Red West II.

Chapter twenty five - Wanted man

The members of the hunting expedition were heading back to the Riders' cottage in good mood.

Maybe even too good, Ryo thought, as he glanced over his shoulder, once again finding Kame and Jin cheerfully discussing the possibility for the older one to learn shooting from a bow.

Even though those two were dragging the heavy load just as the others did, they didn't seem to be bothered with it at all. They kept their distance, separating themselves from the rest of their small company, and their voices were no more than whispers, as they laughed over something.

Ryo would not mind if they shared some jokes with them as well, but Cullen was content with those two being further away and Koki was simply too focused on complaining over the heaviest load of them all. Therefore, the black-haired Rider just shrugged and let Jin and Kame have their little private talk.

*

When they reached their refuge, the sun was already touching the horizon and Cullen was the first one to notice that something was weird. Koki and Ryo didn't pay attention to their older companion, who stopped at the border of woods surrounding the cottage and they just continued toward the barn arguing if it was better to try the elk meat for dinner or to start with the smaller catches.

"Hey! Shut up for a second!" Cullen hissed, making both youngsters turn back to him.

Kame and Jin finally caught up with them as well, looking at the frowning man curiously.

"What is it?" Ryo asked carefully.

"Don't know, but something's off," the oldest Rider murmured.

Then Kame touched Jin's elbow and wordlessly pointed at the corral behind the cottage – Kuro was running from one side of it to another, shaking his head so vigorously that his mane had already turned into a complete mess. His behavior disrupted other animals too, and made them snort nervously, while Ukushi was standing motionlessly in one of the corners, staring at the returnees.

The rifle appeared in Jin's hands so quickly Kame didn't even notice when the older one pulled it down from his shoulder. He didn't need any other sign to be sure that something was not right either.

"Now when you mentioned it, it's suspiciously quiet around here..." Ryo noted frowning, while Esler got his rifle ready, being the second one to arm himself.

Then something on the ground attracted Kame's eyes and at that moment, he regretted not carrying any firearm as well, not feeling so secure with just a bow.

"There's blood in the grass," he announced in a tense voice, which made everyone even more anxious.

"We'll check the barn," Ryo announced, following the others' example with guns, as well as Koki, and both Riders set off toward the mentioned building.

Leaving all their catches behind, determined Esler led the way to the cottage with Jin and Kame in his steps. Nothing moved in the closed windows, neither had they heard anything. In quiet cooperation, they burst inside the house, checking the empty rooms, ready to shoot at any time. When they met up under the staircase again, also Koki and Ryo came inside.

"Nothing suspicious in the barn, but Leo's horse is missing," Ryo informed them, both he and Koki a little out of breath as they rushed around the property.

Then all heads popped up at the sound of some heavy thuds on the wood.

"Hey!! Hey, guys! Is that you?!" the subdued calling was hardly recognizable.

"Ryo, stay down here," Esler ordered. "Others with me."

They rushed upstairs, approaching the sounds coming from behind the closed door with the key in the lock. Esler raised his gun to the height, where one would expect somebody's head and nodded at Kame. The younger one swiftly approached the door and unlocked it, stepping away at once. The door opened and revealed the reddened face of Jack, who froze at the doorstep, looking inside the barrel of Cullen's rifle.