Chapter 48 - Raiders

Han was just finishing his chores and brought in the milk for Elizabeth.

She took the jug from him with a smile. "Thank you, Han. Are you going to go and play with Jed now?"

"Yes, Ma. 'Less you need anything else?"

"No, you've done plenty. Go and play."

Han grinned and was about to leave, until the sound of horses outside made Elizabeth hold him back. "Wait."

He waited. Raiders had been coming to the border towns with greater frequency and although most of them were fairly respectful, some of them could be rougher. He liked to talk to them, but Elizabeth was always wary; she didn't trust them.

Elizabeth walked over to the door and listened. They sounded louder than usual, more rowdy. She thought they might be drunk.

Almost immediately, they heard the sound of David's voice as he walked back from the barn; then Han's world broke apart.

The gunshot seemed to echo in the air for ever and they heard the sound of drunken laughter. Elizabeth reached down and quietly locked the door. Then she pushed a cupboard in front to block it. It wasn't very big, but it would give them a few minutes.

Her face was white. Her hand gripped Han's shoulder tightly. Later, he would see bruises there.

She saw the shock on Han's face and knew what she had to do. Quickly leading him to the parlor, she pulled back the rug, exposing boards that covered a small space in the floor where they kept the valuables.

Pulling out the crate holding her precious wedding silver, she turned to Han. "Quickly, Han, get inside."

He shook his head. "No, Ma! I won't! Let me stay with you, I can protect you!"

For a moment she could do nothing but clutch him tightly to herself, and then she pushed him away.

"Hannibal Heyes, you will do as I tell you! You can't protect me; there are far too many of them and I think they've been drinking. They won't hurt me because I'm a woman," she hoped that he would forgive her this one lie, "but they will hurt you if you get in their way. I couldn't bear that. If you love me at all, you will climb into that hole and not come out again until it's safe."

Han stepped into the small space. "You will be alright?"

She hated having to lie to him so directly. "Certainly. Squeeze in now."

It was almost too small and he had to curl himself into a tight ball to fit.

Elizabeth picked up the small square of wood that covered the space and began to push it across. Before it was properly closed, she leaned forward and kissed him. "I love you, Han. Don't ever forget it."

Han's blood ran cold; it sounded too much like a goodbye.

"Ma!" He tried to climb out again, but she was kneeling on top of the boards to keep him down. His position was wrong and he couldn't gather enough force to push himself free.

Elizabeth put her mouth close to the floor. "Now please, my darling, be quiet and don't come out again until it's safe, whatever you hear, do you understand?"

The door was starting to give way. She could hear the faint sounds of Han sobbing and then more clearly, "Love you, Ma."

She swallowed to stop herself from crying; she couldn't break down now, she had work to do.

She quickly covered the boards with the rug and then pulled the sofa across. She hated trapping him there like that, but she couldn't risk him rushing out to try to save her. Sooner or later, someone would investigate and look for him, but until then, she had to be sure he was safe. She slid the crate of silver out of sight just as the door flew open.

As long as he lived, Hannibal Heyes would never forget the moments he spent hidden under the floorboards. When Elizabeth's screams began, he would have run to her if he could; but try as he might he couldn't escape. He listened for what seemed like forever until the sound of her suffering died away. Han could hear the men searching through the house, exchanging jokes and laughter. He was shaking with terror, buried away beneath them in the dark.

He heard someone above him. "Found a coupla' horses in the stables. Thought we could bring 'em along. Might be able to get somethin' for 'em!"

Han's eyes closed as he thought of Lady being taken by these men.

Finally, he heard a voice say, "There's probably another house along the way. What say we pay them a visit?"

The others agreed and, after a few more crashes and bangs, Han heard the sounds of them leaving.

He realized they were going to the Currys and tried again to push open the door. During the last few moments, something must have been moved, because suddenly, he felt the door start to give.

He clambered out, breathless, and had to steady himself for a moment. It was the sofa that had been pushed over the floorboards, he noticed; now, it was lying on its back. The whole room had been torn apart.

Even though he knew that he had to get to the Currys quickly, he had to check on his Ma and Pa first.

Slowly - hesitatingly - he walked to the bedroom. Summoning all of his courage, he pushed open the door. Elizabeth lay there, sightless eyes staring at the ceiling. Blood was everywhere.

He made a choking sound and vomited on the floor as he staggered away.

He saw David's body lying in the yard, unmoving. A quick glance showed him what he already knew. His father was dead.

Han had to try to save the Currys now.

They were all he left in the world.

He ran as fast as he could, falling several times along the way. Even though he'd left only a few minutes after the raiders, he knew he would be too late. His first sight of the house confirmed his fears; there were plumes of smoke rising from the barn and could hear screams.

He heard footsteps beside him and whirled quickly to see Jed running towards the house. Han reached out and grabbed him. For a moment, Jed fought wildly against him, not recognizing his friend.

"Jed! Jed, it's me, Han!"

Jed turned shocked eyes to his cousin. "Han, let me go! We've got to go help them!"

He began to struggle again. Even though he was younger, Jed was sturdily built and had the edge on Han when it came to strength; but Han was determined not to let him go.

He gripped Jed even harder. "You can't. There are too many of them and it's too late anyway." In answer to the response he knew Jed was about to make, he continued, "It was too late before we got here."

Tears began to spill out from Jed's eyes. "You can't know that."

"I do."

"I have to go, to try! Let me go, damn you, Han!"

Han felt Jed pulling away from his grip and did the one thing he thought he would never do to his friend. He pulled back his fist and punched him hard in the jaw, knocking the boy out. He dragged Jed back a little way into the woods and pushed him under a fallen tree trunk.

Then he waited.

It was the hardest thing he'd ever done in his life.

Han knew he couldn't help the Currys. He counted seven raiders, all armed and drunk. Neither of them would last more than a minute against even one. There was only one thing he could do for Caleb and Maggie now, and that was protect his cousin, Jed.

Time seemed endless as he sat there listening to the sounds of the attack. There was a smell in the air, heavy and acrid and he pulled out his handkerchief to cover his nose and mouth. He did the same for Jed. The wind was blowing in the other direction, but the smoke still made it hard to breath.

After a few minutes, Jed began to stir. Han moved to restrain him.

Jed was furious. "Let me go! We haveta go and help them!"

Han answered in a low voice. "There's nothing we can do. We wouldn't last a minute. The only thing we can do for them now is to keep safe."

Tears began to spill out from Jed's eyes. "What if it was your family, huh? What would you do then, wouldn't you want to go and help them?"

Han met his gaze. "It was my family. They're all gone, Jed. It's just us now."

Jed froze. "They're gone?" Somehow neither of them could say 'dead'.

Han nodded. "They came to us first. They shot Pa," his voice cracked and he had to swallow before he could carry on, "and then they killed Ma. She hid me away; they didn't know I was there. Your ma would want you to be safe as well, you know she would."

Jed did know, but it didn't make it feel right, just sitting there. Doing nothing. Listening to it happen.

It seemed like forever before they heard the raiders ride away. Jed stood up, but Han pushed him back down. "Wait here. I'm going in first to see if it's safe."

Jed's eyes widened. "No, I'm comin' with you! They're my family!"

"No, you're waiting here." Seeing the defiance in his cousin's eyes, he added, "I mean it, Jed. I'll hit you again if I have to. They might have left someone behind." He didn't think they had, but he didn't want Jed seeing what he had seen. "Just wait here and let me check things out first. You know I'm better at sneaking in and out. It's just a few more minutes and then you can come, alright?"

Jed could see that Han was determined, so he nodded. Han was right; a few more minutes now didn't matter. "Alright, but don't be too long."

"I won't, I promise." There was no way Han was going to leave Jed out here, alone and unprotected, for any longer than he had to.

The barn was burning, that revolting smell even stronger now that he was closer. Han could see shapes of the burning livestock that had been trapped inside. He didn't look to see if there were any horses. It was bad enough to think of the other animals in there.

The house seemed dark at first, coming in after the brightness of the day. He saw the same devastation that he'd witnessed at his own house. Then he heard a sound.

Running quickly towards it, he saw Maggie lying on the floor, clothes drenched in blood. Her face had been beaten and one eye was swollen shut. Her mouth was bloody and swollen, but she managed to say, "Jed?"

Han took one of her hands in his. It was very cold. "He's alright, I kept him outside with me." He wanted to explain why they hadn't helped her, why he had waited outside while they killed her and the rest of her family. "I'm sorry, I should have tried to help, I should have done something…"

"Nothing… you could… do. Keep… him safe… for me… Promise?" Her words came out slowly.

Han nodded, tears coursing down his cheeks. "I promise, Aunt Maggie."

Surprisingly, she gave a small smile. "Good boy. Don't... let him… see... this. Tell... him… ...love ..."

She gave a small gasp and suddenly, she was gone. Han sat stunned for a moment, still holding her hand. Then he let it drop and stood up.

He went through the house to check on the rest of the family. He found Caleb, Joseph and the baby.

There was no-one left alive.

He walked slowly back to his friend.

Jed was waiting impatiently. "Well? Can I go in?"

Han put out a hand to hold him back. "No."

Jed frowned. "What do mean, no?"

"No." He couldn't seem to think straight, couldn't find the words he needed to say. His knees buckled and suddenly he was kneeling on the ground.

For the first time, Jed really looked at his friend. "Han? Are you okay?" Jed realized there was blood on Han's clothes.

"Han? Are you hurt?" Jed began to pull at him, searching for an injury.

Han pulled away. "No." He shook his head, he needed to find the words to keep Jed safe. "Not hurt." He started to shiver, despite the warmth of the day.

Jed sank down beside him and put his arms around his cousin. He looked over at his house. The barn was still blazing and if the wind changed direction, the house would burn.

He thought of his family inside. He knew they were dead. Han would have told him if anyone had still been alive, Han would have called him and they would have tried to help.

His family was dead.

He realized he didn't want to go inside after all. He knew from Han's reaction that it was bad. If he went in there, it would stay with him forever, just as it would surely stay with Han. He didn't want to think of them that way; he wanted to think of his mother laughing and happy, the baby gurgling in her arms. He thought of the last time he'd seen his father; he'd teased Jed that he would make him stay and work, instead of letting him run off to play with Han. Even Joe had been in a good mood that day, laughing with his father and joining in with the joke.

He felt a lump rise in his throat and he suddenly couldn't hold back his tears. He pulled his cousin closer to him and sobbed as he thought about his family.

They stayed like that for a long time.

They were roused by the sound of hooves. Han moved quickly, pushing Jed behind him, and watched as four men approached the Curry house. Jed began to move out from the trees and Han grasped his wrist.

"Han! What's wrong?"

"Not safe."

Jed looked at him, puzzled. "Sure it is. That's Sheriff McCandless and his deputy, Archie. And that's Mr. Travis and Mr. Jenkins with him. Come on, Han."

Jed began to run forward, pulling Han behind him.

Sheriff McCandless heard a shout from his deputy and looked around. He couldn't believe his eyes when he saw little Jed Curry and the Heyes boy. They were both dirty; Han Heyes had blood and soot on his clothes.

The men hurried towards the children and, quick as a flash, Han ran forward and pulled Jed behind him. Jed was puzzled but allowed his cousin to take the lead. As the men bore down on them, Han began to back away with Jed still behind him.

McCandless motioned to the others. "Step back, men."

The other men waited, wondering what was happening.

"I said, step back."

They did.

McCandless walked forward slowly, his hands outstretched as if he was trying to befriend a stray dog. "Howdy, boys."

Han watched him warily. Jed leaned forward and spoke softly to his friend, but Han didn't react. He didn't take his eyes away from the men.

A long time ago, McCandless had found a young woman that had been the only survivor of an Indian attack; he thought of her now. He remembered that he should take it slow and easy. "Jed, good to see you. You got anyone with you, 'sides Han?"

Jed moved to the side of his cousin. There was a hitch in his voice. "No, Sheriff."

"What about you, Han? Your folks?" He waited.

After a few moments, Han shook his head.

McCandless sighed and rubbed at his face. They'd seen the smoke and people had reported hearing gunshots from a wild group of men on the outskirts of the town, so he'd come to investigate. He couldn't imagine what the boys might have witnessed. He felt sickened by it; he didn't want to be here, looking after two boys who had seen things that grown men should never have to see.

He dropped to his knees and held out his arms. "Come on, boys. Let me get you away from here."

Jed slipped away from his cousin and ran to the sheriff, desperate to get away. Han followed reluctantly, watching everyone the whole time.

McCandless led Jed over to his deputy, Han staying close behind. "Archie, you take young Jed here, an' Travis, you can take Han."

Han gripped Jed's arm. "No."

McCandless knelt beside him. "I'm sure you boys want to get away from here, dontcha?"

Jed nodded but Han didn't move.

Archie led his horse over. "You boys can ride, right? Well, how would it be if you two rode Bessie and I'll follow beside on one of the other horses? That work?"

Han thought for a moment, then nodded.

McCandless sighed. "Good idea, thanks Archie. You take my horse and come straight back after you get 'em there safe."

"Sure. Where should I take em?"

McCandless swore. "Good question. Church?" He took another look at their white faces. "Mayhap the doc should check 'em over?"

Jed looked up. "My sister, Leah, she's staying with the Monroes."

McCandless and Archie exchanged a look.

Archie nodded. "The Monroes, then."