DISCLAIMER: The Young Riders is the creation of Ed Spielman, and the property of Ogiens/Kane productions in association with MGM/UA television. This Story is created for entertainment purposes only, no infringement intended. Not to be copied without permission from the author.
“How long ago did she leave?” Kid leapt off Katy and walked up to stand in front of his best friend, angry at the situation that had caused this to happen, not Buck himself.
“About 40 minutes” Buck spoke, more confused than he could even put into words as he watched his other friends dismount.
“We would have passé her on the way back here “Jimmy spoke as he watched the fear in Kid’s eyes grow with the realisation of the danger that Lou was in.
“We have to go and save her” Kid spoke
“No we have to find out as much as we can, he’s been planning this fro a while, he won’t have left enough clues for us to track them with” Cody spoke, worried about Lou, but also worried about the what could happen to her husband if he went off, charging to her rescue.
--oo0000oo—
Lou opened her eyes, trying to clear her cloudy mind. The last thing she was aware of was being plucked off Lightning’s back and thrown across another riders lap, her head smacking against the riders knee and knocking her into unconsciousness.
She stood painfully and tested her limbs for any injuries, finding none apart from a painfully tender areas on her ribs where she realised that the saddle pommel had hit her and a lump on her forehead where she connected with the other rider’s knee. Having taken stock of herself she looked to find out where she was being kept and more importantly why anyone would want her.
Running her hands along the wall, she realised that she was being held in some sort of cave, the coldness of the walls seeping into her bones when she leaned against the cold stone walls. In the corner of the room lay a small pellet with a pillow and a blanket, in the opposite corner sat a bucket of water and a scoop to drink from.
She sat back down on the pellet, and held her head in her hands, completely unaware of what she should do next. All she wanted to do was get to her husband and take him and their friends home. The thought of losing her husband, once again caused her tears to flow freely again.
“No need to cry Mrs McCloud. Your friends are fit and healthy.” A voice spoke from behind the closed wooden door in front of her
“Who are you? What have you done to my husband?” Lou shrieked as she ran across the room to pound on the door, yelling at the faceless voice
“I am on old friend of your husbands Louise, you’ll be pleased to hear he is alive and well, it was so unfortunate that we had to hurt you that way.’
“But Grant told me he was dying?’ Lou spoke her voice trailing off, her pain clouded mind not understanding what she was hearing.
“Aah, yes, there are two things that you should think about. Firstly, never, ever underestimate the power of love and secondly don’t you think that a son will do anything to win his fathers love.’
“What?” Lou frowned trying to comprehend the meaning of his cryptic words
“It’s simple Louise, my son would do anything to win my favour and you would not believe how easy it is to use the love you and your husband have against the both of you. It’s been like taking candy from a baby.”
“Kid is not hurt” she murmured almost to herself
“To the contrary madam, if he does not get $10000 to me by this time next week you shall be the one that is hurt. Your braids should be enough to tell him that we mean business”
Lou listened as his footsteps echoed in what was obviously a long hallway outside the door. Feeling the back of her neck she realised that her hair, her pride and joy, the only thing she had missed while she was working for the Express had been roughly hacked off while she was unconscious. Now that appeared to be the least of her worries, she wondered how Kid would take the news of her abduction, wondering if she would ever see her beloved husband or her beautiful daughter again.
--oo0000oo—
Kid paced back and forth in front of the hearth, rocking his tiny daughter back to sleep. However, his own agitation disturbed her, and was stopping her from relaxing into slumber again.
“Here give her to me” Buck spoke quietly as he stood in front of Kid and waited for him to reluctantly give up the crying baby. Buck took her and within minutes, she was once again sleeping happily as she was placed back in her crib.
“I know its not worth much, but I’m sorry” Buck stated as he looked at the faces of his friends. “I should have gone with her” he paused “No dammit, I should have gone instead of her”
“What so they could have ridden in here and taken her and Emma?” Jimmy asked bluntly
“You know what I mean Jimmy” Buck stated flatly his pain evident in his eyes
“I know that you both thought we were dead. I know that somehow Grant is behind all of this. I know that we will find Lou” Jimmy spoke
“She should have been told Kid, she can’t help save herself from something she doesn’t know about” Cody stated from where he stood by the window.
“That’s great Cody, but what happens now that she thinks we’re all dead and they have her.” Kid spat at his long term friend.
All of them were startled by a harsh knock at the door. Kid stalked toward the door, but was beaten there by his three friends, all determined to protect him from whatever danger there might be there.
Jimmy flung the door opened startled to find the town publican there.
“What do you want?’ Jimmy spoke harshly
“I thought the Marshall should know, this was pinned to his office door when I was walking past this morning.” He raised his hand from which hung a crudely written note and both of Lou’s braids. Jimmy snatched the note from him and handed it to Kid, his face draining of all colour as he read it
“Bring me what you owe me by midnight next Friday or we will cut more than her hair”
to be continued
Back to the last chapter
Back to Ridingtall
Back to Tall Tales
