Chapter 19

Buck woke slowly. He opened his eyes. He stared up at the blue sky. The clouds rolled by. He blinked to regain his thoughts. Jimmy. He sat up and gasped. He was sore. He remembered the ordeal from the night before. He scanned the area. Jimmy was sitting over by a small stream.

"Jimmy?"

Buck got to his feet when Jimmy didn't turn to acknowledge him. He made his way over and sat beside him. Jimmy sat with his hands in his lap, palms up.

"Jimmy?"

"I need you to kill me."

"I already told you that I won't do that."

"Kill me now."

"You didn't do anything. You did not kill anyone. I know you."

"I think I bit you, Buck."

For the first time, Buck looked down at his arm that Jimmy had wrapped. He felt fear run through him, but he did not show it. Instead, he took a deep breath.

"You are the key to all this. You can stop it. You will know the other one, Jimmy. You can end this."

"Then you can end me." Jimmy said standing.

"Jimmy,….."

"What have I done to you, Buck? What is going to happen to you because of me?"

"It is a scratch, not a bite."

"Have you looked at it?"

"I am fine."

"What am I going to do?"

"It's time to tell Teaspoon."

Buck and Jimmy rode into town. Jimmy kept the brim of his hat pulled down low over his eyes. The gloves that Buck had given him still gave him no sense of security. They tied their horses and walked into Teaspoon's office to find him sitting hunched over with his hands on his face.

"Teaspoon, we need to talk." Buck said quietly.

Teaspoon pulled his hands away to see Buck and Jimmy standing inside the door. He saw how serious Buck looked. He knew deep down that Buck had been trying to protect Jimmy.

"Close and lock the door."

Buck nodded and did as asked. Teaspoon leaned back in his chair.

"It ain't good news, is it."

"I'm sorry that we kept this from you. From all of you, but I wasn't sure. I'm still not but we need your help. Badly." Buck started. "But what I tell you, I think you need to keep to yourself."

"Buck, I can't keep the others in the dark. They are scared. Worried."

"Wait until you see, then you will see why I wasn't sure."

Teaspoon looked to Jimmy standing off beside the cell.

"Jimmy, you sure are quiet."

Jimmy looked up reluctantly. Teaspoon saw it then. He saw something coming from under his top lip. Teaspoon suddenly jumped to his feet. He staggered back. Buck put his hand up. Jimmy started to get upset. Buck had to get control of the situation.

"Now Teaspoon, take it easy. I know this is a shock but the more you get upset, the more Jimmy does."

Teaspoon looked at Jimmy. He saw fear and embarrassment in his eyes. He took a few calming breaths before trying to ease his stance.

"Jimmy?"

"Yeah." He replied looking down.

"It's ok. I'm ok. I'm just trying to put all this together."

Jimmy pulled his gloves off. Teaspoon saw the long fingernails. He felt himself tense. Not from fear but worry. Jimmy sensed the change in his demeanor. It made him feel angry and nervous. He felt it growing inside.

Teaspoon watched as the nails and teeth started to grow longer. Buck took notice and motioned for Teaspoon to remain calm. As Teaspoon calmed, Jimmy did also. The nails went back to normal, and the fangs shrank back to normal teeth. He was amazed. Buck nodded his head.

"It's going to be ok, son." Teaspoon said walking over to lay a hand on his shoulder. "I have to agree with Buck. This is just tween me and y'all. No one else needs to know anything. It is going to be ok. We will figure this out."

Jimmy relaxed hearing Teaspoon's acceptance and offer of help. He nodded.

"Teaspoon, I think he can control this. I don't think he is a threat of any kind. I have seen him do it. The other one out there likes to kill. He enjoys it. He chooses to do it. Jimmy is no murderer."

"Think Jimmy can help put an end to this?"

"I do."

"Jimmy, maybe it's best we keep you out of sight for the time being. Take time to come up with a plan."

"I don't know if what Buck says is true, Teaspoon. I don't know how to stop it. I don't know how to control this….thing. I have become a monster."

"You can't let doubt in your mind. We trust you can do this."

"I can't remember! What if I have killed folks?! How can you trust me when I can't trust myself? I can feel it deep inside. I feel the excitement and fear as you do. It makes me…. I can't."

"Stop. The key to this is staying calm. Right Buck?"

"I think so. Mind over matter." Buck agreed.

Jimmy shrugged nervously. Buck watched as his head snapped up. He froze.

"Jimmy?"

"He is close. I can smell him."

"Where?" Teaspoon asked just as he heard steps out front.

He heard the door rattle. Raven was trying to get in. He saw her peer in the window. He saw her see Jimmy. She screamed out and started pounding on the door.

"He is in there! The monster is in with the marshal!" She screamed as she tried to get inside.

Buck stood in front of Jimmy. Teaspoon noticed Jimmy start to panic.

"Out the back!" He yelled as townsfolk gathered around the front.

"It's him! It's the Hickok boy!" Someone yelled.

Teaspoon ran over to the door to yell back through the glass.

"What the hell are you talking about?!"

Buck and Jimmy raced toward the back. The door flew open to show Carson standing there with several men from town.

"Made a mistake, didn't you?" He sneered.

Buck and Jimmy stepped back inside. Jimmy was angry. How could the town turn on him so quick? And with the words of a stranger? Buck heard glass break. The front door opened as they stepped back. Teaspoon was yelling. Jimmy felt it. Buck looked on in fear as the long nails and fangs appeared.

"Jimmy, you have to stay calm. Don't let them get to you! You can do this!"

Jimmy tried to block it out. He tried to stop it.

"It is the Hickok boy!"

"Look at his hands!"

"He is a monster!"

"Murderer!"

Raven stepped forward as did Carson.

"Time to end this!" She yelled.

"No!" Carson screamed as he shoved Jimmy back.

Jimmy stumbled and fell into the cell. Carson slammed the door and locked it.