Cowboys & Ghosts

17. The Two Traitors

Alone in the Arkansas territory, on the way home to Batesville, and no one else besides the townsfolk to turn to. Daisy rode horseback, thinking. It had been two days since that departure of the only boy she ever loved and would forever. Indeed, something else had come to mind, when it came to her future. Being a writer, as she had written so much of her past life up until now, and the money didn't matter to her no more. All there was to care for was of what would happen next. Little Rock, Arkansas was fifty miles away from where she was riding now. Despite her actions, she'd rather die than face consequences behind bars, like her foster mother had done. None of that mattered to her. Just get home and begin her career as a writer, who would turn into an author. As she rode, with Dollar slowly walking, she had only prayed that she wasn't the only one out in the territory. When a few riders stepped into view, hundreds of feet away, she wasn't wrong. "We found her!" One of the riders shouted. That was when it came to the realization; Slim's men. "Let's go, Dollar," Daisy said bravely. She kicked, and her horse galloped. She could hear pounding hooves, more than one horse, pursuing her. "We're being outran by a child!" Another outlaw cried out. At that moment, Daisy found herself riding downhill. Now she was thrown out of the saddle. Dollar had tripped on a boulder and fell sideways. Daisy was on her knees, just after she had fallen, only to see Dollar snorting angrily at the incoming outlaws. "Easy now." One of them had taken Dollar's reins, taking ahold of him. Daisy got to her feet, but before she could fight for her horse, she was pulled off her feet from behind. Another outlaw had snatched her and let her in the saddle in front of him. "I hope Uncle Slim will be pleased," Daisy said, sitting motionless as her arms were held behind her back and rope tingled at her wrists. "About this?" Asked the outlaw. "Indeed he will."

It was a long matter of time, what seemed like hours, until finally, Daisy looked up to see what seemed like a campfire set ablaze. A few other men were there, including Slim, who stood with his hands on his belt. "We bought her, boss," one of the outlaws said. "Good," replied Slim. "Put her down." He pointed to a nearby fallen tree, where the outlaw came around and Daisy was placed there, with her hands still tied. "If you think I've lost every man working for me, you thought wrong," Slim mused, his gaze locked on her. "They have reported to me about your recent outcomes." He walked closer, coming down to Daisy's height, as she remained motionless. "I guess that makes two of us, Uncle Slim," she replied. "I can never tell a lie."
"You save my life twice, and this is what you do." The old man was ignoring the fact that she was swearing to tell the truth. "You abandon your efforts. Where is the ghost rider?"
"Back in the sky," Daisy said. "My journal explains everything." Slim looked from her to his men, and nodded. One of them had walked over to Daisy's horse, grabbing the journal out of the travel pack. He handed it to his boss, who looked and read through it. It was only for a moment, until Slim finally closed the book. "It is true," he said. "You might not have lied, but changing your mind about your dreams and this immortal..." He paused, surprising Daisy. Then, she stared up at him, her voice determined with effort. "You don't have to finish, Uncle Slim," she mused. "I can see the fright behind your eyes. If I had known you were a criminal, I never would've been at Grant to begin with."
"You're right," agreed Slim. "For that, I give you my sincere apologies." He took out a pocket knife, handing it to one of his men. "Release her," he said. "But sir," the outlaw objected. "She killed half of your men, disobeyed you, and you're letting her go?" Daisy closed her eyes, turning her head, and bracing herself for a final blow to the head. Slim straightened on his feet, holding the outlaw at gunpoint with his revolver. "Do as I say or you'll take a final trip to the morgue," he sneered. "I forgive the child." Finally, the outlaw succumbed and cut through the rope with the knife. Daisy flexed her wrists, that tingled with firm agony. Slim took them, getting her on her feet. "You remain here," he said. "We return to Hot Spring by train first thing in the morning. In the meantime, rest is needed. Even for you."