Ch 14
Teaspoon and Emma were at the ends of their minds. Exhausted, they went to their room for the night. They had just closed their eyes when a hard knocking came on the door. Emma looked to Teaspoon. He grabbed his gun and eased the door open. Buck and Kid were there smiling. He let them in and almost fell in shock. Lou was behind them in a dress no less. He grabbed her and hugged her tight. Emma hugged her next. They sat down to talk.
"They are being held at a mine bout five miles outta town."
"What are we lookin at?"
"Lots of men. I don't even know how many. And lots of prisoners, bout forty in all I'd guess."
"My God."
"Lou honey, I can't believe you had to endure this." Said Emma.
"I'm ok. I don't know how long I would have made it without Jimmy and Noah."
"You know where they are in all that mess?" Asked Teaspoon.
"After tonight, I ain't sure if Noah is even alive. He helped me get out. Jimmy is barely. He is locked in a cage."
"I knew that you should have never went on this damn run!" Said Kid.
"Just shut up for once and let me talk!" Screamed Lou.
Teaspoon grabbed Kid's arm and pointed over to a chair.
She told them of the horrible things that happened. She told them of Evans and his marriage proposal. She told them that he had agreed to keep Jimmy and Noah alive if she did it.
"Now I've probably just killed them both."
"We don't know that Lou honey. We will get them." Said Emma.
"I have to go back."
"We are all going. We leave at first light."
"Don't you think Lou should stay here Teaspoon, we can find it." Said Kid.
Teaspoon went to speak but Lou jumped up first.
"Let me tell you one thing right now! I am so sick and tired of you and your opinions about me! I am who I am and I won't change it! I am going back, I have to! Jimmy was almost killed because of me!"
"So you want to go back for him and that's it."
"Oh my God! Noah is there too along with forty other innocent souls! Do me a favor Kid, find you another girl cause this one is done with you!"
Lou turned and went to the other side of the room with Emma following behind. Teaspoon and Cody snatched Kid up.
"You got no right to be talking like that now!" Said Cody
"I can tell her what I want to!"
"Kid, Cody's right. Now is not the time. Set it to the side til we solve this problem. Can you do that?"
"For now." Said Kid.
"Good, now settle down and let's get ready. We need a plan."
Buck walked over and placed his hand on Lou's shoulder. She turned and saw that he had her spare change of boy clothes in his hands. She smiled and hugged him tight.
"We get both of them back tomorrow." Whispered Buck.
"I know we will."
Noah watched Jimmy throughout the night. He had tried to talk to him when they were left alone but Jimmy had become unresponsive. Noah couldn't stop himself from shivering. He ached all over. His left arm hurt like hell. He had to fight the weakness that he felt. Lou would come. She will bring help. He would have to be able to help her move Jimmy when the time came. His eyes grew heavy with exhaustion. He thought of freedom from this mess as he fell asleep.
Gerald woke early the next day. He dressed in his suit and made his way over to Louise's tent. He stood outside.
"My love, are you decent?"
No answer.
"Louise, my love? Are you awake?"
No answer.
He opened the flap and went inside. She wasn't there and hadn't appeared to have been all night. He felt a knot begin to grow in his chest. He began to shake with anger.
"Treeeevvvvvvoooooorrrrrrr!" Gerald yelled
Trevor came running.
"Sir! What's wrong?" He stopped when he saw the empty tent. He knew this would happen eventually.
"Sir, I am so sorry."
"It's not your fault. It is mine alone."
"I have to tell you sir, the reason that we came back from town early was because I'm afraid people are here looking for her. I should have told you sooner."
"Can't be helped now."
"We need to leave. Start over away from here. We have done it before. She will bring hell with her when she returns."
Gerald just stood holding the wedding dress. He was steady shaking. He ripped the dress in two.
"Sir, what do you want to do?"
"Kill them all. I will go pack."
Trevor nodded and went to ready his men.