by Ms Raye
Part One
It had been days since Ike's funeral pyre had burned out...and nothing was left of him but his ashes and a multitude of good memories.
"You were his brother and I know you feel his loss like a stab to your heart. I just hope that you will not hold this against me forever."
He took her hand in his own, "I don't hold it against you Emily, his spirit is free and I know that I will always have him with me. Just as he will always be there with you."
When all was said and the stage had past out of sight, Lou walked back towards the bunkhouse with Buck. She touched him lightly on the arm. "She said she might come back Buck," he looked over at his friend, "I just think everything hurts too much right now."
Buck nodded and they continued in silence...
...the wind whistled past his ear and Buck slowed...
Lou continued past and stopped a few steps ahead. She turned back to him, "Buck?" He didn't move, "Buck? Somethin' wrong?"
...the wind swirled around him, kicking up dust before it passed on down the street...
He half turned and saw a figure walking in the wind, a black duster covered the man from neck to ankles, light glinted off silver spurs and the man's black felt hat sat neatly on his head.
...leaves and dust began to swirl around him as he walked away...
Buck shook his head, "I'm seein' things."
* * * * *
That night Buck sat alone on the porch of the bunkhouse, his feet propped up on the rail.. he stared out into the night, a slight frown across his brow. He didn't really 'see' that man, did he?
Jimmy opened the door and called out to his friend, "You comin' in Buck? We're turning out the lights.."
Buck nodded and called back, "In a minute Jimmy."
Jimmy shrugged his shoulders and started to close the door. Neither one saw it, but a shadow, shaped like a man slipped in through the door.
* * * * *
His dreams were filled with nightmare images. Over and over again he saw Ike fall to the floor outside the Saloon, blood spreading quickly across across the clean white shirt. Silent tears spilled on his pillow, but Buck could not stop the images crowding his mind.
He fought to regain control... striking out, desperately trying to wake up from this horrible nightmare he was shocked to hear what sounded like laughter.
...ha ha ha..... you think you got rid of me that easy half-breed?....
Buck was awake a moment later, his skin covered in sweat. He sat on his bunk staring out into the dark night around him. He saw that no one else was awake and strange thoughts crept into his mind. 'I thought I heard a voice...' Try as he could, he couldn't remember what the voice had told him. He left the bunkhouse and stood on the porch for what seemed like hours, his thoughts plaguing the night.
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Copyright 2000