Chapter Four

Jasper

I waited for him to tell me what reason they had to blame it on Union soldiers, had there been another eye witness to the slaughter? Or had someone else been attacked and those responsible seen leaving? He just stood looking at me so it was down to me to ask the questions.

"Union soldiers? Really? I didn't see much sign of a struggle or violence, no blood stains."

"The deputies cleared up, we didn't want disease breaking out."

That sounded weak even to his own ears but he didn't volunteer any more.

"And all my family were killed?"

"Yes, and the Jenkins family, all except their son Peter and your brother Samuel but we are looking for them, there is a rumor that one or both might have been involved in the deaths of course."

"You just said it was Union soldiers."

He stopped as if thinking what to say next.

"Well that's what the traveler said but he seemed a little uncertain if truth be told and your brother is a tad odd, besides which Peter Jenkins came home wounded and that can do strange things to a man's mind."

At that point it dawned on me that they had no idea what had happened, or if they did he sure wasn't sayin' so. So maybe the traveler had just guessed, maybe he'd seen Union soldiers running amok somewhere and just assumed it was the same. The only eyewitness to what had happened was my brother and they weren't going to believe anything he said, everyone assumed because he looked different that his mind was weak too. If they heard him talking about demons they would arrest Samuel and probably Peter too. Certainly before looking for a group of murderous Union soldiers though I had the feelin' even the sheriff didn't believe what he was sayin'.

I nodded and left after taking the name of the traveler and the deputies who had buried my family to thank them although I was told that the deputies were out of town on duty and would be away for several days or even maybe a week, how convenient! From there I went to the store and filled up on supplies talking to Mr Clare who I'd known since I was a boy.

"I'm very sorry for your loss Jasper. I remember how proud your pappy was the day you rode out with your brother John. I know he was lookin' forward to showin' you off. What did the sheriff say to ya?"

"Do y'all know what happened?"

He shook his head,

"No but it was terrible by all accounts, the deputies that went out were shaken something fierce when they got back to town. They said there was somethin' evil out there, bodies torn apart but no blood and you know how religious people are around here. There was talk of it bein' the devil's work."

"Yeah well I doubt it was the devil killed my family or Peter's. What about this rumor Sammy and Peter were responsible?"

"Ya know how people talk. Young Samuel did get his self in plenty of trouble as a youngster. Remember Mr William's chickens?"

"Hey never proved it was him, looked like a coyote to most people. He's my brother and I know what he's capable of, and it ain't murder sides how could he kill two families on his own or even with Peter? Neither of 'em can hardly walk let alone run."

"Well I'm only repeatin' what I hear'd. Will you be stayin'? Take over your pappy's ranch?"

"No I intend findin' the men who did this and killin' em."

He looked at me for a long time then leaned over the counter to whisper in my ear,

"They say's that the devil's emissaries came for your family and the Jenkins too Jasper, I heard they were demons with flames comin' from their mouths and eyes that glowed red. When I spoke to a friend of mine from two towns over he told me that they'd had somethin' similar a few weeks earlier and when the people started askin' questions they went missin' too, make what you will of that. Maybe you should just pray over you mama and daddy and work the ranch. If you see Sammy or Peter Jenkins I'd tell them to lay low, they'd be a good scapegoat for whatever really happened."

I thanked him, aware he was terrified even as he told me, and left, more confused than ever now. Similar deaths and a strange tale about the killers, a cover up, what was going on? I decided once I knew Peter was out of danger I would go looking for these elusive killers with their glowing eyes and sparkling skin.

When I got back I told Peter what I'd heard while Sammy went out to feed Thunder, I didn't want to frighten him any further.

"So what are you saying? You believe Sammy? These weird and wonderful killers with red eyes and inhuman strength?"

"I don't know what to believe Peter but I intend findin' out. As soon as you're well enough to travel we need to get away from here, the sheriff would like nothing better than to pin the murders on you and Samuel. It would wrap things up nice and neat."

"I can travel now, I got back from the battlefield with my leg blown to hell I can make it a few miles on horseback. I still got my horse, I set him free when Sammy came and I know he won't be far away."

He struggled to his feet, his face white and beads of sweat on his top lip.

"If you tear that open again you'll lose it."

"Yeah? Well better lose a leg than be hung as a killer for a crime I didn't commit, sides we should get Sammy away, he's even more conspicuous than me."

Peter was right and Sammy had a tendency to roam. If he roamed and was seen by anyone he might well be arrested or even. worse, lynched, there was a strange atmosphere in town, fear and anger.

I went outside to look for Flash Peter's horse but there was only Thunder munching on some hay piled on the ground and no sign of Samuel. I looked around but I couldn't see any tracks in the dust, he'd wandered off. Cursin' I ran back down the cellar steps to tell Peter.

"You go find him, I'll call Flash and be waiting when you get back."

I nodded wishing Peter was well enough to join me, I hated the idea of leaving him here defenceless but it couldn't be helped.

I spent an hour scouring the countryside for him, eventually making my way back to our house but as I got close I could see I was too late. A group of men, deputies by the look of them, were riding away back towards town shouting to each other and pleased with their days work. My brother must have come back to visit the graves and been overwhelmed by them. His poor twisted body hung from a noose suspended from the old oak tree in our yard moving slowly in the breeze.

There was no point in chasing after them, it wouldn't bring Samuel back and I had to consider Peter waiting for me at the cellar. Instead I climbed the tree and cut the rope lowering Samuel's body gently to the ground. Once back down myself I grabbed a canvas and shovel from the barn and wrapping the poor twisted body I buried him beside the rest of the family kneeling after wards to say a prayer for him before walking slowly away from the farm knowing I would never return. I had one thought in my mind now, find the killers of my family and bring them swift justice.