Chris and his new conspirators retired to a fast food joint that was too crowded for anyone to hear their conversation. Once all their food had arrived, Chris started to tell them his plan.

All seemed willing. Now that they knew what type of person they were targeting. It did however take them a little bit of arguing on Cletus and Sledge's part and rational explanations on Chris's to not make the first thing about stealing money from their target.

"That part can come afterwards. We should destroy them first. Ruin their chances of employment elsewhere like they did for us."

The older boys finally conceded.

"We should scout around and see if we find anybody that would make a good mark. Catch them doing something that they aren't supposed to do that could destroy their career if they get caught. Then we'll move to the next step where we plot evidence on him. Have him caught in the act and then watch the aftermath."

"And where's the money coming from?"

"Technically in these cases they may never be money. However there is revenge. I too have a score to settle against cops, and I'd like nothing more than to see some go down."

"I guess that's ok for now."

When they all finished, they dumped their garbage away and left the building. It was dark now but Chris was still feeling pumped.

Now he'd have his revenge. For all those nights in jail and in handcuffs. For every adult that point the finger to him. Guilty or innocent. Now it'll be his turn to point the finger and be the judge.

A thought in the back of his mind, pushed forward and he stopped walking. He urged it forward till he finally remembered.

The letter! He hadn't written one yet!

He was so caught up in on being angry at himself, then at the teenagers, and then at adults that he'd forgotten to write his friends.

Ella turned and frowned at Chris who was frozen in place, looking shocked.

"Something wrong?"

"I forgot to do something important."

"What is it?"

"None of your business." he walked hurriedly passed her and to the car which is where his stuff was in the back seat.

As they drove to a place where they could park for the night on the street of a rundown neighborhood Chris pulled out his things to write his friends.

Hey guys,

I'm sorry this letter is late. A lot has been happening.

He paused, not sure if he should tell them what's been really going on. Plus with Ella's eyes straying over to his letter, he wanted to keep some information private.

Life here in Purgatory still beats on.

Chris paused again. This letter proved harder to write than his previous one. With a sigh he continued, knowing this time what he had to say, but just in case Ella was watching he changed some of the words.

Josiah, I've now experienced the twin towers and they're huge! Really sturdy buildings if you ask me and are about eighteen years old.

JD, has Buck told you the song about three blind mice? Me and Buck had the idea that it was the wife who cut off their tails because women can be just as strong as men. Even more so.

Josiah, I just heard the story of Adam and Eve. The woman had a lot of influence over the man it seems.

Buck, remember gym and how we all played dodgeball. Remember how you took a hit for Sarah and then she hit you the next round even though you saved her in the previous one? You called her manipulative and cunning.

And to everyone, stay out of TROUBLE. I KNOW I AM one to talk.

,Chris

Satisfied he slipped it into an envelope and wrote the address and place a stamp in the right hand corner.

"Friends?"

Chris glanced over to see she was looking at his letter with interest.

"Are you always this nosey?"

"Are you always this secretive?"

"Who I write to and what I write about is none of of your business." he said finally and placed the letter back in his bag.

"Did you mention me in the letter?"

"No, just random things you'd know nothing about because it's between me and the recipient."

"Is it a for a girl?"

Chris frowned. What difference did that make?

"Yeah it is." And for others too. "Does it matter?"

"You have a girlfriend?" Ella asked curiously.

"Not anymore." Chris struggled to hide the bitterness in his voice.

"So you aren't dating anyone." her voice sounded relieved and Chris became confused.

"No, but I'm not looking to date anyone right now."

"Are you still broken up over your old girlfriend? The way I see it, it's her loss."

"No, it's all mine. She was the sweetest soul on the planet and I'll always love her."

Ella frowned but Chris didn't see it before she smiled again.

"Is that why you're here and she isn't?"

Chris moved away from her, disgusted. She had spoken badly about Sarah far too much and he was done listening to her.

"I'm going to sleep."

"If you need anything, I'll be here." she whispered in his ear.

Chris shuddered and closed his eyes.

First thing tomorrow he would mail his letter.

Ezra sat with Vin helping him on his homework while Josiah helped Buck with his when JD ran up to meet them with Casey following close behind.

"Any letters today?" he asked out of breath.

"No." Buck mumbled as he scratched at his paper with his pencil.

JD looked around, "Where's Inez and Nathan?"

"Inez is inside helping Nettie and I don't know where Nathan is." said Vin from over his book.

JD and Casey ran inside with JD telling her to stop following him.

The boys sitting on the porch all chuckled.

"Young love." grinned Buck.

"Poor JD can't even see it." said Josiah, shaking his head.

"I feel Casey needs a little help in getting JD's attention in a more positive light." said Buck standing up to stretch and take a break.

"Why are you trying to push them together? They're just six. They don't even know what love is." Vin frowned.

"I can tell she really likes him though and wants his attention. Just how JD is with me and you are with Chris." Buck smiled.

Vin blushed and hid his face behind his book, "There's a big difference between like and love, Bucklin."

"And there are different forms of love, pard. For instance, I love you. And in the same way I think you really love Chris."

Vin looked up from his book, his face red with embarrassment, "Stop spewing nonsense, Buck!"

Ezra smiled as he saw what Buck was doing, "I love you too, Vin. There's no shame in it."

"You guys are all crazy in the head!" Vin sputtered, backing away from them.

"Vin, what they're saying is that they have a love for you like they would have for a brother or sister. Familial love." Josiah explained.

Vin looked at Buck and Ezra before turning back to Josiah, "So they ain't trying to kiss me or nothing?"

"Do you want a kiss?" asked Buck, moving to catch Vin and kiss him on the cheek.

Vin ducked and began to run out into the yard with Buck and Ezra laughing behind him.

"Oh my, that was funny. He took off so fast, there was a cloud of smoke." said Ezra, trying to calm his laughter. "Now unfortunately I have to go after him so we can finish our reading."

"Good luck with that. I don't think he'll let either of you close to him now." Josiah said as he went back to helping Buck.

Vin ran into the stable and collapsed on a bail of hay as he tried to catch his breath.

He flinched when he heard noise coming from somewhere beside him and he readied himself to run again if it turned out to be Buck or Ezra.

Nathan appeared and he settled back down.

"Nate, you scared the mess out of me." He said in between breaths.

"You ok?" asked Nathan, sitting down beside him.

"Yeah, Buck and Ez were playing around with me and I had to leave."

"What were they doing?" Nathan asked, already thinking of ways to punish the two.

"They kept going on about how I love Chris and that they love me. Then Buck tried to kiss me."

Nathan relaxed and began to smile. He wasn't expecting it to be about that.

"Vin, you do know that they were just goofing off, right? But they were probably serious when they said they love you. Not in the way you took it, but as a mother would love her child or how siblings would fight and bicker all the time but really are showing their affection and love for one another." and after a pause he added, "And Chris showed his love for you when he pushed you out of the way when that sail came down and almost caught you under it. He showed his love for Ezra when he saved him from drowning and going with him so he won't be alone when he was arrested. He showed it when he sacrificed himself and distracted the cops so we could all escape."

Vin looked up at Nathan and Nathan smiled.

"We all have our ways of showing love to one another. Chris shows it by protecting those he loves. I show it by taking care them. Buck shows it in his words and body language. Ezra doesn't probably want to admit he shows it by always trying to help and be as resourceful as possible. JD is gushing love, except for his strange dislike of Casey. Inez plays and sings for us."

"Do you know what my form of showing love is?"

"Why don't you take a guess?"

Vin frowned, trying to think of something, "I guess I like being close to people?"

It sounded as if he was asking and Nathan smiled.

"You love being close to the people you love. You love having contact with them and you like helping people."

Vin smiled.

Never before had he ever thought about love being a family thing too. He never experience love in any of the foster homes he stayed in. The concept was foreign to him, but he liked it.

"And Vin, our love is going to bring Chris back."

"Right."

Vin gave Nathan a hug.

"Aww isn't that cute." came Buck's voice from the entrance, "But seriously, you'll hug him but won't accept a kiss from me."

Vin held out an arm and Buck joined the hug.

Ezra stood at the entrance grinning.

"You going to join, Ez?" asked Buck.

"I'm good."

"That's Ezra for you." laughed Nathan and Vin began to laugh too.

He had found his family and they were always showering each other with love.

The next few days seemed to go by painfully slow as no letter from Chris had arrived. Halloween was approaching and Casey was a buzz with excitement.

"What are you going to be for Halloween, JD?"

"What's Halloween?" he asked, looking puzzled.

Everyone at school had been going on about how they were going to dress up on Halloween but he didn't understand any of it.

"How do you not know what Halloween is?"

"He's from England." Buck told her from across the room. "So am I actually, but I've heard a little about it."

"Well I'll tell you. Halloween is when kids dress up and go trick or treat around the neighborhood and get candy from people."

JD frowned, "I'm supposed to put on a dress and say trick or treat for candy?"

"No you put on a costume and pretend to be someone or something else."

"Sounds pretty childish to me." JD crossed his arms, trying to act uninterested.

The older boys smiled.

"Well I'm going to do it. I've always wanted to go trick or treating." said Buck.

"You are?" frowned JD.

Now he was torn whether he should keep up his act of disinterest if his friend was going to do it.

"Me too." smiled Vin, "I love candy, and this time I can get a real costume."

"Count me out. I don't involve myself in groveling for clumps of sugar that would give me cavities." Ezra muttered from the table where he was playing a friendly game of poker with Josiah.

"That's because you got two cavities on your birthday last year." Nathan grinned.

"I still don't see how I got cavities before Tanner. He eats more sweets than the rest of us combined!"

Everyone laughed before turning back to the previous subject.

"So are you going to do it, JD?" Casey asked again.

"Well I guess if Buck and Vin are then I could go too."

"I'll go and keep you guys safe." Josiah volunteered.

"What are you keeping them safe from?" asked Inez who just came into the room.

"We're going trick or treating. Want to come?" asked Casey.

"Sure, that'd be fun for us all to go and spend time together."

"We do that everyday." Ezra pointed out, "Besides Nathan and I will not be joining you all."

"Who said I wasn't?" frowned Nathan who looked up from his book that he was reading.

"You actually want to?"

"I like going trick or treating."

Inez looked at Ezra, "Are you going?"

"No." said Ezra firmly.

"Why?" she asked, crossing her arms.

The others held in their breath. They already knew that Inez wasn't going to put up with any of Ezra's usual crappy excuses.

"I've had enough cavities to last me the rest of my life and enough dentist memories to haunt me till my after life."

"It's not just about getting candy but spending time together and enjoying ourselves. What about putting on costumes?"

"Oh Ezra does that everyday with his fancy clothes." snickered Buck.

Ezra rose an eyebrow, "I lost all my good clothes when the ship sank. The nice clothes you talk about are my Sunday clothes. You wouldn't understand because you refuse to wear yours."

"You don't need to wear them everyday."

"These are actually Vin's. He let me have them and Inez sewed them to fit me." he beamed triumphantly.

Vin shrugged, "I don't like looking like a daisy."

"Wearing suits don't make you a daisy!" Ezra frowned.

"You're getting away from the point, Ezra. You're coming with us. Even if it means just walking with Josiah."

"I'm sorry but you can't tell me what to do."

"Chris said keep you all in line."

"If we're going to go back to Chris's first letter then I'm the one in charge." Buck said, pointing to himself.

"No I think that was me." Josiah said as he stood up from the table.

"This is ridiculous, I don't care if Mr Larabee said JD was the leader. He isn't here right now and therefore doesn't have a say in the matter." growled Ezra.

Inez slapped him across the face, leaving a stunned Ezra blinking and trying to figure out what just happened.

He looked around the room.

JD had his head down, his body shaking a little in silent tears.

Vin had tears in his eyes as he glared at him.

Buck was turned away, an escaped tear rolling down his cheek.

Nathan looked at him in disappointment and Josiah in shame.

He turned to Inez who glared at him.

"I think you need some time to yourself." she suggested.

"I think that'd be an excellent idea." he whispered and walked out of the room.

Ezra sat in his room on his bed. He didn't know what got into him. His mother always told him to keep a level head and that if he had nothing nice to say then keep it to himself.

He had no reason to go after JD and the others.

Sighing, he laid down on his bed and tried to distract himself.

About ten minutes passed before there came a knock on the door.

Ezra perked up, it was one of the others coming to get him!

"Ezra honey, are you ok. I heard you got upset."

It was Nettie.

Ezra tried to hide his disappointment with a smile.

"I'm fine Mrs Nettie."

She came into the room and sat across from him on Vin's bed.

"So why did you blow up back there then?"

He looked down at his hands, unable to look her in the eye.

"I'm not sure. I guess it all started because they were trying to pressure me into going trick or treating with them."

"You don't want to?"

"No ma'am."

"But it's the day when you can all dress up and be whoever or whatever you want. Did you ever have something that you wanted to do?"

Ezra thought it over. An idea coming to mind.

"There is something I want to wear, but I think I'll need some help finding what I need." he grinned.

"Well I'm going to be making the costumes so just tell me what you're looking for and I'll make it."

Halloween afternoon soon arrived and everyone was finishing up getting dressed to go out.

Inez came out dressed like a bartender which Nettie couldn't help but lift an eyebrow at. Casey came out in her overalls and straw hat. She was supposed to be a hillbilly. Josiah didn't have a costume. JD was dressed as a cowboy and had a lasso hanging over his shoulder. Nathan dressed up as a doctor and carried a bag.

The rest of the boys came out to the front room. They were each giving the other a suspicious look over the other's costume.

"What the heck are you all supposed to be, shadows?" asked Casey frowning.

Buck, Vin, Ezra were all dressed in black.

"I was supposed to be Chris." Buck said, pointing to himself.

"But I wanted to be him." frowned Vin.

"Well we all can't be Mr Larabee." Ezra crossed his arms over his chest.

"Why don't you guys wear your Chris outfits at the different stages we seen him in?" suggested Nathan.

"I claim jungle Chris!" Vin said, already ripping off his black shirt and slipping off his shoes. He ran to the back to find something that could be use as a bow and arrow.

"I'll be the ship Chris then." Buck shrugged.

"I guess that leaves runaway Chris." Ezra sighed.

"I can make you something that you can carry over your shoulder like a bag." Nettie offered.

Before long, Josiah was walking down the street with a cowboy, a bartender, a hillbilly, a doctor, and three different stages of Chris.

Before they left, Nettie insisted on them all taking a picture together.

"I think Mrs Nettie was trying to find something to blackmail us all with." chuckled Ezra as he walked alongside Vin.

"You're probably not that far off."

The first house they reached looked a little puzzled when they asked the children what they were supposed to be. When they reached Ezra, Buck and Vin they were confused as to who they were supposed to be.

"And what are you boys supposed to be?"

"I'm Chris from the ship."

"Ok."

Vin went next, "I'm Chris from the jungle."

"I can see that."

"And I'm Chris who ran away."

The grown up gave a sympathetic smile to the three boys.

"I'm guessing this Chris person is very special to you all."

"Yes, he ran away, but he'll be back, or we'll go and find. Which ever comes first."

"Well if you ever need anything, just come stop by here anytime. My name is Mrs Potter."

She handed each of the boys extra candy before they departed.

"Man, maybe I should've dressed like Chris too." grumbled JD.

"I don't think there's enough Chris to make six different stages." smiled Josiah.

"Hey, I don't mind dressing up like Chris." Inez gave a playful jab at Josiah.

"If it gives me candy then I'll dress up in all black too." Casey added.

They all laughed as they continued down the street.

Chris stopped and looked up at the sky. It was late fall already. Winter would soon be approaching.

He stopped to think about everything that had happened in the last couple of days.

The most important was that they found a pretty good target. Detective Inspector Emmett Anderson of the Dodge City police department.

Even on a regular day, DI Anderson wasn't a good guy. He was a hard supervisor that ruled over his department with an iron fist. There was no room for arguing of failure.

Chris had seen him a couple times on the street with his second in command, Captain Francis Riley. Riley was a pretty fair man who seemed to be the only one who could subdue some of his boss's rage.

That was good to know in case he needed that later.

So far Chris was able to get charges of racial abuse on women and children. He would usually target kids who were on the streets after a curfew that he had set on the city.

Any child that wasn't white was beaten and or arrested for resisting.

Chris shook his head in disgust. Even though he had some evidence, Sledge told him that those who were abused never would come forward because of the repercussions that would follow.

Most of Anderson's men would turn a blind eye to it, so he couldn't have them speak up.

With a sigh he looked around for some inspiration.

While he was thinking, Chris thought about his letter and hoped that they had gotten it.

Wait! That's it! The others probably still kept in contact with Mr Travis. If he was as good as he thought he was, despite not trusting the man himself, then he could probably get in contact with someone of authority to get rid of Anderson!

Chris's excitement dissipated when he remembered the whole point of this job. Ella and her thugs were after money, not so much on the revenge portion.

They wanted something in return and he didn't think seeing Anderson behind bars and getting laid off would be enough for them.

"So when do we get this Anderson guy?" came Cletus's voice from behind Chris.

Chris turned around, still trying to think of something.

"Why don't we have a little fun with our prey first." he smiled.

"What do you suggest?"

"Who doesn't like a good prank?"

"What kinda prank?"

"Geez, a prank is a prank. If you keep asking dumb questions like this then were going to get old."

Chris walked off and allowed himself to relax a little. He couldn't afford to let his mind wander around these people. It was like sitting on a detonator and he couldn't be too careful and forget where he was.

Walking down the street he caught the familiar color of a police uniform. It was Captain Riley walking into a coffee shop.

Chris followed him inside and waited to see where he was going to sit. He waited a few minutes before approaching him.

As he slipped into the seat across Riley frowned at him in confusion.

"Can I help you son?"

Chris looked over the police officer. He was young, no older then thirty and looked exhausted as he sat sipping his coffee.

"Are you happy the way things are?"

"What?"

"Are you okay with the way things are? People being targeted because of their race. Not being able to have a voice because they're afraid of what may happen if they speak up. Does that not bother you?" As Chris spoke, Riley looked around uncomfortably. "I know it does, I've seen you try and fight the corrupt people. One being DI Anderson."

"Who are you and how do you know any of this?"

"I'm not even from around here and I can see all of this." Chris shrugged and leaned back in his seat.

"Are you looking to cause trouble because I don't think that's a good idea."

Chris smiled, "Now see, this is where the problem is. The police should be protecting people. Not trying to have people afraid of them. If you look around, people in here are sending you nervous glances."

Riley looked around and saw a few people look away.

"Look, I know why they fear you all and it's not your fault, it's his. Anderson shouldn't be in charge anymore, and you can help me to see that he isn't."

"What are you mad? Why do you think I'd help you get rid of my boss?"

"Because you're a good guy and don't like it when people are being beaten by your boss for no reason. I've seen you stand up against your boss. You're the only one who does."

"So I should put my job on the line because of what you say. Even if it's true. I won't have much influence to get rid of him."

"Maybe not, but I know of a person who has some power and if you message him then he can call people here to have an investigation start."

"Oh really?"

"Yes, I know a lawyer in Denver, Colorado who is pretty good at his job. He can supply enough information to get the people here to start getting curious and pay attention."

"And would an outsider be interested in what's going on in Dodge City?"

"Let's just say that if I help you then I'll be very appreciative if you reciprocate."

"What do you want?"

"I'm being held against my will by some people. I would like the at least detained so I can get ahead start and run away."

"I can put them in jail."

"They're just teenagers, I don't want to anything really bad to happen to them."

"If they are holding you hostage then you can come with me and I can take you somewhere safe."

Chris shook his head, "I only feel safe when I'm free."

"Don't you have somewhere you can go, a home perhaps?"

"Like I said, I'm not from here. I left my family and if I were to go anywhere I would go to them, but now isn't the time to go back."

Captain Riley began to get the impression that the boy was a runaway. He didn't want to scare the boy away since the boy seemed to trust him enough to approach him where others were scared to.

"So what do I need to do?"

Chris pulled out a piece of paper and wrote down some information on it.

"There's a man by the name Orin Travis and he's a lawyer in Denver Colorado. You can mail at this address to get a hold of someone who knows his number, or you can probably just find it somewhere. I don't have the resources to do it myself. When you do get ahold of him, just say it's a favor for Chris."

"And he's going to get ahold of someone here?"

"Yeah and you can testify all that you saw and can get others to help you."

Riley scratched his head, "It's sounds like an ok plan, but if I were to go after Anderson, it could very well be my job."

"But isn't it better to do your job?"

"How will I get ahold of you again?"

"I will find you. If all goes well, you won't see me again."

Chris stood up and walked towards the exit.

Riley stood up to follow but he lost sight of the boy as soon as he stepped outside.

The boy dressed in black. The boy who wanted him to go up against his boss. Looking down at the slip of paper, he read the lawyers name again and whispered what the boy had said, "A favor for Chris."

A/N: Sorry for people who read this chapter. I was spacing and wrote Sergeant Darcy instead of Captain Riley who was the actually nice guy. Those who haven't read the older version can ignore this.