Chapter 6

Following his brother, Thomas kept a hand on the knife he kept around his waist, not wanting to risk that either Adam nor himself get in trouble. And, as Adam got closer to the Saloon, this fear heightened, knowing both what needed to be done as well as what could happen.

On one hand, Thomas knew this was dangerous, but yet he also knew it was necessary. So, taking a risk, he reached out, laying a hand on Adam's shoulder. Then, just as his brother swung around, his own dagger raised, he jumped back, putting up both hands in surrender.

"Adam, it's just me.", he whispered, not daring to move a muscle.

"What are you doing?", Adam, hissed at his brother, hate as well as fear, apparent in his eyes. "I told you to stay out of this!"

"Yes. I know that.", Thomas replied, with a nod of his head. "But, Aunt Mary told me to follow you. Adam, you know and I know that Pa would never hurt one of us, but this is the day he lost Ma... well a few days after it. You know how he's been. How you've been. We both know, though it's a little rare that Pa needs to come down here once in awhile... you know."

"Well, maybe it's time he stopped being a baby about it.", Adam replied, the fact that he was annoyed, obvious.

This time, Thomas merely let out a sigh, now lost for words. "Well, let me at least go with you.", he said after a moment.

"Fine.", Adam mumbled and began walking toward the Saloon once more.

However, just as the two reached it, they were startled to see a man sitting a few steps from the door.

Recognizing him immediately, Thomas gasped, rushing to his side. "Pa.", he whispered, kneeling at his side. "A-Are you o-ok?", he asked in a whisper.

Moaning, he turned to face his sons. "T-Tom... what?", he whispered, barely audible.

"Aunt Mary sent us to find you Pa. What happened? Who did this?", Thomas asked nervously. "How long have you been here?"

"Awhile.", he whispered.

"Oh, Pa.", Thomas whispered, pain for his father apparent in his eyes. "We've got to get you home. Aunt Mary's worried sick."

"Well, I'm finding the guy who did this!", Adam growled as he began standing up when-

"Adam no!", Simon barked, grabbing his son's arm as the man pulled out his own knife, slashing him across the back.

"So, your boys think they can take care of you, eh Simon? Don't make me laugh. This isn't the end." Then, looking at Adam he merely snorted. And you. Don't make me laugh. You couldn't protect him if your life depended on it." And with that, he gave Adam a nudge with his foot before walking off.

"Adam?", Thomas whispered, when the man was out of hearing range. Hesitantly he reached forward, stopping before he touched his brother's shoulder.

"This is no time to baby me! We've got to get Pa home!", Adam barked, standing up, though his legs trembled just a bit as he did.

Both father and son, merely stared at him.

"Adam, I'm not sure-"

"What do you mean!? You work with us in the mine everyday! You're tougher than this!"

The next moment Simon was saved when Jake, an old friend of his, happened to walk by.

"The new guy get ya Simon?", he asked, giving both his sons understanding looks.

"Afraid so. Mary and the rest of the boys are waiting for me to get home so they can eat.", he told Jake, sighing as he said it.

Nodding, Jake turned to look at the boys. "Think you two could help me get him there?", he asked.

"If they get one side and you get the other, I should be fine.", Simon replied before either of his sons could answer.

Jake nodded. "Well, ok. Though I think we'd better do something about the blood first."

"He's right, Pa. If we don't take care of that we might as well try not to get you home.", Thomas added. Then, looking to Jake, he asked, "What should me and Adam do?", he asked.

"See if you can find something to bring some water back in.", Jake replied.

"Yes sir.", Thomas replied with a nod as he rushed off to find what Jake needed.

Letting out a sigh, Mary hesitantly stood up after giving Henry's crib one last nudge. Her nephew had gone to sleep some time ago, but rocking him helped calm her nerves what little it did.

Finally, after some time she stood up and walked to the great room, where her mending basket sat. As she walked, she thought about her brother and nephews. She trusted her nephews just fine, but couldn't help worrying.

Reaching her mending basket, she reached down to grab what she needed when she was startled hearing the front door open.

"Simon!", she cried, when her nephews showed themselves, their father on their shoulders. "Thomas, Adam, what happened?", she asked. Dropping a shirt from her hand, she rushed over, kneeling at her brother's side.

"He was attacked.", Thomas, gasped as Mary helped Simon over to the bench where he could lay down.

Then, wondering what had happened, she helped Simon out of his blood-stained shirt and jacket.

"Jake helped us get him home. And, helped us with the necessary stuff.", Thomas explained while Adam watched, his features slightly tense from nervousness.

"Mary?", Simon whispered, struggling against the pain to open his eyes.

"Shhh. I've got it taken care of.", Mary whispered, hopping to calm her brother.

"W-What c-can we d-do?", Adam gasped after a few moments.

"Sweetie, all I want you and Thomas to do, is go to bed. You've had a long day.", she replied, smiling just a touch as she turned to look at her nephews.

However, both boys remained planted where they stood.

"You sure are?", Thomas stuttered as Adam frowned, crossing his arms across his chest.

"Boys... please.", Simon whispered, gasping.

"Yes sir.", Thomas replied, turning to his brother. "Good night Aunt Mary, Pa." And with that, he grabbed his brother's arm, urging him toward the staircase.

Once the boys were farther away, Simon looked to Mary, his face grim. "They're good boys.", he whispered.

Mary could only nod, agreeing with him, yet wishing she understood all her nephews felt.

When he opened the door, Thomas looked to his brothers, wishing he could heal their pain.

At first he wasn't able to see clearly in the darkness, but after a his eyes adjusted he noticed Jeffrey in the corner, one of the younger ones wrapped in his arms.

"Jeffrey?", Thomas whispered, walking up to his brother's bed. "What's wrong?"

"Gabriel. He had a bad dream.", he whispered, un-wrapping his arm, looking up as Thomas knelt beside him, gently reaching out to lay a hand on Gabriel's shoulder.

"Gabe.", he whispered, causing him to look up. "You're alright now. I'm here." Sighing, he gently rubbed his brother's back.

"How's Pa?", Jeffrey asked.

"We got him home but-"

"But he's hurt bad!", Adam yelled, waking the others.

The next moment, Thomas gave his brother a look, watching as Adam looked down, somewhat ashamed of his outburst.

"Though, he'll be alright.", Thomas said, hoping to ease his younger brothers' nerves.

Jeffrey nodded.