A WHN to Five into the Wind.

This story is written in the style of a murder mystery for an episode that tells exactly what happened and why. If you have not seen the episode, you can follow along with the Cartwright's as they seek to discover what happened to their youngest. If you have seen the episode, then you might remember exactly what secrets Joe and the other survivors are holding onto and why. You might also come to understand the psychological effects that might occur on a young man with Joe's innocence and good nature, when forced to make a decision that puts others at risk for the purpose of saving his own life. In staying as true as possible to the original story, the secrets don't become any less important to keep when they are in a place of safety.

With special mention to My Brother's Keeper, The Gift, The Julia Bulette Story and The Crucible.

Disclaimer* I do not own these characters. All rights and property belong solely to NBC.

Three from the Wind

Prelude

The temperatures were grueling. This land could be unforgiving. Barren, Bleak, Desolate. These were all words that came to mind as he stumbled along. The scorching sands burning through the soles of his shoes. He was thirsty. God he was thirsty.

It wasn't just his life that depended on him. There was the man and woman too. He had to get them to safety. They'd run out of water a long time ago. With only one canteen between them and already starting off so thirsty. Each gritty swallow was razor sharp. Each breath hot. There was nothing left in him to sweat out, so his skin was red and dry. He knew where he was headed. His direction sure. West. He just had to get there before his body gave out. He'd made it this far. He just had to keep walking. One foot in front of the other. He had to keep himself upright. He couldn't stop. Couldn't rest. Stopping meant death.

Chapter

Out of the Storm

Joe had gone to bed hours ago. Hopsing had fixed him something to eat well before dinner. After his journey, he would need it. With his stomach full, he gave into his exhaustion and fell asleep right there on the settee just before four. When they tried waking him for dinner about an hour later, instead of joining them at the table, Joe sauntered up the stairs to his room to finish out the night on his soft mattress. It was here that the memories of the events mastered his dreams.

It was about 10 o'clock now as Ben conversed with his middle son over a steaming cup of joe.

"So, what did happen out there?"

"I'm not really sure Pa."

"Well, what did Joe tell you?"

"Nothing. I didn't ask."

"You didn't ask?

"I just couldn't find the right time."

Ben chortled in bewilderment. "Don't you know anything?" Ben pushed.

"A little. But everything we learned, we got from the station manager. They must have told him everything before we got there."

"What did he say?"

"Well, we know Joe was scheduled to take the stage that got lost. According to the manager it rolled over out near Drummond Rock and the driver was killed. There were six passengers that were supposed to be on that stage but only three made it back. There was a man and a woman with him there at Hallows Point. They had to walk out."

"To Hallows Point?"

"That's right."

"From Drummond Rock, that's a good fifty miles." He said astounded.

"They would have been closer to that than Benton Falls."

"I suppose you're right."

"So, they buried the driver and the six set off."

"I thought you said only three survived."

"Only three survived the trek, Pa. All of the passengers survived the crash but only three made it through the desert."

"That must have been awful."

"They spent the first two nights sleeping in dirt. The third night they all made it to an old line shack up near Jute Corner."

"Jute Corner? If they were out near Jute Corner, then that would mean they would have had to cross through A-Royale. That's some pretty rough country."

"That's for sure."

"The first of the passengers passed away there."

"Unfortunate. What about the other two?"

"The other two died somewhere near Buckskin Cavern."

"Buckskin Cavern? That's way off course. How'd they end up all the way out there?"

"I don't know pa. That's a good 15 miles off course."

"Little Joe didn't say anything?"

"No, Pa."

"You think he got lost?"

"Little Joe's scoured that country a handful of times over the years. He should be pretty familiar with it."

"Yeah. What did he say when you asked him?"

"I didn't."

"You didn't? Did you ask him anything?"

"Well pa, I just couldn't find the right moment."

"You rode the whole way back with him. You couldn't find the right moment in all that time?" Ben asked with bemusement.

"He wasn't really seeming himself, Pa. Like his mind was someplace else. In fact, he didn't really perk up until we got near the house."

"Hmm. I guess that's understandable. He did seem bone-weary." He said letting out a defeated breath.

"The posse went out there to investigate the crash. They told me I could take Joe home, so I did."

"I suppose we'll hear all about it when he gets his strength back."

~.~

The young, dark-haired man stood before him. Accusing. Sorrowful. Not for what he had done to Joe, but what he had gotten as a result of it. Joe was alive and he was not. "You did this." He was bruised and bloodied. Eyes darkened and sunken back. Haunting. "You're responsible for this." He accused. The woman scorned and bitter stared on from behind his accuser. Joe was alive and they were not. The brute man who sat in the corner drew their attention when he laughed boisterously fiendish at the lot of them. The laughter so loud it echoed in his head.

Authors Note:

Thank you Rosemoor for letting me know of the problem in uploading Chapter 6. I went back and fixed it thx.