Winter's Refuge
Chapter One Hundred Seventy-Three
HEYES
The Kid said if I want, I don't have to go to the prison, the place of pain and evil. He's going. I visited Matt there and the walls did not close in on me. Of course, we went in the back door and only stayed in one office. This time I would have to walk down those long stone hallways and across the exercise field where I'd been whipped, where the Kid had been whipped. Then down those uneven stairs to the lower level where the dark cells try to claim your mind and your life. My partner is watching over me and giving me an excuse not to go. But he's going. Something's different about him today. I can feel something I haven't felt in a while but didn't know it was missing. I feel his mental strength. "Miss Nancy can send the telegram. I'm going with you,' I said quickly before I changed my mind.
Putting his arm on my shoulder, the Kid whispered, "You sure, Heyes? We both don't need to go."
'I'm going," I whispered back. "But I might need to borrow some of your strength."
"Always here for you. And Father Paddy and Aiden got me believin' that the prison only has power over me if I let it. And I'm through lettin' it," the Kid answered.
ASJ*****ASJ
What the Kid said must be true. When we rounded that gentle curve, and the prison building gradually grew into a threatening fortress that made me tremble, he didn't seem to take any notice. I've seen it reach out and capture him from this far away…but not today. My hands were trembling, so I let me rented horse have her head. I trust she will follow the buggy and the Kid's rented big black horse.
Meanwhile, I thought about what Kid had said about him giving power to the prison, but I didn't understand it. I don't give the prison power. The law gave it power over me, over my body and my soul. Looking ahead as the hateful monolith grew, I remembered when I came here with Chrissy, I didn't tremble like this. My hands and brow weren't sweaty. Because I was trying to be strong for her. I was still afraid and still felt like the walls were closing in, but I tried not to let it show. Maybe I can be strong for Rocky now and not let anyone see my fear.
Dr. Oliver stopped the buggy at the front steps and a trustee came out to take it and the horses. The Kid smiled at the man and said, "Thank you, sir." The man didn't say anything but nodded his head back at him. The doctor and Colin climbed the steps and then turned around. Fear glued my boots to the road, and I couldn't lift them to the first step.
"Heyes, I left my cane at home. Would you help me with the stairs?" the Kid asked me. I stared at him for a moment. He still limps but hasn't used that cane for a couple of weeks. He leaned his left arm on my shoulder and pulled my right arm around his back. "Ready, partner?" he asked with a wink.
When the warden saw Colin, the governor's chief aide, he decided to escort us to Rocky himself.
ASJ*****ASJ
I don't think Warden Mays expected Colin to come with us and I know he hadn't planned on us being there when the dark cell door is opened. Colin can be forceful when he wants to be. I wasn't really listening to what they discussed as we walked down the long cold hallway.
Chrissy was right when she told me that although silence was the rule in prison here, she heard the echo of voices. I've always heard them here, floating echoes, not quite discernible, but enough to unnerve my soul. She told me it was like walking into the real Devil's Hole. I agree.
The Kid is still leaning on me. I know he doesn't need to. His ankles are healed enough that he doesn't use a can. But I did hear Dr. Aiden tell him he shouldn't lift anything too heavy. The Kid grinned and answered, "I'll try but you know I'm a blacksmith. In truth I'm leaning on him.
I focus on the back of Colin's jacket as we cross the exercise yard and refuse to let my eyes be drawn to the posts where prisoners are whipped. It's the strength I'm getting from the Kid that allows me to keep my eyes averted. But I think about it. The pain I felt there seems fresh and I know Rocky was whipped there also.
"You're doin' good, Heyes," the Kid whispered. "I really need help on those stairs, they're uneven."
I looked at him. I didn't see fear, but I saw concern and I felt more of his weight come onto my shoulder. I always thought the stone stairs and the dark cells were added as an afterthought. The stairs were all different heights and widths and some were slanted down. Or maybe it was designed to make a shackled man trip and fall.
Colin was carrying the paperwork. "Warden, Governor Sanderson signed the documents, so you don't need to. Mr. Curry and Mr. Heyes have also signed. All we need is Convict Rocke's signature. That can be done as soon as he exits his cell. Dr. Oliver will sign as a witness."
Going down the stairs, the Kid's ankle gave out. He pushed even stronger against me, and we both almost fell. I reached out to catch the wall with the arm that the billy club had struck, felt a surge of pain and struggled to stop our fall. I turned around and looked up the stairs, bending toward the top of the steps and balanced us both. Neither one of us moved for a second, then we caught each other's eyes and blew out our breath.
"Are you two quite alright?" Mays asked with a touch of sarcasm. After all, we'd both come down those stairs shackled. But then we had a guard on each side 'escorting' us. The warden pulled out his watch and me and the Kid carefully went down the last few steps carefully.
JED 'KID' CURRY
When I told Heyes I wasn't gonna let the prison have power over me anymore, I wanted to believe it. And now I do. I don't belong here…don't think we ever deserved the prison sentences me and Heyes got. The corridor walls are cold and stark, but they are not evil, only stone and wood. But I saw Heyes didn't understand so I told him my ankle hurt more than it does and walked close to him for support. It was awkward and I actually turned the other ankle and had to use Heyes for more support and he tripped. Dr. Oliver looked concerned and watched as we finished goin' down the stairs. "Thanks, partner," I whispered to Heyes.
Although the sun doesn't reach down here where we are standin', some light does. I moved around to stand in it so the first thing Rocky will see is me. I know now that this place has no power over me, but that doesn't mean I don't abhor it.
"Let me see those papers," Mays demanded. I was close enough to hear him mumble, "This is my prison. Don't need the governor to interfere." So he feels his authority has been circumvented (I need to tell Heyes I remember that word). I remember someone tellin' me this warden is a follower that likes authority. I believe that now. Mays didn't say anything aloud about how this is goin', even though I can tell from his face he hates not bein' the one in charge.
Colin gave pen and ink to one of the guards to carry down here. The warden made a show of starin' at his watch, waitin' until exactly noon before he would order the door opened. We all waited silently. I know Heyes has his pocket watch, and I admired his restraint in not reachin' for it. But I looked at him and then I understood. I doubt that anyone but me and Angie could tell that his calm exterior was fake, just like the fake identities we took on when we were runnin' cons. He's scared and doin' his best to make sure no one knows it.
Finally, Mays turned to the nearest guard. "Open the door, but don't let him come out. Mr. Apperson, please join me and Dr. Oliver as witnesses to Convict Rocke's signature.
I adjusted my position again. When the door opened, Rocky was in the back of the cell, unshackled, facin' the wall, hands on the wall above his head. This is the position the guards enforce in there anytime the door is opened. His back was bloody and dirty, and I noticed his pitcher of water had been spilled out onto the floor.
"Convict Rocke, turn around," Mays ordered.
Slowly, painfully, Rocky turned around, eyes lookin' down. "Yes, sir," he said. I'd forgotten his head would be shaved. It made him look younger and more vulnerable.
"Are you able to sign your name or mark?" the warden asked. Again, I thought this man liked his authority.
"Yes, sir," Rocky's voice was labored. When he was facin' us, I saw the now bloody bandage that Dr. Oliver had put on the shiv wound. He'd said that Rocky lost a lot of blood. Still Mays had added lashes if he wanted to come home today. He likes the power he has over the prisoners. The boy rocked on his feet. I moved to steady him.
"Don't touch the prisoner. He's not yours yet. He must be able to sign his papers before he is released. Isn't that right, Mr. Apperson?" Mays gloated. He was confident that Rocky would be unable to sign in his condition.
Colin reluctantly agreed with Mays.
We'd been warned to be quiet, but I knew they couldn't do anything to me, a citizen in good standin', standin' here next to the governor's aide, so I said, "Son, find the strength from inside and sign those papers. Then we'll be goin' home. Your family is waitin'."
Mays turned to me annoyed. "Shut up, Curry. You were warned not to speak."
I gave him a defiant look, darin' him to order me to be punished. He took a step towards me considerin' his options. Over his shoulder in the cell, I saw Rocky go toward the stool in there where the guard had placed the papers with the pen and ink. He got down on one knee and signed his name wherever he saw an X.
Mays turned from me back to Rocky with a look of amazement. Dr. Oliver had moved to stand between Rocky and the warden. "Ready to witness his signature," the doctor said, when Mays started to push him aside.
"Done, sir," Rocky said with two hands on the stool to help him stand up.
Quickly, Dr. Oliver signed each sheet as a witness and handed the papers to Colin, who gave them a quick look and said, "Papers are complete. Convict Stanley Oliver Rocke, you are now Parolee Stanley Oliver Rocke and officially apprenticed to Jedediah Curry." He turned to the warden. "Mays, if you'll have your guards escort us out, we will be leaving now."
"Thank you, sir," Rocky said in a softer strained tone.
If looks could kill, me and Heyes and especially Colin, would be dead. Mays didn't say nothin', just walked to the steps and motioned the guards to us. He stomped up the first four or five steps, then caught the toe of his shoe on the high rise of the next step and stumbled. I reached out and stopped him from falling. I had needed to speak out to help Rocky find the strength to walk to that stool and sign his papers, but I don't really want to antagonize Mays. Matt is still under his control in here for over ten years.
Mays mumbled, "Thanks, Curry," as he gained his balance and finished climbin' the steps slower. I went into the dark cell where Rocky had collapsed into the doctor's arms. I picked him up like I was cradlin' a baby. The pain in both my ankles screamed at me for the extra weight, but I needed to get Rocky out of this place. I know I swayed to the right a bit and found Heyes there balancin' me.
"You carry him, I'll try and steady you," he told me.
"And I'm to your left, Jed. Shall we go up the stairs?" Colin told me from the other side.
I leaned on both of them as my ankles wobbled with the pain and strain. But I'm goin' to do this, I told myself. It's not an option. Rocky needs to leave this hellhole fast.
"Have my buggy brought to the front," Dr. Oliver ordered the younger guard. The guard headed for the livery and Dr. Oliver went in the other direction. In the exercise yard, I tried to remember how many steps I'd taken earlier to cross it. I can do twenty more steps, I told myself. When that was accomplished, I repeated it again. My arms are strong, but my ankles were both injured wearing shackles in the railroad camp and again when I was shackled at Frank's, one far worse than the other. And I sprained one earlier today. And Aiden told me not to carry nothin; heavy. I wonder what he;ll say when he finds I carried Rocky.
Now my ankles were wobblin' and felt like they weren't gonna support my legs. I'll take twenty more steps, I told myself and then rest on the ground, if I need to. I knew that neither Heyes or Colin could carry Rocky. Heyes' arm is badly bruised.
And then we were inside the buildin' out of the sun. The pain told me I couldn't go any further. As I fell to my knees, strong arms were takin' Rocky from me. It was a guard that looked familiar, but they all have that same stoic look. "No, no, I need to take him home," I said, tryin' to pull Rocky toward me. He moaned in pain.
"I got him, Mr. Curry. Your friends will help you to the door. Couldn't help you on the yard, but in here the warden won't see me," the guard said, carryin' the boy, and leadin' us quickly to the main entrance. Heyes and Colin were helpin' me, but every step was agony. The guard continued, "Mr. Heyes saved my life during a riot in the broom factory here. I owe him."
Turnin' my head, I looked at Heyes. I didn't see fear anymore. He answered the guard, "I believe your daughter drew me a picture of a rainbow. That was thanks enough," he answered.
"You remember?"
"That picture gave me hope in here. I kept it. I have a daughter of my own now."
Colin opened the final door to the entry hall and the guard settled Rocky in a chair. "Can't go any farther or someone will see me and report it. But I have a debt to repay. And I still do," the guard said quietly, and I realized he had been talkin' while we walked down the usually quiet corridor.
Rocky looked at us through two black eyes. "Thank you, sir. Mr. Curry, if you'll help me, I think I can walk from here. All I want to do is leave this place."
On the way here, Dr. Oliver had told us to get Rocky out of the prison and away and, if needed, we would stop on the road for needed medical attention. I hadn't looked at Rocky, really looked at him in a while. He's grown taller than either Heyes or Colin with broad shoulders from workin' in the blacksmith shop. The doctor has disappeared, and I wondered where he was…but I wasn't gonna let his absence delay us from leavin'. Rocky stood and looked like he would fall, but Heyes was right there to balance him.
"Thanks, Mr. Heyes, and thanks for what you did at the prison wagon. Hope your arm wasn't hurt too bad," Rocky said. His eyes were dull with pain, but his will to get out of here was strong.
"It's fine," Heyes lied.
"Your guns." The guard at the door stopped us.
Lookin' at Heyes helpin' Rocky out the entrance to the prison now standin' on the top landin', I said, "I'll take both guns." I didn't even put mine on and I didn't let the pain in my ankles stop me, I hurried out the door. And there at the bottom of the steps was Dr. Oliver's buggy with him in it. He'd put blankets and a pillow on the back seat for Rocky.
Heyes, supportin' Rocky, started down the steps. Colin moved to support Rocky from the other side. I buckled on my gun and tied it down. Just standin' here is painful but I have to go down the stairs. I put a foot on the first step down and I thought the pain would go through the top of my head. But I stood as tall as I can and resolved that I could do this. And I went down the steps without hesitatin', although I did put two feet on each step.
The same trustee as earlier was holdin' our horses..
"Thank you, sir," I said. "I'll be back to visit a prisoner in a month or so; anything I can bring you?"
The guard checked the main door, noticin' the guards had closed it. He smiled and said, "You got any of those dime novels about you? They're real popular here but we only have three of them."
"I'll send some with Dr. Oliver when he returns."