Ch 11
"Y'all seen Cody? He ain't shown up for supper." Asked Teaspoon.
"He said he was going out to see Shannon." Answered Lou.
"Yeah said he would let her know that he had to look for Jimmy and he wouldn't be by tomorrow." Said Kid.
"He is probably eating with them." Said Emma.
The group continued eating as they talked of any possible leads on Jimmy's whereabouts.
Cody woke up to a slightly darkened room. He tried to move and found he was tied to a chair. He looked around and saw Jimmy sitting on the floor, leaning back against the bed. He looked and saw another girl across the room sitting in the corner rocking back and forth. He looked at Jimmy. He was staring in the distance slightly swaying. He tried to yell out but it was only a muffled moan. He rocked his chair and got closer to Jimmy. He looked over his shoulder. It had to be late afternoon. He bounced his chair a little closer. It made a horrible scraping noise but so far no one came. Jimmy didn't seem to hear him. He got closer and Jimmy seemed to look through him. He made a sound again. The person over in the corner came walking over. Cody watched her approach them. She was shaking all over. She pulled the gag out of his mouth and stood back.
"I know you." Whispered Cody.
"You don't belong here. I don't know why you are here." Said Ellen shaking and rubbing her arms.
"What's going on? You remember me from the saloon right? A while back?"
"You aren't part of her family. I don't know why she has you."
"Her family?"
"Can't say. Ain't supposed to say."
"Jimmy? You there?" Cody said looking back at him.
Jimmy just looked ahead swaying slightly. His eyes kept darting all around the room.
"What's wrong with him? Jimmy?"
"They gave him his medicine. I need mine. I need mine now."
"What medicine?"
"To calm him down. It calms you down. I really need it now."
"Untie me."
"I can't. You'll let Steven go."
"Steven, as in her husband Steven?"
"Yeah. Yeah. Him."
Cody looked at Jimmy's eyes. His eyes looked funny and he kept looking from side to side.
"Jimmy is her husband?"
"Yes. Him. I'm her sister."
"You are not her sister and this is not her husband. What's going on here?"
"They're coming!" Ellen said as she ran back to her corner and curled up.
Cody tried to get Jimmy's attention again. He acted like he wasn't there.
"Jimmy please? What's going on?"
Jimmy smiled and picked up his hand. He started moving it while staring at it.
"Jimmy help me out here."
"Hello?" Jimmy said looking around.
"I'm right in your face Jimmy."
"No you're not. Where?" He snorted.
"I'm right here. You ok?"
"You see that?"
"See what?"
"You see that?" Jimmy lifted his arm and tried to point.
"What are you talking about?!"
"The black thing. It's mooooovvviiiin fast." Jimmy laughed.
Cody looked around again and looked back at Jimmy as he was randomly touching at something on the floor.
"Fuck."
Cody looked around and tried his ropes again. He had to get them out.
Kid and Noah rode over to Shannon's at daybreak the next morning. She met them on the porch.
"Howdy Miss Shannon." Said Kid.
"Y'all are out mighty early."
"We're looking for Cody. Have you seen him?" Asked Noah.
"No I haven't."
"That's odd since he was riding over to see ya yesterday." Said Kid.
"I'm sorry, I meant since yesterday. I'm afraid I had to tell him some news that he didn't take too well."
"What was that?" Asked Noah.
"I am married. Have been for two years."
"Excuse me?" Asked Kid in disbelief.
"I'm sorry it's true. My husband went on a trip last spring and never returned. We thought him dead until two days ago. He came back to me."
"Really. He did." Said Noah.
"Yes he did." She said smiling.
"Where was he all that time?" Asked Kid.
"We haven't really discussed it yet. We were just so excited to have him back."
"And how did he know where to find you?" Asked Noah.
"He must have asked. Why are you asking me all these questions?"
"Jimmy is missing and now Cody. You were the last person to see him." Said Kid.
"I'm sorry. He was upset. He must have rode for some time away. I'm afraid that I broke his heart."
"Maybe." Said Noah as he looked at Kid.
"Well if you see him, tell him we're looking for him."
"I will."
Kid and Noah rode back to Teaspoon. Something wasn't right at that homestead. They found him just as he was walking outside.
"Boys. Any sign of Cody?"
"We went over to Shannon's. Something ain't right there Teaspoon."
"What do ya mean?"
"She claimed to tell Cody that she was married." Answered Noah.
"Married?! What the hell?"
"Yeah but said he was missing for most of a year and just came back." Answered Noah.
"How'd he know where she was?"
"Same thing we asked. She didn't really answer." Said Noah.
"She was actin strange." Said Kid.
"She said she was from Georgia. Right?"
"That's right." Said Kid.
"Boys ride over to Blue Creek and look for a Mason Wellington. He's a friend of mine. He lived in Georgia and visits relatives there often. He might know somethin about her or her family."
"Will do."
"Hurry back as fast as ya can."