Ben
I am relieved that my brother is alive, that the bug is out but I know that it’s going to be tough on him now. Just think about how everyone treated me after I got my harness removed. Hell some of them still think I’m a traitor, that I’m going to leak information. I know that Dad is right when he tells Hal it wasn’t his fault, but I also know there’s others in Charleston and Pope town that are going to take it out on him. Hal is lucky though, his scars aren’t permanent. The cut on his face from the bullet will heal, but the harness scars are never going to go away for me. But my thoughts are right, so is what I said to Pope. That, Hal’s no more responsible than a harnessed kid.
Hal is out of the doctors wing now and is back in his room with Maggie. I think he just wants to go back to normal. But I don’t really think that’s all possible. Dad says we're going to go look for Anne and Lexi in a day or two. I see Tector come over to Hal by his horse, he says to him, “Hey, we all know the bug made you do it. Now go find Anne.” I see Hal shake his head and Dad says, “Let’s mount up.” We get on our horses and are about to leave when smart-ass Pope says, “Heye Lyle, remind me to pull the whole eye bug defence next time somebody wants to lock me up.” I can see that Hal is annoyed. I say to Hal, “Don’t let it get to you.” Then we ride off as Weaver and Maggie watch.
