"Billy, what's with you?" Doc said, suddenly changing the subject from sheriffs.
"What?" the boy named Billy said, "Ain't nothing wrong with me."
"If that was true, you would have slapped that girl silly. Chewed her out, and decided she'd be missing breakfast the way she snapped at you." Steve said.
"You don't look at her the way you do the rest." Shavez said.
"You've seen her before?" Doc asked. Billy was silent.
"Yeah." He said, "before I broke from Lincoln. She was put in the cell next to me for smart mouthing the law."
"She wasn't there when I went in." Doc said.
"She's the one that made that whole. She broke the lock by sticking a pin in the hole. Whatever she did the lock snapped open like butter. They she looked around, and just starred at the wall. At first, I thought she really was crazy."
"I heard about that in town." Shavez said, "She's crazy alright… crazy like you, Billy." I heard Billy laugh, in his light mood again.
"Anyway, she was just starring at the wall, when she suddenly decided to pull out a plank. I was about to stop her, but she made no sound. The rest of the wall didn't give way. She had the whole thing planned out, and somehow, she was smart enough to pull the right board to make the rest of the wall weak, and do it without a sound." Billy said.
"Billy… that's IT? That's why you didn't knock her upside the head?" Steve said, chuckeling. Billy hesitated.
"All I'm gonna say is we're keeping a good eye on her." Billy said, and took a sip of his coffee.
"Come on Billy, there's more to it." Doc said.
"Yeah, so what? I ain't figured it out yet." He said, his voice ringing with a amusement, "But when I do, boy… I know I'll be surprised to find answer… and I'll be surprised by the answer itself." The others were quiet.
"What should we do with her tomorrow then?" Steve asked.
"Kill her." Billy said. My blood froze.
"Hey, Billy, a Chika? Why would we kill a girl?" Shavez said.
"Alright… we won't. We'll take her with us." Billy decided.
"Great." Doc's voice came, "I'll tell her in the morning."
"Don't have to." Billy said, his voice smooth, "She heard." I frowned, but kept my eyes closed. They couldn't see me, my back was to them. Billy was the first one up for night watch. It was dark, and the fire was out, so I could never see where he was. then Steve took watch. He came over once to check on me and ended up scaring me to death. I just about beat him to a pulp. Then Doc. He told me where he was, and asked why I wasn't asleep. I said I couldn't. to much going on. Plus I didn't trust him enough to fall asleep. I heard Doc chuckle.
"How bout I kill two birds in one stone. I'll hum… a soft tune, to ease the sleep. But loud enough for you to know where I am." He said. I was silent. Then quietly agreed, surprised by his kindness. My thoughts of Doc, drifted to Billy. He had killed the sheriff, kidnapped me, and just got on my bad side… but for some odd reason… I didn't hate him. I couldn't place why, but like he said, there's more to me then meets the eye… same goes for him. My last thoughts before I fell asleep were of Billy… and I suddenly knew what more was behind those piercing blue eyes… I wouldn't remember it in the morning. I found myself being dragged to my feet, and pushed on my horse.
"Hey Billy!" Steve's voice said, loudly. "Come look see this!" I opened my eyes and saw I was on top of my horse, with Steve at the side. He had a split lip and was looking at the horse.
"What now Steve?" Doc said.
"You know that there story me and Charlie told ya? Bout the one where some girl suddenly ran from the spare bedroom and out the house?" I froze.
"You mean the girl that suddenly appeared out of nowhere?" Billy said sarcastically. Steve nodded.
"THis is er." Steve announced, "Look, this is the horse was stole over in Arizona. Same horse the girl took." They all looked at me, and I could feel my cheeks turning red. 'Dang good shot to!" Steve said, "You know that was me fav hat? Put a hole right through it, and something tells me you weren't aiming at my HEAD." Billy pulled his horse up to mine.
"Were you that girl?" he asked. I glared at him, and nodded. "How'd you get into the house without anyone knowing?" I looked away, keeping my mouth shut, giving him the sign I wasn't going tell nothing. Billy frowned, but turned his horse, and kicked it into a run. "Regulators! Let's skin out!" I jerked, and it wasn't because of the movemtn of the horse. That sounded oddly familiar… from a movie… Young guns…. Doc… Shavez… Steve… and Billy. My blood ran cold with my new discovery. My face went pale and any fire in my eye went out. No way. Doc saw me first… and stopped the posse.
"Wow, hey you ok?" He asked. I looked at him. I knew who he was… his life, his past his future… everything.
"Doc Sherlock." I said. He looked at me oddly.
"How do you know my n…" he started.
"You almost lost your tigger finger about two years ago. Want to be a teacher… and fell in love with a Chinese women traded for a ruined shirt to Murphy." Doc was speechless, his face hot red. I turned to Steve. This was crazy, but I felt I had to keep going. "Steve… Dirty Steve. Haven't take a bath in four years… apparently a new record. Chew's at LEAST two tobacco bags a day. Shavez… Mexican Indain." Shavez's eyes flickered with surprise and pride. I heard Steve murmur something. "Good with knifes… found family was killed by soldiers after coming back from a ambush and being the only survivor. They promised you meat… all you got was rotten food." the flicker in his eyes died. "You also have others with you… Charlie… young and skitterish. Fell in love with a Mexican woman…. Richard… also know as Dick… he's dead. Killed by a bounty hunter who had killed more people then smallpox." All their eyes went wide… except Billy's. His narrowed and focused completely on me. "Then there's you." I said, meeting his gaze bravely, "William H. Bonney. Alias Billy the Kid. All the papers say you're a left hander… but you're good with both hands. Young and vigorous. Laughs even when on the other side of the gun."
"How do you know all that?" Doc asked, lightly, "Nobody knows Billy's real name."
"You all worked for a man named John Tunstall, right?" All their eyes went dark. "Killed by Murphy's men… and Sheriff Brady, for land and a cattle run. Took renigades in, had a soft spot for em. Billy was the last one to be recruited before John died. You were all suppose to be law, take down Murphy's men… but it turned." I said, my own voice sending shivers down my back.
"How do you know so much about us?" billy asked, his voice calm. Suddenly I realized what I had done. I could have stopped myself… but I couldn't. And now it was to late. So play it off. I gave him, the slyest… most mysterious smile I could.
"Oh… I know MUCH more about you Billy." I said. Billy's own eyes lost their flare. Tell you the truth… just knowing who these guys were made me feel hollow inside. "That means, the Sheriff you killed in Lincoln… was Sheriff Brady." I said.
"Still don't like it?" he said, giving me his own smile.
"Good for you. If you didn't… I would have." I said, not so sure if I would. Billy's lips turned up in the slightest smile that no normal eye could have seen it… but my did.
"Did you know John Tunstal?" Doc asked. I shook my head. And looked up.
"Look, we obviously got off on the wrong hand. I'm Elisha." I said, "I don't want to get on your guys bad side…" Billy smiled, glad I had a little fear from them, "But then again… you don't want to get on mine." Billy shook his head and chuckled.
"No pretty intro will let those ropes loose." Billy said, kicking his horse into a run, the rest followed, me in the middle. I didn't know where we were going… but I could have guessed. A small Mexican village, where Billy was held in high regard. And I was right. We rode into the village, people coming out yelling out of joy, and waving to Billy. He had on a big smile and waved back yelling things to the ladies, and tipping his hat to the men. He pulled to a halt in front of a small casino, and we all walked inside, my hands still bound. Billy pushed me down at a table, and ordered a few beers. He sat down with a sigh, and tilted his head.
"So… Lish, you ever heard of… Pat?" Billy asked. I grinded my teeth, and nodded. "What do you think of him?"
"Pat Garett?" I said, "Lying, thieving, back stabbing traitor. No better then the worn buckles on his boots." I said. Billy frowned.
"Really?" he said, "Cause you see, Pat is a good friend of mine." I stopped. It occurred to me that Pat had ridden with Billy once. And maybe they hadn't found out, Pat was going to be a sheriff and track them down. Would Billy dislike me for hating one of his so called good friends? But I still knew, Pat is the one who shot Billy, and most of his friends. I looked up at Billy in the eyes.
"I hate that guys guts. Next time I see him, they'll be spilling." I hissed. Doc chuckled.
"Billy, stop testing her." Doc said. I looked at him confused. "Billy just playing with ya. We all know Pat. An old friend."
"Now he's after out hides." Steve said.
"Killed four already." Shavez said, his eyes dark with memory. The beer was set down at the table, and they all drank but me. I didn't drink. My eyes were clouded, but sharp and focused on Billy. The legend I had learned to love, was now sitting in front of me drinking beer after a chase. How cool was that! The thought made me smile and chuckle to myself. Billy looked at something.
"What's so funny?" he asked.
"You. I can't believe your whole outlaw life, just started by stealing laundry. Now your out shooting sheriffs." I said. Billy slammed down his drink, but I didn't flinch.
"How the hell do you know so much?" he said coldly, leaning forward. I leaned forward, getting right in his face, my eyes sparkling.
"You, will, never, know." I said slowly, each word clear and precise, and a smile spreading across my face. His eyes flickered, and he sat back. I leaned back in my chair. "Is it true what you said last night?" I asked, "Something about me that's got you curious?" Billy looked at me, and my smile… disappeared. That look in his eye… I'd never seen it before. Ever. It was so different, seeming like it filled his whole body, and sparkled and shined.
"I've figured it out." He said, "You, Elisha," his eyes gleamed even more then I thought possible, "you out of all the people, even though you know the most about me, how I kill, steal, snap a tongue once or twice, look at me with absolute certainty. No fear. Which is more then I've ever seen in even a man." Doc looked at him, Shavez stopped drinking, and Steve spit his tobacco out. "I've seen men act like they know what they're doing. Act like they can take us, just to reassure themselves. But in the end, I always see that spark of fear. But you," he laughed, "Nothing. At first, I just thought you didn't think I would pull the trigger. But after those stunts you pulled, I found myself standing corrected. You aren't scared of me. Am I right?" I paused, thinking. I really wasn't.
"Not a bit." I said truthfully. I guess I had spent all my years looking him up, researching him, turning him into my number one fan forever… that it was just about impossible to fear him. But now, I just found him competition… I stopped, realizing what I had just thought. Billy the Kid, competition? No. No way. Nope. "So you gonna let me out of these ropes?" Billy let out a loud laugh I learned to be his famous one.
"Now why would I go and do a thing like that? I just told you, you don't fear me, even with a gun. All the more reason not to trust you untied." He went on with his drink. It was then I realized, that if I wanted to continue to search for a way home, I had to get these guys to trust me. Now that little interruption, I didn't mind. Didn't mind one bit. I mean how many people get to hang with their number one fan and get them to trust you? I'd say around 1% of the entire Earth's population! I rolled my eyes.
"I'd be a lot more help if I was untied." I said.
"A lot more help? Or a lot more trouble?" Doc asked. I smiled at him.
"Both." I said finally, "But I can help you out for Murphy and his men. Not like they have me on their side. Fact is, hate them, almost as much as Pat." Billy straintened, streaching his back like he was getting ready to say something, and he was trying to relax to say it calmly. He set down his beer and leaned both arms on the table.
"Now, answer this question, cause it may be life and death here." Billy said, keeping his eyes on the beer in front of him, "How do you know about the war between us and Murphy and his men?" it was a straightforward question… but I already knew my answer. Murphy and his men had killed someone who I had learned to love through the papers and history books.
"They killed a good friend of mine. A VERY good friend of mine. People like that, get between me and a friend… it dangerous. But when they separate me and my friend forever… it'd down right blood spilling on their side." I said, my eyes dark. I didn't look at any of them. John Tunstal was a true, honest, loyal man. He took care of renegades and thieves. Had a soft spot for them. He ran an honest cattle ranch, and the boys he had taken in, would help out and learn schooling and learn to start over. But that man was killed. Murdered unfairly.
"What was your friends name?" Steve asked. I said nothing. Steve looked at Shavez, "She deaf?"
"No." Shavez said, "Who was your friend, Elisha?" I still said nothing. I didn't want to. The more I thought about it, the more the tears choked back. I was crying for a guy I hadn't even met. But yet, it seemed like I knew him. Something the time had played with again. The time had put me to know John… have real feelings for him. But soon, the sadness turned. Turned to anger. An anger deep inside that had only started as a small flicker. Just a tiny flame hidden from everyone. But now it was a blazing fire. That's one way to explain it. A blazing fire, ready to burn anyone who tried to put it out.
"Hey!" Billy tried to snap me out of my trance. "Who's your friend?" somebody put a hand on me. Reflexes said to just shove it off. But not in this mood. I grabbed it hard yanked, twisted and jerked it upwards. With one final shove I sent Steve across the room. Shavez stood up, and before the eye could blink, my hands slid around his waist, yanked a knife out from his belt, and cut my ropes… all in one smooth move. I tossed the ropes aside, and sat back down. I slammed the knife down, point first on the table. Shavez slowly sat down, his eyes on me, like everybody else's… including the bar tender. Steve stood up, shook the dust from his hair and sat down.
'You could have killed me! Twisting my arm like that!" Steve said.
"If she wanted to kill you, she would have already done it." Billy said, fingering his beer. His voice was quiet and smooth, but his eyes were laughing.
Suddenly Billy looked up and the quick thumping of footsteps into the saloon. Instantly Billy's hand went to his pistol. A short man wearing a sombrero and poncho apperared at the doorway. he was panting and eyes wide. His tongue slurred as he made a mess of Spanish language, aimed at Billy. Billy stood up, his eyes wild and he smiled.
"Alright boys, we got company…" he said.