Emerald City

“Make this real short.” Curry tapped his fingers on the table impatiently.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Heyes whispered through clinched teeth.

“You know, Heyes, there are some things I don’t answer to you about, and this is one of them. Are we done?” he started to rise from the seat.

“No we are not done. You look at her and see a white fence and kids at your feet. You and I both know that can’t happen. You’re going to have to walk away just like you always do, just remember that.”

“Not this time, Heyes.”

“Is she going to hide with us, running from town to town?” Heyes looked around to make sure no one was listening.

“If I asked her to, and she could keep up. You don’t need to worry about her, Heyes. I take responsibility for her.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.” Suddenly Heyes cocked his head to the side. “You haven’t told her, have you? And you can’t, so how can she make any decisions when she doesn’t know the truth? How do you know that if she knew the truth about you, she would still want to be with you?”

Curry stood up and looked at his friend, his family and tried to make him understand. “Because I just do.”

Suddenly a woman came screaming down the stairs to the desk clerk, “I think he’s killing her!”

The excited clerk grabbed a ring of keys and bolted up the stairs. ‘Oh, I just know it’s those Morgans, how positively thrilling!’ The woman continued out into the street, calling for the sheriff.

Curry looked at Heyes and they both bolted up the stairs, searching for the commotion. They reached the second floor, and the Kid’s heart sank. A crowd was gathered at the door to Vic’s room and he could hear furniture being broken from where he stood down the hall. The desk clerk was fumbling with key after key, trying to get the door open, when Curry and Heyes pushed past him. Heyes started to herd the crowd back from the door, and with fire in Kid’s veins and one kick, the door smashed open and he stepped through.

He was unprepared for what he saw and it seemed like time was in slow motion. Vic was draped across the bed, laying half off of it with her dress ripped open down the front. There was a large bloody gash on her forehead and she was unconscious. Her hair pooled on the floor mixed with blood and the stain kept getting larger. There was broken glass and furniture scattered everywhere. It looked like there had been a hell of a fight. The drunk lay on her, grunting and waving a bottle of whiskey with one hand. His shirt was open and there were bloody scratches on his chest and face. Somewhere in the crowd, a woman screamed. The Kid felt himself turn white hot and he reached down for the first thing on the ground, which turned out to be a chair leg with nails sticking out of it. He took a step forward and with one mighty swing, he hit the man in the head sending him falling backwards. The Kid felt himself turn red-hot and he headed around to the other side of the bed to where the drunk lay on the floor.

Heyes rushed into the room and put his fingers on Vic’s neck; there was a pulse. He picked her up gently and laid her completely on the bed. Heyes quickly looked around for anything to cover her up with. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the Kid beating the man on the floor fiercely and unrelenting. The drunk moaned and screamed, but Kid didn’t hear any of it. He finally just went back to the bed and turned the coverlet back on itself to cover her up. Heyes turned around and tried to give Curry a bear hug from the back and stop the brutal onslaught.

The sheriff appeared at the door with two deputies and all four men jumped the Kid and took him down to the floor.

Heyes looked up to see the crowd still at what was left of the door, and yelled, “Someone go get a doctor.”

The deputies stood up with the drunk. “Hey look, it’s Hank Carlson.” One of them exclaimed. The sheriff stood up with the Kid’s hands handcuffed behind his back. Curry saw Vic lying on the bed and struggled to get free to go to her.

The desk clerk stepped forward to address the sheriff, “Oh, Joe, you don’t understand, that is her husband,” he pointed at the Kid, “and what Hank was doing to his wife, well, ya shoulda just seen it.” The clerk turned to whisper loudly to one of the ladies in the crowd, “and she’s involved with still another man!”

The sheriff yanked the Kid one last time. “That true?” but Curry couldn’t hear a word said by anyone. He was still struggling to get to Vic.

Heyes stepped forward, “Yes, sheriff, that’s his wife. Why don’t we let him go so he can see to her?”

With the handcuffs off, Kid made it to her side in one step and cradled her head in his hands, “Vic? Vic, wake up. Please wake up.”

A woman pushed through the crowd; “please don’t move her until I have had a chance to examine her.”

Heyes looked surprised, “You’re the doctor?”

“I am. Dr. Plaine, please give me some room to get to the patient.“ a tall willowy lady pushed past them all and set a black bag one the bed.

Heyes still looked surprised, “You’re the doctor?”

“Well, I’ll try to leave time to check your hearing before I go, but I need to treat Mr. Carlson in the jail also,” she hurried to the bed and started shouting orders.
“Get those people out of here, and bring me some blankets.”
She leaned over to lift up Vic’s eyelids and inspect the cut on her forehead.
“Oh, I’m afraid that will leave a nasty scar, she’ll need stitches.”
She began to clean the blood away with some alcohol when she noticed the Kid holding her hand from the other side of the bed.
“Are you her husband?”

He looked up at the doctor, dazed and confused.

“Are you her husband?” Dr. Plaine repeated again.
Curry nodded.

“Okay, you need to help her and I’m going to tell you how.”

The next thing the Kid realized was that he and Heyes were holding up a blanket that stretched the length of the bed, with the doctor and patient on the other side. He saw the desk clerk continuing to run off the on lookers and he looked over to Heyes, this time with recognition.

Heyes managed a weak smile. “Everything’s going to be okay.”
He started to look behind the blanket when the Kid barked, “ Don’t even think about it.”

It seemed like they stood there for hours, but finally Dr. Plaine came around the blanket. “Okay, gentlemen, you can lower it now.”

Curry looked over at Vic and saw a large gauze bandage on her forehead and her right wrist was bandaged. She had a black eye and a busted lip. There was a large bruise forming on her cheek.
“How is she?” Curry asked anxiously.

“Well, she has a nasty concussion, so she shouldn’t be moved for quite a few days; she probably won’t even wake up for a day or so. She has a couple of broken bones in her wrist, probably from trying to fight him off. As for the rest of it, “ Dr. Plaine looked a little uncomfortable.

“Well doctor?” Heyes asked. “Just tell us straight.”

“Mr. Morgan, your wife is innocent.” She blurted out.

“Innocent of what?” the Kid asked.

“She’s a virgin.” Dr. Plaine just came right out with it. Heyes’ jaw dropped open ever so slightly, the desk clerk fainted in the doorway, and the Kid seemed to be turning over this statement in his mind. Dr. Plaine thought she could hear the crickets chirping outside.

Heyes jumped into action, “well, you see it was an arranged marriage, in all truth, they just met some two weeks ago. You know the old South, she’s from Kentucky.” He began to escort the Doctor to the door, “Their two fathers were in a terrible feud and this was the way to end it once and for all.”

The Kid was still processing this information, but somehow in the confusion, a lot of things became much clearer. “What do we need to do for her?” he called out.

“Well, here’s some laudanum for when she wakes up, she will have a tremendous headache. Watch her breathing through out the night and call me if it seems labored. Other than that, I’ll be by in the morning to see her progress.”

“Thank you.” He called after her.

Heyes helped her step over the desk clerk who was still lying on the floor in the doorway. He then turned to see the Kid sitting on the edge of the bed with Vic’s good hand in his. Just watching. “I don’t think she meant it literally, Kid.”

The Kid didn’t even look at him. “We need to get her in another room. I don’t want her to wake up in this one.”

“Well, I’m not sure she should be moved, from what the doc said,”

Curry turned to look at him with such a look in his eye that Heyes took a step backward. “I’ll just wake up the desk clerk and see what else is available.”
He leaned over and started slapping the clerk in the face to rouse him. When his eyes opened, Heyes smiled and said, “Hello there, we’d like a room.”

The Kid picked her up with assistance from Heyes. Heyes tried to keep her head from moving too much until Kid had her firmly in his arms and could then rest it against his shoulder. Heyes went first and the Kid followed gingerly, down one flight of stairs to a room facing the main street. Heyes opened the door and went to turn down the coverlet. He helped the Kid gently lay her down and then went to the window while the Kid tucked her in and made sure her breathing hadn’t changed. “How does it look out there?”

“Oh, fairly quiet.” Heyes answered. “There is something odd though. There’s an Indian standing in front of the general store with a handful of cigars.”

The Kid didn’t seem to register that oddity as he stood up and checked the tie down on his holster. He walked toward the door and called back over his shoulder, “Keep a good eye on her. I’ll be back directly.”


“Now Kid, where are you going? Don’t do anything stupid. Don’t do anything that’s going to call any more attention to us.” Heyes warned, but he knew it was in vain. Whatever the Kid had his back up about, and Heyes had a pretty good idea; he wasn’t going to stop until he considered it over.

Kid Curry put his hat on and walked from to hotel directly into the jail. “Hank Carlson here?” The sheriff looked a little nervous and shook his head no. “Explain that to me.” He said flatly.

“Well, the doc came to treat him and made mention to me that your wife, well ah...” he stuttered. “Well since there was no actual ah… well, no crime has been committed, so we had to let him go.”

Kid was seething under his cool exterior. “And the beating he gave her...”

“Was just about as bad as the beating you gave him... so we just thought it best to call it square.” The sheriff explained nervously.

“Square, huh?”

“Ah, yeah, we figure it’s even.” The deputies nodded in agreement
.
“I see.” Was all he said and he turned around and left.

The Indian liked to see the children reach out to touch his buckskins and giggle, they weren’t afraid of him like their parents were. He saw the tall cowboy emerge from the jail, he knew that was him without having to have a vision or be told by anyone. He had purpose in his eyes and strength in his step. He liked this one, he was well chosen.
He turned his head to see another large man approach yelling something at the cowboy.

Kid saw the bastard coming and stopped in his tracks. He tucked his thumbs behind his belt buckle and waited for Carlson to approach.

“They can’t do nothin’ to me!” he was yelling. “I own this town. If I want your woman, I’ll take your woman and I’m still a walkin free man.”

Kid just stood there looking at him without saying a word. The Indian watched from the store front, fingering his cigars.

“Ain’t nothing you can do to me! What’s the matter, you’fraid?”

Kid just stood there looking at him without saying a word.

The commotion on the street brought Heyes to the window,” oh no, Kid. Don’t do it.”
“Hell, you just a boy, I can out shoot you and out fuck you any day of the week.”
Kid just stood there looking at him without saying a word.

The sheriff emerged from the jail and stood by the post, watching.

“You dare to lay a beatin’ on me and now you gonna die!”

Kid just stood there looking at him without saying a word.

Carlson pulled himself up straight and took the safety off of his gun. “Any last words little boy?”

Kid just stood there looking at him without saying a word, hands still tucked in his belt buckle, safety still on his gun. Upstairs in the hotel, Heyes watched from the window. Outside of the general store the Indian watched.

Carlson pulled his revolver and fired. Heyes screamed because he didn’t see the Kid go for his gun. The smoke cleared and Carlson could see the Kid standing there. He took off his right glove and tucked it into his gun belt. Carlson fired again. The smoke cleared and Carlson could see the Kid take the safety off of his gun.

“Die you son of a bitch!” Carlson screamed as he fired again.

He never saw the smoke clear or Kid draw his Colt and put a bullet right between his eyes and one right in the heart, all before Carlson hit the ground. Kid Curry spun his Colt smoothly around his trigger finger and holstered the weapon.

Heyes could feel his heart start beating again. The Indian at the general store smiled and nodded approval. The sheriff stepped off of the boardwalk and walk into the middle of the street.

The Kid turned to look at him with a cold stare. “I think that’s square, don’t you?”

The sheriff looked back for a moment before replying, “Mr. Morgan, I believe that’s square.”

The Kid turned and walked back to the hotel, and past the desk clerk, who had been watching it all and had fainted once more. He walked upstairs and wordlessly into the room with Heyes and Vic. He took off his gun belt and sat down on the edge of the bed and removed his boots. “We got any whiskey.”

Heyes poured him a shot and watched as the Kid downed it in one gulp and then lay down next to Vic and cradled her in his arms the best he could.

She could see him coming. Riding a black horse, the saddle studded with silver and the tips of his boots shining in the darkness. She knew that hell itself had spat him upon the Earth and he was coming. He had a string of souls around his neck. Riding hard, knowing exactly where they were and who they were. And neither one of them could stop him. He meant to torture them first; then they could die. They stood upon a nearby hill, her and Wanda, trying to whistle up the wind, trying to whip up a storm big enough to stop him. She couldn’t let him take the Kid; it would tear her soul out forever. And it would tear out the Kid’s soul if he took Heyes.

The Kid woke up to hear small whimpers coming from Vic; she was restless. He looked around for Heyes, who was still at the window.

Heyes noticed the Kid was awake. “That Indian is still standing in front of the general store holding cigars. Now, that’s just not something you see everyday.”

The Kid sat up, trying not to shake the bed too much. “Think we should call the doctor?”

Heyes shook his head, “her breathing is okay, she just seems to be having a bad dream.”

“Have you had any sleep?” Curry asked.

“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.” Heyes replied. He sat in the nearest chair and watched the Kid go over to the washbasin and splash some water on his face. “That was the stupidest, most amazing thing I’ve ever seen.”

“What are you talking about, Heyes?” Curry seemed annoyed as he reached for a towel.

“What happened out on the street with Carlson? He could have killed you. How could you just stand there and let him keep shooting at you?” Heyes just shook his head.

“I might not know a whole lot, Heyes, but I know I wasn’t born to get shot by that jackass.”

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door; Heyes and Curry just looked at each other. Kid went for his gun and Heyes went to answer it. He opened the door to reveal the Indian standing there with a handful of cigars. Heyes was at a loss for words and said simply, “How!” and held his hand up in greeting.

The Indian looked at him with a puzzled look on his face. “Who, what, when, where, why. They are all esoteric questions that I would enjoy debating with you at another time. May I come in?”

Heyes and Curry looked at each other in disbelief as he pushed his way into the room.
“I was starting to think you were going to leave me out there all night. Say, you wouldn’t by chance have any whiskey, would you?”

Dumbfounded, Heyes handed him the bottle and watched it disappear into the Indian’s buckskin coat. “I’ll need that later.”
He took off his headdress and walked over to the bed where Vic lay. He looked down at her, shaking his head. “What mischief have you gotten yourself into now, little girl?” He reached down to remove the bandage from her forehead and heard the cock of a gun behind him.

He turned around to see Curry holding a gun on him. “The doctor did a real good job of patching her up and I don’t think any of us should go takin’ it apart.”

“This? Patched up? Why it’s positively medieval.” He removed the bandage and clucked his tongue. “That’s going to leave a nasty scar. Good thing I have some supplies.” He sat down on the bed and began to pull pouches out of various hidden pockets of his buckskin coat.

Heyes stepped up and laid his hand on Curry’s gun and lowered it. “I think he knows her.”

They look at each other and in unison said, “Squinting Weasel!!”

“Yes?” the Indian turned around at the mention of his name.

“How did you know?” they asked him.

“I just did.”

Curry stepped forward, “Okay, what is it? Something in the Kentucky water or maybe the food? Do you know everything, but just can’t remember it all at once?”

The Indian ignored him. “She started dream walking right away when she fell into an unconscious state. I just happen to be on a passing train and got off. I was coming from a drumming circle in Wisconsin. Those Sioux sure know how to throw a party.”

He began to pull what looked like mud and herbs and press them onto the angry looking cut. “Now help me pull out the bed, I have to get all the way around it.”

Heyes looked at Curry in amazement and Curry nodded in agreement. “He does have to go all the way around.” Heyes couldn’t believe he was participating in this. He watched as the Indian walked around the bed, muttering to himself and spreading dust on the floor.

Heyes shook his head, “Are you sure that is sanitary?”

“Well, it’s necessary.” The Indian replied and continued his ritual. “We don’t want to invite the dark ones to her while she sleeps.”
He looked over at them with a serious expression on his face. “They might already have found her. There is one that has followed her knowing she would lead him to you, Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry.”
They looked at each other in surprise. “Oh honestly, don’t look so surprised. The only real surprise it that I don’t think she knows yet.”
He pointed to Vic, still in restless sleep on the bed. “Sometimes there’s a little disconnecting between what the head knows and what the heart knows...”

“Well, that ought to do it,” he said with a sigh and a slap on his knee. “I’d better get going, we have a sweat lodge marathon day after tomorrow and I want to get a good seat! Sure wish I could get a picture with you two, wouldn’t the braves back at the tribe be envious! Real western outlaws!”

He passed the Kid and handed him the pouches and slapped him on the shoulder. “Keep these for later. And don’t let anything happen to that little girl, I need the cattle!” Then he held out his hand and looked at the ceiling.

The Kid looked at it and shook it, “Thank you.”

Squinting Weasel looked at his empty hand and looked back to Curry. “Specialists cost money, son.”

Curry looked dumbfounded, but reached into his pocket and gave him a twenty dollar gold piece. Squinting Weasel looked at it and continued to hold out his hand. Heyes just shrugged and nodded to the Kid. Curry dug into his pocket until he felt a paper bill.

“No, not that one.” Was the Indian’s reply.
Curry kept digging.

“Not that one either.”
Frustrated the Kid thrust his hand in deeper and selected another bill.
“Thar she blows!”
Squinting Weasel looked pleased. Curry pulled it out and handed him a hundred dollar bill. “Specialists cost money, son.”

He paused and turned before he left; holding out his handful of cigars. “Here, have a nice cigar, they’re from Cuba.” He thrust one into each of their hands and walked out of the door.

Vic dreamed again. She was dancing with Thaddeus in the moonlight and there was no one else around. They danced until her feet hurt, so she took off her shoes and they danced some more. Then Wanda appeared and told her it was time to wake up. “But, I’m not sleeping! And look, I found him; I mean he found me.”

“Little girl, you found each other. Now wake up, you’re gonna be late the catch the train.”

Vic put her hand to her mouth, ‘Oh, I forgot about the train.”

“Then git yourself up outta that bed, lazybones.”

Victoria opened her eyes and looked at the ceiling, and then turned her head to survey the rest of the room.
“Ouch!” her head throbbed and there was a ringing in her ears.

The Kid and Heyes turned around in amazement. The Kid was by her bedside before she could blink her eyes again. He took her good hand and held it to his chest. “ Hey.”

“Hey yourself.” Vic managed weakly.

“How do you feel?”

“Like I’ve been run over by the northbound four fifteen. What happened?”

The Kid started cautiously. “What’s the last thing you remember?”

“We were dancing…”

He laughed softly, “We were dancing…and?”

“And I woke up?” was the answer. She started to sit up and she could feel her head splitting open.

Kid pushed gently on her shoulder and she lay back down. “You just need to sleep for awhile. Don’t worry; I’ll be right here the whole time. You’re safe.”

“Of course, I’m safe. What are you on about? I’m worried about the train. We’re going to be late to catch the train.” She successfully sat up this time, but immediately put her head in her hands, it hurt so badly.

“Heyes, do you have the laudanum?” The Kid held out his hand for the bottle. “Here, drink just a little of this.”

“No, I want to get up. I need to pack. We need to pack or we’ll miss the train.”

“Vic, you’re not making any sense. Please just drink a little of this.” He said as he held the bottle to her lips.

She pushed it away. “I will not drink any of that until you let me get out of bed.” She started to scoot to the other side of the bed and swing her legs over the side.
“Why is the room spinning and will someone answer the door, I can’t stand that incessant pounding!” She started to stand up before Curry could make it to the other side of the bed. Heyes was to her first before her legs collapsed and she fell to the floor. She looked up at him and he noticed for the first time the depth of her green eyes.

“Will you help me to the chair?”

Heyes just nodded and put his arm around her waist to support her. The Kid was to her other side and tried to turn the lot of them back toward the bed.

“No, no, no!” Vic protested.

“Let’s ease her in the chair.” Heyes suggested and the Kid relinquished his attempt.

She sat down and put her head in her hands. “Will someone answer the door, please?!”

“Here, drink this.” The Kid held out the bottle.” A deal’s a deal.” He put the bottle to her lips and gave her a small dose.

“Oh ick.” She had the sourest look on her face. “What is that?”

“What the doctor ordered.” Curry assured her.

“Get a different doctor.” she stopped in mid-sentence and put her finger to her lips. “Ssshh.” She seemed lost in thought.

“Now, let’s get you back in bed.” Curry stated as he bent to pick her up out of the chair. She pushed him away weakly.

“He’s coming. We have to leave. We have to ride out tomorrow and we’ll catch the train. Help me pack, where’s the money pouch? Heyes, do you have a horse? Jed, go buy him a horse.” She was looking around the room wildly and Heyes and Curry just looked at each other at the sound of their names from her lips.

“She’s delirious.” Heyes stated flatly.

“It’s the bounty hunter but he’s not really,” she almost screamed. “And he’s less than half a day’s ride from here. Ow, my head hurts, and will someone answer that door?”

Heyes and Curry stood looking at each other. “Did you tell her about the bounty hunter?” Heyes questioned.

Curry looked annoyed, “Now you know I didn’t.”

“Well, she’s not making much sense. Ride out of here; catch a train out of here. Which is it? And do we take the chance she’s right. I mean, how could she be right? What are the chances?”

“What were the chances of us making it across the badlands? Heyes, I swear, sometimes when she makes no sense is when she’s making the most sense.”

“There’s no way she can ride. We should leave her here.”

“Then I stay too,” Curry challenged.

“I can ride.” Vic stated flatly. “I can ride a horse in my sleep.”

Curry nodded at Heyes, “I’ve seen it. It’s only when she’s awake that she falls off.”

“We need to leave in the morning, because it’s going to rain in the afternoon to wash out our tracks. Please, God, make them answer the door.” Vic was saying.

The Kid bent down and put the bottle to her lips again. “Drink some more of this, and I’ll answer the door.” He gave her twice the dose as he did the last time.

Heyes tried to talk some sense into the Kid. “IF there’s a bounty hunter out there, we’ll make better time without her along. As long as she’s not with us, he’ll just be after you & me.”

Curry seemed to turn this over in his mind, but shook his head. “We all go or we all stay.”

“I’ll leave without you.” Heyes challenged.

“You’ve never had any problem with women riding with us before, what about Clem?”

“Now you know Clem’s a different story, Kid…”

“Maybe because we were BOTH fucking her?”

Vic raised her hand. “Hello, I’m in the room.”

The Kid felt about two inches tall, he hadn’t wanted Victoria to find that out, especially like this.

“Wow, what was that stuff? All of the sudden it feels like there’s a party in my head.” Vic motioned for the Kid to come closer.
“Bring me my saddlebags, I’ve got an idea.” The Kid complied, only because he knew there wasn’t a gun in it. She reached in, pulled out the money pouch, and motioned for Heyes to join them. She pulled out a packet of money and slapped Heyes in the face with it.

“Madam, you have my attention.” Was all he could say.

“Here’s the deal, I’ll give you five thousand, no...ten thousand dollars to gear up with us in the morning and ride out of town. We’ll go thirty miles east and then turn north until we get to the train. And we’re gonna get wet. Now, what do you say to that proposition?”

“I’d say, do you have the whole ten thousand on you?”

She pulled out another bundle of money and hit him in the other cheek. “I call your bluff.” She said triumphantly.

Heyes looked at Curry and then at the money. “I’ll fold.”

Vic spit into her hand and held it out to Heyes... He regarded it momentarily and looked at Curry.

“She’s kidding, right?”

“I never know for certain, but it doesn’t matter now.” He motioned to Vic, who had passed out in the chair. Curry picked her up and took her back to the bed. He bent down and kissed her forehead. He straightened up, crossed his arms and looked at Heyes.
“We leave in the morning?”

Heyes nodded, “We’re leaving in the morning.”