To Cross a Wasteland

by Phillip D Granath

  “Where is his fucking rifle sweet tits? His bullets?” he asked.

  Tamara looked down again at the bloody spot on the floor.

  “Yeah, that’s what I thought," Rory said.

  “Tiny, get the boys rounded up, make sure them horses are secured. Then try and get them to stop raping and killing long enough to start a search for that fucking Indian, he can’t have made it too far wounded, that’s one part of her story I actually believe. Keep an eye open for that Chinamen while you’re at it, he better not be dead already. Me and Ricky are taking this one to Murph.”

  “Boss, they aren’t going to listen to me," Tiny objected.

  Rory considered his words for a moment and knew the man was right. His Rangers were a tough lot to deal with under normal circumstances. Rory turned his eye to face the other man. “Okay, Ricky you take sweet tits here back to Murphy’s. You ride like hell, you don’t stop for nothing, not for nobody, especially not for anything that she says," Rory said pointing at Tamara.

  “I got a feeling the boss is going to not be too happy with how bad she has fucked this thing up tonight. She’s in for a world of hurt. You tell him we got the horses and we are looking for the Indian. Then you get your ass back here," Ricky didn’t respond he just stared back at Rory.

  “What about my fun?” the Ranger finally demanded.

  “Fine, when you get back, I’ll let you cut out a couple of the bigger men we have captured, and you can corn hole the fuck out of them. How does that sound you deviant fuck?” Rory shouted.

  “Sounds real good boss," Ricky replied with a grin and grabbed Tamara by the arm.

  “That’s why you’re the one taking her, give her half a chance, and she’ll cut a man’s cock off I reckon," Rory added looking at Tamara as he spoke. The blood-spattered blond gave him a pouty look as Ricky took her by the arm and led her down the stairs.

  Coal landed in a stall of freshly cut wild grass, perhaps his luck was changing, the stall next door held bundles of firewood. He awkwardly slung the rifle over his shoulder with his cuffed hands. Then Indian crawled through the log railing that separated the stalls and into the shadows. That was one thing nice about not being able to put weight on his leg he thought, he definitely going to be keeping as low a profile as possible. He crawled a short distance to the wall and then followed along it. Charlie had always made it a point to leave the space right against the wall free of buildings as the ranch had expanded. It would give Coal a path free of obstruction heading towards the corral, but it would give him nowhere to hide if someone came along and found him.

  As Coal crawled, he realized the noise from around the camp was quieting down. Either that or the blood loss was affecting his hearing. The cries and screaming were fainter, and the shooting had stopped. Coal guessed that the Ranger’s initial bloodlust was sated and that Rory was trying to regain some semblance of order. That would be followed by an all-out manhunt for him, of that he was certain. Coal kept his head down and redoubled his efforts to crawl faster, following the wall in the direction of the corral.

  How long it took Coal to crawl to the corral, he couldn’t say, but as he crawled the sounds of the ranch reverted back to its normal night time quiet. This scared Coal more than the screams and gunfire ever had, those sound were now replaced by muffled voices, men shouting curses. The Indian risked looking up and found that he had reached the corral, but that so had Rory’s men. A pair of lanterns burned on their posts at the far side away from Coal. Three men were dismounted and trying desperately to get a rope around the neck of one of his ponies. The men had the beast cornered and were trying to flush it towards the open gate where another pair of riders waited, it was jumping and kicking wildly. Even in his injured stated Coal could see these men knew nothing about horses and felt pity for the life that awaited his animals.

  He left the wall then and crawled across to the first wooden post of the corral. Coal unslung his rifle and rested the barrel on the crossbeam, trying to take aim at the unsuspecting Rangers with cuffed hands. His focus was interrupted by a hot damp wind that came from the darkness. Coal looked up and found the stars blotted out by the big gray mare. She smelled him and then nuzzled at his neck. He couldn’t help but grin at the old girl’s affection. He lifted a hand and patted her muzzle weakly. He decided on another course of action and shouldered the rifle.

  “Tiny, get that rope on that son of a bitch!” one of the Rangers shouted. Tiny tossed out the rope, again and again, it, fell pitifully short. The other two Rangers still on horseback laughed in response.

  “Keep laughing assholes, you just see how fucking funny it’ll be if Rory and the other guys find that Indian and come back here before we get these horses roped. There will be some hell to pay then I tell you,” his words cut the laughter off quickly.

  In the silence that followed Tiny heard the sound of galloping hooves, he turned to face the darkness of the corral and a gray horse bolted from the shadows. A figure clutching awkwardly to the animal’s side. Coal had undone his tourniquet and now used the belt to lash himself around the horse’s neck. Blood was now pouring freely from the wound across the horse’s flank.

  “What the…” Tiny began, but his words were cut off as Coal rifle fired and the shot struck Tiny squarely in the chest. The large caliber hunting round spun the little man over backward, he was dead before his body completed the flip and he landed hard without making another sound.

  The shot spooked the Ranger’s horses, and they began to kick and buck in surprise. The rest of Coal’s small herd did what herds do, they followed. The big gray mare guided by the barely mounted Indian bolted for the gates of the corral and slipped between the startled rangers. The remaining horses followed behind in a panicked run, forcing the Rangers to flee and blocking any possible shot they had at the Indian. Once free of the corral the other horses began to disperse in confusion and panic but Coal kept the mare running true.

  Up ahead the gates of the ranch came into view, they were still open. A single Ranger was guarding them, he was dismounted and eyeing the approaching horses warily. The man lifted a sword and Coal held his breath, he couldn’t rack the rifle and keep a hold of the running mare. The two men closed on each other in the span of a few heartbeats, the Ranger swung just as Coal shifted his weight to the other side trying to swing clear of the blow and angled the rifle up in front of him. The sword clanged loudly across the barrel of the rifle and shattered into pieces, at that the two men separated. Coal escaping into the darkness of town and the guard dropping to his knees gripping his shattered blade in his bleeding hands.

  Kyle looked down at the rough outline he and Miles had come up with. Miles would first strip the tie-wagon down and try and lose any weight they could. Then he would carefully inspect it and with some luck be able to replace anything that seemed too rotted or rusted to survive the trip. Mile’s was confident though that the wagon would be for the most part in good working order.

  “She was intended to be occasionally used you see, parades and such was the idea, had a full restoration a couple years before the world went lights out," Miles explained again, and Kyle nodded again.

  “And the rest of it?” the Scavenger asked.

  “I don’t think it’ll be too much of a problem. A couple pieces of plywood for the floor. A few 2x4s for the rails and a layer of metal siding. Won’t stop a bullet, but maybe turn an arrow. Lengths of rope and tie down points along the outside to secure packs and blankets and the like. A place inside to secure a couple barrels of water. We’ll rig up a tarp cover for the top, give those riding some shade. Then a few more along the sides so they can be stretched out when we stop, provide some cover for those walking," Miles said reviewing the details of the plan.

  Kyle just nodded his head. “How long?” he asked, his eyes burning with fatigue.

  “By myself, with this leg, a few weeks. Get me a few extra set of hands, men we can trust, maybe a few that know how to use their hands, then maybe just a few days," Miles said
with a nod.

  “I’ll get you the men, do you have everything we need?” Kyle asked.

  Most of it, think the Clinic can spare the tarps or maybe even canvas?” Miles responded.

  “I’ll see what Anna is willing to part with," Kyle replied.

  “When will Murphy be expecting his next drop off of pills?” Miles asked.

  Kyle looked at the old man and gave him a tired smile. “Little less than a week," Kyle replied.

  “I guess that means we don’t have much time to waste," Miles said grinning.

  “I’ll send some men your way at first light," Kyle said and as he turned to leave.

  “Are you going to tell her, about the pump I mean?” Miles asked stopping Kyle in his tracks.

  In truth, he hadn’t even considered it yet. In his heart, he had already written off the people they would leave behind as lost, left to Murphy and his corrupting power. He knew Anna well enough to know she didn’t see things that way. She probably assumed that if they found, something, anything better out beyond the desert that they would send word back. Encourage others to try and follow them out. If she knew the people they left behind were now facing certain death, she might just demand they bring the whole damn town along. It wouldn’t surprise Kyle in the least.

  Kyle shook his head and replied. “Don’t know yet, but do me a favor? Keep it just between us for now.”

  “Will do," Miles replied without looking up.

  It was night edging steadily into the morning as Kyle made his way back across town back towards the Clinic. Earlier, while Miles and Kyle had been examining the wagon, they had heard scattered gunfire from across town. He shook his head at how quickly his perspective had changed, not a week something like that would have worried him. For that matter not a week ago he would never have had considered risking a late night walk home, at least not alone. Oh, but what a week it had been. He had found his treasure, survived whatever the hell that had been in the cave met Coal, ambushed Raiders and became business partners with a crime lord. Kyle shook his head now; he was leading an escape. No, not leading, he drew the line there, he was simply…organizing, an escape. As long as he could get Coal to provide the horses, he may actually pull it off he started to allow himself to hope.

  As Kyle crossed Main Street, he heard the sound of hoof beats coming down the street to his left. They came at a slow walk. Some of Murphy’s men rode horses Kyle knew, they were a tough lot, but they still worked for Murphy. So Kyle continued his walk and kept his head held high. What was the point of making a deal with the devil if you still had to be afraid of his demons?

  Kyle walked passed a burning barrel just as the rider passed him going to opposite way. Kyle turned up meaning to give the thug an unintimidated stare when he realized the man wasn’t riding at all but was slumped awkwardly on the animal's back. As the beast crossed in the light of the fire, he could now see the shimmer of blood across the horse and its butt naked rider.

  “Wwwhhh?” was all Kyle got out before he recognized the hunting rifle hung across the unconscious figures back.

  “Shit! Coal!” Kyle shouted and darted toward the animal. The mare was immediately spooked and began to trot away into the darkness with Kyle right behind her, trying desperately to keep up.

  A half a block later the Scavenger finally caught up with her, when she slowed back down to a meandering walk. Kyle whispered hushed tones to the huge animal, calling her every baby name and sweet nothing he could think of just to get close to her. Finally, he got close enough to run a hand down her mane, it was sticky and clumped with dried blood. Coal was barely holding onto the beast by what looked like his own knife belt. His hands were cuffed together, and he was covered in blood. Kyle raised his fingers to the Indian’s neck, as he watched Anna do a countless number of times and felt for a pulse. He couldn’t tell if he felt anything, not between the horse and his own beating heart. He held his breath and tried again, this time really trying to focus. All he heard was the clatter of more hooves coming down the street.

  Holy shit! Panic raced through the Scavenger, of course, someone would be looking for Coal, alive or dead. The man was carrying a rifle, probably had bullets for it and was on a horse, paydays didn’t come any bigger these days. For half a heartbeat Kyle considered just walking away. Let Murphy, the Rangers, whomever just take the Indian. Coal had told him in no uncertain terms that he would do the same. But Kyle just couldn’t, without Coal’s help, without his horses the plan was over before it began. Taking a deep breath, Kyle gripped the belt in one hand and hauled himself up behind the unconscious Indian.

  With a swift kick the mare launched into a panicked run down the street and into the darkness. Sheer terror fueled by pure adrenaline kept Kyle in the saddle. Coal began to slip sideways and Kyle grabbed a hold of the Indian by his hair and was just able to pull the man back up on the horse. In front of him in the darkness Kyle saw the next burn barrel, marking the street that led to the Clinic.

  “Turn girl, come on turn you bitch!” He shouted as he pulled on the bloody main. To his surprise the horse actual turned and continued their panicked run down the street. Kyle laughed out loud, up ahead he could make out the glow from the burn barrels that marked the Clinic’s front gate. He risked a glance back over his shoulder and just caught a glimpse of another horse, mostly hidden in shadow make the turn at a full run.

  “Shit! Fuck me!” Kyle said to himself spurring the horse on even faster.

  “Dante! Dante! Open the gate, get fucking ready!” Kyle screamed.

  As Kyle watched the front of the Clinic he saw men spring into action, a few running to open the doorway in the fence. Other reading clubs and other weapons, readying themselves for whatever came out of the night. One large man stepped to the center of the gate and raised a weapon to his shoulder.

  “Dante! Don’t fucking shoot me!” Kyle screamed and began pulling back the horse’s head in an attempt to slow the beast down.

  To his relief Kyle saw the big man lower the shotgun just as the slowing horse entered the circle of light in front of the clinic.

  “Kyle! Where did you get a horse? And who’s the naked guy?” Dante asked in surprise.

  “No time, I’m being followed, at least one rider," Kyle said dismounting awkwardly but being careful to keep a firm grip on the still nervous horse.

  To emphasis Kyle’s words the clatter of hooves following him were steadily growing louder. Dante raised the shotgun again ready to fire. Kyle drew his magnum, though with the horse in one hand in doubted he would be much help.

  “If it’s one of Murphy’s then he has to die," Kyle said. Dante shot the Scavenger a meaningful look before aiming back into the darkness.

  “We can’t risk Murphy knowing we have a horse. He’ll kill us for sure if he finds out about the plan," Kyle said in reply.

  The clatter of hooves began to slow from a run and then down to walk. The other two guards exchanged nervous glances, their clubs would do them little good against a Ranger on horseback, even less if he was shooting. The sound of hooves stopped completely, just shy of the light.

  “Who’s there? Come into the light, now or get shot!” Kyle shouted.

  The animal took a few tentative steps forward into the glow of the burn barrels, then Coal’s favorite mule brayed in response.

  “Wake the Doc, get Pauli too, I think this guy is going to need all the help he can get!” Dante shouted

  With the immediate danger over the gate, guards flew into action. Having the sick or wounded arriving unexpectedly in the middle of the night was not uncommon and Dante and his men had plenty of practice. Kyle helped them carefully slide Coal’s still and bloody body from the back of the animal and onto a blanket they used as a stretcher. Dante slid Coal’s rifle from his shoulder and laid it on the ground, followed by his ammo belt. One of the men retied a tourniquet on the Indian’s leg, and within a few moments the group at Dante’s command lifted the stretcher and carried the dying man inside the walls.

/>   Kyle stood alone, awkwardly for a moment, looking from the bloody horse, down to the bloody rifle and then to the mule who watched him casually.

  “I guess…I’ll take care of the animals," Kyle said aloud feeling suddenly useless after all of the excitement.

  The Scavenger scooped up Coal’s rifle and belt and then led the mare through the opening in the fence. It was only intended to be wide enough for a single man to walk through and not until he finally got the gray mare to lower her head, and she was barely able to squeeze through the opening. Once inside Kyle considered just letting her go and then going back out to bring in the mule before he wandered off. But Coal’s mule, apparently use to a life of following and simply followed Kyle and the mare through the opening.

  The clinic was never designed to house animals, the openings between the RVs were narrow and dozens of ropes and cables securing tarps for shade crisscrossed above. This made leading the nervous beast anywhere a nightmare he was on the verge of cutting down a few of the lines when one of Dante’s men ran up.

  “Kyle, Dante says you should come quick,” the man blurted.

  “What’s wrong? Did he die?” Kyle demanded.

  “Uh…no, he’s still alive I think. It’s the Doc,” no sooner had the words escaped the guard’s mouth then Kyle was moving. He shouted over his shoulder as an afterthought. “See to the horses.”

  Kyle ran directly to the clinic his heart racing. One of the service doors to the converted garage had been raised, and Kyle could see Coal was already on one of the gurneys. Dante surrounded by a few of his guards stood in a small circle around Anna just in front of the garage doors. Kyle pushed passed them without a second thought.

  “Anna, you’re ok?” Kyle demanded, cutting off the conversation.

  She looked up at him confused for a moment. “Yes, I’m fine,” she replied.

  Kyle looked at Dante and the rest of the group. None of them would meet his eyes. Something had happened, and then it struck him. Coal was laying on the bed alone, no one was helping him. Kyle turned back to look at Anna.