The Crucible – WHI
Chapter 1
He had long ago learned to ignore the scratch of grit in every pore of his body. His eyes burned with fatigue, his shoulders were on fire. Still, he put one foot in front of the other.
Step, breathe. Step, breathe.
He'd forgotten why he was walking across the desert, he only remembered his destination. He had to make it home. His kid brother was waiting for him. He had to go home.
Step, breathe. Step, breathe.
He could still hear the cackle of laughter. The voice of that madman seeped under his skin, taunting him, refusing to let him go. It was a reminder of the man he wasn't.
How easy it would it be to lie down beside the still figure on the travois and give into his pain and exhaustion. To admit that he was not the strong man of convictions and principles as everyone believed. That the line in the sand was a lot closer than even he once thought.
God, how he hated sand.
Step, breathe. Step, breathe.
It took a few seconds for his mind to register the heat blurred outline. The blessed frame of a building, people milling about. Was his mind playing games now, too?
He felt strong hands wrap around his middle, pulling him to his feet. Funny, he didn't even realize he fell.
"What happened, Son?" A voice called. He didn't recognize it. He shook his head. I'm not your son.
"Home." He said. His whispered words came out in gasps. "M'Brother. Gotta… get Joe."
"Alright, Boy. Take it easy, you're alright."
"Hey, Sheriff! This one's dead. I think it's that Kane Feller."
He shivered.
"The Doc should see for hisself, but looks like a case of heat stroke to me. Probably for both of them."
"Get him inside, would ya? Before we have two graves to dig."
"Didn't mean-" The words caught in his scratched throat, his breath was coming in gasps, black spots floated in his vision. "Pa?"
"I know, Boy." He felt a firm hand on his neck. "We'll get you to your Pa."
Unable to hold it in any longer, Adam Cartwright wept.