Betty was there checking on him. She saw Ryder standing at the door and waved him in. “He’s not asleep.”
At that Levi’s eyes cracked open and forced a smile after seeing Ryder. “It took you long enough to come see me.”
“I had some unfinished business.”
Levi knew what he was talking about. “Done?”
Ryder nodded. “How do you feel?”
“Like someone shot me in the head.”
Ryder smiled. His brother was already acting like his old self. He knew then that his brother was going to be alright. With a quick look around the room, he asked, “Where’s Jenny?”
“She’s around here somewhere,” answered Levi, “she was here earlier.”
“Is she going to be alright?”
“Just fine,” said Betty. “Her arm will just be in a sling for awhile.”
“Someone should find her and let her know her camp has probably been destroyed.”
Samuel, Eli, and Jeremy had waited at the door until the brothers had a chance to talk. Jeremy told Levi, “They destroyed Ryder’s camp, so he burned everything.”
Levi didn’t see any emotion on Ryder’s face and it concerned him. “I’ll help you with a new camp.”
“That won’t be necessary. I think it’s time I was moving on anyway, maybe back to Haven.”
The statement caught Jeremy completely off-guard. After all they’d been through together and everything Ryder had done for the community, he’d assumed Ryder would stay and make this his home. He wasn’t sure they could make it without his leadership. “Why do you have to go?”
“I’ve done all I can here.”
“How can you say that?” asked Jeremy.
Ryder shrugged. He didn’t want to argue.
Samuel placed a hand on Ryder’s shoulder. “You can always come back to Paradise. Your mom would love to see you.”
“I’d love to see her too. Maybe I can stay for a short visit.” He took a deep breath and yawned. “I’m going to look for an empty cell and lie down for awhile.” He walked out of the room and down the hallway.
Jeremy ran out of the infirmary. He had to find Roy, maybe he could convince Ryder to stay. He found him still talking to Charles in the foyer. “You have to talk to Ryder. He just told us he’s leaving.”
Roy’s jaw dropped. He was under the same assumption as Jeremy. They’d even mentioned it to each other on occasion. They just figured that Ryder would decide to stay after their agreement had been fulfilled.
“Maybe I can help,” offered Charles. “Nothing against you Roy, but I’d like to see Ryder stay too. You need him.”
“Where is he now?” asked Roy.
“He was going to find an empty cell and rest.”
“Maybe we should leave him alone for now,” suggested Charles.
Jenny rushed up to Roy, furious. “What’s this I hear about Ryder leaving?”
“That’s what he said,” answered Jeremy.
“We’ll see about that. Where is he?”
“He said he’d be in one of the cells resting.”
She was quiet for a second while she thought. “Probably in Cell Block A. It’ll be quieter there.”
“He wants to be alone,” informed Jeremy.
“That’s just too bad,” said Jenny, quickly walking down the hallway to the cell block, mumbling to herself.
“Should someone go with her?” asked Charles. “She won’t hurt him, will she?”
“No. He’ll be alright. She has only one good arm.”
She went through the security door into the cell block. “Ryder! Where are you?” She stopped to listen. There was no answer. She continued, looking into each cell as she went down the corridor. Stopping in front of the last cell she found him. He was lying on his back with his arm over his eyes to shield out the sunlight that was pouring through the breach in the wall. She took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.
“I know you’re not asleep. What’s this I hear about you leaving?”
Ryder didn’t move. “Did you check on your camp?”
“No, and I don’t need to. If they tore it apart, so what? I’ll set up a new one.” He didn’t comment. “Is it something else?” She waited for an answer.
Ryder sighed loudly. Sitting up, he looked at Jenny. “I’ve had it. I’m tired of all of it. Aren’t you?”
“No. We’ve made a difference here. You’ve made a difference. We’ve started something we can be proud of. This is my home now” She was getting louder, her temper rising. “I don’t understand how you can turn your back on us.”
Ryder sat silently and let her rant.
“It’s worth everything we’ve gone through,” she continued, “and you know that’s true.”
“You’re right. It has been worth it, but now it’s time I move on. I’ve met my obligation and you don’t need me anymore.”
She took a deep breath. “I thought we were friends.”
“We are, but that has nothing to do with whether I stay or go. Can’t you understand that? I’m glad I was here to help, but I don’t want to do it anymore. Maybe I’m being selfish, but that’s the way it is. I don’t want the responsibility anymore.” It was his turn to become agitated. “I don’t want to talk about it anymore! I’ve made up my mind!”
She finally got the message. Jenny knew she had lost and there was no point in arguing with him. Without another word she turned and walked away.
Ryder laid back down, asleep in seconds.
***
When Jenny reappeared in the foyer, Roy, Jeremy, Samuel, and Jeremy were waiting to hear how it had gone with Ryder.
“Well?” asked Roy.
She threw her good hand into the air. “I couldn’t change his mind. He’s leaving.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. He’s a good man,” said Charles. “But he’s done exactly what I asked him to do. Now, if he’s ready to go, we must respect his decision and there is nothing we can do about it. You have good people here. You’ll be fine. And remember, I’ll continue to check in on you and bring supplies. I’m only a radio call away.”
Roy turned to Samuel. “With everything that’s happened, would you still be willing to stay and help with the new granary?”
Samuel was surprised at the question. “I gave you my word. Yes, I intend to stay and help.”
***
Ryder awoke, not knowing how long he’d slept, but he felt refreshed. It had been a long night. The sunlight was shining through the breach in the wall. He walked over and looked out to see people outside clearing away the debris. He had told his friends he was leaving and wasn’t looking forward to facing them again and having to rehash his decision. There was no reason to stay.
He went back to his cell, grabbed his rifle, and then stepped through the hole in the wall. Avoiding any who might be waiting inside for him seemed like a good idea, preventing any long goodbyes. If he happened to meet any of his New Eden friends outside, he would say his farewell’s then. Finding his brother and dad was most important.
It seemed that most of the community was helping with the cleanup of the damaged gate, rubble around the breach, and with loading bodies onto wagons. The community was working together. It was a satisfying sight. He knew these people would be alright without him.
Ryder spotted his dad, brother, and Eli near the gate. His plan was to go to Paradise first for a brief visit to see his mom before moving on. After that, he wasn’t sure. Haven or hit the road? He wanted to know what his dad and brother planned to do, stay and work on the granary, their original reason for coming, or if they’d had enough too, ready to ride home with him. If they were staying, fine, he didn’t have a problem with leaving alone.
Levi saw him approaching and nudged his dad. Both grew big smiles when they saw him. “Good to see you up and around,” said Samuel.
Ryder smiled back. “I’ve decided it’s time to move on. First, I’ll be going to Paradise to see Mom. Are you going with me or staying here?” he
asked, coming right to the point.
“I can’t leave yet, Son,” replied Samuel. “I promised Roy I’d help build the granary. I can’t go back on my word.” He looked at Eli to make sure he agreed.
“We have a job to do before we can leave,” confirmed Eli.
“I thought you’d say that. How about you, Levi?”
“I’m staying to help dad and Eli. You could stay and help too,” said Levi. “Then we could all ride back together,”
“That would be nice, but I’ve made up my mind and ready to go.”
“What’s the rush?” asked Levi.
Ryder didn’t feel like explaining anything.
“Okay, Son,” replied Samuel. “We’ll be here just a few days and then we’ll head home. Will you stay with your mother until we get back?”
“I can do that.” He extended his hand to his dad, but Samuel grabbed and hugged him. He couldn’t remember the last time his dad had showed him this kind of affection.
“I’m proud of you, Son, for what you’ve done for these people.”
As his dad released him, he turned to Levi who extended his hand. “No sense in getting all mushy. We’ll see you in a few days.”
Ryder shook his hand and then without further delay headed straight for the gate.
“Ryder! Ryder!” he heard someone calling. It sounded like Roy. He kept walking, knowing he would try again to convince him to stay.
He was grabbed from behind. Jeremy had caught up with him. “Leaving without saying goodbye?”
“It seemed like the easiest thing to do.”
“It’s been great having you here. I’m sorry to see you go. You’ll be welcome here any time you want to come back.”
“Thanks.” The moment was awkward. Exactly what Ryder wanted to avoid. They shook hands and Ryder headed for the corral.
“Your horse is already saddled and ready for you!” Jeremy shouted after him.
Ryder saw that the helicopter was still sitting along the south road. It appeared Charles, Blake, and Nick were carefully looking it over. He would have to ride around them to avoid another awkward moment. As he rode past the southern edge of New Eden, he glanced back, satisfied and relieved. “It’ll be good to be on our own, won’t it Darby?”
***
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