Gunslinger's Moon (24 page)

He left his post at sunset, assuming Nadi would be finished preparing. She was. Jed was covered in writing. The archaic symbols blended together. “Um, what happens now,” he asked.

Nadi wiped her hands. “We must move him further into the cave. Once the sun is down I will summon the spirits. No one can enter or the ritual will be broken. No matter what happens. Understood?”

“What is going to happen?” Obadiah asked worried.

“I am not fully sure. I have only done this once. Help me move him.”

Beth said, “I’ve got him.” She was easily able to lift him. In her hands he was light and it was like carrying a baby. Gently she laid him in the back.

Nadi had five candles which she lighted. Four were placed to form a square around him. The fifth was positioned on his stomach, held in place by his limp hands. She shooed Beth away. Outside the sun had just set. She chanted.

“She has started,” Beth informed Obadiah.

“I hope it works.”             

Beth said, “I will keep watch.” She set off for the watch point.

Obadiah started a fire. Unable to sleep he watched the flames. Nerves were killing him and despite earlier bravado he could only hope he made the right decision. Before leaving his mother had warned it would be difficult. Her words were as prophetic as her discernment of Jed’s location. Running from town and hiding from vampires was not the successful image he pictured as he went west.

He heard beads clicking as Nadi walked out. “He must not be disturbed.”

“For how long?”

She shrugged as she sat. “Until he wakes. Sunrise should be enough time.”

The night wore on and as the moon moved across the sky, Obadiah found his eyes closing. Nadi fell asleep soon after finishing her work. But for the young man worry and stress kept him up. He tried to convince himself that everything would be fine. Inexorably, his consciousness waned.

It was at that time when Beth said, “Wake up.”

“Uh,” he grunted, instinctively reaching for his guns. After a clumsy moment he drew them. “What is it?” Fire cast light upon Ben. The pudgy man was keeping his distance from Beth. “Ben,” Obadiah said excitedly. “You’re alive!”

Ben grimaced, “Barely. I never thought I’d find this place. I suppose I wouldn’t have if it wasn’t for…her.” He glanced at Beth.

Beth said her eyes fixed on Ben. “I found him wandering alone on foot.”

“How did you know where to look?”  Nadi said, herself attentive.

Obadiah did not understand why they were suspicious. “Calm down. No need to worry. I told Ben about this place days ago.” He holstered his Colt. “What is the town like?”

Ben sat to the fire, holding his hands for the warmth. “I hid while those things terrorized the town. For a couple days I waited, hiding from everybody. Douglas and his hell spawn took over. They keep watch both day and night. Ross is one of theirs. He does most of the enforcing while the sun is out. Traitorous bastard.”

“But how did you escape?” Obadiah was now fresh with excitement.

“It was not that difficult. I waited while the sun was setting. Then I just slipped by the guards. There is only a couple and they like to watch the people.” Ben shuddered. “They always look hungry. Anytime they want to, they grab someone and suck every drop of blood. Mainly they stay around the tavern. Everyone else is drinking as much as they can.” Ben glanced around, “Where is Jed?”

Obadiah jerked a thumb to the cave, “Oh he is in there. He is hurt real bad Ben.”

Ben asked earnestly, “Can I see him? I would really like to talk with him.”

Immediately, Nadi decreed, “No one is seeing Jed right now.”

Beth had her arms crossed. “Might I have a word with you Obadiah?” She hissed his name.

“Oh sure.” He followed her a safe distance from Ben’s earshot.

Her lips were twisted in a scowl. “I do not trust him.”

“Listen he has bad memories with vampires. It is not you, he only needs time to get to know you,” Obadiah placated.              

The attempt failed. “Get to know me? Obadiah there is something about that man I do not trust. He gives me a bad feeling.”

Obadiah sighed, “Gives you a bad feeling. That man was tortured by vampires! Ben I’m sure is feeling much worse. He helped fight the werewolves. We can trust him.”

One of Beth’s eyebrows went up. “Fine.” She strutted to the campfire. Beth sat opposite of Ben. Both she and Nadi kept an eye on Ben.

For his part the pudgy shop owner ignored them. Stretching he announced, “I’m going to hit the sack. Good night.”

Not much later his snoring began. Obadiah shook his head at Beth. He assumed she was going to spend the whole night watching him. He closed his eyes trying to find the peace of mind he had achieved earlier to sleep.

“Obadiah wake up!” For the second time that night, he was awaken. Blearily he opened his eyes to a scuffle. Beth was on the ground holding Ben’s legs as he strained to enter the cave. On the floor nearby was Nadi, blood dripping from her head. Whether she was dead or not, he could not tell.

Ben was raging, trying his best to break free of Beth. His foot slipped out of her grasp. Obadiah lunged forward tripping the vampire. Ben snarled, revealing two fangs. Obadiah nearly let go in shock. Ben was a vampire.

Beth stood up and grabbed Ben by the back of the shirt. “Okay you little-” Grunting, she flung him away as Obadiah released his leg in time.

He sailed a dozen feet. Deftly landing Ben leapt to the horses, mounting one bareback. He kicked the horses and rode. Stunned Obadiah merely watched him ride. Dazed, he scratched his head. Dawn was not far off, only an hour away.

“Your friend was not very friendly. Hopefully the sun will catch him,” Beth remarked checking on Nadi. “She is just unconscious. Thank goodness.”

Brusquely, Obadiah sat down. “No need to say it. You told me so.” At least Jed was undisturbed. They had survived the second attack. He was not sure how many more they could last. Jed had to heal.

Chapter 18

Jed stopped running. His hands drifted to his guns. He looked behind him. Nothing. A vague memory of fighting, battling drifted at the edge of recollection. He had been fighting something. He knew it. What had he been doing? The realization that he had no idea what he just thinking about terrified him. Jed kept walking. Or maybe he just started. This barren wasteland was not only lifeless but colorless. It was likely he was not moving anywhere.

Suddenly fire sprang around him. Four raging beacons. It created light and where there was nothing, he discovered it was black. A bonfire above him lit the area around him, creating a square of light. He felt trapped inside a box. The illuminated area made it seem as if many eyes peered at him. Jed glanced at his feet. Dirt was the surface he stood on. The four fires made the black shadows dance a wild dance. Jed could not shake the feeling it was not because of the flickering flames.

“Who is there?” Jed demanded.

“Smart,” a shadow whispered as it twirled.

“Very smart,” another grudgingly added, twisting.

“He has dealt with the unnatural before,” chuckled a third, spinning.

“Jedidiah Ethan,” the fourth concluded, prancing.

The gunslinger said, “It’s just Jed.” Though the voices sounded the exact same, he each was distinctly different.

“Friends are we?” the first one wondered.

“Hell no,” Jed replied. “But it is my name.”

“What do you want?” He thought it was the second shadow talking. The twisting one. Jed tried to keep his eyes on it, but it moved so fast dancing from one wall to the other.

The second hissed again, “He has no answer.” 

The prancing shadow, the fourth, ordered, “Then read the list.”

“What list?” Jed looked down and saw symbols ripping from his body. Each symbol was a memory, a scene from his life. He remembered everything. He recalled the extreme discomfort the bullets caused as they entered his skin. Immediately his hands felt his wounds. They were dripping blood. He also coughed up blood.

“You have gotten in trouble,” the spinning shadow laughed.

The twisting shadow stated, “You want your wounds healed. Your life saved. A deal.” The last words sounded menacingly.

“I’m not sure about that.” He tried to keep an eye on every shadow. They never stayed together.  “What are you?”

“Is it knowledge you seek? Or life?” The fourth one demanded.

Jed drew his guns. The third shadow giggled, “Will you shoot me?”

“More like all four of you.” The gunslinger answered.

The first shadow said, “There is only one.”

“Looks like four of you to me.”

“Humans,” it sighed, all voices speaking at once.

Then the second voice raged, “Do you wish a deal?”

“Give me a moment to think,” Jed said. He was sure that this was Nadi’s doing. Somehow. Most likely they needed his help. The strange place he was in had no doors. The only way out would be by these shadows. Of course common sense dictated making a deal with the devil was a bad idea.

“Comparable,” the first shadow said, reading his thoughts.

“But hardly the same thing,” the fourth finished. “For your life I will ask for a favor one day. Whatever I command you must do. You cannot refuse or I shall take back the gift. Agreed?”

Jed knew this was a bad idea. Never make an open-ended deal. A philosophy that Jed strongly agreed with. However, most likely Obadiah was in trouble. And if Nadi was arranging this meeting with the shadows then she was in trouble. Naturally that meant it was really Beth in a bind. All of which indicated Hickory was even worse.

“Deal,” Jed said. “Wait!” The shadows paused, the dancing stopped. He vaguely remembered losing his hat on the escape journey. “I also want a hat.”

The third shadow howled in glee. The fire above Jed fell. He held his hands up as it crashed onto him.

Jed opened his eyes. For a moment he thought he was still with the spirits. However, this darkness was real and a tunnel of light came from the other side. It was a glaring light, like staring at the sun. Perhaps I did die, he mused. His wounds had certainly disappeared, along with his shirt. More worryingly so had his guns. Nevertheless on top of his head was a hat. It seemed like the bargain was real.

He supposed he should travel to the light. Standing was difficult, despite the absence of his wounds. He felt as if he had not eaten in days. No strength remained in his limbs. Groaning, he pushed against the wall. It was rock. That meant he was in a cave. Jed could only think of one cave, the werewolf one. Leaning against the rough surface, Jed walked forward tentatively. The walk felt a lot longer than it was. Muscles burned with fatigue from the relatively simple exertion.

There was Beth sitting at the entrance her back to him. “Good morning,” he greeted hoarsely.

Instantly she turned around. Hurriedly she embraced him. It was akin to being hugged by a bear. “Sorry,” she apologized as he groaned.

Nadi said, “It worked.” It could have been a statement or a question. She had a bandage on her head.

“Where is Obadiah,” Jed asked anxiously.

Beth answered, “He is keeping watch.”

The sun was shining brightly so Nadi volunteered to go collect him. Jed eased himself down, electing to sit in the shade. “Can you get me some food? Much obliged.” He studied the piece of dried jerky. It was tough to chew but it felt good to be eating something.

“It is amazing. All of your wounds are gone. No scars at all. But that hat…” She seemed more amazed by the appearance of the hat than his miraculous healing.

“I’ll explain later.” Jed glanced at this body. “It is a shame about the scars. Ladies love them.”             

“You already have plenty.” Beth was right. A mess of scars were strewn all over. She touched a small circular one at the side of his stomach. “What is that from?”

Jed swallowed. “Bayonet.”

“The one on your shoulder?”

It was a short, but thick pale scar. “Spear. It felt a lot like the bayonet, except more painful. Don’t ask where I got it.”

Her finger drifted off delicately. Beth said, “I’ll get your clothes.”

She retrieved his bundle from a saddlebag. A spare shirt replaced his bloody rags. To his dismay his vest had holes in it. Jed buckled his gun belt and tied the holster string to his thigh. He drew the guns. The smooth well-worn handles fit in his palms like gloves. It was comforting to embrace the heavy weight in his hands. Unfinished business with these remained.

Obadiah ran up, wearing the widest grin. “You’re alive!” The young man could have shouted with joy.

Jed had a ghost of a smile. “When haven’t I been?”

“Where did you get the hat?”

Jed took it off, examining it for the first time. It was stiff and sturdy and the dark brown color was not weathered. “Part of a deal.”

“Now we can fight back,” Obadiah declared.

“Not so fast. I’m hazy on what happened while I was out.”

Obadiah explained what happened that night at the town and his episode at the train. The subsequent escape and fighting off the two vampires sent to hunt. Jed was proud to hear Obadiah describe defeating one vampire singlehandedly. Twice. Then Beth told him how she and Nadi left Douglas. Lastly, Jed was informed about Ben. That was the most surprising event. One that made Jed’s knuckles go white.

“Supplies,” Jed said first. “We cannot last here if we have nothing to eat or drink. And we will need that time to plan our next course of action.”

Obadiah clapped his hands in eager anticipation. “So you and me and going to sneak into town?”

“I’ll sneak into town,” Jed corrected. Obadiah’s face fell. “Listen it is going to be hard enough by myself.”

Beth was not happy either. “Are we supposed to wait here?”

Then Nadi said, “I am running low on ingredients.”

Jed raised his hands. “Calm down everyone. I need a quick look around town is all. I will be back tonight. Nadi may I have a quick word with you?”

She gave him a suspicious glance. Nodding she followed him outside near the horses. “Are you angry that I summoned the spirits?”

“No, Nadi I am not angry. You said you dealt with them before.” She nodded in affirmation. “What did you ask for?”

Her jawline hardened. “Power. The ability to grow plants anywhere for my potions, among many other abilities.”

“Was the price high?”

“Very.” One word answer, troubling in its succinctness.

Jed saddled, contemplating what he would have to pay. He waved goodbye to the others and rode off. He took another horse to carry the supplies back. The wind rushing by his face, even if it was dry and suffocating, felt good. All the food in the bags was consumed by the time he arrived remotely near Hickory. Drawing out a telescope, Jed studied the rooftops. They appeared clear of any watchers. It was as he expected it. Secretly entering town by day had a better chance of success. Counterintuitive if one ignored a vampire’s propensity to avoid sunlight even if it did not burn. Jed clapped Boy on the neck and approached.

His approach was not a straight line, but a curve so he could ride to the back of the boarding house. The stable would be a good place to hide Boy, as it seemed relatively undisturbed. It was empty save for the horses in their stalls. Finding an empty one, Jed settled Boy. He took the bridle off, leaving the saddle on in case of a quick exit. He made sure there was plenty of food and water in the trough at least.

Jed spun gun in his hand. At the entrance was the boy who worked the stables. The boy froze with a gasp, eyes widened and face pale. From his pocket Jed withdrew a dollar. Gesturing for silence he handed the frightened boy the dollar. Vigorously nodding, the kid took the money. Jed ruffled his hair and moved on.

The buildings were placed close together, little room for gaps. He was able to sneak through the rear. He heard few people walking and assumed most were hoping that hiding in their homes would solve their problems. Jed walked to the last building on the row. It was a small house. He moved to the side and peered onto the street. It was empty, the silence quiet like a ghost time. Almost casually Jed strode to the other side of the street. He ignored any dried blood on the dirt.

Walking to the back of the houses, he moved down the line. He stopped at the back of the sheriff’s office. His eyes tightened. Ross should be inside. Taking a step back, he rushed through the door gun first. The office was empty.  Jed sat behind Carter’s old desk, content to wait for Ross to arrive.

An hour later the door knob twisted open. Ross with a bag hanging from his shoulder paused in the doorway, a natural frown crowning his jaw. “Of course you wouldn’t be dead,” the deputy scoffed.

He was watching Jed’s Colt Peacemaker tapping absently on the desk. The hammer was cocked back, ready to end a life. Jed shook his head saying, “Deputy Ross I did not think you were the type of man to work for vampires.”

Ross tapped the brass badge on his chest. “I’m the sheriff and you’re an idiot,” He stated closing the door.

“Seems to me that you are the one that made a fatal mistake.”

The new sheriff chuckled harshly, placing the bag on the desk. It made an audible bang, indicating it was no light delivery. Ross gestured for Jed to take a look. The gunslinger obliged, keeping a careful eye on Ross. Inside the satchel was a piece of cloth, which upon removal revealed rows of dynamite. Each stick was a thick cylinder tied together with several others.

Ross said, “No thanks to you I was preparing to deal with the vampires alone. Did you expect me to run out onto the street shooting every little thing like you?” He held up his broken fingers. “I’m recovering. Speaking of which I reckon seeing you with a couple more holes.”

Jed lifted the bag testing the weight. It must have weighed a hefty twenty pounds. He ignored Ross’ suspicious eyes, instead covering the dynamite with the cloth. “Where did you get the dynamite?” he asked.

“Hicks. That crazy miner had pounds of it stashed away in his crummy house.”

“I’m surprised he gave you any of it.”

“Well, Jonathon Reed filled him with bullets first. Douglas was not keen on letting that pesky miner live.”

Jed eased the hammer down and slid the Colt in his holster. For the first time Jed felt Ross might be on his side. “What was your plan?”

Ross answered enthusiastically, “Get the vampires all together and blow them up.”

The plan was lacking a few important details, but the heart was there. “Listen there is no point in us fighting. I know you hate my guts and I hate yours. I could use your help and you need mine. Douglas is a much bigger problem. One that won’t go away if we fight.” He extended his hand.

Ross contemplated the idea of working with the gunslinger. Muttering he took the open hand. He squeezed as hard as he could. Jed let him, knowing that constantly trying to one up the deputy’s antics would solve nothing.

Jed said, “Okay I need supplies. I have Obadiah, Nadi, and Beth all waiting for me. Since I cannot be seen in town, you will have to buy everything.”

He paused, hearing a muted scratching noise. It was a recognizable sound, like nails on wood. Gesturing for Ross to be silent, he strained to locate the origin. Then the sound stopped. The gunslinger motioned Ross to whisper. However, his gestures went by unheeded.