3. Dodge

"What the Hell is wrong with you?" Thomas yelled over the roaring wind as he gripped the reins of his buckskin mustang who went by the name of Trotter.

"Save your speech, Tom," She yelled back. Her blue roan mustang, Mist, ran gracefully and quickly, the open fields of wildflowers seemed to shine underneath the high noon sun. Behind them, shouting could be heard from Abilene, a town that seemed so close yet so far behind them.

Thomas glanced back, only to see a small city outline. He thanked the greater graces that Cassidy was quick on her feet and quickly made their exit, there was just one thing Thomas didn't understand.

"And why did you bring him?" He nodded towards Teo. Warm Kansasan wind blew harshly once more, cumulonimbus clouds painted the far western sky.

"Him has a name," Her sass kicked in, that wildfire simmering in her eyes. Teo glanced between the two before clearing his throat.

"Mateo, or just Teo... Whichever you prefer sir..."

"Thomas Witt,"

"Sir Witt."

*

"We don't have much," Cassidy smiled towards Mateo, quickly glancing at his scarred hands. "But it suffices."

Thomas, who already ate and read two passages of the Bible, watched Mateo closely. Thomas was no stranger to jealousy, and to him, Mateo was no exception; even if Cassidy had no affectionate feelings for the kid. Instead, Thomas busied himself building a small fire, the orange and ruby flames protected by the trees above. Kansas rain fell gently now, the wind had died down a tad, and thunder boomed in the near distance. Cassidy gripped her canteen, the water within it low and she was sure it would not quench her thirst.

"I'll be at the river, water runnin' low." Thomas nodded as she walked past him, a small pat to his shoulder and a smile, Cassidy headed towards the nearby river.

"And," Thomas continued his quiet prayers, snapping twigs and foliage, feeding the fire. "Have mercy on all of those whose sin, for Father, we know not of what we've done, but what we have fail-"

"Do you talk to yourself often, Mr.Witt?" Mateo asked, running one hand through his black locks, his stomach growled quietly from lack of food.

"Praying," Thomas pushed his spectacles up the ridge of his nose and watched the trees behind the fire, silently praying their night would be quick and peaceful.

"'Cuse me?" Mateo sat down next to Thomas, after laying down his own jacket. Mud was always so cold, even in the summer.

"Prayin' to God," Thomas, now finally relaxing, looked over to Mateo. "Don't 'cha believe in God?"

Mateo opened his mouth to speak when a cry broke short.

"Tom?" Cassidy's voice suddenly arose. "Tom!" Cassidy shrieked as Thomas jumped up. Mateo pawed at his side knife as he quickly stood and started running towards the river; Thomas grabbed his shotgun, loaded it, and made way after Mateo.

"Please," Cassidy cried as a man gripped her arms and bound her wrists painfully behind her back. Lose strands of her hair wisped in and out of her face as the wind picked up, rain started falling harshly. Cassidy cried out for Thomas again and again before she was gagged and everything went black.

*

Morning air after the storm was crisp and cool, often a sign of an early autumn. Birds chirped quietly as the sun was covered in a blanket of clouds, smells of fresh grass and rain flooded the Kansas plains.

Opening both eyes slowly, Cassidy was met with the sight of an open prairie and gentle rolling landscape. Pain danced it's way through her body, comfort scarce and warmth barren. Will I die, Father? Cassidy thought to herself, not being able to trust her mouth. Maybe, she moved her eyes up to look at the clouds, then closed them again, Thomas was correct - shall I ask for forgiveness or am I too late?

Footsteps then sounded, and for once in Cassidy's eighteen years of living she trusted God more than herself. A very translucent shadow was then casted upon her closed eyes.

"Ma'am," To her surprise, the accent was Southern not Native. "Can ya' hear me?" Hardly...

A hand then touched her shoulder, Cassidy opened her eyes as she jumped, then closed them once more.

"Woah, there," The accent was like molasses, slow drawn and lazy. "Let me just roll ya' around here," Cassidy's pain intensified as she was then rolled onto her back, a whine escaped her mouth, something - someone said something but whoever it was must've been far away because the words mingled together and were extinguishable.

"I know, I know," The voice spoke again. "Can you open your eyes?"

Peeling her blue eyes open, Cassidy saw a man. Blinking a few times, she spoke, "Are you an angel, sir?" Laughter filled her eyes, another small gust of wind blew.

"No ma'am," The man smiled, Cassidy's vision still blurry as her head ached profusely. "I'm just a troubled negro,"

"Ade," Another voice cut in. "How is she? Dodge is gettin' all-" A short pause, a low whistle. "She sure is a beaut."

"Wayne," Who I assumed was Ade speaking, said, "She's awake."

"Oh," A small chuckle. "Sorry 'bout that Ms.Lady, I'mma better shooter than man,"

Cassidy's vision went black once more. Thomas, who sat on the ground far away but close enough to see his friend, looked up to the man he now knew as Dodge. Dodge was tan, black haired, tall, and built.

"Ya' know," Dodge started, his rugged voice loud and clear. Thomas rubbed his own brown eyes, his spectacles lost in last night's tumble. "When I found you people out there, fightin' 'em bastards, it was all thanks to you."

Dodge met Thomas' brown eyes with humor as he started to laugh, smoke from Dodge's cigar flew in the air. Thomas looked at the still asleep Mateo and back to Dodge.

"Is that so?"

"Yeah," Dodge coughed and stomped out his cigar, then stood and put his black hat on. "You scream like a little girl,"