Cowboys & Ghosts

11. Frenzy Friendship

Daisy had stopped for the night, building a campfire with flint and wood. Her saddle and blanket were made into a bed. Dollar had his halter tied to a nearby tree, with Rafael just sitting across the fire from his captor. His hands were still tied, this time with rope. It was dark and cold, followed by falling leaves in the midst of mid September. The fire had lit up, small sparks following. "We move further by dawn," Daisy said. "When we return to Hot Spring, you owe me the $1,000 reward."
"Like God I will," Rafael replied, uncooperative. "Dead Skull will have another victim at his feet. You might've heard stories, but not all of it." Despite herself, Daisy knew that was true. This boy wasn't the only ghost rider who had all the answers to her or someone else's questions. "You said earlier you died a while back," she mused. "What happened?" Her captive gave her a hard time look. "Now I'm glad someone is concerned." He frowned with a sigh. "A lynch mob was there in Little Rock, Arkansas. I died fighting for my father. Papa taught me how to ride and I was a young rodeo performer." Daisy's head snapped up out of curiosity, but guilt all at once. If it was 'died fighting', this meant murder right in front of those who knew the boy. "When a rider dies," Rafael went on. "They wake up dead in the clouds. Not in heaven, but not in hell either. It's called the ghost afterlife. For ghosts like us, that is where we go once having died." Daisy was dumbfounded. This, she had never heard before of the ghost riders. Even if she had been told, there was still no time to be given all answers of their own origin. "If we're immortal," Rafael continued. "Well, we're all still human. Not everyone believes the stories."
"Well, I do," Daisy replied. "Once I get my reward, I'll set you free. How's that for equal rights?" The other teenager rolled his eyes. "I think that makes two of us."

Daisy awoke to snickering and neighing. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she saw that there were two horses here now. Dollar and a palomino horse. Still with hands tied, Rafael was saddling the palomino. "I hope this has something to do with not going on foot," Daisy said. "Perhaps," answered Rafael. "You wouldn't have to drag your own horse with me on it." The other teenager went to Dollar to saddle him. That was when she heard the sound of a train whistling, echoes following. "This shall be our stamina," Daisy said. "You all set?"
"Am I not?" Rafael was already in the saddle of his horse, showing off his tied hands. Daisy got Dollar ready, before mounting in the saddle herself. "I see that train just 300 yards away," she mused. She kicked in her stirrups twice, and Dollar galloped, dodging trees in sight. Rafael followed close behind, then soon caught up with her. "Wanna race?" He asked, over the sound of pounding hooves. Daisy looked as if she were saying yes. "So much for our first meeting." She used her reins to increase her horse's speed. Soon enough, they were out of the forest and the train Daisy had seen had stopped for only a short amount of time. One of the cars had a stable. The other had passenger seats, and the front was the driver of the train. "All aboard!" The driver had approached the two teenagers, who soothed and eased their horses. "It's about goddamn time I pick up someone today."
"We need a ride," Daisy said. "To Hot Spring." The driver seemed to take her upon her offer. "Get on the carriage. We'll take care of the horses." Daisy and Rafael dismounted, allowing themselves on the passenger car. "In case if you were wondering," whispered Rafael. "While you were fast asleep, there was a nearby stable house, and I paid for the palomino." Daisy laughed. "If you wanted a horse, all you had to do was ask. I would've rode you over there." She quickly sat down, feeling the rumbles of engines underneath her. The train was departing, Rafael nearly fell, but caught himself, almost landing in Daisy's lap. "Sorry," he said, chuckling. Then, he sat up, tying himself up for at least the second time. It was as if no one else besides Daisy would suspect anything. Now, the train was riding on the tracks at a high rate of speed. "If I were a ghost rider," Daisy said, her gaze out the window. "Only my parents could see me."
"Were they riders too?" Rafael asked. Daisy shrugged. "I don't know much, because they were killed when I was an infant. The woman who shot them took me in out of jealousy. Now, thanks to me who found the truth on my own, she's behind bars for good."
"I would've killed her if I were you," Rafael replied. Then, he paused. "Why didn't you?"
"Because it didn't feel the way I am now," Daisy said. "And that is killing." From then on, the two teenagers just talked for hours on end, which made the ride less unpredictable. The entire time this was happening, Daisy felt head over heels for the boy she kidnapped just the day before. Rafael was firmly cooperative, as he had spotted her first. One minute they talked, the next they were silent. The ride felt like hours, until finally, the train stopped. The driver had entered the passenger car, eyeing Daisy and Rafael. "We're in Little Rock at the moment," he said. "Until we leave for Hot Spring, you two make yourselves at home. Welcome to Little Rock, Arkansas." He left the car, gesturing to the teenagers, who stepped off the train. "Well," muttered Rafael. "This will take more time than I thought." He and his companion mounted on their horses and entered downtown of Little Rock. The first thing they did; was enter the cemetery. Rafael dismounted at a grave, who belonged to Harry Prescott, who's years were from 1801-1849. "Is that your papa?" Daisy asked. Rafael nodded. "He was shot down just before I was. Whoever got away with it, all that mattered was that both of us are no longer in pain." Bowing her head, Daisy had been told that immortals never felt any pain because they were dead. They were ghosts who never felt the agony, even if a bullet pierced their hearts. "While we're here," Daisy said. "We can stay until the train to Hot Spring is ready. Come on." Surprisingly enough, Rafael listened to her, mounting on his horse and left.