Chapter 15

Buck watched Jimmy sit in the corner of the small, abandoned cabin. He hadn't spoken in a while. Buck knew that was his friend, his family, but was he still that person? He shifted uncomfortably. He didn't know what to say as Jimmy just sat staring out the dirty window. Maybe he was wrong. Maybe Raven was right. Yet in his heart, he felt this was not what it seemed. This was different. Nothing to do with skin walkers. He had to say something.

"Don't worry, we will figure all this out."

"What do I do now? What is gonna happen? Will I be like that, Buck?"

"I don't think so. I feel that it will not be that way. I still can't explain it, but I know this is not what we think. The other man out there is evil. He enjoys killing and probably did before this happened to him. You are not like that, Jimmy. You have good inside."

"But I have evil inside also. Look at my past. What I have done."

"It's not the same."

"I don't want to do this. I don't think I can."

"You don't have a choice. What's done is done."

"Look at my nails, Buck. And these." Jimmy said showing his teeth. "Will it stay this way? How can I hide that?"

"I don't know. I don't but I think this is just part of it."

"What you mean, like a beginning?"

"I think it will get worse before it gets better. But it will get better."

"I can't do this."

"You can. Look, I have to head back. Carson has pulled everyone into this stupid idea to set a trap for him. I need be there. They don't know what they are up against."

Jimmy nodded and stared ahead again.

"I will be back once this is over. Stay here. I will bring some food back."

Jimmy stared ahead as Buck walked out the door and left.

Cody made his camp at about dusk dark. He stacked plenty of wood. More than he would need. He had to admit that he was nervous to be sitting out here. He looked around but could not see any of the others. He knew they were there but damn, he was having second thoughts. He watched the flames flicker as the sun started to set.

Kid felt Lou push closer as it grew darker. He tried to take slow even breaths so as not to draw attention to himself. He motioned for Louise to do the same. She held her gun shakily. Teaspoon and Carson watched from the other side with the syringe ready. He looked on knowing that he may not even attack Cody. There was nothing to worry about just yet.

Buck eased down beside Kid. Kid jumped before shaking his head.

"Where the hell you been?"

"Busy." Buck replied watching Cody.

Cody sat back reading one of his many books. He felt his eyes grow sleepy and soon he was snoring. Carson was snoring beside Teaspoon as he blinked and looked on determinedly. Kid felt Lou lay her head on his shoulder. He was fighting sleep as well. Buck just stared ahead.

Cody woke. He sat up. He smelled it. He jumped to his feet. He still could not see the others. He pulled his rifle close. He heard shuffling in the grass. He stepped closer to the fire. He felt his heart begin to race. He felt nausea rising up as well the fear. He was here.

Buck nudged Kid and Lou to wake them. He tipped his head to Cody. Buck's eyes darted around looking for anything. Any sign or glimpse of the beast. Teaspoon felt his own hand tremble as he saw Cody move toward the fire. He went to tap Carson, but he wasn't there. Teaspoon looked around then quickly back to Cody.

"Just breathe, son. Slow it down." He whispered as he began moving closer with the syringe.

Cody tossed more wood on the fire. He swallowed the fear down. Breathe. Just breathe. He felt a blast of air from behind. Suddenly the fire was out. He was paralyzed with fear. He couldn't slow it down. He couldn't stop his panic. He felt his heart racing. He felt movement behind him but yet, he couldn't move. He felt it's hot breath on his back. He couldn't scream. His mouth was dry. He closed his eyes to wait for it when suddenly he heard Buck yell. He opened them to see Buck and Kid running straight for him in the moonlight. He heard the deep rumbling growl from behind. Heard the beast yell. He felt spit and hot air from his mouth. Cody heard Buck yelling for him to run. He took off. He heard heavy footsteps behind him. The smell was stifling. He heard their gunfire, but they missed as the animal jumped into the trees. Cody stopped next to Kid and Buck. Lou was frozen a few steps away.

"It's in the trees!" Cody yelled.

Teaspoon ran closer to his boys. He saw swift movement. He yelled for them to watch out. Buck jumped to the ground, but Cody and Kid were not as fast. The long muscular arms swung out catching both of them. Both were raised in the air by the hit and fell several feet away in the darkness. Lou screamed as she heard something behind her. Buck grabbed her hand to pull her away. Teaspoon ran into the trees. Carson ran out from the other side with a syringe in his hand. He stopped as Teaspoon soon came out the other.

"It's gone." Buck said.

"Where the hell were you?!" Teaspoon yelled at Carson.

"I smelled him and went around to try to get the jump, but he was too fast."

"Kid, Cody!" Lou yelled finally pushing her fear away.

The group ran over to where they lay.

Raven woke and stared into the darkness before her. She pulled herself up rubbing her head. Damn Buck Cross. She slowly stood unsteadily. She had to find them. She had to kill Jimmy. If she had to kill Buck to get it done, then that's what she would do. One down, one to go. She would end this.