royannahuggins
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Join date : 2013-10-13
 | | Rascals - Part 2 | |
Starring
Pete Duel and Ben Murphy as
Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry
Guest Starring
Brighton Sharbino as Kathy McCarthy
Joe Mazzello as Thad McCarthy
& Brad Renfro as Tim McCarthy
Jared Padalecki as Bill McCarthy
Mary Stuart Masterson as Jane McCarthy
Daniel Craig as Seth Rascals – Part 2
by Nightwalker Kathy seemed to know the tunnels pretty well. Self-confident, she took over the lead and guided them through the hillside. Sometimes they had to climb over rock debris where a wall or the ceiling had given way, but they went on at a good pace.
Heyes was always close behind his friend and watched him alertly. Jed steadied his walk by sliding his right hand along the wall, but didn’t show exhaustion or a change of his state.
Eventually the walls retreated and the small group found themselves in a wide part of the cave, where the mine tunnel ended.
They reluctantly strode into the echoing cavern and looked around, the kids obviously scared.
“Why is it dark?” Tim asked. “Is the light hole blocked, too?”
Thad’s eyes widened in fear and his lower lip trembled suspiciously.
Heyes laid his right arm around the boy's shoulders. “Don’t worry. I bet it’s just night by now and when it’s dark outside, only a little light can shine inside. Let’s take a rest and spare our light. We don’t know if we’ll need it.”
The Kid had strolled away and explored the natural cave. Now he returned with bright shining eyes and a happy smile on his face. “It’s amazin'! There are more tunnels at the far side and in some of ‘em the walls glitter! Can we check ‘em out?”
Heyes shook his head and returned the smile. “Tomorrow we’ll have light in here, Jed. Let’s go to sleep for now, huh?”
He checked on his partner, as well as the kids, before they turned out the light. Heyes laid awake in the darkness for a while, his eyes cast to the ceiling. After a while he noticed a slightly brighter place where faint moonlight seeped in and covered them all in its silvery rays. A brief smile lit up his face as he turned on his side towards his partner. He studied him a while, his eyes filled with warmth and concern before he closed his eyes, too.
-o-o-o-
In the morning, they shared a meager meal. There was no wood around to start a fire so all they had was some beef jerky and water from the canteen.
After breakfast they explored their surroundings. The boys – including Jed – strolled around and stuck their heads in every hole they found. Jed supported Tim, who still had problems in handling his makeshift crutch. Judging their lively talk and laughter, they seemed to get along pretty well.
Meanwhile, Heyes examined the ceiling and the walls. In the light of the day he saw that Kathy was right: the hole was high above the ground and it was pretty narrow, too. Heyes stared thoughtfully up the walls.
Footsteps told him that Kathy was approaching him from behind. She stepped beside him and followed his glance. She had been surprisingly silent since they had left the site of the accident.
“You were right,” Heyes said. “None of us would be small enough to slip through that hole. The only one who had a chance is Thad.” He shook his head and pursed his lips. “But we can’t reach it. We need a rope at least...”
“Doesn’t look good, huh?” she asked him and paused. “Will we... I mean... We won’t...?”
He turned around, laid his hand on her shoulder and smiled at her. “Oh no, Kathy, we won’t! We’ll get outta here – all of us. I’m already working on a plan. And my plans are in a league of their own. Does Thad know the area? Would he find his way home, once he’s outta here?”
Kathy nodded. “Sure, he would.”
Heyes thoughtfully shoved his hat back on his head, cocked it and studied the ceiling once more. “Then we just have to get him up there.”
“Just!?”
“Just. And I guess I already know how we’ll do it. I just have to convince my friend that it will work.”
“What happened to him?”
Heyes sighed and faced the girl again. “I’m not sure. Must have been the bump on his head. I've heard of that before. He lost his memory and, in his mind, he’s about eight years old.”
“How’s that possible? I mean, he’s tall and all.”
“I don’t know, Kathy. I just hope he'll return to his old self again, and I sure hope it'll be rather sooner than later.”
“Why do you know so much about it – what he’s thinking and all?”
“We've known each other for a long time, Kathy. There was an accident. I remember the day it happened, just like it was yesterday.” Heyes watched her for a while in silence. As he noticed her curious and determined glance, he sighed and continued. “We grew up together, on neighboring farms. It was a hot summer day and we, and our friends, were playing sheriff and outlaws.”
A bright smile melted the serious look on Kathy’s face and her stance relaxed.
“Thaddeus and I were on the run with two of our friends, hunted by half a dozen others, and we were having a real good time. We had a good head-start, and I led them to a perfect hideout. In the end, we were cornered in a cave and had a pretty good standoff with our pursuers, throwing stones and clumps of dirt at each other, yelling and laughing, until one of them accidentally hit Thaddeus’s head.
He made a wrong step, broke through a rotten board and fell into an empty well shaft. When he disappeared, the game was over immediately. All of our friends were in a hurry to get outta there fast,” Heyes scoffed, and his eyes lost their focus. “Just get into trouble, Kathy, and you’ll learn who your true friends are.”
A question turned up in the young girl’s eyes, but Heyes only shook his head and continued.
“Thaddeus was scared to death. I tried to get him out of his trap, but couldn’t get down to him. The shaft was too deep, and the walls not stable enough to climb them. So, I left him to get someone to help. My father was working on a fence close by. He didn’t ask long questions, just flung himself on his horse, hauled me up and went to rescue Thaddeus. My dad only needed an eye’s blink to assess the situation. Secured by his lasso, he went down the narrow shaft and returned to daylight with Thaddeus in his arms. Poor Thaddeus was unconscious, but not seriously hurt, and I was so... happy and relieved when he was back with me again.”
“You must have been scared, too,” Kathy said.
“I guess you’re right, Kathy. Getting him into trouble with no chance to get him out again taught me a lesson. Well, not enough of a lesson considering, and definitely not the kind of lesson our parents had in mind. They were everything but amused about our adventure and its outcome for my friend. No explanation was asked for or heard, everyone was scolding me, ignoring the fact it was an accident mostly. You know how parents can be.”
Kathy confirmed his words with a brief nod. Obviously, she understood pretty well what he was talking about.
“'That will have consequences, young man,'” Heyes resumed, mimicking his father. “'You’re old enough to understand the meaning of responsibility. You ought to use your brain for something other than mischief! If I can’t get common sense in your stubborn mind, maybe good, hard work will!'” Heyes paused for a moment before he switched back to his normal voice.
“I’ll never forget the disappointed look on his face, that stern voice. I knew it was the busiest time of the year and that they needed my help, so I thought he wouldn’t go too hard on me. I was wrong. I had to do my part of the work on our farm and after that I had to go over to Thaddeus’ place and do his chores, too. My father swamped me with work, so much that I fell into my bed dog-tired every evening while my friends were enjoying their spare time. There was no time left for thinking up smart plans anymore for the next couple weeks.”
“That must have been pretty hard on you, huh?”
“You bet! That was the longest summer of my life,” Heyes moaned.
“So, he thinks he’s back then and that’s why he called you uncle?”
“Yeah, for some reason I remind him of my father.” Heyes' eyes drifted into the middle distance. “It’s easier to play along with that than trying to convince him of something he can’t understand right now.”
“But why do you use so many different names? Thaddeus and Jed and Han and Joshua?”
Heyes' eyes fixed on her again. “Eavesdropping isn’t ladylike, is it?”
“But very instructive.”
Heyes rolled his eyes, but then he grinned. “Well, it’s a long story. Let’s say it’s a kind of game, alright?”
“Come on, stop kidding me. I’m not that stupid! You’re not playing any games. You don’t use your real names ‘cause you don’t want anyone to know them. Like them outlaws and detectives in the dime novels.”
“Dime novels, huh? Now, that’s reading for a girl of your age!” Heyes told her sarcastically and lifted his brow. “But then you should know that, even if you were right, I wouldn’t tell you – maybe for your own good, maybe for mine. Secrets are not meant to be told to anyone. That’s why they're called secrets.”
Kathy lowered her eyes and blushed.
Heyes laid his hands on the girl’s shoulders and bent down to catch her eyes. His voice was serious when he continued. “Listen, Kathy, there are a lot of people out there using different names and all of them have their own reasons – good or bad. Never ask one of them, for that can bring big trouble on you, alright?”
“Alright,” she replied reluctantly.
“Look, if we were bad guys, would we have protected and helped you?”
She shook her head with a sheepish look on her face. “I guess not.”
Heyes smiled at her. “So, you know we won’t do you any harm. What else is important to know?”
“Everything – just for knowing it!” she said and beamed at him. “But I won’t ask you again.”
“You’re one who always has to have the last word, huh?”
“That’s right!” she answered with a grin.
“Me, too.” He winked at her and turned around, heading for his partner with a determined look on his face.
-o-o-o-
“It won’t work!” the blond ex-outlaw complained.
“It will work!” his partner insisted.
“No!”
“Sure, just give it a try!”
“No, it–”
“Jed, do you trust me?”
Blue eyes and brown eyes locked.
“I sure do, but–”
“Jed, shut up!” Heyes cut him off. “You never were that stubborn when you were a kid! You were such a nice little fella! Everybody said so.”
Jed Curry frowned and pouted. “But you’re way too heavy! You'll hurt me!”
Heyes rolled his eyes, took his hat off and ran his left hand through his hair. Then he slapped the hat back on his head, paced a few steps and whirled around to face his partner again, pointing his finger at the blond’s chest with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
“No, Jed! It’s a trick! You really can do it, if you just try!”
“A trick!?” the Kid asked curiously.
Heyes nodded eagerly. “Yeah, yeah. A very special and secret trick. I might reveal it to you, if it works!”
“Yeah?” the blue eyes sparkled. “I'll know and Han won’t?”
Heyes flinched. “I wouldn’t put it that way, just... well, first give it a try and let’s see if works!”
He ushered Jed straight under the hole in the ceiling.
“Put your head down and don’t look up – it’s important! Spread your legs a bit, angle your knees... Yeah, that’s fine. Now, take a good stand and just keep in balance. I’ll do the rest, alright?”
“Alright!” Jed confirmed.
Quickly Heyes removed his boots. With a spring in his movement, he took two fast steps, jumped and stood a blink later with bare feet on Jed’s shoulders, trying to keep his balance.
“Easy, Jed, easy,” he soothed him. “Yeah, that’s right, you're doing great, just keep steady.”
He gestured towards Kathy, who raised her little brother as high as she could with Tim’s help. Heyes grabbed him, fighting for his balance. Jed groaned.
“It’s alright, just hold on...” Heyes pushed the little boy upwards. Thad reached up, grabbed a root which hung down through the hole and kept hold. With Heyes pushing from below, he hoisted himself up and slipped out of the cavern.
His siblings applauded and hollered.
“We did it!” Heyes exclaimed, a smug smile on his face. “All we have to do now is wait!”
Curious, Jed raised his head, changing his position. Heyes lost his balance and dropped hard to the ground. Jed toppled over and broke his fall by a roll. In the end they lay next to each other on the ground, laughing.
“I never thought it would work!” Jed gasped.
“It was the plan of a genius!” Heyes praised himself.
Jed chuckled. “That’s what Han always says. It’s just that he isn’t always right.”
“But you always agreed!” Heyes said, perplexed.
“’Cause he feels better then! He’s my friend. I don’t like him being sad.”
Heyes narrowed his eyes and shook his head. “You’ve got much more of a schemer in you than I thought, Jed.”
-o-o-o-
As they passed the time until Thad’s return, Heyes checked on the wounded and after that settled down at one of the walls.
Kathy sat at the far side of the cave, pondering. The look on her face showed worry and doubt. Heyes watched her with concern in his eyes, his own face thoughtful. Then his face lit up and a smile appeared on his face. He reached for his saddlebags and produced a tattered book. His motions casual, he rose, walked over to her and sat down beside her.
“We’ve got a lot of time to wait, Kathy. It would pass faster if you read for us. I guess I’ve got something better for you than dime novels. Maybe you’ll like it.”
She accepted the book with a curious look. “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” she read aloud.
Heyes smiled at her and nodded. With a gesture he invited her to go on.
She continued, “Most of the adventures recorded in this book really occurred...” Her voice sounded a bit weak and uncertain, and sometimes she stumbled over words, but the longer she read her confidence grew and gradually she lost herself in the story.
Heyes leaned back again and relaxed, listening to her juvenile voice trailing her way through unknown words, and watching his partner.
Jed kept Tim company again. They compared a selection of stones they had collected earlier that day, sticking their heads together and laughing. Now and then Jed raised his head with a thoughtful look on his face.
Every time it happened, Heyes sat up expectantly, just to sink back again when his partner just shook his head and focused on his new friend again.
Shadows wandered over the ground. Several hours had passed by since Thad’s escape. The sun stood high above the hole when it suddenly darkened.
“Hello? Someone in there?” a male voice called from above.
“Pa? PA! We’re here!” Kathy jumped up while Tim struggled to his feet with Jed’s help. “We’re here! Can you get us outta here?”
“Easy, Kathy, easy. That’s what I’m here for. No need to be scared anymore!”
“But I’m not scared! Joshua and... and Jed are with us. Will we all get outta here?!”
“Sure, Kathy. Keep calm. Joshua and Jed – are these the men Thad told me about?”
She exchanged a brief glance with Heyes and smiled. “Yes, they are our friends. They helped us.”
“This is Joshua,” Heyes chimed in. “Nobody’s hurt seriously, but Tim has a broken leg and my partner’s arm is fractured, too. Neither of them can climb. If you’ve got a rope, I’d suggest that I secure it around them, to pull them up. Let’s get the children out first. I’ll follow them once I’ve trussed up my partner and help you get him up, too.”
“Alright, we’ll do it your way. Now step back and take cover. I’ll widen the hole so we can get you out – all of you.”
-o-o-o-
When Heyes reached firm ground, a slender man of about his own age extended his hand and helped him up. He had dark hair and friendly brown eyes.
“Bill McCarthy,” he introduced himself. “I suppose you’re Joshua?”
“Yes, I’m Joshua Smith. Thanks, Mister McCarthy,” Heyes replied.
“Bill, and that’s my wife, Jane.” Bill gestured towards a blonde woman of about the same age. She stood a few yards away beside a buckboard hugging Kathy and her brothers all at the same time.
Heyes nodded at her and then grasped the rope, whose other end was safely tied around his partner’s chest. Bill smiled at him and grabbed it, too. With combined effort they dragged the sturdy blond out of the cave. Heyes released a sigh of relief when eventually all of them were under the open sky again.
He untied Jed, brushed the dust off his clothes and rested his hand on his shoulder.
“You alright Jed?” he asked him.
“Yeah, I'm alright, 'cept my arm hurts.”
“When we’re back at our place, Jane will have a look at it,” Bill offered. “She’s pretty much of a nurse by now. There’s always something to fix when you have three children this far out of town, mister...?”
“You can call him Jed,” Heyes chimed in. “He got a blow to his head and he’s not quite himself right now. But he knows the name and won’t be any trouble. If it’s alright with you, we’ll talk later.”
Bill addressed him with a quizzical look, but nodded acknowledgment.
Riding in the wagon, they drove to a small farm only a few miles away. House and yard were in good shape. The property was small, but large enough to host and feed the small family.
Jane was busy preparing a meal, helping the children change and get cleaned up while Bill cared for horses and carriage. Heyes and Curry freshened themselves up, and then they all met for an early supper.
Afterwards, the blonde woman treated the injuries and replaced the makeshift dressings with proper bandages, with Heyes giving her a hand.
Due to the commotion of the previous day, the children were sent to bed early. Jed complained about dizziness and turned in early, too.
Now it was time for Heyes to fill in Jane and Bill about the occurrences.
“You know it was a long, hot day. That’s why me and my partner decided to rest in the mine. I don’t know what spooked our horses, maybe preliminary tremors or something, but they broke free and ran away. We weren’t sure what to do next, didn’t know the terrain or where to turn to. These boots are fine for riding, but awful for walking, you know. We were still considering our options when the kids turned up all of a sudden.
To be honest they gave us a bit of a scare since we didn’t expect to meet someone in there,” Heyes admitted with an embarrassed smile. “We were still introducing ourselves, as the earth started shaking. Then the ceiling came down and blocked the exit, burring Thaddeus and they boys underneath a heap of rubble.”
Jane’s eyes widened in fear, but Heyes quickly placated her. “Don’t be scared, we all got here safe and sound, Jane. And your kids are really something to be proud of. Kathy never got discouraged and cared very well for the boys; she gave them an example of boldness and true grit.”
Tim had a lot to endure but never complained, and little Thad was as brave as someone far above his age. They were good companions and a big help in getting all of us out of this mess. Without Tim’s and Kathy’s excellent knowledge of the place, and Thad’s courageous effort, we wouldn’t be sitting here all cozy and talking right now.”
The couple listened to Heyes' explanations attentively.
“That’s a pretty hard time you had,” Bill remarked when Heyes had ended. “And I’m sure the kids didn't make it easier for you.”
“It sure wasn't a Sunday stroll,” Heyes admitted. “But don’t underestimate your offspring. They have clear minds and their hearts are in the right place.”
“You’re very kind, Joshua, and you saved our kids,” Jane said. “We owe you.”
“They saved us as well. We’re even, ma’am,” Heyes replied and smiled at her.
“You may be even with them, but not with us. How can we ever thank you?” Bill countered.
“Well, maybe we can stay with you for a while, until my partner heals up somewhat?”
Husband and wife exchanged a short, warm glance and Jane answered, “Stay as long as you want. You’re always welcome with us!”
-o-o-o-
The days passed by in peace. Heyes spent most of the time giving Bill a hand. It was early in the morning, the air still crisp and clear, when they loaded the wagon with tools and wire and wooden posts.
“I bet the new fence will be up before dark,” the ex-outlaw claimed as they were finished, and pushed his battered hat back and forth on his head.
Bill laughed. “You don’t know the terrain. Without your help it would almost take me a week. If things run smooth, the two of us will make it by tomorrow or maybe the day after. I’m really glad for your stay here, Joshua. Jane is a fine woman, and the kids do what they can, but they can’t replace a man when it comes to manual work.”
Twofold laughter rang out on the yard. The men turned their heads and noticed Tim and Jed feeding the chickens. Tim’s arm laid around the man’s waist for support. The bowl with hen food was tucked into the sling which held Jed’s broken arm. Half walking, half hobbling they crossed the square, generously scattering grain in every direction, more than once towards the other half of the outfit. It resulted in more laughs and shaking of heads which sent grains flying in random directions. A flock of chickens crowded around them, hurrying to every new target zone and hastily picking up what they found there.
A broad smile lit up Heyes’ face and a warm look appeared in his eyes. “They look happy, don’t they?”
“They sure do,” Bill confirmed. “It’s amazing how close they got within a few days. They are almost inseparable.”
“Yeah, inseparable,” Heyes murmured and followed his friend with his eyes. “They do almost everything together. I haven’t seen him that happy in years, so careless and relaxed.”
“They are a fine team. I never thought that weeding or painting the chicken coop could be entertaining, but for the both of them it was. They just enjoy each other’s company. Tim really needs a friend his age–” Bill cut himself off sheepishly. “I’m sorry, I wouldn’t say–”
“It’s alright, Bill,” Heyes interrupted and faced the young farmer. “I know what you meant. He’s innocent and kind, unburdened by the weight of adulthood. Right now, Jed is about Tim’s age – in a way at least.” He paused for a moment. “But don’t you have any neighbors around here? I noticed you had no visitors since we dropped in on your place.”
“Only a few and no one with boys of Tim’s age. His brother is too young and we’re way too far out from town for him to make good friends there. It’s important for a boy to have someone to talk to, someone to trust.”
“Not only for a boy,” replied Heyes. “True friendship is a precious gift.” Dark-brown eyes wandered back to the yard where a considerable challenge had started to confuse the flock and coax it into total disbandment by a rapid fire of grain thrown into opposing directions. The corner of Heyes’ mouth curled up again. “Let’s get going or we won’t finish the fence in time and the work on the ditches will have to wait for next week.” He clapped Bill’s shoulder. “Not that I’m keen on work that's hard on the back, but the sooner we start the sooner we’re finished.”
“You have a point there, Joshua. I’d rather have them ready before the next downpour.”
The men climbed up on the driver’s bench and waved Jed and Tim good-bye as they passed them by, leaving the property. The horse pulled the carriage briskly up a smooth slope.
“How long do you think it will take them to settle for the old ‘bread soaked in whiskey’ trick?” Heyes pondered.
Bill shook his head and grinned. “Never. The whiskey is stored away on the highest board in the storage room you occupy at night.”
“Which means–”
“Tim can’t reach it!”
Heyes just smiled and looked at Tim’s father sideways, giving the thought time to sink in and unfold.
Bill frowned, turned his head and threw a glance back to the yard, fixing on the tall figure of his son’s new friend.
Heyes smile widened into a full dimpled grin. “Yup, that’s what I thought, too.”
The young farmer pulled the reins, but Heyes clapped his shoulder and reassured him, “No, go on, Bill. They probably won’t try it today. You can hide the bottle when we’ve finished our work.” He paused and shifted into a more comfortable position. A twinkle of mischief appeared in his dark eyes. “By the way, the cock getting drunk isn’t only funny, but instructive. A mighty good example how booze can get you into trouble – in more than one way. Just think about it...”
-o-o-o-
In the evening, when all the chores were done, their hard work was rewarded with Jane’s fine cooking and delicious pastries. After supper when the dishes were cleaned, they all gathered on the front porch and spent some time together, enjoying the peacefulness and beauty of the sunset.
“Will you tell us another story, Joshua?” Kathy asked. “Or would you mind reading?”
“No, another story, please!” Tim piped in. “Tell us more about Trajan Tramp and Calamity Kid! I bet they got into big trouble with only six bullets left between them and the marshal on their tail!”
“Tim!” his mother cut him off, caught his look and shook her head.
Little Thad instantly used the chance to submit his own plea. “Now why... why don’t you tell us about the boys on the farm? Did they get back at that new fella that called the little one ‘Goldilocks’ all the time? They wouldn’t let him go on, would they?”
“Woah, not all at once!” Heyes raised his hands and stopped the requests, smiling. “Seems we’ve got us a problem here. What would you like to hear, Jane? A culinary magician who spoils us with her works of art should have a say in it, too.”
“Why, Joshua, thank you. But if you’re trying for that last piece of apple pie, you’re too late. A couple of young men beat you to it. Who can resist blue eyes like that?”
Heyes pouted and looked over to his partner, who only shrugged and looked like innocence personified. “Well, now that it seems Tim already had a treat, and Kathy absorbs any story like a sponge anyway, I’d say Thad should have his way. Do you agree, Jane?”
“Agreed. Go on, Joshua.”
Heyes leaned back comfortably in his chair, stretched his legs and crossed them at his ankles before he started to spin his yarn. “So, let me tell you a tale – as true as true can be. It's about a young boy, his best friend and an ingenious plan involving bleach, a curling iron and a pretty mean boy, who couldn’t even imagine what he was heading for: his public exposure on the background of a Thanksgiving play. It’s a story about masterly plans, unfortunate events, relinquished hopes, but unexpected success in the end, and a moral for both mean boys and young self-declared avengers.”
His audience, young and old, was caught by his performance and enjoyed the humorous story. All the time Heyes was talking he kept an eye on his friend, hoping for a spark of recognition in the sky-blue eyes. But his hope was to no avail.
-o-o-o-
It was dark, dark and silent. Heyes sat up in his bed, listening, but no sound was to be heard, only his partner tossing and turning restlessly.
“Ma?” the blond mumbled, his voice getting louder. “Ma! No... No!” A low moan escaped his lips, then a sharp cry suppressed, but yet loud enough for slaying the nocturnal tranquility.
In a blink Heyes was up and at his partner’s side. He sat down on the edge of his makeshift bed.
“Hush, Kid, hush,” he murmured, his voice low as he laid his hands on his partner’s shoulders, trying to soothe him. A shiver ran throughout the sturdy body under his hands, accompanied by another moan. “You hear me, Kid? I’m here. Everything’s alright.”
Fast as a recoiling snake, his partner sat up. Blue eyes cracked open, wide and dark, filled with horror and pain. They tried to focus, panning the small room that harbored them, briefly touching boards, baskets, an old cradle and a tub. The view of the unfamiliar interior didn’t help him to find his place in time and space. His eyes only stopped wandering when they met their dark-brown complement.
“Easy, Kid, easy,” Heyes soothed. “You’re alright. It’s just a bad dream.”
“But ma, pa...” the blond stammered. “They were– it was so real...”
“Yeah, yeah, I know, Kid,” Heyes said, rubbing his partner’s arms. “That’s what nightmares do.” He gave him a moment in silence to gather himself. Gradually he saw his friend relaxing. “Better now? You know where you are?”
The blond head bopped up and down. “The McCarthy’s, Tim’s place.”
“Yeah, that’s right. And you know who you are? And who I am?”
“What kinda question is that?”
“Just to see if you’re really back again. Tell me your name.”
“I’m Jed, Uncle... uh... Joshua.”
Heyes sighed, his eyes dropped to the ground. “Yeah, you’re right, Jed. Go back to sleep now,” he said and patted his friend’s shoulder. “I’ll watch over you. Nothing will do you any harm.”
The blond watched him for a moment, a frown on his face. Then he nodded, lay down again and closed his eyes.
“Good night, Kid,” Heyes murmured and smoothed his friend’s shaggy curls. He waited until the breathing became deep and even again before he returned to his own cot. Laying back, he stared into space, his eyes wide open in the darkness as he pondered what to do.
Last edited by royannahuggins on Wed 12 Feb 2020, 12:00 am; edited 4 times in total | |
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Will be waiting for another great story from you in the near future!!!!! 
