AN.: Alright! Here it is, the next chapter. I had this finished a few days earlier but I didn't want to post the final chapter alone. So, when you are reading this, the next chapter will most likely be up already. I'm just doing some proof-reading. Thank you for being so supportive throughout this journey.

Special thanks to bloodedwolf, BJ2, karen ingels, indiana1928 and the guests who left a beautiful review on my last chapter. Thank you with all of my heart.

I also just got a review from (I'm assuming) two sisters who've been reading my story together. I'm so thankful for your nice comment and you saying this should've been an episode made me update this story now. :3 So today, you'll get two chapters.

Enjoy the read!

Perspective

Adam was lying on the floor of the deserted mine shaft, eyes closed, trying to even his breath out. He shifted his aching legs slightly, making himself a little more comfortable. Wright had taken off the rope around his feet, giving him at least a little freedom to move them. Lying there, several scenarios went through his head. Now that his feet were free, there was always the possibility to simply run for help and hopefully: freedom. But even if there was an opportunity, an opening for him to start running, Adam doubted that he could outrun Wright. Wright was a few years older than Adam but Adam couldn't even sit up without being out of breath due to his broken ribs. Therefore running was not an option. He could wait for help... But who would come for him? His Pa might get concerned when all of his sons go missing. They were only supposed to seal a deal in Reno and Ben knew that that would likely not take more than a day, a day and a half maybe if the night would force them to make camp. By now, Ben had to know that something was wrong and he was probably looking for them. Adam's throat clutched again, thinking about his brothers and how his father would take the news. He made a promise to his brothers to tell their Pa what happened, to be at least there to provide all the comfort he could offer... or be there for him to help vent his anger. Adam would gladly take all the anger and hatred from his father if that meant he could do right by him, Joe and Hoss. But to get there, he needed to stay alive. Maybe Adam should play along? If he complied with everything Wright wants him to do, he would not that easily draw Wright's attention and fury onto him. That was the most likely way for him to stay alive.

All I have to do is wait for you to fall asleep and guide your possessed body into Virginia City. They can see for themselves what kind or freak you are. Yes. That's what Wright had said earlier. That was probably also the reason why Wright had untied his feet; So he'd be able to start walking in his sleep. If Adam pulled a perfect imitation of Madam off, Wright would simply guide him to Virginia City and therefore, to safety. It was his only chance to get out of this situation alive. You looked like you were in trance, showed no reaction to our voices. You walked past us. Not even a touch could wake you up. Little Joe's voice echoed trough his head. That was what Joe had answered him when he had asked his little brother what he was like when he was sleepwalking. I can pull this off.

Slowly, he started twitching, his booted feet making scratch sounds on the floor while doing so. The twitch grew more violent and he let his upper body join in as best as he could with his wrists still being tied up. With his shoulders sacked and his arms slack, Adam tried to rise but soon felt the pain in his chest and gave up on sitting up. He just thought that if he truly was asleep, the pain would prevent him from sitting up as well. So, falling back down and settling for only lying there with half-lidded eyes and twitching legs was all the acting Adam could present to Wright to fool him. After a while, Adam attempted to sit up again only to break off the movement again halfway through because of the pain. But his unfocused gaze then caught a blurry image of Wright kneeling close-by, inspecting him carefully. A crunching sound later and there was suddenly a hand on his cheek, tapping it slightly. Adam had almost flinched away then and thanked Joe for his immunity to being scared or jumped. He had years of practice because of his little brother pulling pranks on him. Wright now took hold of Adam's face and turned his head from side to side, inspecting the lifeless gaze Adam presented through his half-lidded eyes. Wright seemed to be satisfied because he let go of Adam's face and snorted before chuckling softly.

"Cartwright?" Wright addressed him. Adam decided to take it one step further and slightly opened his mouth to breathe. The even sounds of him taking a breath washed through the mine shaft and finally, Wright was convinced that Adam was asleep. He moved towards Adam and put his arms underneath his armpits, hauling him to his feet. While doing that, Wright was not considerate of Adam's injuries and inflicted enough pain in Adam's chest which made it impossible for him to stifle a soft moan. Wright paused his action to look into Adam's lifeless face.

Am I caught? He had to suppress gulping out of nervousness with all his might.

"Aw did that hurt you, little puppet?" Wright taunted. He then proceeded to press down on Adam's chest with his knuckles and then pinched the tender flesh on Adam's throat, making him moan and gasp in pain, even allowing himself to let a pain-laced expression show on his face. Wright shook his head while laughing and then went behind Adam, out of his sight. Adam already feared another painful jab in his back but it never came. Instead, Wright took hold of Adam's hands and untied them roughly. Once they were free, Adam let them fall and dangle next to his sides, like there were weights in the palm of his hands, pulling them down. Wright then appeared in his frame of view again as he took hold of his hands and tied them together in front of Adam's body, leaving enough rope for him to have some kind of leash. Satisfied with his handy work, Wright tugged at the rope and Adam dutifully trotted along. For good measure, he made sure to stumble occasionally. Pissing Wright off in the process was not enough to gratify Adam, though. But at least it was something. They stepped out of the mine shaft into the daylight, making Adam squint. He was then roughly dragged along by the rope, aggravating his wrists further. Wright seemed to be in a pretty good mood; Adam could make out his bouncing step through his blurred vision. In protest, Adam decided to face-plant. Wright shouted at him and wheeled around, grabbed Adam's hair with one hand and the collar of his shirt with the other hand and painfully pulled him back to his feet again. He then took hold of Adam's chin again and turned it from side to side to see if his prisoner had injured himself further.

"Be a little more careful, puppet. I need you with you face intact when we meet all the people in Virginia city." Adam was getting sick and tired of all of this. Suddenly there was a roar slicing through the air, starling the man who still held his chin in one hand. Wright let go of Adam and swirled around violently to make out where the roar had come from. Everything happened so fast, Adam couldn't even process it. In the blink of an eye, Wright was suddenly behind Adam, holding him in a chokehold; There was also the ice cold sting of something else pressed against his throat. Adam could imagine what that was.

"Not a step closer!" Wright screamed next to Adam's ear. His blurred vision could identify several figures gathering up around 40 ft away. There was a slight flicker of hope in the pit of Adam's stomach, but he forced himself to remain emotionless on the outside. Wright went on, telling them that he was on his way to Virginia city to meet them but could show them now. Then he released the arm wrapped around Adams throat only to dig his now free hand into his poor hair again, pulling at it and making Adam's head tilt upwards. Wright went on and on about what kind of freak Adam apparently was and he asked the people that had gathered if they'd still trust a monster like him. Besides concentrating on the blade that still sat on his throat, Adam dared to tune in to the response the people of Virginia City would give. What he heard surprised him:

"He is totally insane-"

"Look what he's done to poor ol' Adam!"

"Wait... He did break out of prison didn't he?"

"Do you seriously think you can just break out and walk around torturing our friend!?"

"Let Adam go, you monster!"

"What is wrong with Adam? He needs our help!"

Friend? They still consider me as a friend? They want to save me? They want to help me... Adam was overwhelmed with relief. All those weeks he had spent on the tip of his toes in Virginia City, having to sneak through the town, having to avoid the people who once trusted him with their life. His friends, his home... back then, he thought he could handle the sudden rejection. He thought he could deal with living as an outcast but right now, hearing them begging for his life made him realize just how tired he was. Tired of everyone and everything. Tired of carrying the weight of the lie, the weight of their hatred and betrayal and tired of carrying these secrets and the guilt. For a brief second, he allowed himself to be indulged in the sensation of being liked and respected once again. He had to concentrate a whole lot to not let any of these strong emotions show on his outer facade.

"Adam, son... What is wrong?" The force of these words reaching Adam's ears not only dragged Adam back out of his thoughts, no, they hit him like a train. Pa... His Pa was there as well. To save him, to get him back. He must've been worried. What if he already knew about Joe and Hoss? Was Ben currently fighting to save his son or to make sure at least one of his sons stayed alive? Adam wanted to answer him, wanted to show him that he was alright but he didn't dare to. He was not ready to face his father. He was not ready to tell him about Joe and Hoss. Not yet. He also couldn't risk letting Wright know that he, in fact, was not sleeping but merely pretending to be. Wright was currently having a false sense of security. Him thinking he had the upper hand might give Adam the opportunity he needed to get away. Adam's mind had wandered away from the situation. It worked in his favor, making him appear lifeless. As if through a fog, he could hear Wright screaming louder and louder at the crowd. But surprisingly, their protests, pleas and threats were returned with equal force and determination. Wright had lost. Adam knew, the people knew and Wright knew.

"I DID THIS FOR YOU!" Wright screamed as he pulled on Adam's hair again, pressing the knife against his throat. That's it, Adam thought.

"Wright! Please let our brother go! It's useless, there is nowhere to go!" Suddenly, there was another voice, a voice that couldn't possibly be here right now.

"Joe?" Adam asked disbelievingly, not caring to pretend anymore, letting his gaze wander over the crowd in front of him for the first time. He spotted his father immediately and next to him, stood Joe. Joe looked winded and his cheeks were slightly puffy. His eyes were red and his hair was messed up. He looked at Adam with such an open display of love that Adam couldn't help the tears from starting to fall. Joe is alright. Thank god, he is alright. Joe was talking to him but Adam's eyes jumped to a movement coming from Ben's other side.

"Adam!" Hoss stood next to his father, sending a concerned look Adam's way. Hoss is alive as well. They are both alright. The next few seconds went by in a blur. Adam couldn't tell if it was blurry because of his clouded mind or because of his tear filled eyes. There was a shot and a violent jerk, pulling him to the ground. There was also hot, glistening pain crawling from a spot on his throat through his whole body. The next thing he knew was that someone was trying to pry his hands away from where he desperately tried to press them down on his neck and after that, he found himself lying in the arms of his father, holding him like he did when Adam was still a young child, rocking softly back and forth. They were joined by Joe and Hoss and together, they held each other and were just there for one another. Lying there and bleeding out, for the first time in weeks, almost months, Adam felt truly alive again. The rocking motion put his tired mind to rest and he closed his eyes, having the scent of his father engulfing him and the touch of his brothers reassuring him. Adam fell into unconsciousness.

AN.: Not much new happening here, I know but I needed to write this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it. Also stay tuned for the next chapter! I'm really proud about the conclusion of all of this. Reviews are always appreciated.