Buck sat near her bed for the better part of an hour... each soft breath was counted and blessed. She lay in Kid's bunk, they had piled extra blankets on the bunk, tryin' to soften the mattress. The other riders lay in their own bunks, Kid taking Ike's so he wouldn't disturb Lou. Buck could hear them tossing around as they tried to rest. They had all taken turns watching her. It was the only way Kid, or any of the other riders, got any sleep that night.

Her color was still ashen but just seeing her breathe was enough... She looked like a fragile little doll in the buck. Her left arm was bandaged and held straight by two pieces of wood. Livid purple and black bruises covered her skin under the sheet.

They had all seen the damage when the doctor had torn away her shirt and pants to examine her. Lou was a maze of nasty welts and bruises... several of the welts looked like she had been branded with a horseshoe. Jesse, who had insisted that he needed to stay for Lou, took one look at his friend's battered body and ran outside to lose his lunch. Noah followed him to keep watch.

Buck was worried more than anyone else knew...he felt responsible somehow. He couldn't shake the feeling that he had allowed this to happen. He had seen a vision of the shadow following her. He had to say it... maybe the man he had been seeing was death. Was he the only one who could see it? Had he been cursed with these visions as punishment for failing his friend? It seemed the only explaination and he fought back tears thinking that he may never get the chance to make it up to the woman who lay unconcious in the bed before him.

Her eyes opened slowly and Buck moved closer, "Lou? Lou? Can you hear me?"

Pale lips opened slowly and her eyes swept across the room, "Bu...Buck...did you see him?"

He was silent as her words sunk in, "who?"

"...the man... he scared the horse Buck... how did he get in the ring-"

She seemed miles away and Buck leaned closer, "Talk to me Lou... what man? Tell me what you saw!"

"...you saw him too, I saw the look on your face... it's -oh lord... he's-behind you!"

In a single moment of sheer terror Buck understood the warning and hit the floor hard. Unconcious from a single blow to the back of his head.

* * * * *

The grain of the wood floor was oddly distorted... seeming to slant across his sight. Slowly his wits washed over him, along with a sharp pain that centered on the back of his head. "The floor...I'm on the fl- LOU!" He called out, but it sounded like a hoarse whisper. "Lou?" His arms were weak, and trying to regain his feet seemed like a far off dream.

He pulled himself up on his elbows, his knees slid up dragging his body across the floor. Buck felt like a baby having to pull himself along the floor. He was almost next to the bunk where Lou had been placed. He tilted his head up, ignoring the blinding pain in his skull. A small hand hung over the edge of the bunk...limp and pale against the sheets... her fingers slightly curled and held open to his gaze. A single bullet, spent and rusted, lay in her palm.

Buck reached up a shaky hand and took the bullet. His heart dropped as he touched her skin. Cold as ice. He avoided lookin' up at her face, afraid he would see death. As he brought it closer he felt a deep knot in his stomach. He knew where this bullet came from and as realization dawned on him he couldn't help but feel this was the end.

...what's with the sad look half-breed? cat got your tongue?...

Strengthened fingers balled up around the bullet in his hand. He turned to the voice.

There in the darkness, he saw the mocking eyes of the man who had haunted his steps.

...again we meet...

"Neville, what did you do to her?!" The man clothed in darkness to a step forward. He looked like he had been painted on dirty glass, flat and a mottled. The lamp light in the bunkhouse seemed to illuminate his body.

...oh? you seem angry, i'm scared injun...

"I have a name," he bit out under his breath.

Both were distracted for a moment, as Lou stirred. Buck felt relief for a fleeting moment.

He started to regain his feet, but stopped when he heard the unmistakable sound of a hammer drawn back on a revolver.

...i don't think so... I like you right where you are...

"What's the matter Neville, can't face me like a man?"

Neville stepped forward, his gun pointed at Buck's head.

...thanks to you...i ain't a man no more...

He smiled, an ominous grin stretched across his face. With one hand he opened his shirt, three bullet holes etched into the pale skin, inflamed skin puckered around the wounds.

"How can you be here?" Buck stared at the wounds on the man's chest.

...you, my 'friend'... you set me free...

Buck felt his insides burn. He knew what Neville meant. The words he had said a few days ago came back to haunt him. The Kiowa believe that death only sets the spirit free. What could he do, his own spirit wavered and Neville took another step closer.

"Leave him alone!" Lou's eyes were open and she struggled to sit up. Pain flashed through her with every tiny movement.

Neville looked at the small woman.

...didn't i hurt you enough...

"You killed Ike, you're not goin' to hurt us like that again."

...she's more stubborn than a mule... and just as annoying...

"You've done enough.."

A hand reached out and grabbed her throat, sqeezing the air out in fitful gasps. With her right hand she tried to pry his fingers away.

...do me a favor, little girl, quiet down and behave, or you'll end up dead like your friend, Ike...

Neville threw her body back against the bed. She lay there unmoving.

Buck watched in horror as his body seemed frozen in place. Neville turned back to him and lifted the gun.

...your turn boy...say your prayers...

...i have... it's so much fun to watch you suffer through them...

"I won't let you hurt them anymore."

...how are you gonna stop me?...

Buck turned as he heard motion outside the door. Neville smiled and turned to aim at the door.

"NO!" Buck lauched himself off his knees and leapt for the door.

The door opened and Teaspoon could be seen out side. Buck crashed into Teaspoon as a bullet tore through his shoulder. They fell together on the porch just outside the door. Neville stepped into the opening and aimed again.

Buck placed himself before Teaspoon who angrily protested with him. He had just about regained his feet when something stopped him from moving.

There was a man behind Neville. A sweet smile graced his face and soulful eyes looked out at them.

"Dear lord almighty," breathed Teaspoon behind him.

Neville froze and stared down in shock as a hand reached through his body to take hold of the gun. He turned to face his destiny.

...you...I should've known you'd be back...

Only a smile greeted the snide remark.

...i'm gonna make them pay... and you can't stop it...

One quick shot and Neville fell to floor.

An angry wind blew through the door...it circled abound Neville's body like an vicious tornado...ripping him to pieces. As quickly as it started...it was gone. Leaving two very surprized men staring at their welcome visitor.

Ike walked forward, his hand extended. After a moment's thought, Buck reached out and grasped his hand, it was warm and solid. Teaspoon regained his feet and moved a little closer, "Ike, son, I-"

Ike motioned, <no time to talk... have to go...good to see you all again>

He turned away and walked through the bunkhouse, pausing by Lou. He looked back at Buck and Teaspoon. <She'll be okay... it'll take time>

Buck breathed a sigh of relief. Ike touched her face and stepped away into the shadows.

* * * * *

The first rays of morning light cleared the horizon and Teaspoon and Buck stood together on the porch. Kid had been the first awake and after hearing what had happened while they had been asleep he was eager to spend some time with Lou.

The two men hardly said a thing... they just stood there enjoying the quiet morning hours. The cloud of grief that had been centered over the riders was gone, replaced with a peace they hadn't felt before. Buck felt like this new morning also rose in his soul...his friend had set him free.

<center> THE END</center>

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