Chapter 23

Jimmy woke and found himself in the bunkhouse. He slowly rose to sit up. He was alone. He swung his legs off the bed and stood. He felt no weakness at all. He actually felt great. He dressed and made his way outside. Noah was on the porch. He smiled as Jimmy walked out.

"Mr. Hickok." He laughed.

"Yeah."

"Good to see you moving around."

"You too. Where's everyone else?"

"Doing chores. Around and about."

"Gotcha. Guess I need to gather my things."

"Gather your things? Why?"

"I can't stay here."

"Sure ya can." Teaspoon said as he limped over. "Why in the world would you think otherwise?"

"With everything that's happened, I need to move on. Where no one will know me."

"And again why is that? We know you just fine and dandy here. You belong with us."

"Doubt the town thinks that."

Buck and the others came walking over then. As well some people from town.

Jimmy looked down at the floor.

"I'll get my things."

"No, you won't."

Jimmy looked up to see that someone from the town had spoken.

"We will not hear nothing of you leavin." Another said.

"And this is our secret to keep." Said another.

"You are our best protection, you can't leave us."

Jimmy looked around at his family then the town people.

"I think its best."

"I gave you a chance Jimmy." He looked to see Raven step forward. "You best not blow it. Don't make me regret my decision."

Jimmy shook his head, unsure.

"Look, with Buck here, what can go wrong? He can help you contain this thing."

"What if I turn into that? What if I become him?"

"Then we will put you out of your misery, til then, you are stuck with us." Smiled Cody.

Jimmy nodded and smiled. He guessed he was staying.

A few months later, Jimmy walked around town. He smiled and spoke to everyone he passed. It was like nothing had happened. Carson was gone. They buried him in the cemetery. The stories stopped. The murders stopped. Carson had fooled them all. The signs were there but they had trusted him. He went unnoticed. Raven left to head back home but vowed to come kill him if he went down that path. He made his way to the edge of town. His town. The people here had accepted him. They were not afraid of him. His secret was safe. He and Buck, sometimes Cody, still roamed at night. He liked to help them hunt. He laughed thinking about it. He saw a rider riding fast. He slid to a stop at Teaspoon's office and rushed inside. Jimmy headed that way to see what was going on.

He opened the door to see a look of concern cross Teaspoon's face. Jimmy stopped in his tracks. He could smell it. He growled. His eyes flashed red. Teaspoon nodded at him. Not his town. Not ever.

The end