Western Flower | ✅

Chapter 9 - A Moment Revisited

Authors Note
The following chapter is a flashback to events that took place the night before Bill went to Cedar so between Chapter 1 - The Prodigal Son Returns & Chapter 2 - Struck By Lightning. I hope you enjoy it.

Bill walked into the barn, it was bigger inside than he remembered, then again the hour was late, the shadows merging into endless darkness almost making it feel that the barn went on forever. Bill decided to light a lamp to give him a bit of light, the barn was always the place that he would go to if he was upset, sad or in a reflective mood. After hanging the lamp up to help fill the barn with as much light as possible Bill relaxed on to a bale of hay, propping his head up. With that he closed his eyes for a brief moment and reminisced about happier memories in the barn, that was until there was a knock on the door that roused Bill.

"C'mon in old man" Bill replied to the knock without opening his eyes. "What do you want now?".

"It's not what I want but rather, what I can help you with..." came a reply for an unfamiliar voice, with that Bill, opened his eyes startled.

In front of him was a man in a rather elegant black suit and hat, he was tall and of slim build. His hair was silvery white with a big moustache, his eyebrows were dark and his eyes intense. Bill now stood up to meet the stranger, he was filled with nervousness and curiosity.

"Evening, do I know you, friend?" Bill said with a tone of caution, the man in front of him paused for a moment and looked Bill up and down. Bill suddenly felt very vulnerable.

"Actually Bill it is night time to be precise, and yes we do know each other, or rather I know you" replied the stranger.

"You got a name friend?" Bill said, his tone now more agitated by the man's peculiar nature.

"My name is John," the stranger replied after a lengthy pause.

"Well John, it sure is nice to make your acquaintance," there was a heavy tone of sarcasm to Bill's tone of voice. John eyed Bill with a knowing smirk, this made Bill feel uncomfortable. Neither man spoke for a moment then the silence was broken.

"I know why you don't like strangers Bill but your disdain for them does not help you until you fully accept what you are other people never will," John replied in a matter of fact tone, this caused a look of shock on Bill's face. "I know all about it, you're half native American. Do you remember the first time that you worked for marshal Lucas Andrews?" John asked.

"How do you know about that?" Replied a stunned Bill.

"Your orders were to take that wanted man alive but he goaded you until your anger took over. I don't blame you I suppose, after all, he was a cold-blooded killer and his words were cruel. Most men would not have hesitated as long as you did." Said John in a stern tone.

"I was young and naive, I am a changed man now, a different man, a better man" replied Bill who was seemingly trying to justify his past actions.

"Which is why I am here," as John said this Bill eyed him with a renewed interest. "I know why you really came back to Cedar. I know what it was that you found on your journey of discovery with your tribe, it was here all along. You just needed to find yourself before you found it!"

"And what is that? Questioned Bill.

"Love..." John replied sharply. "Underneath your strong exterior, all you have ever wanted is to love and to be loved, to be truly accepted by someone completely. You realised that is what was missing and you knew that you had to come back to reclaim that love.

Bill stood dumbfounded, maybe he did know John and had completely forgotten ever meeting him? He was sure that he would remember someone as mysterious or knowledgeable as this John character seemed to be, there was one burning question and that was who was this called John?

"But how?" gasped Bill

"So I am correct?" replied John knowingly.

Bill looked around in disbelief before he answered "But how? How am I supposed to find that person? My father..."

"Is maybe not telling you the whole truth? Silas loves you and as your father only wants to protect you and do what he feels is best for you, even if he knows you'll go against him. You've always been far too headstrong for your own good, for better or for worse."

"But how do I find her!?!" Bill asked in a desperate tone.

"Bill, the thing about love. It's like they say, it's written in the stars" replied John.

Bill looked at John puzzled. "What in God's name is that supposed to mean?" Bill asked.

"Think about it, Bill."

"Is she?" Started Bill a hint of panic gracing his voice, he was clearly worried.

"Oh no Bill, she is alive but your return is well-timed. She will need you now more than ever," replied John sympathetically "If you will excuse me for just one moment." With that, John took out what looked like an old leather journal and started writing something down for a moment while both men sat in silence. Bill studied John for a moment, he felt like he knew him from somewhere but didn't know where.

"John can you..." Bill started.

"I could give you the answer to the question you are about to ask, but sometimes it is best to find out on your own. We all have paths to choose and choices to make, if we let others make those decisions we will never get the answers we truly want" said John.

Bill knew that John was right, he turned his back on John in frustration. Part of him wanted to know the answer to his question but knew that he would only be met resistance by John. After a moment of silence from the two men Bill turned to engage in conversation with John, as he turned he was shocked to discover that John was gone. He was confused, he didn't hear the barn door open.

Bill called out but there was no answer, he ran over to the door and walked out of the barn but there was no sign of the man that he had just been speaking to. Bill laughed to himself and walked back into the barn, as he did he resumed his place on the hay bales and closed his eyes again and as he did he repeated the words in a puzzled and questioning tone.

"It's written in the stars!"

Authors Note
Who is the ominous John? In the next chapter we will be going back to current events in the story, did you like the flashback? I hope that you are enjoying the story so far, if you are please don't forget to vote.