Ch 10

Cody rode into the station the next day. Teaspoon told him that so far there was no sign of Hickok. Lou and Kid were getting ready to ride out again and take another look. Buck and Ike were going to be riding into the nearby towns with letters for the marshals from Teaspoon. Noah was headed out on a run.

"Where ya going Cody? What to ride with us?" Asked Kid.

"No thanks. I'm going to wash up and head over to see Shannon."

"We'll see if you notice anything on your way there. Jimmy has to be somewhere."

"Will do. I'll see Shannon today and help look tomorrow. I'll let her know what's going on."

"Teaspoon rode out yesterday after you left to let them know." Said Lou.

"Ok at least they were fine."

Cody mounted up and left.

Jimmy woke laying on the bed. He felt like he was moving in slow motion but it was getting clearer. He looked around. He felt slightly sick. He looked down at his tied hands. He had different clothes on. He had on a white shirt and a blue vest. He had on dress pants. Even his boots were different. He was trying to figure how this happened when Dorothy came in the door.

"Morning Steven. Feelin better today?"

"What is going on? What was that thing?"

"Nothin to worry about. Shannon will be ready for breakfast in a few."

She pulled him so he sat up on the bed. He watched her pull that thing out again.

"What the fuck is that?!" He said raising his voice.

"Don't matter none. I ain't gonna do you like yesterday, just a little so you will relax and not be a problem. She wants ya to have a good day."

"How did I get these clothes?"

"Again it don't matter none. Steven, you always looked so good when you were dressed. A mighty fine young man. I'm going to give you just a little something to help ya relax now."

Jimmy watched her in disbelief. She was just as crazy as the other. What the hell kind of nightmare was he in. He looked around. There was a small window and the door. That was it. He still felt sluggish. Dot walked closer. He went to try to run but she had his legs tied. She pushed him down on the bed and sat on top of him. She pushed the needle into his arm again. He watched as she stood back up. He laid there as a calming sensation came over him. He just stared up at the ceiling.

Dorothy watched his breathing slow and smiled. She went and sat the dining table for breakfast. She went and pulled Ellen down. She had her dressed in a pretty green dress today with her hair fixed. She went and untied Jimmy next. He didn't fight. His body felt heavy. She pulled him up and brought him to his seat at the table. He sat looking around. She began serving food. Shannon came down next and took her seat smiling. She looked at her family.

"You all are looking absolutely wonderful this morning. I am so glad we get to be together again."

"Shannon, can I go outside some today?" Asked Ellen.

"Maybe we can walk the garden. That would be nice."

Ellen was shaking slightly. She looked around nervously.

"Can I have something to calm myself, please?"

"Not at this moment, you have to wait."

"But I can't." Whined Ellen.

"Yes you can. Do you want to go outside later?"

"I do but..."

"No buts. Eat your food."

Ellen began nibbling to make Shannon happy. Shannon looked to Jimmy who was just sitting there.

"Steven, what are your plans for today?"

Jimmy looked around as if he didn't know where the voice was coming from. He heard it but couldn't seem to get himself to respond.

"What are your plans for today?" She asked again.

Dorothy walked over and whispered in his ear.

"I'm going to help ya inside today."

"I'm, I'm, I'm going to..." He started but forgot what she said.

"Help ya today."

"Help you today." He finished.

"That's wonderful news. I have some things that need to be fixed." Shannon smiled.

Her attention snapped away from her plate as she heard a rider approaching. She looked to Dot.

"Come now Ellen. I'll let you have that thing for ya nerves. Let's go." Dot said as she pulled Ellen in Jimmy's room.

Dot ran back for Jimmy. She got his arm and pulled him along. He stumbled behind her absently. She pushed him into the room and closed the door. Jimmy's world was a fog. He felt trapped in his own body as he slumped on the bed. Ellen sat in the corner shaking.

Cody rode up and tied his horse. He knocked on the door with a bouquet of wildflowers. Shannon opened the door.

"Mr. Cody, what a surprise!"

"I couldn't wait to see you again. I picked these for you."

"How sweet. Come on inside. I'm afraid we have something to discuss. Urgently."

Cody went and sat in her small parlor while she fetched some tea for them.

"Is something wrong Shannon? Do you need help?"

"Oh nothing like that. I'm afraid this news could be devastating."

"What is it?"

"I haven't been completely honest. You see I'm married."

"Married?!"

"Afraid so. Almost two years now."

"How could you see me then and why would you lie to me like that?!"

"It was an honest mistake. My Steven went missing quite a while back. We thought he was lost but he came back to me yesterday."

"So now what does this mean?"

"I can't see you anymore Mr. Cody. I'm so sorry but I have to honor my vows."

Jimmy was slightly dizzy but he thought he heard a voice that he knew. He pulled himself up holding on to the bed. He heard it again. He stood and staggered to the door.

"No. No. No. Don't do that." Stuttered Ellen.

Jimmy kept going. The wall moved. He lost his balance and fell forward ramming his shoulder into the door. Cody jumped up.

"What was that?"

"What I didn't hear anything?"

"How could you not hear that? Something fell in that room? Is your sister alright?"

"Dorothy! Come quick! No Cody please sit. Dot will go see."

"Why aren't you worried?"

"This happens. She has some ailments that she can't control. That is why she doesn't go out."

"I didn't know. I'm sorry to hear it."

"Come, let's go finish our conversation outside on the swing. Dot will tend to her."

Shannon escorted Cody out while Dot ran into the room. She shoved the door open pushing Jimmy back as he lay on the floor.

"Ya so damn stupid! You could have ruined it all!" She fussed.

She ran to the rug and pulled it back. She opened the door. She got Jimmy by his arm and pulled him off the floor. She led him to the hiding place. He swayed as he walked.

"Git in the hole."

He just stood swaying and staring, trying to understand.

"My God I done forgot how it is when ya just starting someone out."

She pushed Jimmy and he fell on his back in the hole. The wind knocked out of him. He slowly realized that she had left. He tried to climb out but his body wasn't cooperating. Soon Ellen came and climbed inside happily. Dot looked at Jimmy as she eased the door shut putting them both in darkness. She pulled the rug over it and went back to the kitchen.

"Again I hate to say I am so sorry for this. I feel like I deceived you."

"Not as sorry as I am."

"I understand if you don't want to see us anymore."

"I was hoping we could still be friends. Where is Steven anyway? If he came back yesterday?"

"He went into town. He should be back later."

"I'd like to stick around and meet him. Let me take your mug into the kitchen."

Before Shannon could answer, Cody took their mugs and walked back inside. Shannon hurried to follow. She looked around. The door to the room was open but no one was inside. She heard Dorothy in the kitchen. She sighed in relief.

Cody walked by the open door on his way to the kitchen. It all looked perfectly. He looked at the ruffled bed. The only odd thing he saw was a piece of rope sticking out from under it. He kept walking.

"Ms. Dorothy, here are our mugs. I'd like to stick around and meet Steven if that's alright."

"I don't think so. It ain't right." Said Dot.

"She's right. I think I should be the one to explain before that happens. Steven has a mighty temper."

Cody looked at the two women. Both acted oddly.

"Was Ellen ok?"

"Ellen?" Asked Shannon.

"Yeah didn't she fall?"

"Miss Ellen is fine. She has gone upstairs." Said Dot staring at Cody.

"That's good. Just making sure. I guess I'll see you later then." Cody said heartbroken and confused.

Jimmy heard voices. They sounded so far away and yet close. He pushed himself up. Who was it? Concentrate. It was Cody.

"Hey!"

"What was that?" Asked Cody.

"What?" Asked Shannon.

"Cody!"

"I could have sworn that I heard my name."

Jimmy became dizzy and swayed falling back onto his back. He saw movement coming at him but his reflexes were slowed. Ellen flew on top of him.

"You can't do that!"

She put her hands over his mouth. Jimmy's limbs felt weighted down and he didn't bother to struggle.

"You have to stay. You have to stay." Mumbled Ellen.

"I know I heard something." Said Cody as he walked out onto the rug.

Jimmy heard the boards creaking over him. He tried to push Ellen off of him. She clawed at him like a mad woman. He got her hand away.

"Co..." He tried to yell as she started choking him.

"You can't do that." She sputtered.

"What's making all those rustling sounds?" Asked Cody.

"Why, I don't hear a thing." Said Shannon.

"It's coming from down there." Cody knelt on the floor.

Shannon looked to Dot. Dot nodded. She picked up a big vase and brought it down on Cody's head. Jimmy heard a loud noise hit the floor.

There was movement and soon the door was open. Shannon shrieked as she saw Ellen fighting Steven. Dot saw and pulled Ellen off.

"Git to ya room!" She hollered.

"What have you done!" Screamed Shannon.

"Nothing Shannon. She ain't don't nothing. Steven is fine. See."

Jimmy lay looking up at them still feeling slightly groggy. Dot pulled him out and took him back to his room. She pushed him down on the bed and held him down. She pulled the needle back out. He saw her and grabbed her arm.

"No. No!" He yelled.

"Settle down Steven!" Yelled Dot.

"I ain't fucking Steven!" Jimmy said as he tried to fight back but he was still a little off.

Shannon came and pushed his arms down. Dot gave it to him. She gave him a larger dose. They watched as he took a deep breath and eased back staring up at the ceiling.

"Why Steven? Why are you acting like this? I don't want to do this to you anymore! You know what happened last time!" Shannon started hyperventilating.

Dot ran to her and hugged her tight.

"It's ok. It will be ok."

"How Dorothy? He can't try to leave me again! I don't want to hurt him all over again!"

"Ya won't have to. This one will work out, ya will see. We just have to clean this up and move on."

"Steven thinks I'm crazy. He always has Dot. He will try to leave me again." She said as she looked down at Jimmy.

"He won't leave ya ever again. I promise."

Shannon walked out the room and upstairs. Dot dragged Cody into the room and tied his arms and legs. She gagged him and went to make some hot tea to try to comfort Shannon.