Comments---This came about after Ninheve and I were discussing a certain scar on Chris Larabee’s chest...She wanted an explanation and this is what I came up with.
“Okay, Larabee, that hurt! How come you don’t listen to yourself?” his voice sounded weak to his own ears as he struggled to get back to his feet. The pain in his chest grew each time he moved; yet he really had little choice in the matter. He had to get help, not just for himself but for.... “For what, Larabee?” he asked himself as he fell to the dry ground once more.
His left shoulder impacted with the ground and his head swam on an ocean of pain. He swallowed deeply, but there was little moisture left in his mouth. Sand and dirt covered ninety percent of his body. He was pretty sure the only reason the other ten percent wasn’t covered in dirt was because of the blood flowing from the bullet wound in his chest. It continued to seep from the single hole and washed the sand and grit away from the area.
He rolled onto his back and looked up at the bright circle of light overhead. His mind refused to work properly and it took a few minutes to remember it was the sun. He lifted his right hand to adjust his hat, but realized it wasn’t on his head. “Now where did I leave that?” he asked aloud, laughing at the raspy, croaking sound of his voice.
‘Hell, Larabee, Buck’d mistake you for a horny bullfrog,’ he thought. “Buck!” the name brought everything back to him. Wilmington and Tanner were the reason he needed to make it back to Four Corners. He struggled to turn onto his stomach and was forced to grit his teeth as pain radiated from the hole just to the right of his left arm. “G...gotta get h...help!” he hissed breathlessly. Once he made it to his feet he waited for the spinning world to right itself before forcing one foot in front of the other. His mind slowly wondered back to the day before when all hell broke loose.
It was late evening and the sun would soon be below the horizon as the three peacekeepers from Four Corners rode towards the town they’d sworn to protect. They’d gone to the town of Barton’s Crossing at the request of Judge Orrin Travis. He’d sworn in a new sheriff and wanted them there to help clean the riffraff out of the town. Between the three of them and the new sheriff they arrested eight men and ran ten more out of town. They’d stayed in the town for three weeks until the federal Marshall and his men picked up the men they’d arrested. Now that the job was over the three men were on their way back to the town they called home.
“Hey, Bucklin, what’s the first thing ya’ll do when we get back ta town?”
“Hell, Vin, do you really need to ask him that?” Larabee asked as he rode between the ladies man and the tracker.
“What’s the matter, Chris, you jealous?”
Larabee’s eyebrows rose and he turned a cocky grin on the scoundrel. “Of you? No, I don’t think so, Buck. Your reputation with the ladies is gonna get you killed one of these days.”
“Yeah, Buck, ya just barely made it outta Barton’s Crossing with your Di...ah dignity intact!” Tanner quipped.
Wilmington swallowed with some difficulty as he remembered the long blade coming towards his crotch. He was being held between two men while the angry husband slowly cut the buttons from his pants. He didn’t even know the woman was married, but the husband wasn’t willing to listen to that. The man smiled as he told Buck how he was going to turn him into a Eunuch.
“She told me she wasn’t married,” he said softly.
“Hell, Buck, that never stopped you before,” Larabee said seriously. “You’re always tempting fate with Blossom. One of these days her husband will come back and he’ll find out you’ve been dipping in his well.”
“Chris!” the ladies man couldn’t help but smile in spite of Larabee’s warning and choice of words.
“He’s right, Bucklin, yer gonna git caught,” the sharpshooter told him.
“It ain’t my fault that the ladies can’t resist my...”
“Animal maggotism,” Tanner finished.
“That kid’s gonna get it when I get back to town,” Wilmington laughed, but was suddenly serious as he noted the look on the black clad gunslinger’s face.. “Something wrong, Chris?”
“I think we got company,” Larabee warned.
“We do,” the tracker affirmed from his right side. “Looks like it could be three or four of em.”
The black clad man looked towards the rock formation on his right. “Let’s ride!” he shouted as the sinking sun reflected off metal halfway up the cliff face.
Three horses raced across the ground, kicking up dirt and sand as their hooves hit the hard packed ground. A single gunshot echoed off the cliffs as they raced past the spot where the sun reflected off the metal.
Larabee saw Tanner shudder and knew he’d been hit, how bad, he didn’t know and there was no time to find out. He looked towards Wilmington as he raced along beside him and knew he’d also seen Tanner’s reaction. He turned back to the younger man just as Vin turned towards him.
“Keep going! I’m alright!” the sharpshooter shouted, knowing to stop now would probably mean certain death for them all. A bullet hit the ground to the left of Wilmington’s gray and the big horse stumbled into Pony.
Larabee saw what was happening and pulled Pony to the left, barely missing Peso as they raced ahead. He chanced a quick glance over his head and saw three horses racing towards them. He looked to his right and watched in horror as Wilmington was pitched forward in his saddle.
Buck felt the bullet tear into his right side and was barely able to hold onto the saddle. A deep burning pain soon followed the impact and he knew he was hit badly. He shuddered as his knuckles grew white with the effort to stay in the saddle. He couldn’t chance turning to his left to see what was happening as his world was suddenly one mass of pain filled agony.
Larabee turned towards Tanner and shouted, “Buck’s been hit bad! I’m gonna see if I can stop them! You get him to that cave and wait there! I’ll join you as soon as I take care of these guys!”
“Too many!” Tanner shouted back.
“No choice! Get out of here! I’m counting on ya, Tanner!” Larabee hissed as he expertly swung Pony around. He heard Buck’s protests, but knew Tanner was leading him towards safety. He concentrated on the men coming towards him, pulling his pearl handled revolver from his holster as he did so. He waited until they were closer and sighted on the lead man. He eased back on the trigger until the deadly projectile left the slender barrel. He didn’t need to see the man fall to know his shot found its mark, but the rider less horse confirmed the shot was true.
He sighted down the barrel and waited for the next man to come into focus. Again he eased back on the trigger, but before he could follow through on the shot something slammed into his chest and drove the air from his lungs. He lost his grip on the reins and tumbled backwards. He landed heavily on the ground, but held onto his gun. Dark spots swam before his eyes as he struggled to clear his vision. He turned onto his stomach as the sound of approaching horses met his ears.
“Shit!” he shouted as he fought to breath.
“Drop it ya son of a bitch!”
The words were hissed next to his ear and he realized he’d blacked out for a few seconds. He tried to steady his arm as he turned towards the man who’d spoke the heated words. His eyes focused just in time to see a booted foot headed towards his arm. He bit his bottom lip as the gun flew from his hand as the boot connected with his elbow.
“Where’s that son of a bitch headed?” the man who kicked him snarled.
“Don’t know,” Larabee snapped as he held his right arm against the bleeding hole in his chest. His eyes focused once more and he recognized the two men from Barton’s Crossing. He knew these men were after Buck Wilmington and he wasn’t about to let them catch him.
The man reached down and clasped his hand in Larabee’s black duster. “I’m gonna catch that bastard and he’s gonna pay fer messin’ with my property.”
Larabee wanted to give Tanner time to get Wilmington to safety and he laughed in the man’s face. “If you’d’ve kept your property,” his voice was laced with sarcasm as he spoke, “satisfied, she wouldn’t have gone to another m...man.” Chris had little chance to set himself for the vicious blow that connected with his jaw. He felt the hands release him and he lay back fighting to stay conscious.
“Hey, Carter, I bet I know where they’re headed,” the second man said.
“Where, Burt?” Carter Thompson snapped.
“There’s a cave about a mile north of here. If they know about it they’d be headed there because of the shelter and the creek that runs along beside it,” Burt Thompson explained.
Carter smiled as he looked at the man lying on the ground. “Is that where he’s headed?” he asked as he pulled Larabee to his feet.
“Go to hell!” Larabee snarled in spite of the weakness seeping through his body. He knew he was losing blood, but didn’t have time to worry about the consequences.
“That’s where I’m gonna send your friend Wilmington. Straight to hell where his miserable hide can burn like it should. Give me a rope, Burt!” Carter ordered
Burt lifted the rope from his saddle and hurried back to the two men. He grabbed Larabee’s arms and pulled them behind him.
“No, Burt, tie his hands in front of him. He’s gonna walk to the cave since he don’t got no horse. Hope those boots of yours are comfortable, Larabee.”
Burt quickly wrapped the thin rope around Chris’s wrists and attached a longer piece to it.
Thompson pulled a dirty kerchief from his pocket and pulled Larabee’s shirt open to reveal the savage bullet hole in his chest. He smiled in satisfaction as the gunslinger couldn’t hold back the soft grunt of pain. “That should hold you until we get to the cave.”
“Why are we takin’ him with us?”
Carter Thompson moved until his face was nearly touching the blond’s as he explained. “He may just come in handy when we get to the cave. If Wilmington and Tanner decide to shoot it out we can use Larabee here as a shield.”
Burt smiled as he wrapped the rope around his older brother’s saddle. “That’s a great plan. How come I never thought of it?” he bent down and picked up the discarded revolver and shoved it down the back of his pants.
“Because I was the one born with the brains in the family. Now let’s get moving. Try to keep up, Larabee, I’d hate to see you dragged with the bullet wound ya got.”
The gunslinger concentrated on breathing as the mounting pain in his chest threatened to send him into unconsciousness. He heard the two men climb on their horses and forced his rubbery legs to move. The pace was a little fast, but Chris knew he needed to keep up, these men would not have any sympathy for him if he fell. They’d drag him until they reached the cave. Somehow he needed to take these two down before Buck Wilmington was forced to give up his life to save his own. ‘Buck, if we get out of this alive you’re gonna swear off women for at least a week,’ he thought as the journey began.
The sharpshooter heard the gunfire, but couldn’t turn to see what was happening. He grabbed the reins from Buck’s hands as the man fought to stay in the saddle. Vin could see the red stain on Wilmington’s right side. His own left leg was on fire as Peso raced away from the sound of gunfire. He knew the bullet was still in there and could feel it grating against the bone. He spotted the dark opening of the cave up ahead and hurried both horses towards it. He kept glancing towards the ladies man, hoping and praying the scoundrel could hold on a little longer. The cave grew steadily closer as the hooves raced across the open expanse of earth.
“Fuck!” he swore as Wilmington lost his hold and tumbled to the ground. He pulled Peso to a stop and hurried towards his downed friend. “Buck!” he called as he knelt beside the injured man.
“V...Vin!” Wilmington’s blue eyes blinked rapidly as he tried to focus on the man kneeling beside him.
“Yeah, Buck, come on we gotta get ta the cave!”
“C...can’t...y...you go!”
“Now ya listen here, Wilmington. Chris is back there giving me time ta get ya ta the cave. Now shut up arguin’ and get up! I ain’t got the energy ta tote yer hide and I ain’t ‘bout ta leave ya ‘ere!”
He let the sharpshooter pull him to his feet as he gasped. “Awful b...bossy...when a m...man’s hurtin’,” the scoundrel stopped as he remembered seeing Tanner take a bullet. “How b...bad ya h...hurt?”
“Took one in the thigh,” Tanner told him as the two men struggled to get Wilmington back on his horse. “Now hold on this time will ya?”
“Ain’t got much bedside manners, Tanner!”
“Yer not in a bed, Wilmington! Now shut up and hold on!”
Vin hopped to Pony and quickly mounted. Once more they raced across the ground until Tanner pulled them to a halt in front of the cave. He saw Wilmington losing his grip no the saddle again and hurriedly dismounted. He caught the larger man as he tumbled from his horse. He swore as his own injured limb couldn’t support the combined weight and the two injured peacekeepers landed in a heap on the ground.
The sharpshooter waited for his head to stop spinning before sitting up and checking his companion. Buck has lapsed into unconsciousness and Vin knew he would have to drag the older man into the cave. He suppressed a groan as he stood up and clasped Wilmington’s shoulders. The pace was agonizingly slow as he dragged the heavier man towards the dark opening. Thoughts of Chris Larabee’s fate haunted him, but he couldn’t take the time to dwell on it. He made it to the cave opening and soon had Wilmington inside. He hurried back to the horses and grabbed his Mare’s leg, saddlebags and canteens, before returning to the shelter. The sun had all but disappeared now and the dull twilight made it hard to see. He set the supplies on the ground and hurried back outside to tend the horses. The interior of the cave wasn’t big enough to shelter the animals and Vin hurried to tether them by the tiny creek running along the side of the hill. He knew they’d need both horses once they took care of whoever was after them. He kept watching their back trail as he made his way back to the cave. There was no sign of Chris or their pursuers and his fear for his friend’s safety continued to grow. He stood in the entrance, his leg burning as he tried to stay on his feet.
“Vin, any s...sign of C...Chris?”
“No,” Tanner answered simply as he moved to check Wilmington’s injury. “Did it go through?” he asked.
“Think so. I c...can feel the blood on my back.”
“Let me check,” Tanner said as he turned the ladies man on his left side. “Caught a break there, Bucklin, looks like it went straight through and maybe jest caught muscle.”
“G...good. What about you?”
“Bullet’s still in there. Nathan’ll take care of it when we get back to town.” He went back to the entrance and watched for movement.
“Anything?”
“Not yet. I’m gonna clean ya up and get ya bandaged while we got the time. Jest lie still fer a minute.”
“Vin, ya gotta go back fer Chris!”
“I can’t, Buck, Chris tol’ me ta make sure ya were safe!”
“I’m safe, Tanner, but Chris is in trouble or he’d be here by now.”
“Ya may be safe, Bucklin, but if’n I leave now ya’ll bleed ta death. Now shut up and let me take care of this!”
“Vin, He’s...”
“Shut the fuck up, Buck! Shit! Don’t ya think I know he’s probably in trouble!” the tracker hissed as he poured a small amount of water over Wilmington’s bullet wounds. “I’m goin’ back as soon’s I get ya taken care of now jest shut up and quit arguin’!”
The ladies man heard the tremor in the younger man’s voice and knew Tanner’s nerves were pulled tight. He knew about the connection between these two men, had even witnessed it more than once, and fought back the twinge of jealousy he felt. He sat up and let the sharpshooter wrap the wound tightly.
“That should hold ya till I get back!” Tanner said as he finished tying the bandage.
“You’d better take care of your leg before ya go!” Wilmington ordered as he sank back to the ground.
Tanner nodded and shoved a piece of cloth against the wound. He quickly wrapped a second piece of material around it to hold it in place. ‘Thank God for Nathan,’ he thought as he finished putting the supplies beside Wilmington.
“Buck, there’s water right beside ya. Stay put until I get back!” he ordered.
“Ain’t goin’ nowhere, Tanner!” he mumbled tiredly.
Vin knew the ladies man had lost a lot of blood. There was nothing more he could do for his injured friend until they made it back to Four Corners. He walked to the front of the cave and swore as his eyes adjusted to the dwindling twilight.
Chris had no idea how long he walked, but his legs kept carrying him in spite of Thompson’s efforts to make him fall. Larabee continued to glare daggers in the man’s back in an effort to keep his mind off the throbbing pain in his own chest. He continued onwards as darkness began to descend and wondered if Buck and Vin were okay. His body and mind were numb as they continued towards the cave. He didn’t realized they stopped until he stumbled into Thompson’s horse and fell heavily to the ground.
Thompson climbed off his horse as they came within a hundred feet of the cave. In spite of the advancing darkness he could make out a figure standing in the entrance. He smiled as the form moved back inside. He moved to his prisoner and pulled the gunslinger to his feet. He held the limp form in front of his own body as Burt slid in beside him.
“Get the horses behind cover!” Carter told his brother.
“Sure,” Burke agreed and took the reins of both animals. He slipped Larabee’s tether from the saddle and flipped it towards his brother before leading the horses away.
“Wilmington!” Carter shouted as he took his gun and held it to Larabee’s head.
The ladies man opened his eyes at his name being called. “Vin?” he asked into the darkness.
“I’m right here, Buck.”
“Thought you were going after Chris?”
“I was, but I don’t need ta now.”
“What are you talking about?” the ladies’ man forced his aching body into a sitting position.
“He’s right outside the cave!”
“What? Tell him to get his ass in h...here!” the scoundrel hissed.
“He ain’t exactly alone, Buck!” Tanner whispered.
“What do ya mean?”
“Wilmington, are you in there?” the sharp voice was clear as it reached their ears.
“Son of a bitch! Is that who I think it is?”
“Yeah. It’s Thompson!”
“Help me up!” Wilmington hissed angrily.
“Just stay where ya are, Buck!” the sharpshooter ordered.
“Wilmington, I got a friend of yours out here and I’ll kill ‘im if ya don’t answer me!”
“Shit! Son of a Bitch! Get me up, Tanner!”
Vin knew there was no choice. If he didn’t help him, Buck would find a way to do it on his own and just start bleeding again. He quickly hopped to the injured man and reached down to help him to his feet. The two friends hobbled to the cave entrance and watched the men outside.
“Ya here me, Wilmington? Larabee’s dead if ya don’t answer me!”
“I hear ya!” the scoundrel called. “Let him go!”
“I can’t do that ya Bastard! Not unless yer willing to take his place. Are you willing to do that?”
“Don’t do it, Buck!” Larabee shouted, clenching his teeth as Carter removed the gun from his head and drove it into his side.
“Chris, you all right?” Wilmington asked.
“He’s alive, but he won’t be for much longer if you don’t get out here.”
“I’m coming out!”
“No!” Larabee gasped as Burt Thompson joined his brother. Chris’ eyes were drawn to the familiar weapon snuggled down the back of the younger Thompson’s pants as the man stood slightly to the left and a foot in front of him.
“Buck ya cain’t” Tanner warned.
“Ain’t got much choice. He’ll kill Chris if I don’t do as he says.”
“Are ya coming out or do I kill your friend right now. You come outta there and maybe I’ll just let this one and your other friend go!”
“I said I’m coming out! Just give me a damn second!”
“Gave you enough time. I’m counting to three and if you’re not out here Larabee’s gonna be totin’ another piece of lead!”
“Buck...”
“No choice, Vin. You and Chris aren’t involved in this! I’m comin’ out, Thompson!” He pulled away from the strong hold the tracker had on his arm and moved out of the cave,. He could feel Tanner’s anger as the younger man continued to watch the scene unfolding in the darkness. The stars were shining overhead and illuminated the three figures standing in front of the cave.
“Chris, you alright?”
Larabee didn’t bother to answer as he lunged forward and grabbed the gun from the waist of Burt’s pants. His hand pulled the pearl handled revolver from the snug pants at the same time as he shoved the man forward. He turned to fire at Carter Thompson and was just in time to see the man falling backwards. The sound of the gunshot he’d heard finally registered and he turned towards the second brother.
Burt Thompson was climbing to his feet just as Larabee pointed his weapon at him.
“Don’t try it!” Larabee warned, his body shaking with loss of blood. He felt his knees bending even as he heard his friend’s warning.
“Chris!” Tanner shouted as Wilmington lifted his gun and shot the second man. A deep rumbling sounded above him and he looked up in time to see the entrance collapsing above them. “Buck, get back!” he threw himself at the ladies man and succeeded in getting him away from the entrance just as the rock face completely obliterated the entrance. The impact with the ground drove the air from his lungs and he lost consciousness.
Chris heard the rumbling sound and opened his eyes. He could’ve sworn it was thunder, but as he looked skywards he could see millions of dancing lights. “What the hell?” he thought as he tried to sit up. It felt as if something heavy was sitting on his chest and he tried to take a deep breath. He turned on his side and made out the dark outline of two bodies. “Vin! Buck!” he shouted and was instantly on his feet, in spite of the lancing pain in his chest. He took a deep breath and sighed heavily as he saw the two bodies were not those of his friends. He lifted his head and glanced towards the cave entrance, only to see the new mound of rock and dirt and other debris piled in front of it. He scrambled across the short distance and picked up a rock. He began pulling small trees and rocks away from the demolished entrance.
“Buck! Vin! Can you hear me?” he called, as pain and exhaustion forced him to give up his efforts to rescue his friends. He sank to the ground and leaned against the nearest rock. He lifted his head as he heard the sound of horses. He knew they were by the creek, but he didn’t have the energy to move. He knew the makeshift bandage on his chest was soaked with blood and he forced himself to his feet. He moved towards the creek, intent on finding the horses and hopefully something he could use to stop the flow of blood.
Chris knew he must’ve lost consciousness for a short period of time as the moon had made its appearance in the thick carpet of stars overhead. He was grateful for the added light as he made his way to the horses. He walked up to Peso, talking calmly as he closed the distance between himself and the horses and quickly noted the missing saddlebags. Turning to Buck’s gray he became aware the item was also missing from the saddle. He moved to the edge of the creek and sank to the damp, soft ground beside it. He dipped his right hand into the water and cupped it. He lifted the cool liquid to his mouth and drank greedily. He repeated the process until his thirst was slaked.
He slowly pulled the black duster from his shoulders, barely suppressing the cry of pain that threatened to escape his tightly clenched throat. “Shit!” he hissed as it finally slid from his body. He lifted the edge of his shirt and removed the blood soaked kerchief from the wound. He dipped the soiled material into the water and rinsed the blood from it. He used the wet cloth to wash the blood from the red, swollen, ragged bullet wound, gasping as he fought to stay conscious. The pain was almost too much, but he forced himself to do what needed to be done. Again he rinsed the cloth and this time he squeezed the excess water from it. He shoved it onto the wound and pulled his shirt tight against it. He shivered in spite of the heat rising from his body. Once more he cupped his right hand and dipped it into the water. He brought up the handful of liquid and dumped it over his head. The shock of the cool water hitting his head and sliding down his neck helped to revive him and twice more he repeated the move.
He took a deep breath and stood up once more. Moving on shaky legs he stumbled back to the cave intent on rescuing his friends. It took longer than normal for him to cover the short distance, but he was finally sitting next to the pile of debris. He reached out, ignoring the pain from his chest and began removing the rocks, trees and other items trapping his friends inside.
Buck opened his eyes and tried to move, crying out as he realized it was a mistake to do so. He lay still, coughing up the dust and dirt he’d inhaled and waited for the pain to recede. He held his right arm against the wound in his side and forced his body upwards until he was in a sitting position. A weak moan from beside him brought home the fact that he wasn’t alone. “Shit! V...Vin!” he reached out his left hand until his fingers touched an unmoving body.
“V...Vin, wake up,” he coughed and groaned as he released his grip on the younger man.
The sharpshooter pushed upwards until he was leaning on his elbows, gritting his teeth as the pain in his left leg continued unabated. “B...Buck?”
“Y...yeah. You okay?”
“Think so. You?”
“I think so. Sides’ bleedin’ again though.”
“Hang on!” Tanner ordered as he searched the area for the saddlebags. His hands landed on the leather straps and he pulled them towards him. He opened the satchel and fumbled around in the darkness until his hands fell on the matches. He pulled them from the bag and lit one. The sudden flare of bright light hurt his eyes, but they quickly adjusted. Dust continued to settle sending flickering shadows across Wilmington’s pale dirt covered face. “Ouch!” he hissed as the flame touched the tips of his fingers and he shook out the match.
“You alright?”
“Yeah, just forgot to watch the flame. I’m gonna clean yer side and then see ‘bout diggin’ us outta here,” he explained as he moved closer to his friend. “Lie on yer side, Buck!” the tracker ordered. He felt the older man lower himself to the ground and he quickly lifted the shirt. As he lifted the tacky bandage from the wound he felt the heat surrounding the ravaged flesh. He could feel the ladies man tense up as he poured a small amount of water over the area. “Sorry, Buck,” he mumbled.
“It’s o...okay, Vin, j...just caught me o...off guard’s all,” Wilmington assured the younger man.
Tanner helped the ladies man sit up and quickly wrapped a bandage around his midsection. “Can’t do much more’n that right now. Rest’ll have to wait until Nathan can take care’ve ya.”
The scoundrel sat up and reached for the younger man’s shoulder in the darkness. “Your turn, Vin.”
“I’m okay...”
“Probably, but I’m gonna take a look anyway. Where’s the matches?”
“I got ‘im, but we’ll be using up the air in ‘ere if’n I keep lightin’ ‘em.”
“Don’t matter ‘bout a couple of seconds of air. Light one Tanner and let me see what I gotta do.” Wilmington felt the shoulder slump, but smiled as a match illuminated their prison. He quickly tore the pants surrounding the bullet wound and pulled the bandage away. He got a quick look at the wound just before the match went out. “Pass me the canteen and the bandages,” he ordered. He soon felt the items in his hand and poured a small amount of water over the wound. He ignored the muffled moans from the tracker as he quickly wrapped a thin bandage around the leg. “That should hold ya for a little while.”
“Thanks, Buck. I’m gonna see about digging us outta ‘ere. Ya’d better lie still ‘fore ya start bleedin’ again.”
“Could say the same thing to you, Tanner. We’re in the same boat and right now it looks like it’s a matter of sink or dig. It’ll take both of us to keep this boat afloat.”
The tracker knew the other man was right, he knew as soon as he started moving the wound would bleed again. The two men remained silent as they moved to the pile of debris trapping them in the cave. Soon the only sound in the cave was the labored breathing of the two injured peacekeepers and the sound of rocks being shoved aside.
Chris had no idea how long he’d been digging, but numbness had replaced the throbbing agony in his chest. He looked at the small amount of rocks he’d removed and knew it wasn’t nearly enough. Dawn was streaking its way across the sky, yet for all the hours he’d worked there was no end in sight. Frustrated and angry he lifted a fist sized rock and pounded it against a large boulder buried beneath other stones, branches and dirt. Again and again he hit the rock, causing sparks to flick into the air.
“Buck! Vin! Are you guys alright?”
Tanner lifted another rock and threw it towards the back of the cave. A sound reached his ear and he stopped moving as he tried to pinpoint where it came from. A small smile lit his face as he realized it was coming from the other side of the barrier.
“Buck, stop!”
“What? W...why? Are y...you o...okay?” Wilmington’s voice sounded weak and filled with pain as he spoke into the darkness.
“I’m fine, Buck, listen.”
“Buck! Vin! A...are you o...okay?”
“Hey, That’s Chris!”
Tanner heard the excitement and relief in the other man’s voice. “Yep it is!”
“Chris, we hear ya. Are you okay?”
Larabee smiled in spite of the pain as Tanner’s voice penetrated the barrier of rock and dirt. He sank back against the rock surface and took a deep breath to steady himself.
“I’m fine, but t...there’s too much stuff blocking the entrance. I...I’m g...gonna n...need help clearing t...this shit away! Think you two can hold on a while l...longer?”
“Shit, Vin, something’s wrong with him!”
“Yeah, I hear it too, but he ain’t ‘bout ta tell us what it is.”
“We’ll be fine! Are you sure you’re okay?”
Chris smiled at Wilmington’s question. He knew he wasn’t hiding anything from his two friends but tried to put them at ease as he answered.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just tired of trying to dig your sorry carcasses outta that cave. It’ll take me a couple of hours to reach Four Corners, figure another hour to get everything together and then two hours back. It’s just comin’ on daylight so I should be back just after lunch. And Buck...you’re gonna swear off women for a full week...”
Tanner couldn’t stop the laugh that erupted from his throat. He could imagine the chagrined look on Wilmington’s face as Larabee’s words met their ears. He listened as the ladies man tried for a lighthearted tone in spite of the pain he was in.
“A week, hell, Chris, that’s gonna be easy. Nathan’s probably gonna keep me in the clinic that long.”
“Should’ve made it longer, Cowboy!”
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