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.
Alex threw a length of rope at Bernie, shaking his head as it fell uselessly to the floor at her feet.
“Tie his hands Bernice” Alex instructed her sharply as he pressed his gun against the now terrified Jasper’s head “No tricks either or your brother will pay”
Bernie lifted the rope from the ground at her feet and turned to face the man that she loved.
“I’m sorry Buck” she murmured as she wound the rope around his wrists and tied a tight knot.
All Buck wanted to do was take Bernie in his arms and kiss the wild fear glazed look from her eyes. As she finished tying his hands he lifted his bound hands to catch her under her chin, forcing her to turn her downcast eyes to his. Glancing quickly at her father, Buck realised that Alex’s attention was on Jasper as he tied his hands, so he bowed his head quickly and placed a quick tender kiss on her lips, trying without words to show her his support and reassurance.
Having no patience with his daughter, Alex pushed her hard in the back, forcing her to stumble against Buck’s chest. Buck did his best to hold her upright as she caught her balance before her father pulled her to her feet by her hair forcing a cry of pain from her lips. As Buck would have defended her Alex put his gun to her temple, forcing Buck to stand back and watch defencelessly as Alex tightly bound Bernie’s wrists, he looped another length of tope through their bonds, returning to lift the bound Jasper from the ground where he had left him he pulled the both of them after him.
“I don’t need to tell either of you do I that if you call any of your friends, I will kill Jasper, and the both of you will be dead before any of them can get out here.’ He walked outside the door and lifted Jasper onto his waiting hors, tying the rope that bound Buck and Bernie together to his pommel.
Buck realised that he intended for them to follow his horse, cursing as he realised that Bernie’s feet were bare. He hoped they didn’t have far to travel as Alex spurred his horse into movement, forcing Buck and Bernie to jpg along behind the horse, Buck trying desperately to leave enough signs as he ran for Kid to be able to track them, Bernie occaisionally stumbling.
The sun was cresting the distant mountains before Alex led them into a camp site where two men slept around the embers of a campfire. Exhausted himself Buck watched Bernie’s panting breathing as he pulled he into his bound embrace, wincing as he realised her knees and hands were grazed from her frequent stumbles. His show of support for her cut short as her father pulled sharply on the rope that connected their hands. Buck was pulled from her embrace and tied to a sturdy tree, Alex plucking Buck’s knife from his boot. Bernie tears in her luminous eyes, followed and knelt at his side her bound hands gently stroking his thigh as they both watched her father kick his henchmen awake as he circled the dying campfire. As his men awoke slowly he knelt and banked the dying embers until they were a small crackling blaze.
“I’m going back into town, to show the proper amount of concern for my missing offspring” he looked into the faces of his two men. “She’s yours, but don’t hurt the boy” he spoke as he turned to mount his horse and dropped Buck’s knife at their feet.
“What about the injun?” one of them spoke as he picked up the knife
“Don’t kill him until after the girl” Williams answered as he turned his horse and rode back into town, knowing that the prospect of his own death would not distress Buck, but watching the woman he loved die would torment his soul into eternity.
Rachel knew something was wrong when she walked into the bunkhouse to prepare breakfast. Seeing Jasper wasn’t in his bunk beside Teaspoon, she went quickly to the stable knowing that if he crept out he would be checking on the cat he had become so fond of. Finding no sign of him there she lifted her skirts and ran across the waystation to her house, knowing that she was not going to find them there, finding the bed unkempt but empty, she ran back to the bunkhouse and shook Teaspoon awake.
“Teaspoon they’re gone” Rachel spoke her voice a little shrill with her fear, waking the riders as well.
“Where’s Buck?” Kid spoke rubbing the drowsiness from his face
“He’s gone to” she answered tears welling in her eyes.
Kid, Jimmy, Cody and Ike jumped out of their bunks and out of the bunkhouse to try and find signs of what had become of their friends.
“Teaspoon what if that man was right” Rachel spoke nervously
“We’ll find them Rach” Lou spoke as she embraced her friend, herself nervous for their friends.
Teaspoon moved outside to the porch, trying to decide in his mind how they had managed to pluck the three of them out from under their noses without a sound. He stood there watching proudly as his boys scoured the waystation, proud of their skills when Kid ran back to the porch and his boss several minutes later.
“Buck has tried to leave a trail, there is one horse, with two on foot, I think one of them is Buck. My guess is he was leading them both and carrying Jas”
“Boys saddle the horses” Teaspoon spoke as his attention was distracted by an approaching horsema, Rachel came to stand behind Teaspoon wondering what he was planning and how he was going to deal with the arrogant looking man who had pulled his horse to a stop, showering the riders and Teaspoon and Rachel with dust.
“How can I help you sir?” Teaspoon spoke politely as they sized each other up.
“I’ve come to collect my son and daughter” Alex stated brushing the dust from his jacket sleeves as he spoke.
“:I’m afraid that won’t be possible at the moment” Teaspoon answered, staring hard at the man seated in front of him, knowing full well that he knew where his offspring were.
“Why not?” A deep frown crossed his face.
“They’re not here at the moment” Teaspoon answered not wanting to give this man too much information to use against them.
“Best they aren’t with that heathen” he spoke “They’re talking about it all over this sleepy little town” he almost spat “If he hurts either of them he will pay” he wheeled his horse around and rode from the waystation, not noticing as Ike stepped forward to come to Buck’s defence.
“Ike” Teaspoon called “Follow him, just don’t let him know it” he gave the order and turned to the rest of his riders. “C’mon, we have some crooks to catch.”
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