by Morgan, Kit
Finished with their meager meal, the outlaws belched a few times and got up from the fire. Then as instructed, put it out, and lit a single torch in its place.
“Gonna be cold tonight with no fire,” one complained.
“Shut up!” Spider barked and snatched the torch from him. “Would you rather get caught and hanged?” The complaining outlaw muttered something unintelligible and stomped off.
Eli scooped the bottom of the Bean pot, tossed a spoonful into a tin cup, and walked over to Apple. “I suppose we should feed her.”
“What for?” asked Spider. “She ain’t the one been out on the trail, half-starved, and hidin’ from the law like we have.”
“Because the better shape she's in, the more money we’re gonna get.”
“What are you sayin’? You hold someone for ransom on a sliding scale?” asked Spider with a laugh. His men laughed too.
“Sure, I learned it from a fella named Slade. When you send a note you send three different demands. One amount if they don't care what shape their relative comes back in. A bigger one if they want their relation returned in decent shape. And a really, really high amount if they want them returned in tip-top shape.”
Spider glared at him. “That is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard!”
“Well, that Slade fella was a businessman,” said Levi in his defense.
Spider stared at him a moment, his upper lip curling in confusion. He looked to Apple and Bran, then back to Eli. “Huh, well what do ya know? Maybe he's got an idea there.”
“So we do it my way?” asked Eli.
“Oh, all right,” said Spider. But let me write the note. You can deliver it.”
“Sounds okay by me,” said Eli. “We should ask double for the girl.”
“Yeah, but how much should we ask for him?” one of the other outlaws asked.
“First, we gotta find out if he's related to them Cookes. If not, he ain't worth nothin’,” said Spider.
There it was. She knew Bran had to have heard all that, unless of course he lost consciousness again. She carefully looked at him, but wasn't sure if he was faking it or not. He lay so still, she didn’t wonder if he really was out cold.
“Why don't we make sure, and ask him?” suggested another.
“You can't ask a man nothin’ when he’s unconscious, you idiot!” snapped Spider.
“I know how to ask him,” said Eli. He went to one of their horses, grabbed a canteen off the saddle, came back, and dumped the contents out on Bran’s face.
Bran, bless his heart, played his role well. He let out a muffled moan, let his head loll to one side, then the other, and ever so slowly, opened his eyes.
* * *
There were four of them, possibly five, but Bran wasn’t sure yet. He knew the pair called the Randalls, had seen their wanted posters, and knew they weren’t killers. Yet. The longer they stayed with the others though, that might change. The dirty looking one with the eye-patch he didn’t know, but pegged him as the leader, which was easy enough to do. What other men he was able to get a glance at, he didn’t recognize from any wanted posters either. But to hear them say they were running from the law, told him enough. They probably came up from California, or had worked their way west from Texas. He thought he noticed a bit of an accent on the chap with the eye-patch.
He played his part well, and groaned into the gag. He’d have to come up with a plan to get Apple and himself out of there, before they decided to send Apple back to the Cookes in less than pristine shape. To do that, he’d have to play along and convince them he was English.
“Take that gag off him,” barked the one with the eye patch. “Let’s find out who he is.”
One of the Randalls removed the gag from Bran, who made a show of taking in a huge gulp of air. “Wha … what is this all about?” he sputtered in the best English accent he could muster, his tone indignant.
Apple raised an eyebrow at him, but otherwise, didn’t make a move. Bravo, lass, he thought.
“Who are ya?” Eye patch demanded. “What were ya doing down at that creek?”
“Creek?” Bran asked. He struggled in his bonds, and then pretended to look surprised to find he was tied up. One of the Randalls laughed at him. Bran glared back. “I’ll have you know, I was looking for my sister!”
“Did ya find her?” Eye patch asked.
“So it seems,” he said and aimed his glare at Apple. Her eyes darted nervously between him and ol’ Eye patch. “What I want to know,” Bran continued, “is what you’re planning to do with us?”
“Brother and sister, huh?” said Eye patch. “You don’t look much like brother and sister.”
“Yeah,” said the fifth man as he approached. “How come your hair is dark and hers is blonde?”
Bran rolled his eyes. “You know nothing of good breeding, do you, sir?”
“He’s as snooty and uppity as she is,” said one of the Randalls. They must be related.”
“Another cousin to them Cookes, huh?” mused Eye patch. “Hmmm…”
“Let’s get rid of him, and just ransom the girl, huh, Spider?” asked another.
“Shut up and let me think!
So, the one with the eye patch was named Spider. Where did he come from? As far as Bran knew, there wasn’t any mention of an outlaw with that name in this part of the state.
“No, we’ll ransom them both.” He paced back and forth, as if weighing something. Stopped, and grabbed the cup of beans from the hands of the other Randall. Cousins, Bran thought. Yes, the Randalls were cousins as he recalled from wanted posters.
“Hey, what are ya doin’?” the one Randall cousin asked. “I was gonna feed that to her.”
“I can’t think when I’m hungry!” snapped Spider. He shoved the torch at one of his men, then reached into the cup with his fingers, and began to eat what was left of the beans.
“We’re all hungry. We ain’t had a decent meal in days!” complained the man now holding the torch.
“Yeah,” started another. “When are we gonna get some real food?”
“Shut up!” Spider spat. “Be glad you’ve got something in your bellies!”
“I’m sick of beans,” said one of the Randalls. “I want me some meat.”
“After we get the ransom on these two, you’ll be able to afford steak!” said his cousin.
“We ain’t gonna get nothing unless we get that note to them Cookes,” said Spider. “Eli, take care of it. As soon as you get back, we’ll find another place to hold up. I don’t like being out here on the prairie like this. We need to head for them woods on the other side of town, and reach them before daylight.”
Eli smiled, and ran to his horse. Bran watched him go, then turned back to the leader. “You … you barbarian!”
“Yeah, go ahead, see if your fancy words do anything to save ya. As soon as Eli gets back, we’re leavin’.”
“In the dark?” asked Bran, as if in shock.
“Best way to travel without bein’ seen,” Spider said with a sneer. “Besides, if’n we’re lucky, we’ll catch a rabbit or somethin’ along the way.”
“Yeah, we done run out of beans,” said the outlaw holding the torch.
Spider ignored him, and leered at Apple. “Gonna be cold tonight, boys. Best hunker down until Eli gets back.”
Bran tried his best to stay calm. If the man so much as made one step toward her, he thought he’d go mad. Thankfully, the outlaw turned on his boot heel, and strode off toward the horses.
Bran breathed a sigh of relief as the others followed, and left him and Apple alone. He leaned toward her. “Are ye all right?” he whispered.
She nodded, tears in her eyes.
“I’ll get us out of this, don’t worry, but ye’ll have to do exactly as I say, okay?”
Apple nodded again. Bran looked into her eyes, and gave her a reassuring smile. “There’s a good lass.” He then noticed it was getting colder by the minute, and, as best he could, scooted as close to her as pos
sible. “Here, lean against me, ye’ll stay warmer.”
She did, and inched closer, so that their arms were now touching. “Lay your head on my shoulder, and try to rest. I’ll keep an eye out. Oh, and Apple?”
She looked up at him, her eyes wide over the gag.
“Remind me to scold you something fierce for being out by yourself, eh?”
Apple closed her eyes, and nodded.
“And lass?”
She looked at him again.
“Remind me to do it… right after we’re married.”
She blinked back tears, and even though gagged, smiled, and then nodded.
“Stop whispering to your sister, or I’ll stuff your mouth with somethin’!” one of their captors yelled.
Bran stopped talking, winked at Apple, and prepared himself for what was sure to be, a very long night.
* * *
After a couple more hours of sitting on the cold, hard ground, trying to keep Apple warm, the outlaws grabbed the two of them and yanked them to their feet. “Time to go, fancy pants,” one of them sneered as he cut the ropes at Bran’s feet, then put a gun to his head. “No funny business, ya hear? Or I’m gonna kill ya.”
Bran nodded, his face blank. He almost forgot he was playing the part of the English brother. He watched them carefully as they cut Apple’s ankle bonds, and then led them to the horses. “Are we gonna let this one ride or walk?” one of Spider’s men asked.
“If’n I thought he could make it, I’d say make him walk,” said Spider. “But we haven’t got the time to play with him. Put him up behind ya, Pete.”
Pete, the man who’d untied Bran and Apple’s ankles, groaned. “Why do I have to ride with him? Why can’t I ride with the girl?”
Spider led his horse around to where they stood, and grabbed Apple to him. She let out a muffled grunt when she hit his chest. He snaked an arm around her and put his mouth next to her ear. “Cause she’s ridin’ with me.” He looked at Bran. “Your sister’s mighty pretty, mister. I’m not sure if I want to return her. Maybe you’ll do just as good ransomed alone.”
“Unhand her this instant!” Bran growled.
“Well what do ya know? He’s a protective big brother.” Spider’s men laughed. “You are her big brother, ain’t ya? Ya look a sight older.”
“Yes, now kindly take your hands off of my sister!”
Spider laughed. “Right, like I’m gonna do anything you tell me.” With that, he swung Apple through the air, and threw her atop his saddle. Her skirts were tangled around her legs, exposing the creamy skin beneath. “Bet you can’t do that,” chortled Spider as he mounted up behind her. He pulled her against him, sneered, and rode off into the dark. It was all Bran could do to keep himself under control.
One of the men was in charge of the torch, and once everyone was mounted, including Bran, he put it out. They would be riding by the moonlight alone. Easy enough crossing the prairie, but once they reached the tree line, they’d have to light it again if they wanted to see anything.
They rode for almost two hours before they finally stopped near a random out cropping of rock at the edge of the tree line. “Where’s Eli?” Spider snapped.
“He was right behind me,” said Pete.
Bran, his hands bound behind his back, turned as best he could to look behind them. Indeed, the man Eli who’d been trailing along behind their horse, was gone. Where then, did he go?
Bran looked back to Spider, an exhausted Apple pinned against him. “That double-crossing-low-down-snake! I’m gonna kill him!”
“But Spider, Eli wouldn’t cross you!” argued Luke. “Somthin’ must’ve happened to him.”
“Him and his horse?” Spider spat. “Tarnation! Pete, dump your load, and go find Eli.”
Pete nodded, then shoved Bran off the horse. Apple squeaked in alarm as he landed with an audible thud and an “Umphf!”
“Darn fool must have doubled back for some reason,” said Luke. “Maybe he thought we was being followed.”
Bran struggled to a sitting position, and tried to breath. He looked at Apple, to let her know he was okay, and gave her a single nod. He could see her body slump against her captor in relief. Said captor then swung out of the saddle, and pulled Apple off as well. He dragged her stumbling to the base of the large rocks, and forced her to the ground. He pulled a length of cord out of his jacket, pulled her ankles together, and was about to tie them, then thought better of it. He stared at Apple in the dark, and grinned. “No, I think I’ll leave you … accessible. I don’t care what that Eli says.” He turned to his men. “No one touches her, until after I’m done.”
Bran fought his way to his feet. “No!”
Two of Spider’s men grabbed him by his bound arms. Spider walked right up to Bran, and punched him in the gut. “No?” he echoed as Bran bent over in pain. “You tellin’ me, no?” Spider then yelled in his face.
“Spider, quiet!” one of his men warned. “What if someone’s nearby?”
“Ain’t nobody out here,” Spider hissed. He turned back to Bran. “Maybe I oughta let you watch.”
Bran stood straight, glared, and was about to go at him with everything he had, tied or no, when he heard it.
Cluck …
Fifteen
“What was that?” asked Luke as he lit the torch.
Spider turned a full circle, then sneered at Bran. “I don’t care what it was, some night bird. Now tie up this one and make sure he can’t go nowhere. I’m gonna get …” he looked to where Apple sat, and leered. “Warm.”
Cluck … cluck, cluck.
Spider’s other man stood straight. “That sounds like a chicken. Glory be! Food!”
“Must be a farm nearby,” said Luke.
“One of ya catch it,” ordered Spider. “I’m hungry.”
Bran watched as the nameless outlaw drew his gun, and started off in the direction they’d heard the clucking. More than likely, the bird was behind the large rocks Apple sat against.
“No, you idiot!” Spider snapped. “Don’t fire off any shots! Catch it and break it’s neck.”
The outlaw gave him a blank look, then, as comprehension dawned, holstered his gun and smiled. “Oh, right. I’ll just go round it up then.” He edged his way to the outcropping, passed Apple, and slowly crept around the rocks.
Spider rolled his eyes and grabbed the torch as Pete came trotting back. “Well?” Spider asked. “Where is he? Where’s Eli?”
“I didn’t see any sign of him, and it’s too dark to see which way he went.”
“Spider grabbed Luke by his coat collar and got into his face. “Where’s that stinkin’ no good cousin of yours? What’s he mean ridin’ off like that without tellin’ me?”
“I swear I don’t know!” Luke choked out. “Maybe he wanted to add something to the ransom note?”
Spider released him and spun to Bran. “I said to tie him up!”
Pete got of his horse, took some rope out of his saddlebag, dragged Bran to where Apple sat, and quickly tied his ankles. He didn’t even bother to force him to the ground. Bran looked down and sat as best he could. “Are ye all right, lass?” he whispered.
Apple whimpered, but nodded.
“Good.” He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I’m so sorry, I’ll do what I can to keep these devils away from you. Maybe if they catch that chicken, they’ll be too busy eating to think about ye anymore tonight.”
She nodded, and leaned against him, shivering.
Bran scooted closer and tucked her head beneath his chin. “This is a horrible time to tell ye this, but …” his eyes darted to the to the top of the rocks, then to the outlaws, who were now arguing over whether or not to risk a fire so they could cook the chicken once they caught it. “But … I’ve strong feelings for ye, lass. Stronger than I ever thought I could have for a woman. I didn’t realize it until that scum threatened you … I should have listened to my heart before hand, when it started to speak to me that day I found ye in the woods.”
Apple pulled away, and looked up at him. Even in the faint light of the torch, he could see she had tears in her eyes. Bran swallowed hard, glanced at the arguing outlaws, then back to her. “When we get out of this, you will marry me, won’t you?”
Her tears broke free, and she nodded.
Bran glanced once more to make sure they weren’t being watched, and ever so tenderly, kissed Apple on the cheek. Her eyes brightened, and his chest swelled. He had to get her out of there! But how? This was a bad situation, no doubt about it …
“August’s rooster,” he whispered.
“Mmmpphhhff?” Apple mumbled.
Bran looked down at her. “We must be near August and Penelope’s farm. That blasted rooster of his never stays home. It wanders all over the place.”
Apple sat up straighter, hope in her eyes.
Bran pressed his lips together and listened, his own hope, sinking. “I know the little fella saved your cousin, lass. But I don’t think a single rooster is any match for four grown men.”
Apple’s chin trembled, as her tears fell.
“There now,” he whispered. “You’ve got to promise me ye’ll be brave, no matter what happens. Can ye do that for me?”
She nodded, though her tears fell.
Bran closed his eyes, and rested his forehead against hers. He wanted to marry her, marry her something fierce. Then he wanted to have babies with her, oodles of them, and raise a passel of sons and daughters, all fine and strong. But if he couldn’t think of a way to get them out of this, there was a good chance he wouldn’t make it out alive, and Apple wouldn’t make it out with her virtue and innocence still in tact. If Spider took her, then the rest would follow. Oh, they’d give her back to the Cookes all right, but she’d be broken, and abused, and Bran, would be able to do nothing about it. Because he of course, would already be…