Chapter 2
Teaspoon sat in his office trying to think of an explanation to the tracks that they had seen. He had sent word out to neighboring towns but so far, no one had reported any animal attacks. As far as he was concerned, it had to be a bear. After all they could walk on twos. He just worried if it would attack again. Something had to be wrong with the animal. He looked up as Kid walked in and tossed a letter on his desk. He picked it up.
"Hear anything on your run?"
"Nothing. Everyone over there seemed business as usual. Didn't hear any stories at the saloon either as I got a bite."
Teaspoon ripped open the letter and read it. He read it again. Then again.
"Everything ok?" Kid asked concerned.
"Sent word to a friend of mine back east. Just to see what he had to say."
"And?"
"Seems they had some sort of attacks similar to this one. They figured it an animal that was ranging. They hunted it but never found anything. He sent me an article from another paper. Last known area was heading west."
"What does that mean for us?"
"He says he is coming. Be here in a few weeks."
"He tracking it or something?"
"Says he has been waiting for this. See me soon."
"Could be a good thing, maybe he knows something and can help."
"Maybe." Teaspoon mumbled rubbing his chin.
"I'm gonna head on back."
"Who's out?"
"Cody."
"Overnight?"
"Yeah, be back tomorrow afternoon. You ok?"
"Not really."
"You think there is something to this?"
"Carson, my friend, always had a knack for the oddities, I guess you could say. He is a dreamer. Believer is the better word for it. I sent word his way because I knew if there was anything strange happening, he would be the one to know about it. I was really hoping that his reply was gonna be nothing." Teaspoon tried to smile.
"I reckon we will have to wait and see. Probably still nothing to it. I'll see you later." Kid said walking away.
"Yep." Teaspoon muttered still bothered by the thought of what was bringing Carson his way. "What does all this mean?"
Cody made his delivery and was riding back toward the station. He looked up at the sky, but he knew night was coming soon. He slowed his horse knowing that he had no choice but to make camp.
"I guess we knew this was coming. God, I hate to admit but I don't want to stop." He spoke to his horse.
The horse neighed as Cody slowed and tossed his head.
"Stop that, Soda. I ain't chicken, just wary. You didn't hear what Buck said ok. So, you can't judge me."
Cody walked his horse over to a small open area and started to set up for the night. As the moon rose higher in the sky, he glanced over again to double check all the wood that he had collected. He'd be damned if he let his fire go out tonight. He jumped as an owl screeched in the trees.
"Damn owl. Why don't you sleep at night like normal birds? Please go away." He muttered.
He picked up his rifle and laid it across his lap. He glanced over to his horse who was dozing peacefully. Jimmy wouldn't let him live this down if he knew how he was acting. Cody laughed to himself. He eased back on his bedroll after piling more wood on his fire. He counted the stars overhead until he started growing sleepy. He had just started to drift off when his horse led out a neigh. Cody startled into a sitting position. He held his rifle in his hands.
"What is it, Soda?" He asked the horse as it pawed at the ground nervously.
"Fuck this."
Cody hurriedly tossed his saddle on his fidgety mount. Soda reared and tried to jerk away from him. He looked over his shoulder as the most putrid smell filled his nose. He held the reins firmly and jumped on his back. He thought he saw movement off in the trees in the darkness. He looked again and saw a shadow move. A large shadow. He jerked Soda around and kicked him hard. Cody never looked back. He rode as hard and fast as his horse could carry him in the full moonlight.