Chapter 2: Things Are Just Beginning

Dream: "Sshh! Sam! You have to be quiet!" My little brother was trying to stifle his cries. We herd horse trots approach where we were hiding. We were hidden in a ditch under a large log. They came to a slow stop to where we were. I clamped my hand over Sam's mouth, putting his mummers to a silence. We could see some horse hooves, and then some feet that jumped down. We had sent our horses running to try and hide our tracks. I was careful to hide our foot prints. After about a minute, the man finally got back on his horse and rode in the direction our horses had went. It started to get dark out when I decided that it was safe to crawl out. We walked slowly in the opposite direction of the horses to go to our aunt's house. It wasn't that far. Snap! There was someone behind us! We stood still. I slowly turned around. There was no one there. We started walking again when I heard another snap. But this time when I turned, click! (sound of a gun being cocked)

End of Dream: I jumped up, covered in sweat and breathing heavy. Damb! I knew I would have another one of them dreams. I wipe my face with my hand and looked toward where I last saw Sam laying down. He wasn't there. Then I heard a creak to my left, near the door. I quickly grab the rifle I had beside me and rolled off the bed on the right. I bent down on one knee and pointed my rifle toward where I heard the sound. I hear another creak that was followed by a low growl. It was Sam letting me know it was just him. "Dammit Sam! You nearly scared me to death!" My heart was still pounding with adrenaline. Sam hopped back into bed and laid down. I was still tired, but thought I could use a nice hot bath. I got the water boiling, dumping each one into the tub. Seeing that I wasn't planning on going back to bed, Sam allowed himself to fall into a deep sleep. He knew that I would watch over him.

The bath was ready, so I once again brushed the tangles out of my hair so that it would be easier to wash. I took off my shirt and underwear and slowly dipped myself into the warm water. It was just right, warming every part of my body. I couldn't help but slide my head under the water. I blew a few bubbles before going back up. "This feels so nice." I whispered to myself. It has been a while since I got to relax and take a hot bath. Sure, a couple of weeks ago I found a beautiful stream to wash up in, but it's not a hot bath. Maybe I'll sit here a bit before getting down to business. I closed my eyes and thought about what had happened yesterday.

I just arrived and already have to watch my back from 'the Cowboys', especially the one that kept looking at me. He didn't seem to be more than a tail, but I can't be too careful. And then there's that man that was playing poker. When I left the room, it looked like he had gotten up to talk to the three brothers. But I can't assume that it was about me. Then, to finish it off, I got my guns taken. I was planning on wearing a dress tomorrow due to the fact that the men that are trying to kill me are looking for a young boy, it may help get them off my trail and allow me to relax a little longer in this town. I suppose I could wear a dress another time. I should have gotten far enough from those men.

Now that I'm in a more relaxed, I decided to go ahead and wash up. When my hair, face and body were as clean as I could get it, I got out and started drying off and tied the towel around myself. It was a little shorter than most towels. It came to the tips of my fingers. But it covered me all the same. Once the towel was secured, I got rid of the water.

After that, I decided to stand out on the balcony and let the air hit my wet skin. I still wore a towel in case anyone was to be wandering the streets, but it was still early. The sun had yet to come up. It felt like it was right before dawn.

It was one of the greatest feelings I have ever felt. The nice warm breeze touching my skin, and lightly pushing my wet hair. I took in a deep breath and let it out. I looked up at the sky. It was getting a little light, but it was still dark. I looked down at the road, wondering where the sheriff's station was. I let out a sigh and gave up. I couldn't see very much. I slightly bent over the edge. Resting onto my forearms and standing on my toes.

After a few moments of just enjoying the scenery, it felt like someone was staring at me. Slowly, I looked back toward the ground and swept my eyes across the road. Then I saw him. A tall, thin man. He was standing straight with a slight lean on one foot. One hand looked to be on his waist while the other was in mid-air, holding something, perhaps a cigarette. That's all I could see with the light that was available and from the distance that was between us. It looked like he was looking my way, and after looking back at him for a minute, he waved at me. This surprised me, making my head move slightly back. I smiled and figured what the hell; I'm in a good mood. So I raised one arm and did a wave using my fingers. The man then waved his arm in a motion that said, "Come here." I shook my head no, and when he tilted his head, I stood straight and pointed to the towel I had on. His body shook. Probably from laughing at the excuse I had given him. And then, he amazed me. He took off his coat and held it out, as if to offer it to me to wear. That's when I laughed for a first time in years. I shook my head with a tilt to show that my answer stands, but sorry. At that, the man shook his head up and down in understanding, and slightly bowed. I bowed my head back to him, and he slowly walked away.

Doc's POV: (Few minutes earlier) I decided to leave early and head to The Oriental and wait there to meet with Wyatt, Morgan and Virgil. It was a nice night, or early morning. I stopped when I saw some movement. I looked up at a balcony that was lightly lit inside the room from a lamp, and saw someone walk out onto it. As I continued to look, I saw that is was a girl. She hardly had anything covering her body. From this far, it looked like it could be a towel, but I wasn't quite sure. Slowly, she seemed to look down. Then her eyes rested on me. After a minute, I decided to be polite and wave hello. She returned my hello with her own. She used her fingers like most ladies do, so there's a chance that she is from a higher upbringing. I decided to test my theory by inviting her down, but she declined. I tilted my head wondering why, and that's when she stood straight and pointed to the thing she was wearing. I laughed, not seeing why she couldn't change into something more decent. Also, she was comfortable to wear it on a balcony, why not down here? Perhaps she doesn't want to be seen in public wearing so little clothing. So, I took off my coat and offered it to her to see if it would change her mind. Her body seemed to shake, maybe from laughing at my futile attempt to persuade her to come down. She stuck with her first answer, no. But from the tilt of her head, it looked apologetic. So, I simply nodded my understanding and bowed with respect. She too bowed. Perhaps I will be lucky enough to meet her face to face. I slowly walked away, wondering who she is.

There were a few people in the saloon when I walked in. I walked to the bar, and Milt was prepared to give me my usual drink, but I declined. "I think I'll have some coffee this morning Milt, black." He shook his head and went to fetch me the coffee. Upon his return, he asked, "Why the sudden change Doc?"

"No reason. I just felt like a change." I took my coffee to my usual back table, and sat against the wall so that I had a clear view of the door. I guess I was half expecting the mysterious woman to come walking in. I couldn't see anything but the outline of her body, and that she had little on. I'm not sure if it was a very short night gown, or a towel. Either way, not very many women are willing to walk out onto a balcony in such a thing. The ones who do are most often whores. I hope she was one of the few exceptions.

By the time I was almost done with my coffee, I saw someone walk in. At first I thought it may be the girl, but I was only slightly disappointed by who walked through instead. It was my good friend Wyatt. He walked to the bar, so I decided to go join him, knowing that it was almost time to head up to the jail. "Why, good morning Wyatt. I didn't expect you to be here so early."

"Hey Doc. I didn't expect you to be here this early either."

"Are we to wait for your two brothers before heading out?"

"Just Morgan, Virgil is meeting us at the jail."

"I see, it appears that he is quite eager to find at more about the boy."

"Ha! And you're not?! You were here before me."

"That may be so Wyatt, but I can't help myself. When I find something interesting, I just have to figure it out."

"Well, just don't cause any trouble."

"Ah, Wyatt. I am hurt. How could you think that I would cause trouble with a little boy?" I said putting my hand to my chest. "Shut up." Wyatt mumbled, loud enough for me to barely hear. This made me laugh.

Morgan walked through the saloon doors a few minutes later. "Man! I'm the last one!?"

"It appears so" I said with a bit a humor.

"Well, let's get goin' then." Wyatt said as he lifted himself off the bar stool, leading the way to the jail. I smiled, wondering on how the boy will react when getting his guns.

When we got to the jail, Virgil was pouring himself a cup of coffee. Hearing us come in, he quickly turned around to face us. "Oh, it's just you three"

"Are we not what you expected Virgil?" I joked with him, knowing who he was waiting for.

"No, I knew y'all would be comin', just didn't know when. Just like the boy who's comin' for his guns."

"Were you able to find anything out about him?" Morgan questioned.

"Nope. No one ever saw that boy before. And Milt stuck by not knowing the kids name."

"Well, we'll just have to wait until the boy gets here." Wyatt said, helping himself to a cup of coffee.

"It seems so. But my patients are wearing thin." I said, rolling another cigarette.

We sat and waited for the boy to come. We had little conversations. About what has been going on, how business was going, and so on. Then finally, someone walks in. It's him. He walks in slowly, being met with silence. The boy stands there and looks around. His eyes landing on Ike, who was locked up. His eyes seemed to linger there for only a second more before he looked to Virgil.

"Well boy, you're here awfully early." Virgil says, breaking the silence. The boy did not say anything, bringing another silence.

"I'm guessing you're here for your guns. Am I right?"

"Yes Sheriff. Not to be rude, but I have no other reason to be here." His obvious answer made us all laugh, but the boy showed no reaction.

"Of course, sorry, one sec. Your guns are right here." Virgil says, walking to his desk.

"So, boy, where you from?" Wyatt asks, trying to get more information on the boy.

"Um, I am from Pennsylvania." The boy said after a slight delay. I looked to Wyatt to see if he had notice, but he didn't look back, meaning he did not. I guess I have to wait for my turn to question him.

Heather's POV: Damn! I delayed! It looked like the only one who notice was the one that was playing poker yesterday. By the way, what's he doing here?

"Pennsylvania? what are you doing all the way out here?" The sheriff asked.

"Well, Sheriff, I'm traveling for personal reasons."

"Okay then, what's your name boy?" The sheriff asked.

"People who don't know me call me stranger."

"I see, well, I'm Virgil Earp, this is my younger brother Wyatt Earp, and our youngest brother, Morgan Earp." The sheriff said, pointing to each person except one.

"And my name is John Henry Holliday. But all my friends call me Doc." The poker man introduced himself.

"It's nice to meet all of you, but I still don't have my guns."

"Oh, here."

"Thanks Sheriff. I'll be on my way,"

"Wait one moment boy, you didn't seem to have told us your name." Mr. Holliday said.

"But I did Mr. Holliday. Those who don't know me, call me stranger."

"But that's not your real name kid." The Sheriff throws in.

"Why do you want to know so bad?" That question left them silent. I stood there for a minute longer then said, "Please excuse me, but I must get going." I turned around and walked out the door. Sam was waiting for me.

"Come on Sam, let's get you something to eat." Sam barked in agreement.

Wyatt's POV: "Well, that was different" I said with a chuckle.

"You don't meet a boy like that every day." Virgil said.

"Haha, yea. He managed to avoid almost all the questions you guys asked!" Morgan piped in.

"Yes, that boy is definitely unique. Who ever he is, things are just beginning." Doc says, still staring at the door.