Immediately the older woman raced to her taking the girl from her arms. She was praising and blessing Brazen for bringing her girl back. Susan barely heard it. Her eyes were on all the fallen Force members just beyond her campsite. Some were right there in the fire pit. She didn't know if she should be happy, disgusted, horrified. Truthfully Susan felt completely numb like she was removed and watching things pass by without her.
Brazen stumbled zombie-like through the scene until she heard a familiar cry. It was Marie's little boy. She had heard that sound once when he had fallen at the river and skinned his knee. Slowly her feelings came back as she headed toward the sound. Emotion finally came when she laid eyes on the boy cry with his sister. Marie was on the ground, blood on her face. Susan broke into a run and quickly made it to the woman's side.
"Marie?" She brushed the blood away from her forehead seeing a bruise. The moan was welcome but it didn't make things better. Brazen ripped a piece of Marie's skirt wrapping her head gently.
"Did we beat the bastards?"
The voice was strained and quiet but the smile in Marie's hazy expression brought a measure of relief.
"Yes." Brazen replied still concerned.
"Good." Marie replied. "I'd hate to have taken a rifle stock to the head for nothing."
Brazen laughed quietly feeling the worry dissipate. She helped Marie sit up against the packs. The young boy was in her lap and the girl beside her. Susan looked around for others that might need help. The wounded seemed to be taken care of so she stayed with her friend. Susan was just about to speak again when the familiar, huge, black hooves stopped beside her.
"Snake!" She stood feeling a break in the tension. He was back. Brazen came full to her feet and looked up expecting to see him on the horse. Its back was empty. Brazen turned thinking maybe he had gotten down. Her eyes met those of an Indian. His expression was almost afraid as he held out the reins toward her. Susan stared blankly at the hand.
"They took 'em." The Indian finally spoke. "He's shot."
Brazen felt like something was crushing her. She wavered looking back at the horse. There was blood streaked down the saddle on the left side. Slowly she reached out and took the reins.
"Thank you." The words were hardly a whisper and she could see in the Indians eyes that he understood. Susan stepped forward petting the sweat soaked horse before she leaned her head against its shoulder. Kole stood still and snorted pushing his head against her.
This wasn't fair. The world had just given him back and now he was gone again. The pain was so strong she couldn't cry or breathe or move. She was frozen there seeing his face in her mind. He was gone.
A gentle hand touched her shoulder but she didn't look up.
"He will be back. He will never give up." It was Marie standing beside her. Her words broke through Brazen's despair. What would he do if things were reversed? If he were here and she had been taken. Brazen looked up at the horse. He would be out there trying to get her back. Brazen turned and looked at the boy who had fought beside her.
"Load my rifle." The determination had returned to her voice. She poured water for the horse while she grabbed an extra clip for the rifle.
"Brazen?" Marie tried to follow her as she moved between the packs and the horse.
"I'm going to find him." She wouldn't take any argument from anyone. He wouldn't and she was going to give him the same effort she knew he would for her. The Indian who had brought Kole was still standing there.
"Which way did they take him?"
"South." He paused holding her gaze. "Probably to the Kansas facility."
Brazen cringed. She knew what that place was like. She needed to get to him before they got there. The boy returned with the rifle and her pistol. She smiled taking them both. She shoved the pistol into her holster and slid the rifle into Snake's shotgun holster on the saddle. Fighting her fear of heights and riding she climbed into the saddle.
"Take
care of our things until I come back with him." Before Marie could
argue Brazen started Kole moving toward the road beyond the camp. She
wouldn't give up on him. He never gave up on her.