The Path One Follows

Guns And Ghosts

Grant watched the unknown group move across the plains. They didn't understand the physics of a wagon and went at a pace that would easily result in a busted axle.

There were people running towards the group. His breath caught as he realized that their hiked skirts identified them as women. These Hunters would take them in alright, only returning them after they'd had their fun. It was disgusting. Grant wanted to get on a horse and kill those men. They would deserve it. These peons always seemed to have low morals and lusty intentions.

There was nothing to do for it right now. He couldn't endanger the others, but the hate that spawned made it an inevitability that they'd not survive his ride back.

Without any warning, gunshots rang across the plains. Grant stood still long enough to watch the enemy caravan. They had noticed the shots, but the echo had them confused as to the direction of them.

Grant ran back to the group and found a nightmare. Tad and Frank were bleeding on the ground. Frank Jr. was holding the side of his face as if he'd been hit with a hand. A couple of others were on the ground, and Tim was gone.

Junior was near hysterics.

"Grant... he took ma. He went towards the mountainside. He....he shot Tad and Pa....It all happened too fast... please.... help my mom..."

The boy fell to the ground sobbing. He'd really have to have a conversation with Tad about talking too much. He'd forgive him if he survived his injuries. There was nothing to do but track the man.

"Everyone! Listen up! I'm going after Jolie. I need you to take positions at the edge of the copse and if that caravan out there comes close, you get out those guns and you fight! No one else is getting hurt! Well, don't just gawk! Greg and Simon! Take postions at the edge! NOW!!"

He'd underestimated the shock that him speaking would have on everyone. They snapped back to it when he raised his voice.

Greg and Simon took off at a reluctant sprint. The rest of the men started pushing wagons into a defensive perimeter. They'd gathered their guns with the women and children. These farmers were better than militia men when put to purpose. There was no time to waste.

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Tim dragged Jolie by the arm. When she struggled too much, he backhanded her to the ground.

"You may as well give up, ma'am. I'm pretty sure you're a widow now. Lucky for you I left the boy alive. I mean only because I ran out bullets, but he's still alive. When we get to my hideout, I'll show you what its like to be pleasured by a real man."

Jolie felt hopeless. Had the man really killed Frank? She fought the despair as it threatened to pull hey under. She had to escape.

The hideout wasn't far. As the mountain started to rise, there was a strange cave carved at an impossible angle. It was the perfect place to hide from sight.

As Jolie was dragged in, Tim threw her to the floor. There was a large rock he slid into place to hide them from view.

"Well Miss, I hope you're ready for a good time. "

As he started removing his own clothes, Jolie was beginning to panic. When Tim walked into range, she started flailing wildly. Tim pushed his way closer and hit her hard enough to her disoriented. Jolie was completely still.

"Was that so hard? Id hoped you wouldn't put up so much fight", the words slid slyly through anger as he began removing her clothing, "I prefer a little struggle, but I'm fine taking you like this."

She was rolled to her stomach as he began to remove her undergarments. Jolie was too disoriented to scream. A falling pebble was the only warning. He tried to turn, but his head was between two hands as the sound of a snapping twig reverberated through the cave.

"f**k you, Tim. Enjoy hell!"

Grant really was a ghost. He'd moved the giant rock without a sound. He'd remember this hideout. It was the smartest thing about the deceased man.

"Miss Jolie. Are you able to move?"

Asking if she was alright wasn't necessary. Who could be after all that?

"Are you going to hurt me too?"

The resignation in her voice hit him in the heart that he didn't believe he still had. He covered up her hindquarters and tried to spare her anymore assaults to her dignity.

"No ma'am. I know we've never spoken before, but my name's Grant. I'm the one that's been traveling with your caravan. I've come to take you back. I know you've been hurt, but I need you to get dressed fast. I have to get back to make sure everyone is protected."

Slowly turning, she looked at the man. At Grant. The shock of him speaking wasn't enough to rid her of her turmoil, but it gave her enough focus to concentrate on what he'd said.

"Grant, is my husband dead?".

"Get dressed and we will find out together. "

He stepped outside to let her arrange her garments. The whole situation made him dwell on Lucille. Had she been treated that way before they killed her. Rage bubbled inside him. Jolie was startled when she came out and saw his eyes.

"Are you ok? I appreciate your concern, but don't put yourself out over my shame. It's my cross to bear, sir."

This woman had to be carved from stone and filled with dynamite.

"I was thinking about my wife. Seeing you treated like that reminded me of what they did to her, but I wasn't meaning disrespect to you at all. Let's get moving."

They took off at a run. It was a good two miles back to the camp and they needed to get there quickly. Seeing the copse in the distance, the sound of gunfire rang again from the trees.

"Listen Miss Jolie, I need you to wait here. I'll take care of the bandits. "

"Give me that damn shotgun you've got on your back and I'll gladly help you kill all of them."

"I promise I'm in no way trying to say you aren't capable, but your boy is in there. I didn't come for you only to have you shot by these trigger- happy jackasses. We don't have enough information to come up with a plan. I'll leave you the shotgun. If anyone gets by me, by all means, kill them, but I need you to trust me to rescue everyone. This is what I'm here for."

The earnestness in his words calmed her enough to see sense in the plan.

"No survivors, Grant."

There was no arguing against her level of determination.

"You're damn right. Not one. Miss Jolie."

"Please, you can call me Jolie. You just saved me from that man. Id say you've now than earned the right to skip formality."