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The Devil Between Us

Page 22

by S. C. Wilson


  Maybe Granite Falls hadn’t changed as much as she had thought. Jesse walked toward the delinquents, brow furrowed and pistol drawn. “Get away from him!” she shouted.

  Her voice and the sight of the gun sent them scattering in every direction. Jesse helped the man to his feet. As she patted the dirt off his back, she asked, “Are you all right?”

  “I’m…all…r-r-right,” he said, stuttering. His speech was slow, every syllable demanding a focused effort. Even this small conversation seemed hard for him. He was disheveled. Even in the darkness, a large jagged scar stood out, bold on the right side of his forehead. The years had done little to change his features. Jesse looked up into his eyes. She knew without a doubt they were the same eyes she had spent so many hours staring at as a child. There he was, in the flesh.

  Real.

  Live.

  Jesse she could scarcely believe what she was seeing. In a tiny, trembling voice Jesse whispered, “Toby?”

  “I Toby.”

  Jesse felt faint, and she wasn’t sure how she managed to stay standing. Her strength had fled her body. She floated in the street. She found no sign of recognition in her brother’s familiar face. She thought he was gone, but now she realized what his life may have been like since she’d last seen him—since that day.

  Jesse cleared her throat. “Hi, Toby, my name is Jesse. It’s nice to meet you.”

  Toby smiled. “Hi, J-J-Jesse.”

  “What happened to your head, Toby?”

  Toby rubbed his fingers along the scar, but gave no reply. He either didn’t know, or lacked the words to explain it. Taking Toby gently by the arm, she led him back toward the saloon. They stopped next to Buck.

  “This is Buck. Will you do me a favor? Will you watch him for a minute? I’ll be right back.”

  “I st-st-stay,” Toby said, rubbing Buck’s forehead.

  Jesse hurried inside. She found Abby in the back of the saloon. “Where is your room?”

  “Well, hi to you, too.”

  “Sorry,” Jesse said, face flushed. “Don’t mean to be rude.”

  Abby felt a tinge of guilt for not noticing immediately how disoriented Jesse was. “Upstairs, second door on the left. Why? And where have you been?” she asked with a tone of alarm in her voice.

  “I can’t explain it right now.”

  “All right, but don’t run off. I’m going on soon.” Abby searched Jesse’s face for answers. She found nothing, but didn’t press.

  “I won’t miss it, promise.”

  Jesse went back to Toby. She still couldn’t believe her older brother had been here in Granite Falls all this time. She had seen his lifeless body with her own eyes. She had believed, without a doubt, he had died that day.

  “Toby, can you come inside with me?”

  He nodded and followed her inside and up the stairs.

  Back in Abby’s room, Jesse gave him instructions. “I need you to stay here, and don’t come out until I come for you.”

  It hit her like a punch to the stomach, the words crushing as soon as they came out. That was the last thing Toby had said to her all those years ago. Jesse grabbed hold of the bureau for support in a world suddenly off kilter. “I’ll be back. Don’t leave,” she finished as she headed for the door on wobbling legs.

  “I st-st-stay.”

  Abby was making her way onto the stage to the usual wave of cheers as Jesse came down the stairs. She wedged her way into a spot at the crowded bar, antsy for Abby to be finished. Jesse tried to focus on Abby. She was so consumed with elation at having found Toby she was totally oblivious to the singing she loved so much.

  Toby was grown now. It was a strange thing to wrap her mind around. In her imagination, he had remained the little boy she had teased for having puny muscles. At twenty-four, Toby was now taller than Daniel had been. Mentally, he seemed childlike, but his outward appearance told a different story altogether. Toby Pratt had grown up to be a tall, blond, and handsome man.

  “Shut the hell up!”

  The voice came from behind her. Jesse stopped breathing momentarily as the hair on her scalp tingled. She braced herself against the bar as she slowly turned. There, a few feet from her, was the Devil himself—the scrawny blond-haired man who had been atop her sister that day in the barn. Sitting directly across from him was the man who stood outside her house that night and watched it burn.

  Jesse pushed her way through the crowd, barely making it to the street before retching. She bent with her hands on her knees, dry heaving, her stomach empty after her trip to the old homestead. Fear she hadn’t known since she was a young girl came rushing back. She cursed herself for letting it affect her so profoundly.

  “Did you see them? Why, they’re nothing. Weak and pathetic.” The voice was familiar. Jesse recognized it instantly. Frieda. It was as if the woman was standing right beside her. “Don’t you be frightened by them anymore.”

  Something inside Jesse shifted. Fear melted away, replaced by anger. Jaw clenched and white-knuckled, the rage slowly built until it consumed her like kindling into an inferno. She wanted nothing more than to walk back inside and shoot the bastards where they sat. She reached for her pistol and ran her finger along the trigger.

  Then, it hit her. Abby and Toby were also inside. If something were to happen to either of them, she would never be able to live with herself.

  Jesse took a deep breath, took her hand off of the gun, and gathered her wrath into her balled up fists. She had a moment of clarity as the crowd once again exploded in cheers. She knew what had to be done.

  Jesse pushed her way through the crowd and hurried toward the back in search of Abby. Grabbing her by the arm a little more forcibly than she intended, Jesse said, “I need to talk to you. Now.”

  Jesse’s force and tone left no doubt in Abby’s mind she was serious. Jesse held her grip as she escorted Abby out back, behind the saloon. Jesse had never acted like this.

  “What’s wrong?” Abby asked. “I saw you walk out. Is everything all right?”

  Jesse released her grip. “Look. I know you don’t owe me anything, and I have no right to ask this of you, but I need you to do something for me.”

  Without hesitation, Abby said, “What do you want me to do?”

  “Do you remember when we talked about the family who was killed here years ago?”

  “Yes. Why?”

  “Well, two of the guys who did it are sitting in there. Can you get those two out by the waterfall? I’ll be watching the whole time to make sure nothing happens to you. Will you do that for me?”

  Abby paused, blindsided by the request. She wasn’t sure exactly how to react, but she did know one thing: she trusted Jesse to do what was right. “How do you know they are the ones?”

  “I can’t tell you right now how I know, but I do know. Without a doubt.” Jesse swallowed the lump stuck in her throat and took a calming breath, trying to maintain her composure. “If you don’t want to do it, I understand. I’ll figure out a way to do it myself.”

  “You know I’ll do whatever I can to help you. Just please, tell me what’s going on.”

  “I can’t right now, but I will, I promise.”

  “Which ones are they?” asked Abby, as she heard her name being announced back inside.

  “They’re the ones sitting at the table close to the bar. One is blond and thin, and the fat guy across from him has black hair.” Grabbing Abby by the shoulders, Jesse continued, “I just found out that someone else survived that night, Toby Pratt, and right now he is up in your room. He is kind of…simple, and needs my protection. Look, if something should go wrong tonight, I need you to look after him for me.”

  “Jesse, tell—” Abby started, only to be silenced when Jesse urgently placed a finger on her lips.

  “Abs, there’s something else.” Jesse put her face next to Abby’s and whispered in her ear, “Under the bed up at the cabin, dead center, there is more gold than you could possibly need. Just pull up the floorboards, and you a
nd Toby will never have to worry about money.” Pulling away, Jesse stared into Abby’s eyes. “Promise me you will look after Toby.”

  “If, God forbid, something should happen to you, I will. I promise,” Abby said, eyes wide, voice faltering.

  Jesse hated the fear she saw in Abby’s eyes. She was scared, too, but she had to do this. She took Abby’s face in her hands. Her lips brushed lightly over Abby’s, a whisper, then harder, an intensity driving her as if she would never get to see Abby again.

  Jesse broke the embrace. “Everything will be fine,” she said.

  “I don’t know what you’re planning, but please be careful.”

  “I will.”

  Abby retook the stage, eyeing the crowd as she started to sing. The men were easy to spot. Even the looks of them gave her an uneasy feeling about what was to come. After her final bow, Abby went directly to the bar. She ordered three shots of whiskey. No tea in the shot glass this time. She was going to need the liquid courage.

  She walked over to the table where the two men were seated. Placing a shot glass in front of each man, she held up hers and said, “Drinks on me, boys.”

  The scrawny blond-haired goon sat with his mouth hanging open, surprised such a beautiful woman would speak to him. The black haired man was a little more vocal, though not much more intelligible. “Hell yeah, darlin’!” was the brightest he could think to say. Abby was repulsed the moment he opened his rotten maw.

  Tapping their glasses together, the three downed their shots in one swift gulp. Abby gritted her teeth as she removed the hat off the man with black hair. She ran her fingers through the greasy, unkempt mess. I’d rather be picking up worms.

  She untangled her fingers from the rats nest and announced, “I’ll be right back, boys.”

  “Awe, come on now. Where you goin’ honey?”

  “Don’t you fret, handsome. We’re just getting started.”

  Abby made her way back to the bar in search of a bottle of whiskey, disgusted by the obvious arousal of the brothers.

  “Watch out for those two,” the barkeep said, handing her the bottle. “They’re nothing but trouble.”

  Abby gave him a wink. “Thank you. I’ll be fine, Floyd. Don’t worry.”

  Abby brought the bottle back to the table. “Hey, you boys want to get out of here and help me with this?”

  Both men looked at each other and smiled wide. Needing no additional prodding, the two vile men stood, more than ready to join her. “I’ll get my horse and meet you fellas out front,” Abby said.

  The brothers rushed out the door. They were ready and waiting by the time Abby came riding around from the back. Handing the bottle to the blond, she said, “Here you go, handsome.”

  Using his nasty teeth, he pulled the cork, and took a big gulp. The black haired man introduced himself as Jake. Pointing to the bottle-bearing blond he said, “That’s my brother, Clay.”

  “Well, I’m Abigail, and it’s my pleasure to meet you boys. Follow me and try to keep up.”

  Abby nudged Titan and he took off in a full gallop. The two men rode behind, doing their best to match her pace. Jesse followed from a distance, careful not to give herself away, but close enough so she could keep an ever-watchful eye on Abby.

  Once they reached the secluded spot in the woods, both men jumped down, shoving each other in an attempt to be the one to help Abby dismount. Jake, always the winner, grabbed Abby by the waist and plucked her from the saddle. Acting the part of a helpless woman, Abby thanked him profusely and complimented his strong arms.

  If Jake and Clay were aroused before, they were doubly so now. The brothers passed the bottle back and forth, desire reeking from them in rotten waves. Their clothes, too tight for anyone’s comfort, did little to hide their excitement. They grabbed at themselves, oblivious or uncaring about the unease it caused Abby. Taking big swigs of the whiskey, they continued passing the bottle until it was empty.

  Seated between the pair, Abby forced a smile and prayed for Jesse to show up soon. A volatile marriage and countless nights in the saloons had taught her the signs. Things were about to get out of her control. Jesse, where are you?

  “Now that is one fine tit!” Jake said, reaching into Abby’s dress. He placed her trembling hand on his crotch. “Why don’t you go ahead and undo ‘em? I got somethin’ real special just for you. You know you want to see it.”

  Clay started grinning as he always did when his older brother played this game. He unfastened his trousers and began fondling himself.

  Mouth poised and ready, inches from Abby’s chest, Jake was totally unprepared for the pistol that crashed into the back of his skull. He slumped forward, eyes rolled back. Clay jumped to his feet, fumbling for the pistol buried somewhere in the trousers wrapped around his ankles.

  “Don’t even think about it!” Jesse shouted.

  One hand covering her chest, Abby used her other to remove Clay’s pistol from its holster. She readjusted herself as she handed the gun to Jesse, asking, “What do you want me to do?”

  “I want you to ride back to town.” Jesse didn’t take her eyes off Clay, who stood with both his hands in the air. He’d held the pose since the moment he saw Jesse’s pistol pointed at him.

  Abby stood frozen in place as if she hadn’t heard Jesse speak. Jesse raised her voice. “I need you to leave. Go back to town. Now. If something happens to me tonight, remember what I told you. Now go!”

  “I don’t want to leave you here with them. Let me help you,” Abby said, pleading.

  “Please just go. If you care about me at all you will leave. I will see you soon. Please, go.”

  Fighting against everything inside of her, Abby got back on her horse. She reluctantly left Jesse in the woods with the loathsome men.

  Jesse removed Jake’s pistol from its holster and tossed it to the side. She motioned with her gun for Clay to take a position on his knees next to his brother. His erection had long since fled, hidden like a frightened turtle. As exposed as he was, she felt no remorse for him whatsoever.

  Jake rubbed his head as consciousness returned. “I’m going to kill the son of a—” The sight of the gun leveled at his head made his mouth stop working.

  “Get on your knees or I’ll just go ahead and shoot you now,” Jesse said.

  With both men now facing her, she could tell they were clueless as to why this was happening. “You don’t know me, but I know you. I also know what you did. I saw what you did to that girl in the barn. I saw you kill all of them.” Jesse’s voice rose as she spoke. “I saw you burn down their house and then take a piss on it without a care in the world. I saw everything!”

  Unmoved, Clay replied, “We didn’t kill that boy. Didn’t even touch him. But, oh yeah, that was a good piece of ass I had in the barn.”

  The grin on his face filled Jesse with such a murderous rage she was unsure how she kept her feet on the ground.

  Jake jabbed his elbow into Clay’s ribs. “Shut the hell up!” He wasn’t an intelligent man by any means, but even he was smart enough not to provoke someone who was pointing a pistol at his head.

  Years of emotions simmered inside of Jesse. The sight of the men responsible for her family’s deaths made it all boil, and a murderous rage spilled over. Jesse lowered the barrel and fired, shooting Clay directly in his flaccid penis. “That’s for my sister!” she shouted.

  Staring down at the bloody mess that used to be his genitals, Clay wailed in agony. He doubled over. Jesse ignored his howls and fired again, shooting directly into the top of his head. Clay crumpled and collapsed to the ground. “And that one’s from me you piece of shit!” she yelled, wishing more than anything she could have shot that smug grin of his right from his ugly face.

  Using the back of his hand, Jake flung away bits of his brother’s blood and brain matter that had splattered his face. His demeanor was causal; it could have been nothing more than phlegm. He put his hand behind his back as he spoke, calm and collected. “Ya shouldn’t done that.�


  Jesse caught a glimpse of him making a sudden move, and both guns fired. Neither knew who fired first.

  Nearly a half-mile down the trail, Abby flinched again as she heard another gunshot ring out. Did that one hit Jesse? Was that the one to take Jesse from me forever? Everything inside of her wanted to turn around and ride back, but she had made a promise to Jesse and she intended to see it through.

  Still on his knees, Jake dropped his gun. Panic covered his face as he reached up and squeezed his throat. He gurgled, eyes wide, blood squirting out from between his fingers. He locked his gaze on Jesse, fear obvious in his eyes. He surely would have begged for his life could he speak. A thick stream of blood poured out of his mouth. His body swayed. He extended a pleading arm toward Jesse, blood dripping off his hand, thick like oil.

  Jesse dropped to her knees and clutched her side. Eyes focused straight ahead. She heard Jake’s body; struggling, gurgling, and gasping. She saw the whites of his eyes before he fell over on his face. She remained frozen, sitting on her heels, pressing her fist tight against her side. Her other hand held a death grip on the pistol, ready to shoot him again if need be. She continued her steadfast gaze, listening as Jake’s dying body continued to struggle. Then, there was silence.

  Jesse knew she had been shot, but the gravity of the situation only hit when her hand came away covered with blood. She needed to get back to Granite Falls before it was too late. Her hand trembled as she slid her pistol back into the holster. The toes of her boots dragged the ground as she stumbled to Buck.

  Blood was warm on her cold skin as she mounted. Already lightheaded, too weak to sit up, she now rode hunched over. She held on tight as Buck moseyed along.

  Unguided, Buck wandered aimlessly until finally he came to the Devil’s Fork. He paused to munch on some grass, and then headed south. The direction led to the familiar crossing that would take them home. It was the opposite direction of Granite Falls, taking Jesse farther away from the help she desperately needed.

 

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