Bid For Freedom

Chapter 32

The predawn darkness brought a stinging cold with it. Dani huddled with Jeremy under his heavy coat, thankful for the small amount of protection it had provided. He stretched next to her as light started to filter through the clouds. "Well, now that it's light enough, let's see what kind of injuries you got."

Dani moved the sleeping puppy from her lap. Jeremy ran rough fingers over the cuts on her cheeks.

"What else hurts?"

"Just my leg."

"What part?"

Dani grimaced as she ran her hands down her leg. "Mainly the ankle but the knee hurts too."

Jeremy pushed and prodded and moved her leg ignoring her whimpers.

"Good news. It's not broke. I'm sure you've damaged something, but it should heal. I don't know if we can give it the time it needs to heal right, though. Cattle drives aren't really the place to relax."

Dani nodded. "I'll keep up."

Jeremy gave her a lopsided grin. "I'm sure you will. Shall we figure out where this pup came from?"

The wiggling bundle flopped over rocks and roots in it's excitement to be noticed. Jeremy knelt to look over the dog. "Definitely real young. Maybe just weaned. She's a hound mix. See the ears? Definitely hungry too."

He stood and walked to the edge of the ravine and turned slowly, looking for any sign of life. He stopped, squinting his eyes. He nodded and moved to his horse.

"What did you see?" Dani asked, studying the terrain.

Jeremy's jaw clenched. "Get on."

He swung into the saddle and held a hand out to her. Her eyes widened in surprise. She blinked several times before mounting behind him. Jeremy guided his horse through the slippery mud. Dani wrapped her arms around him, trying to stay warm. He pulled the horse to a stop on top of a hill and sighed.

"Honey, I'm not sure you wanna see this."

The puppy whined and tucked her tail, circling away from the wagon. Dani dared a peek from behind him. Arrows littered the wagon box. She squeezed her eyes closed and pressed her face against his back, biting back the bile that threatened.

Jeremy stiffened as a horse whinnied. He lifted his leg and drew his rifle. A matched pair of blacks limped toward them, still harnessed together. He cursed and slid off the horse. "Scoot up here in the saddle and stay put. Hold this." He held out the rifle.

Dani watched as he walked toward the horses, his hand held out as if holding grain. One of the horses cocked it's ears, wanting attention. The other's head drooped almost to the ground. Dani's eyes widened as the pair turned. The far horse looked almost like a porcupine. Arrows protruded from it's side. It's a miracle he's still standing.

Jeremy grasped the bridle and drew his knife, severing the tracings and leading the horse to safety even as it's companion collapsed. He set his jaw and led the horse to her. "Hold this one."

He turned back to the other and slit it's throat. A low groan met her ears as she turned to the wagon. "Jeremy," she started.

He turned, his eyes wary. "I heard. Stay put."

She watched him kneel by a man, feeling for a pulse. He shook his head and moved to the next corpse. Another man. A woman. A child. Dani bit back a sob. He finally turned and gestured her forward.

Dani felt tears running down her cheeks as she rode closer. "Are they all..."

"Yeah. This one just passed. We're not safe staying here." He pulled the harness from the horse and shortened the reins. He scooped the pup into a bag and fit it over the pommel on his saddle. "You'll ride my horse since it's got a saddle. I'll ride this one. The pup won't be able to keep up." He handed her a coat much like his. "You'll want this. Those clouds are looking a bit interesting."

She took the coat, her nose turned up in disgust. "Are you gonna bury them?"

He shook his head. "No. Those that done this are still around. If I bury them, it'll draw attention to us. We'll say a prayer for 'em and be on our way."

Dani heard a twig snap nearby and drew in a sharp breath.

Jeremy twirled, facing the threat. He drew a pistol and circled the brush. Dani bent low over the horse, hoping she made less of a target. Her eyes darted between the brush and Jeremy. Please, please, please.

Jeremy holstered his pistol and darted forward, tumbling through the brush with ... a child.

"NO! Let me go! I'll kill ya! ARGH!"

"Hold still, you brat. I ain't gonna hurt ya." Jeremy managed to wrestle the manic child to the ground, pinning him in place.

The child fought for several minutes before dissolving into sobbing wreck.

"This your family, boy?"

Jeremy's question was met with unintelligible muttering.

"Jeremy, he's scared."

"Ya think?" Jeremy glared up at her before turning back to the child. "Boy. I need ya to talk to me. Anyone else alive?"

The boy wailed.

Dani moved to slide off the horse. "Stay put, Dani. Boy. We're gonna ride away. If you wanna come with us, you gotta answer my questions. Understand?"

The boy sniffled and nodded.

"Good. Anyone else alive?"

He shook his head. "N-no, sir."

"Was this your family? Your ma and pa?"

"Y-yes, sir."

"Was it indians?"

The boy shook his head. "N-no, sir."

"Didn't think so." He sighed heavily. "Is there a saddle in that wagon?"

"I dunno, sir. I hid."

"All right. I'm gonna get off now. You behave, hear?"

The boy nodded.

Dani slipped her arms into the coat as the rain started again. Jeremy glanced at the sky. "The rain'll help cover our tracks."

She watched him peer into the wagon and turn, shaking his head. "Nothing. Kid, climb up behind Dani. Let's get going."

Dani adjusted the coat so it was covering them both. She sucked in her breath at how cold he was.

"Don't talk. Just ride. Stay close. Understand?"

Dani nodded, fear filling her soul.