by Morgan, Kit
“Ahhhhh!!!!!” came a man’s cry.
“What the …?” said Spider as he spun toward the sound. All three outlaws stood stock still, listening. But no more sounds were forthcoming. “Luke, go see what the trouble is!”
“Me? Why do I have to go?” Luke asked as he nervously glanced at the rocks.
“Cause that worthless cousin of yours done took off, that’s …”
He never got to finish. A man came flying over the rocks, landed with a loud thud, and rolled to where the other three outlaws stood. They were so shocked, it took them each a moment to realize, the man lying at their feet, was Eli.
Pete’s eyes widened. He backed up a step or two, and sucked in his breath. “Eli! What happened?”
Eli had nothing to say. He lay there like a lifeless lump of clay.
Luke bent to him. “Eli! Speak to me!” He put his ear to his cousin’s chest, and listened. “He’s alive! I hear his heart!”
“Where’d he come from?” asked Spider, his voice a hoarse whisper. He eyed the rocks, ignoring Bran and Apple. “Bart?” he called out.
No answer. At least Bran now knew what the missing outlaw’s name was.
Spider turned to the others. “Go find out what happened to Bart.”
“But Spider,” one of them hissed. “You saw what happened to Eli! How’d he come flying over them rocks like that?”
“I don’t care, get back there and find Bart! We’re leavin’!”
Luke swallowed hard and had taken a step forward, when Bart came flying over the rocks to land with a thud at their feet. Luke screamed like a girl, and clamored after Spider. “What do ya think you’re doin’? Get away from me!” he barked as he tried to beat him back.
“Maybe it’s ghosts!” cowered Pete.
Bran took in the frightened look on Apple’s face, and tried to scoot himself in front of her. Whatever was going on, he wanted to shield her as best he could. Even he was perplexed at his point. Could it be that Colin and Harrison had found them? It would be just like the brothers to toy with the outlaws.
Cluck … cluck, cluck.
Pete’s face drained of color at the sound. “What’s back there?”
Luke spun toward the rocks. “It’s the chicken from Hell!”
“Ha, hahahaha!” came a deep, booming laugh from behind the rocks.
“That ain’t no chicken,” spat Spider. “Get back there and shoot whoever it is!”
Luke took one look at Eli, out cold at his feet, then drew his gun. With determined steps, he made for the rocks, edged his way around the corner, and disappeared.
“Go with him,” Spider told Pete, but no sooner than he said it …
“Ahhhhhhh!!!!” screamed Luke as he came flying over the rocks. Bran and Apple watched, eyes wide, as he landed, and, just as Eli and Bart, rolled right up to the feet of Spider.
Spider kicked him. Luke groaned in pain. “What’s back there?” demanded Spider.
Luke, the breath knocked from him, lay there like a limp fish, his mouth opening and closing like a guppy’s.
“Well?” Spider hissed as he too began to look nervous.
Luke’s lips formed, he then chocked out one word. “Chicken.”
“Chicken?” Spider spat as he drew his gun. Are you telling me a chicken did this? Chickens don’t laugh, you idiot!” He stepped over Luke, and marched straight for Bran and Apple. As soon as he reached them, he grabbed Apple by an arm, and yanked her to her feet. “You out there! Come out or I shoot the woman!”
Dead silence.
Spider motioned to his men, (what ones were left standing) to circle around the rock. Pete, unwilling to go alone, pulled a still breathless Luke to his feet, and began to drag him along beside him.
Apple looked helplessly to Bran, who tried to swing himself around, in hopes of kicking Spider’s feet out from under him.
“Don’t even think about it,” Spider sneered as Pete and Luke disappeared around the rock. No sooner had they done so, when …
“Ahhhhh!” they both screamed. Then nothing.
The torch lay on the ground, near the unconscious form of Eli. Spider dragged Apple to it, and picked it up. He then shoved her to the ground and pointed his gun at her head. “Pete?” he shouted. “Luke?”
“I think you’d better give up,” Bran suggested in an even tone. “You’re clearly outnumbered.”
“There ain’t but one man back there, and I’m gonna force his hand!”
Bran’s eyes found Apple’s frightened ones. “Don’t be afraid.”
“She better be,” rasped Spider. “You out there! I’m only gonna give ya til the count of three to show yourself, or I’m gonna kill my hostages!”
Silence.
“One,” Spider yelled and held the torch higher.
Nothing.
“Two!” Spider paused, glanced nervously about, then aimed his gun at Bran and smiled. “You didn’t think I’d shoot her before I took her, did ya?”
Both men went still and listened. Still nothing. Bran’s heart thundered in his chest. He prayed then, like he’d never prayed before. He had to make sure the scum wouldn’t kill Apple too. “She’s worth a lot of money …”
Spider smiled. “I’m well aware, boy.” He looked to the rock. “Three!” He took aim…
Apple’s eyes locked with Bran’s. She shook her head a wild no and screamed his name into the gag.
Cluck!
Spider froze, the sound much closer this time. His eyes slowly drifted from Bran to the top of the rocks. His mouth dropped open as his eyes went wide. “What the devil …”
There was a sudden flurry of feathers, a loud squawk, and a screech, which must have come from Spider. Bran watched in horror, (because what else could he do?) as August Bennett’s rooster attacked the outlaw. It managed to hook its claws at the top of his head, and with a great flapping of wings, mercicessly pecked at him. Spider’s gun went off, but thankfully hadn’t been aimed at either Apple or himself. Bran went to his side, and rolled himself to where Apple was on her knees, and watched in stunned silence a moment before he got himself up to a sitting position again and tried to shield her with his body in case another shot fired. One did, but it ricocheted off the rocks, and struck the dirt near Eli.
“Get off me you devil!” Spider continued to fight the winged beast, and waved his gun around wildly, trying to get enough of his bearings to shoot the thing. But he never got the chance.
A large shadow swept past Bran and Apple, went straight to where Spider was jumping and stomping around like a madman, and punched him in the face to drop him like a stone.
August’s rooster took one last peck at Spider’s head, hopped off the outlaw, and went straight to the tall dark form standing nearby. Bran was positioned so Apple would be shielded from watching the frenzy, and stared at the stranger as he stepped out of the shadows.
* * *
The man was huge, a giant! He had to be at least seven feet tall, and had skin as black as night. “Who are you?” Bran demanded, his only thought to protect Apple. She leaned against him, shivering, and he knew he not only needed to get her warm, but hold her. She was going into shock if his guess was right. “Well?”
The big man gave a low whistle and held out his arm. August’s rooster flew up, and perched on it! Bran’s mouth fell open at the sight. The man then bent down and got right in Bran’s face. “Happy evening to you, little bro-dar,” he said in a deep voice. Bran watched as the man glanced at Apple, and tried to figure out what kind of accent he had. He was obviously a foreigner, as he was also strangely dressed. “And to you, my treasure.” The man reached into his dark robes, and pulled out a knife.
“Don’t touch her!” Bran spat.
The man raised both brows in amuzement. “I will not harm her, I wish to free her.” The chicken scrambled to the man’s shoulder as he bent down, cut Apple’s bonds and removed her gag. She pitched forward and gasped for breath, then sat up and stared at him. “Untie him,” the stranger instr
ucted her in a soft, deep voice.
She slowly looked at Bran, then back to the stranger, speechless.
The dark stranger frowned. He then bent to Bran and cut his bonds. “She needs you, little bro-dar. Comfort her.”
Bran took Apple into his arms, never taking his eyes off the stranger. “What are you doing out here?” His eyes flew to the rooster perched atop his broad shoulder. “And … with that?” he asked indicating the bird with a toss of his head.
“Dis?” the man laughed. “Dis belongs to me.”
“Belongs to you? That’s August Bennett’s rooster!”
The big man chuckled, a deep rolling sound. “Dis bird, escaped and found it’s way here. I must take it back.”
“Back to where? Who are you? And what in blazes are ye doing out here in the middle of the night?” Bran held Apple tighter, confused at the presence of the stranger, yet concerned about Apple’s safety.
“I have sought out what belongs to me, and will now leave,” the stranger said.
“What?”
The man laughed, a deep booming laugh. It was frightening, in its own way. “I have come from … far away.”
“You’re an escaped slave, aren’t you?” Bran asked. It was the only explanation.
“No, little bro-dar. I am free.”
“You won’t be for long if you stay here. You won’t be welcome anywhere in these parts,” Bran said then looked to Apple. He rested his head on top of hers for a second. “Are ye all right lass?” She didn’t respond. “Apple?” Bran said, his voice laced with panic. “Lass? Say something!”
She looked at him, her eyes dull.
He pulled her to him and began to rock her back and forth. “It’s all right, it will be all right.” He then glared at the stranger. “I’ve got to get her warm!”
“Yes,” the stranger agreed. “You do. I have some-ding dat will help. You must take de men back wid you, yes?”
“Aye, but I can’t concern myself with them now.”
“I will take care of her, while you secure your catch.”
“Stay away from her.”
The giant studied him then smiled. “You are good for her, dis I can tell. But I have… furs… dat will warm her. My camp is but feet away.”
“What business have ye here?” Bran asked, his voice gruffer than he wanted, but he wasn’t sure he could trust him. It wasn’t everyday one ran across such a man, and if he was some sort of escaped slave from the south, especially with all the trouble brewing there …
“My business is my own, little bro-dar, but … you can deliver a message for me.”
“A message?” Bran asked as he stood with Apple in his arms. Thankfully, she stood with him, and now leaned against him and stared at the big man.
“You are familiar with two bro-dars. Seth and Ryder Jones?”
“You know Seth and Ryder?”
“Yes, I know dem.” He reached into his robes, and pulled out an envelope. “Give dem dis for me.”
“Why not go into Clear Creek and give it to them yourself?”
“I must be getting back.”
“Where?”
The huge man grinned, reached out, and snatched Apple from his arms. “She is cold. I will let her rest in de furs, while you take care of dem,” he said with a toss of his head at the pile of men near the horses.
Bran stood and stared in shock. How in Heaven’s name did he do such a thing? Even more shocking, he’d let him! The man was downright frightening, yet … there was a peace and gentleness about him that Bran had never felt before.
And some have entertained angels unawares …
Bran’s eyes widened as the scripture entered his head, at least part of it anyway. Was that what this was about? But no, it couldn’t be. What angel would hand him a note to give to Seth and Ryder Jones?
Before he could think on it further, he suddenly realized that the dark stranger and Apple, were gone.
Sixteen
Apple turned over and snuggled into the deep warmth that surrounded her. She felt as if she’d been wrapped up in the softest furs, and could hear the sound of a heartbeat, as if she lay against a huge animal. She even dreamed she heard purring …
“Apple, wake up.”
She moaned. She didn’t want to get up, to leave the safe confines of … wherever she was.
“Apple, lass, ye’ve got to get up.”
Another moan, this one louder, enough to catch her attention. Suddenly, she wasn’t so warm. “Wha?”
“C’mon, sweetheart, we’ve got to get going. It’s dawn, and they’re looking for us.”
Apple opened one eye, then the other. Bran was staring at her with a face full of concern. “Bran?”
“Aye, it’s me,” he whispered, then reached out and brushed some hair out of her eyes. “What…?” Suddenly, it all came back. “No!”
“Shhhh, it’s all right, they’re gone, they can’t harm you. I’m here.” He pulled her into his arms and sat on the blanket the dark stranger left for her. “There, now, yer going to be fine.”
She looked around, nervous. “Where are they? Those outlaws?”
Bran looked over his shoulder at the horses. He’d slung each man over a saddle, and tied him to it. “Over there, and ready to pay a visit to Sheriff Hughes.”
She peeked over his shoulder and saw them bound to their mounts. “They… can’t get away?”
Bran looked at her, cupped her face with a hand, and smiled. “No, lass. They can’t get away. Yer safe, we both are.”
“But how? You and I were both tied up!”
“You don’t remember?”
“I remember … well, Penelope and August’s rooster attacking one of them, and men … flying through the air?” She looked at him, her mouth hanging open. Then snapped it shut. “Did one of them hit me on the head?”
Bran chuckled. “No, I’m afraid not. I must also be the first to tell ye that we were not saved by a … chicken.”
“Clyde is a rooster, and where is he? Did that man shoot him?”
“No, not exactly. But I’m afraid the little beast is gone.”
“Gone?” Apple said, her eyes wide. “But Penelope loves him!”
“A man showed up and helped us. I guess the bird, chicken, whatever, belonged to him. But he’s gone now too.”
“Where’d he go?” She pulled a hand out from between their bodies and rubbed one temple. “I feel so confused…”
“Aye, lass, that makes two of us. But the important thing, is that yer safe, and we have the men responsible.”
“He was a black man … tall …”
“You remember?”
She looked at him in confusion. “How can I remember anything? For Heaven’s sake, I just dreamed I was sleeping with giant … kittens?”
Bran laughed. “Yer speaking gibberish, lass, but then, ye went through a lot. I think it was too much for ye and… I’m sorry ye did. I promise I’ll not let anything like that happen to ye ever again if I can help it.”
She stared at him, her eyes filling with regret. “It was my fault … all my fault …” her voice wavered, and he held her to him again.
“And mine. I underestimated these men because I was so worried and got carless. Once I figure out the woman they’d taken had to be you, I was also furious.”
She sniffed back a few tears and looked at him. “Do … do you forgive me?”
He smiled. “Aye lass, I forgive you, but I’m also never going to let you out of my sight!”
“You, forgive me?”
He gazed at her, and looked deeply into her eyes. “I forgive you, Apple. For everything.”
Her lip trembled, and she wept. “Thank you …” she blurted through her tears.
“Here now, what’s this?”
“I’ve been waiting for you to say it, and you didn’t for the longest time and … hic… I didn’t think you’d ever forgive me for locking you in that safe!”
She fell into his arms and he realized it wasn’t Apple he c
ouldn’t forgive, but his father. “I’m sorry, lass. So sorry.” He tucked a finger under her chin, and brought her face up so he could look at her. “It had nothing to do with you. I … there were things that happened to me that I’ve not found any forgiveness for. Any to give that is, and, well, I guess it kept me from forgiving you. I never meant for it to hurt you, Apple.” He brought his face to hers, and kissed her.
She pulled away when he broke the kiss. “I thought you hated me.”
“Hate you? I want to marry you!”
“I know. Before that, and then when you still didn’t forgive me, I didn’t think you really wanted me as your wife … how could you after what I’d done?”
“Ah, my dear sweet Apple,” he said as he drew her close once more. “I had no idea it was so easy to misunderstand another, or in this case, myself. I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry too, for running off, and …”
He gently pushed them apart. “Why did ye run off? What were ye doing out by yerself?”
He could see her blush in the dim light of dawn. “I … well … I was going to town to … get arrested.”
He shook himself. “You what?!”
“I thought it would be a good way to get to spend time with you?” she said with a lop-sided smile and a shrug.
Bran burst into laughter. “Oh, lassie! Only you would come up with such a cockeyed idea! But I must say, it is quite flattering.”
She bit her lower lip. “I wanted to spend more time so I could see if the curse is real.”
He stopped laughing. “What curse?”
“The Sayer curse, the one that is suppose to strike any and all suitors of the Sayer women.”
He looked at her, his face twisted in confusion. “So ye set out on yer own to come to town to get arrested, and then see if … something would happen to me?”
“Looks like I didn’t have to get arrested to find out,” she said sheepishly.
“No, and nothing happened to me either. I think what we just went through proves there’s no such thing as this curse. How else can ye explain getting saved by a crazy rooster and a giant?”