Chapter 14

Isabell walked around the camp with a purpose. She scowled at Jared as he walked toward her. He pulled her towards him. She shoved him away.

"I have no time for your stupid shit." She spat at him.

"Isabell, we will get them back. You will get them."

"What's your plan then? Oh, let me guess, just ride out and find as many as you can. Sounds like something stupid you would say."

"Isabell, I know you are upset over your brother…."

"Do you really? I have put up with your dumb shit only because of Cristobal. I have always done what he has asked of me! You being his best friend. Ha! Be your girl! Take control. I did exactly that." She said calming down.

"Take control? You think you run things around here?" Jared said grabbing her arm. "You ain't nothing but a whore. I know what you do. Don't think I don't."

Isabell laughed. "You know what I do? You don't know the half of it."

She swung up with her other arm, clutching her knife. She slashed his arm that was holding her. Jared stumbled back. She pulled her gun as he looked up into her eyes. She pulled the trigger. Jared fell back onto the ground. Some of the men gathered around. She stepped to stand over him.

"And this is my gang now."

She casually walked into her tent. Noah looked to Buck and Jimmy.

"She's losing it."

"We got to get out of here." Buck said.

"I've got some slack. I think I can get out." Noah said as he twisted his hands.

"There is a river right past those trees, we get there then we can float downstream." Buck said.

"Jimmy can't swim."

"Don't worry about me. I'll get there." Jimmy mumbled.

They all jumped alert as shots rang out. Noah frantically pulled at his ropes. Men ran all around them. Buck saw Cody.

"It's Cody!"

Just then they heard shots from across the other way.

"Fuck!" Yelled Noah.

The Pinkertons rained down from the other side. Noah pulled one hand free. He tangled with the other one until both were free. He went to Buck then to Jimmy. He pulled them both up to their feet. Jimmy saw bodies falling all around him.

"This way!" yelled Buck.

Jimmy just stood, swaying, and watched as his son returned fire. Noah got his arm.

"Jimmy, you want to get him?"

"No. He made his choice." Jimmy said sadly.

Noah got under Jimmy's arm. He helped him along as they followed Buck.

Isabell yelled out in a crazy rage as she killed agent upon agent. She saw Hunter catch a glimpse of his father leaving. She watched him stop and follow. She made her way through the madness to follow him as well.

Noah, Buck, and Jimmy slowly made their way to the river. Noah looked at the moving water.

"We will go down first and grab you as you come down." Buck said holding his chest.

"You sure you are up for this?" Noah asked.

"I have to be. It's the fastest way."

"Jimmy, I will go down with you." Noah said to his friend.

Jimmy nodded.

"Stop!"

They all turned to see Hunter pointing his gun right at them. Jimmy looked to Buck and Noah. He slightly stood up away from Noah. He walked out into the open.

"It's over." He said quietly to his son.

"It's not over until I say it's over. I got some things to say first." He said still aiming right at Jimmy.

"I have nothing else to say to you."

"Shut up! Listen! There is a small shack bout two miles downriver. Get there and wait this out. You will be safe. No one knows it is there." Hunter paused then lowered his gun. "You don't understand how hard this is. How hard things have been. How hard it is to lie."

Jimmy felt hope flood into him. Just as Hunter went to say more, Isabell ran into the open. She pointed her gun at Jimmy. Hunter raised his gun again before Isabell noticed.

"You want the pleasure or can I have it?" She asked staring at Jimmy.

Hunter looked from his father back to Isabell. He saw her pull the hammer back on her pistol. Hunter looked back at his father. He knew that wouldn't have time to aim at her, so he pulled the trigger. Noah and Buck rushed toward Jimmy as he was flung back into the river. They missed grabbing his shirt as he fell.

"No!" Yelled Buck.

Isabell laughed as she turned toward Noah and Buck. Hunter only had one shot left. He turned to Issy. She saw him out the corner of her eye. She turned her gun toward him.

"What the fuck are you doing?" She asked.

"What I should have done a long time ago."

"I know you are not doing what I think you are. You better not do this to me!"

Noah dove into the river as the two yelled at each other. Buck clung to his chest as he watched the two.

"Issy…..it's over."

"I loved you. I still love you. We could rule the world together."

"Just stop…."

Buck yelled out as she pulled the trigger. Hunter stumbled back but kept his footing.

"You will die for this." Isabell spat out viciously.

Buck heard men coming. Isabell turned to look at Hunter one last time. She turned and ran into the trees. Hunter looked at Buck.

"I'm sorry. Find him." He turned and fled in the other direction.

Cody ran out to see only Buck standing near the water's edge.

"Where's the others?"

Buck looked down river.