only because he couldn't hear the bullet that could possibly come for him.
"I'm all right, Jess," Slim said from his hunched down position where he had sought better safety. He bit his lip, as the words had come naturally out of his mouth even though he knew that his partner couldn't hear him. If it hadn't been for Jess' shout, Slim's life could have easily been lost, for the warning reached his ears just in time to drop his body into the snow as the bullet whizzed over his back.
"Do you see him?" Andy asked, his voice now coming out in only a croak.
"No," Slim shook his head, "I think he dove into the rocks behind us a ways back. He wasn't right behind me like you were."
Andy and Jonesy were tucked along his side, hidden between two rocks, their quarters rather tight, but for the moment, they were safe. The bullets had stopped, yet it was only a matter of time before the men that had fired them would start sniffing them out. Slim could no longer see them, but he knew they were there, just as he couldn't see Jess, but he knew he was there. But there was a difference. Jess couldn't obtain all of the knowledge that he had about the guns no longer exploding, or that a bullet hadn't ripped through Slim's flesh. And he knew what that lack of knowledge could force Jess to do, the results a strong possibility that Jess was soon to get shot.
"What're you thinking, Slim?" Jonesy asked, watching the expression shift on Slim's face and not liking what it meant.
"I've got to try to reach Jess," Slim answered, his eyes searching above him, but couldn't land on Cross, Janz or the half-breed. They were either finding a path to get down to their level, or positioned in such a way that as soon as a piece of flesh was exposed, someone was going to shoot it off.
"You can't go out there," Jonesy put his hand on Slim's arm, knowing the fatal possibilities just as well as Slim did.
"Better me that makes the first move than Jess," Slim said, pulling in a deep breath, ready to take the leap. "You two stay here."
Slim raised his body, the breath still held in his chest, and as soon as his foot hit the open space, he ran, the air staying silent around him, the only sound the crunching of his feet in the snow. His eyes found the back of Jess and the front of the surviving half-breed at nearly the same moment. Jess' body was rising along with the rifle, and although there was nothing wrong with Jess' vision, a snow-crusted boulder stood in his path, blocking Snake completely from his line of sight. And unlike Jess' shout that saved Slim from sudden peril, Slim couldn't offer the same kind of warning.
Increasing his pace, Slim rushed forward, not allowing the snow cover to hinder him, and just as the rifle's aim was completed, Slim's hands reached Jess' back. Creating a surprised cry from his throat, Slim jerked Jess downward, the bullet only clipping away another piece of fabric from Jess' arm as the two men went down. A rush of air burst through both men's lips from pain and relief at the jarring of their injuries upon their landing, but nothing new had been added to their afflictions. Yet, for how much longer would that remain? As long as someone carrying iron was still after them, their safety was only temporary. But for now, all that mattered was that their togetherness was now complete.
"I thought you got your head blowed off," Jess spoke tentatively, its lack of gravel not lost to Slim's ears.
"No," Slim shook his head, motioning each word with his hands as he barely spoke them aloud. "Trying to stop you from getting the same."
"Thanks," Jess smiled, gauging by the way Slim's eyes were searching that someone was coming, someone armed and rather unfriendly. "But what now?"
"I don't know," Slim said softly, more to himself than to Jess' silent ears. What would happen now? They had nothing. Not even the pocketknife that had aided them before was any use now. It remained on the floor of the cave where Jess had dropped it in his haste to stop the now dead half-breed from taking Andy.
But down below where they hid, waiting for the beast to strike, three men on the right side of the law had just entered the scene. The white and rocky landscape above them partially hid the group of four that they wanted to see, but it was no mystery where the lawbreakers were. One of them walked stealthily downward, his eyes fastened on a singular position, bringing the furrowing of furry eyebrows to finally find focus on the large man's destination.
"Looky there," Cade pointed upward, his shotgun rising with his gesture, "if it ain't that feller that looks like an Indian ready to cut loose on that honest feller and his friend. I wonder if I can hit him from here?"
He couldn't, not with his shotgun, but the loud report that was made when he triggered it brought a sudden shift of the half-breed's aim. Mort pulled Cade out of the line of fire behind a crop of rocks just in time to stop Judge Barnaby Cade from going to his reward, the bullets from Mose's gun sending a retreating step to the large feet that were above them. The battle had begun, lower versus higher, and those that were stuck in between could only watch as the guns spit their bullets at each other, and hope that only the enemy would fall.
"What is it?" Jess asked, turning his gaze in the same direction that Slim was faced, noting by the look in his partner's eyes that something was happening.
"More gunfire," Slim shaped his finger into a gun, pointing toward the lower level of the mountain.
"They slip behind us?" Jess asked, trying to catch a glimpse of Cross' suit or Janz' sneer. He was certain that even at that distance he would be able to see the shady man's constant expression. It would have been pure pleasure for Jess to smack it clean off of him, but above or behind him, Jess would never get the chance.
"No," Slim shook his head, touching Jess' arm to point with his other finger back above them. "They're still up there all right." Now Slim's finger guided Jess to the right location down below. "Someone's on our side."
The bullets took on a rapid back and forth pattern, the snow gaining more holes at its surface, the rocks taking their share of staccato beats as they bounced to another destination. Both sides were well placed, enough cover that a good shot couldn't properly be made, but the longer the gunplay continued, their ammunition was starting to lessen. Someone had to take a step forward to gain a better shot, or the job might not get completed. The star on Mort's chest made him that someone. He gave a look to his companions, showing them what he was going to do, and as they started the barrage to cover him, Mort stepped out into the open, his rifle waiting for perhaps its only chance. It soon came.
Snake walked away from his security, as fixed to win as he had been the first time his gun was trained on the badge and he found the mark once more, his grin spreading across his face because now he knew he would never miss. Snake took a steadying breath, the pressure on his finger ready to fire, but Mort was one second ahead of him, and only one trigger would get pulled. Mort's bullet struck Snake, his name suddenly appropriate by the hissing noise that came from his lips when his body dropped to the snow. He rolled slightly, his upper thigh in a tight grip with both of his hands, the rifle that he had repeatedly used to do his damage no longer in an enemy's hold. And although there were still two guns above him that could have continued to be fired, seeing the experienced gunman's fight come to an end brought the sudden urge to flee.
"Look," Slim pointed Jess' attention upward, as Janz and Cross were beginning to retreat. "Let's go!"
Jess needed no other invitation. He had been waiting for this chance from the moment of their meeting, and as Slim rushed up the slope, gaining ground on their enemies, he felt the same surge of anticipation that was pumping swiftly through Jess. With pain still seizing Slim's shoulder and Jess' ribs, they wouldn't have normally been fit for fighting, but with a solid fist attached to each hand and what raged on their insides, it would be enough to fuel them even in a long, drawn out battle. As only a few more steps were needed to put them within striking distance, Slim put his fingers into the shape of a cross and then pointed to his chest, his message quite clear. Cross belonged to Slim. That suited Jess just fine. Janz would fit perfectly on the other side of his fists anyway. And Jess was about ready to catch up to him.
Jess jumped, the remaining distance between the outlaw's body and his spanned quickly through his leap. Landing both hands on his back, Jess pulled him down, their bodies rolling together in the snow until Jess was on top, his hands filling with the fabric around Janz' neck to haul him to his feet. Jess promptly placed his fist into Janz' cheek, the impact of the hit spinning Janz backward, but Jess quickly reached an arm out, pulling Janz upward for another punch. The forceful jab into Janz' jaw made Jess' fingers tingle, but then his stomach would respond similarly as Janz brought a foot into his belly. Jess landed in the snow, his backside sinking in as he tried to right himself, but his entire body would fall backward as two stout slaps blazed across each cheek, his hair being surrounded by the cold, wet snow.
As Jess rose from the ground and turned his head to avoid another punch, Slim had just taken his first. Cross might have claimed that he left the dirty work up to his associates, but the man still knew how to hold his own, downing Slim with a single whack. If Slim had never landed on his bad shoulder, he would have instantly been back on his feet, delivering his own blow instead of receiving another, but Cross hit Slim squarely across the jaw when he started to rise. This was where a pompous attitude started a failure. Cross stepped forward, bringing a hand up to wipe the single drop of blood from his cheek, his mouth curling up in a smile as Slim stayed level with the snow. Cross opened his mouth, a victory speech readied on his tongue, but then Slim brought a foot up, clipping Cross in the knee. When one went down, the other came up, but Slim wouldn't allow the man to hover near the ground, for his fists still had more action to pummel into Cross' face.
Jess grunted as his ribs took a glancing blow, enough to knock the wind out of him, but not enough to put him back on the ground. His arm pulling back for another blow, Jess braced his feet and solidly made contact with Janz' nose, the legs of his opponent staggering, unable to retaliate further as Janz crumpled into the snow. Jess dropped his hands to his knees, drips of what he first thought was sweat pouring into his eyes, but it was only melting snow. He shook his head, the frigid droplets from his hair falling around him, the remaining drips cascading down his cheeks and trickling across the bare skin that peeked through each tear in his shirt.
Jess felt the brush of a body close by his side, for Slim's stout punch sent Cross spiraling in his direction. Regaining his height, a smile spread across Jess' face at the sudden opportunity to take a piece out of Cross for himself. He looked at Slim, the nod of permission granted, and Jess gripped the edge of Cross' suit, his face too close to miss, and Jess planted a firm fist into a gasping mouth, careening the body back into Slim's grasp. Slim had never been the type of man that burned with retaliation, but with each strike from his fist that had pounded into Cross' flesh, the reason for each one had rang inside of his head, and now he had saved the biggest for last. Slim put all of his strength into his arm, the pulse in his temple sounding out the cause that Cross had forced Andy to shoot him. The strong punch and its meaning sent Cross into the snow for good, the man's lights going out upon his landing.
"You planning on killing me?" Janz asked as Jess yanked the gun out of the man's holster. "Because if you do, you'll be just as low as I am."
Jess couldn't decipher anything that Janz' lips might have uttered, but just by the beady-eyed look that he gave him, Jess had the feeling that if he knew, his hand would have dropped another fist into his sneering face. He almost placed one there anyhow, but the gun felt better in his grip than the sting of flesh underneath his palm. Giving Slim's defeated opponent a quick look and seeing him knocked out on the ground, Jess returned his full attention to Janz, the gun starting to inch closer to a bruised and bloodied face. He might have to wait for Slim to translate, but it was time to have answers to their insufferable turmoil, and as the half-breed had seemed to keep a tight lip right from the start, Janz was the only one left to spill the details. And he would, because Jess' fury was far from being fully released. Too much had been done to him, but even more than what had fallen on him, too much had been done to Slim, Andy and Jonesy. Jess had always placed his family above himself, and now would be no different.
"Get up!" Jess barked, his voice surprisingly full of his normal grit since his ears couldn't help place the threatening tone. It was what pumped inside of Jess that put the correct tone there, his natural attitude on display even though a part of him was lacking.
"No."
Jess didn't need his ears or even his eyes to know Janz' reply, as his entire being picked up on the definite refusal. Glancing downward, he saw Mort starting to climb, and tucking the gun inside the belt at his waist, Jess decided to save Mort the trip. Janz didn't want to get up, so he would oblige him. Jess reached his hand down and gripped the fabric behind Janz' neck and with a swift jerk, started pulling the man through the snow.
"Is it over?" Andy peeked over the top of his rocky barrier, hugging his arms to his chest. His red nose turned even brighter when he sneezed, blowing repeatedly in the handkerchief that Jonesy had offered him.
"It looks to be safe enough, but until we know for sure, just stay right here," Jonesy said, patting the boy on the arm. He stepped out of the hiding place, setting his mouth into a smile as he approached the sheriff's unexpected sidekicks.
"Jonesy!" Mose thrust his hand into Jonesy's clasp. "You're still in one piece."
"Almost," Jonesy chuckled, the warmth of Mose's shake matching the secure feeling that finally filled his chest.
"We heard all that shootin' and thought for sure you were goners," Mose released his hand and placed it around Jonesy's shoulders.
"I think we would've been if you hadn't shown," Jonesy said, walking alongside of Mose, their feet picking up in pace to meet Jess as he drug Janz downhill, with Slim following closely behind them.
"Looks like Jess' got hisself a real catch," Mose said with a chuckle.
"If it were me, I'd toss him back," Jonesy gave a quick wink.
"If it were me, I'd see if he's got some whiskey on him someplace," Cade said, licking his lips, the taste of whiskey being absent long enough that his tongue started sizzling at the mere thought.
"What's this all about?" Mort asked when Jess deposited Janz near the lawman's feet.
"We haven't heard the full story yet," Slim said with a slight shake of his head, looking down at the scowling face of the outlaw.
"Talk Janz," Jess' voice still held onto its normal ferocity as the hand that clutched tightly to Janz' collar gave a firm shake. When his mouth refused to open beyond his teeth, Jess gave him a rough slap across his jaw, dropping him with force into the snow. "I said, talk!"
"All right," Janz wiped his sleeve over his bloody lip, giving one last jeering glance to Jess, but being stuck in his silence, Jess' steps started taking him farther away. The man that took Jess' position next to Janz wore a badge and the star being like its own form of a weapon, Janz knew there was no escaping now. And since Janz not only wore the stamp of an outlaw but also a first rate weasel, he wasn't going to take the full blame alone. "It was all C.C.'s idea."
"Who's that?" Mort asked, looking first to Janz and then to Slim.
"Carlyle Cross," Slim answered when Janz remained in silence for too long. "The boss of this entire nightmare."
"Are you going to go on," Mort nudged Janz' arm with his foot, but let his head gesture toward Jess, "or do you need more persuading?"
"Nah," Janz sniffed his nose, glaring at Jess' back. "I can manage without more from him. C.C. wanted Sherman's ranch, on account of his dumb, old uncle willing all of his money to him. But only if he owned a ranch. He was going to take the kid and try to use him to soften his uncle further. I only stuck around this long because I wanted to be cut in for more than what was first allotted to me." Janz paused, taking in a deep breath as he placed a finger back on his swollen lip, his eyes having never left Jess' heavily breathing frame. "That, and a chance to get my hands on him."
"You did," Slim said, wanting to smile, but left the sneering to the one that partially lay in the snow, "and look what it got you."
"A pair of cuffs," Mort removed the handcuffs from his coat pocket and slapped them on Janz' wrists, locking them tight as the prisoner let out a groan, "and a cell back in Laramie. Judge, put him over there by the half-breed."
"Will do," Cade pulled Janz up from the ground. "You know, you ain't very smart for an outlaw."
"And what does a posse man your age know about someone like me?" Janz said, his teeth back into his signature bite.
"Oh, Sonny," Cade laughed, his scruffy cheeks turning upward enough that his eyes glinted. "I can tell you a tale from now until they hang you about what I know about outlawin'. But it also turned me into a fairly fine lawman too, don't you think? Get movin' or I'll make you eat part of this shotgun for supper."
"Oh, Jess," Mort called, turning away from the Judge with a smile, but his mouth quickly developed a frown when Jess didn't respond. His feet took the short distance to where Jess stood, his hand reaching out to Jess' shoulder but froze in mid-air when Jess abruptly turned and faced him, his eyes sparkling like a lake reflecting the hottest sunrays, but not in a warming gesture, but just the opposite. "You all right?"
Jess stood still, not offering a word in response, his throat even holding his swallow still. Since the explosion had rocked his world, the fire in his soul had kept him going, the thoughts of his sudden loss able to be pushed aside. But now that all was left was the deep chill, its harsh reality chipped away at his insides like an ice pick. The horrible truth was even worse than the feeling deep inside of his gut. Jess could not hear, and now everyone else was about to learn of its absence. It was one thing to be stuck in his silence in front of Slim and the family, their compassion not given with pity, but backed with love. Now, he had to face the rest of the world, and whatever else would come with it.
"Uh," Mort hesitated, trying to keep the worry that started to mount on his inside hidden from his features on the outside. His eyes ran over the tattered shirt on Jess' back, unable to be buttoned across its front, noticing the reddened marks over his stomach, but also the pronounced bumps of being too chilled every place else and Mort started to remove his coat. His arm still throbbed, but he'd been bundled up since leaving the ranch earlier that morning, Jess appeared that he had not had anything decent on for much longer than that. "You must be cold."
"Thanks," it was barely muttered, Jess' nod seemingly louder as he took the coat from Mort's outstretched hand.
"What's wrong with Jess?" Mort whispered, stepping backward toward Slim, but watching as Jess gingerly shrugged into the jacket. It was apparent that there was more wrong than just a few surface wounds, but something that penetrated much deeper. But how deep, and for how long?
"Jess can't hear, Mort. He was practically right on top of a stick of dynamite when it exploded," Slim explained, turning slightly away from where Jess stood. Talking about him in his presence, yet also in his silence, made a strange feeling of guilt waver around in his middle because this was his best friend, his partner that was being discussed, not just some drifter that had no meaning. "The blast must have damaged his ears. It was deafening enough where we were tied up in the cave, but it hurt Jess the most. I don't know what to think. I can't imagine what he's got to face if this is going to be permanent."
"Doc Hanson will have an idea," Mort said, his eyes softening at Jess' mixed expression of stubbornness and fear, but then as he turned back to Slim, the stains on his shirt brought another round of worry to pound in his temples. "Looks like you'll need to see him too. What happened to your shoulder?"
"Gunshot wound," Slim answered with a slight shake of his head, "but don't ask me how I got it. Looks like you must've taken one yourself."
"Yeah, but that came in the line of duty," Mort answered with his eyebrows slightly lifted. "And since it hasn't made me ready to retire, don't expect me to not ask about your bullet hole when we get home, and that's exactly where you all are headed. The only thing is, we don't have enough horses along to get us all there."
"There's a team and wagon around somewhere," Slim said, his eyes wandering toward the lower elevation. "Maybe at Janz' cabin. There should be a trail somewhere below the front side of the cave that we can easily follow to get there."
"Good," Mort said with a nod and then turned to his deputies. "Got them all rounded up?"
"You betcha," Mose nodded, using his gun to prompt Janz to stand as Cade did the same to Snake.
"Wait. Where's Cross?" Slim turned, his eyes rapidly searching the snowy scene around them. He'd last seen the suited man flat in the snow where his final punch had sent him, but Slim thought that Mose had brought him down to join his other two cohorts behind Cade's shotgun. Slim's eyes swept over the area looking for a piece of the suit, but another sickening reality was about to hit him across his face when Slim discovered that another one was absent too. Jonesy stood alone, and the rocks where they had hidden were empty. "Where's Andy?"
"What's wrong?" Jess asked, fastening his eyes to Slim's mouth to read the dreaded reply, as the feeling in his stomach seemed to already know.
"Cross has Andy."
:.:.:
Nakoosay has been an instrumental part of this story from its beginning, as she's offered her insight from chapter to chapter, and I couldn't pass up her latest request. The melted snow, dripping down Jess' face and onto his chest was completely visualized by Nakoosay first, (although her version was sweat, but hey, snow would melt against a hothead like Jess, right?) and it was a pleasure to make it happen for her in written form. Thank you.
The fight was fulfilling several requests, of Janz getting the smirk smacked off of his face; both Jess and Slim getting a piece of Cross; and a special request coming from CoryLynne, wishing for Mort to have a hand in the rescue. It was only fitting that Snake belonged to Mort, since it was this man that shot Mort and took down the original posse. I had envisioned the big battle as the chapters progressed, but it was fun to put it all together with so many other thoughts being put into it. So thank you to everyone who played a role! We all know that Jess and Slim can hold their own, but it's great that we can give them a hand.
And, I'm sensing the end is right around the corner.