Shew! Please read and review... Thanks again to the suprise review from Hanson's Angel and my buddy Tewksgirl. Thanks again to Terry too! Please let me know what you think... it means a lot!

Chapter 6

"We have to move out now!" Kurdy shouted at Marcus and Blake as he Lacy and Rita approached the Rover.

"Hello to you two... and what's going on?" Marcus asked, first acknowledging Lacy and then turning his attention to the highly agitated Kurdy.

"He's bad Marcus, real bad." Kurdy insisted. "We need to move out now."

"Are you prepared to take on the whole town Kurdy?" Lacy asked looking at Marcus and then Kurdy.

"If I have too…" Kurdy seethed as he looked back at Lacy. "That's my friend back there and I'm not about to leave him to die at the hands of some insane radical looking for an easy meal ticket. Your all either in this with me or not."

The quartet all exchanged glances. Kurdy stood leaning against the door of the Rover watching the foursome decide their own future in regards to rescuing a complete stranger. Rita looked up at Kurdy taking a deep breath she took a step forward as Marcus did also.

"We're with ya." Marcus commented.

"I am too." Lacy stated. She was followed by Blake who raised an eyebrow at the definite outnumbered band of rescuers.

"I've had worse odds." Blake laughed nervously. He shifted his weight on his feet and ran his thick wind burned fingers through his messy dark hair. He took a long drag on the home rolled cigarette he was holding in his teeth and dropped it to the ground. He then smashed the lit end with his foot, grinding out the glowing ember.

"Let's go! Blake you're driving." Marcus shouted as the unlikely pairing jumped into the Rover and set out to rescue a man known only to two of them.

--

Jeremiah hacked and coughed as another bucket of frigid water was slung at him. He drew in a desperate gasping breath as he shook and shivered uncontrollably. The icy pins and needles stabbed at his weakened body ferociously. He could feel every inch of his body and burning muscles constrict from the violent snap of cold.

Oh GOD please help me...

He could feel the stress on his dislocated shoulder from involuntarily snapping back from the sudden icy surge. The burning from the constant pulling and tugging was starting to make him feel as if he could throw up violently. The only problem was he had nothing in his stomach to throw up. He had been denied food and water for nearly three days now. He closed his eyes through the painful shock biting his bottom lip. He wanted to scream for help but who was there to hear him? Who was there that would care? He continued to shake as a second stream of water caught him from the back. He cried aloud and sucked in a deep breath as the chilly liquid took his breath away. It took the thin outer layer of scabbing off that had formed over the violently slashed skin on his back was painfully washed away, raining down a new intense searing pain for him. He struggled to gain enough composure to take in even the slightest breath. He shook almost uncontrollably from the elements that continued to exude their icy painful control over his body. The low temperature nipped angrily at his body with each passing second. Through all the torture he gritted his teeth stifling a groan as he heard the sounds of a struggle to his right. He fought to raise his head to see where the clash was coming from.

"No! This has to stop. Damn it Roger let him go! Can't you see he's sick!"

"Well Cole, I needed to deal with you anyways. You just continue to disappoint me."

Jeremiah turned his head slowly to the side watching as the man who had tried to help him the day before was being forced onto his knees by two others; his arms pulled cruelly behind his back and with a rope it was tied savagely around his wrists. He fought desperately to stop the attack against him only to be overpowered again. In the end he was face down on the floor with Roger bearing downward on his body his knee crushing viciously between the tops of his shoulder blades. Cole's face turned red as he struggled for a breath beneath the weight being shoved down on his shoulders. Jeremiah pulled exhaustedly at the rope binding him in place. He wanted to help… he had to help but he couldn't free himself. Jeremiah watched Roger lean over and whisper something into his ear. Cole shot a murderous look towards his captor before he was kicked violently in the ribs twice by Brian. It was apparent that he was keen on inflicting pain on anyone he could get away with. The two kicks left him lying painfully on his side. Jeremiah watched as his head lulled to the side while he bit his lip fighting the pain that ravaged his body.

Is there no end to this madness?

Jeremiah's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of foot steps as they crossed in front of him. He slowly raised his head to make eye contact with the man who was standing in front of him. Roger grasped Jeremiah's chin tightly between his long vice like fingers jerking Jeremiah's head the rest of the way up. He pulled out a hand gun. The shiny silver metal gleamed dramatically in the late morning sunlight. Roger then shoved the weapon furiously into Jeremiah's swollen jaw line. The sudden movement elicited pained grunt, nearly hyper extended the captives neck. Roger had no sooner cocked the hammer when the familiar sound of an engine roared through the town. Jeremiah let out a breath as he watched the weapon drop to Roger's side while he then turned quickly seeing the unfamiliar camouflaged vehicle tear through the crowd.

People jumped out of the way as the truck tore up the grass in its path. It came to a screeching halt in front of the stage. Kurdy and Marcus both jumped from back of the truck as Rita and Lacy jumped from the front. Blake remained in the front driver's seat ready to egress at a moments notice. Lacy cut the bonds securing her brother with a knife given to Rita by Kurdy. Cole sat up slowly holding tightly to his damaged right side. As soon as his eyes met Rita's he lunged for her grasping her tightly and then recoiling when he was painfully reminded of how much his side ached.

"Rita…" He could feel himself start to tear up as he looked at her youthful face. "My GOD you look just like mom."

Cole lay back heavily against his sister Lacy looking back at his youngest sister Rita. He held her face in his hand as he shook his head while he looked at her for a long time. Rita felt the tears start as she fell into the two sets of arms again. Lacy and Cole both held her tightly to them as they promised to never be separated again.

Roger fled the scene disappearing around the side of the stage followed by Brian and two others. The sounds of chaos ignited within the crowd. People chattering and screaming as they started to realize something wasn't right.

Jeremiah slowly lifted his eyes to see his friend Kurdy with a knife high above him sawing rapidly at the bonds holding him.

"Kur…dy." He whispered his voice gravely from fever.

"I'm here… just hang on." Kurdy reassured his friend as he continued to slash through the ropes suspending him. He noted the red rims of fever glistening in his eyes. Dark rings seemed to encircle angrily around them

With no warning at all the rope snapped sending Jeremiah dropping rapidly towards the floor, his legs too weak to support his own weight. Only the sudden painful slam of his body to ground never came as Marcus grasped the appallingly injured man about the waist and while struggling to not make contact with his injuries while holding him, preventing him from falling. Kurdy swiftly hoisted him to a somewhat standing position; Jeremiah's head rested on the shoulder of the well built black man. Jeremiah began to cough violently nearly doubling him over. Kurdy dropped to his knees with the man as violent tremors tore through his fever strained body. Marcus made sure the man was secure before he left to walk towards the center of the stage to attempt to calm down the crowd of angry people.

"You're gonna be ok buddy." Kurdy stated protectively glaring from side to side as the townspeople started to talk loudly amongst themselves while crowding in towards the stage; they soon began to point at the Rover and the people who were transported in on the beast of the vehicle.

"Ladies and Gentlemen please… My name is Marcus Alexander…" Marcus tried desperately to calm the mob down as it became louder and louder.

Marcus glanced towards Kurdy who was still on the ground supporting the nearly unconscious Jeremiah in his arms. He glanced the other direction towards Cole, Lacy and Rita who were all on their feet and clinging to each other as the mob began to move closer. Blake fired up the Rover as Marcus looked fearfully at him.

"Folks, please…" Marcus gestured towards the crowd as it continued to lurch forward.

There was nothing he could do. The people were starting to pick up stones and sticks and hurl them at the stage. They started to charge mercilessly at them even after Marcus tried again to calm them. Marcus lifted his arms in a feeble attempt to cover the front of his face as a large stick flew by nearly slamming into his head.

"Get to the Rover!" He shouted.

Kurdy wasted no time leaning over allowing Jeremiah to fold over his shoulder. He then charged towards the truck and jumped hastily into the back. He seated himself on the floor with Jeremiah resting his head on his muscular thigh his back facing the sky. Rita jumped into the back of the vehicle and removed her jacket and placed it over Jeremiah's shaking body. She seated herself next to Kurdy's right side and placed her hand gently on Jeremiahs head brushing his already short brunette hair back while feeling for the temperature she knew was there. She looked alarmed when her eyes met Kurdy's.

"He's burning up." Rita whispered.

"Go, go, go!" Marcus shouted as he scaled the tale gate.

The truck tires spun wildly and then pitched forward fishtailing through the loose sod. Again people hustled to move out of the path of the hastily traveling vehicle. Marcus held tightly to the side of the truck. He watched Kurdy carefully guarding Jeremiah from any additional harm. Rita had some of the medical supplies in hand trying to gently clean up anything she could while bouncing around in the back of the truck. He then turned his focus on the cab of the Rover where Blake drove, watching the road intently. Next to him sat Cole who had his head resting on his sister, Lacy's shoulder. He appeared to also be in need of more medical attention than the make shift first-aid kit they had in the transport vehicle.

--

Marcus leaned forward towards the cab. Kurdy felt the truck begin to slow down and then come to a complete stop. Marcus rose up and then stepped over the rear of the truck and onto the ground.

"What the hell Marcus… Jeremiah can't wait much longer. We need to get back to the Mountain now!" Kurdy shouted.

Jeremiah groaned softly as Kurdy gently shifted his head onto Rita's leg. He then jumped over the side of the truck and charged angrily at Marcus.

"Kurdy we won't make it back to the Mountain with out Jeremiah getting sicker. We have to set up camp and treat him now." Marcus replied firmly. "We need to get word back to Erin and let her know this is coming. We need Lee here."

"Lee?" Kurdy looked confused.

The sound of the passenger door slamming followed by the driver side door made the twosome jump.

"Lee… he has medic experience…"

"So do I." Lacy walked towards Kurdy and Marcus.

"You?" It was Marcus's turn to be confused.

"Yeah well, my mother was a nurse and my father a doctor. That kind of stuff follows you around. People get sick and automatically you are going to save them. In fact Rita has a gift for medicine too." Lacy's words were followed by Marcus walking over to the truck to check on Jeremiah who was laying unconscious on Rita's black trouser covered legs. She glanced up at the man who leaned heavily on his own arms against the back of the truck.

"He okay?" Marcus asked softly.

Her sea green eyes shifted from side to side and then focused on Marcus…

"He's burning up." She responded.

"How much farther can he go before…"

"We need to get him in a bed and out of this cold before he gets any sicker. He's wheezing. It sounds like pneumonia to me; not to mention the cuts and bruises and I think his shoulder is dislocated or broken." She replied looking fearfully back at Marcus.

Marcus ran his hand through his hair frustrated with the world. He closed his eyes as he turned his back to everyone and stared off into the wooded countryside. Maybe these girls could help them. There was no way of getting around the fact that they were now a day late back to Thunder Mountain and he could only imagine the turmoil that was going to arise from that.

"Marcus, Clear Water Creek is only a few miles from here. That's our best bet." Blake suggested. It was also apparent to him that they couldn't keep going without further injuries to the already suffering.

Kurdy took a deep breath in. He wanted the best for his friend, and the best was at Thunder Mountain under the care of Erin. Today he was stuck with the best they had on hand… were they going to be enough?