Hell for Leather

A killer’s moon was rising over the landscape as Zeke whipped his horse hell-bent for leather hot on the trail of the Waggoners who had a day and a half head start on him. All he carried with him were his guns. As he rode, he regretted never telling Alaine that he loved her and he vowed he would do nothing else until he had and God help anyone who got in his way.

Alaine awoke early and walked a little ways out of the camp. Quietly she stood watching the sunrise and thinking about Zeke. She wondered if she would ever see him again. One by one the rest of the travelers woke and prepared to set out.

As she packed camp, Arthur seemed to be struggling with the coach.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“I don’t know.” he answered, “I think there’s something wrong with the axle.” The other travelers began to move away.

“The others are leaving.” observed Alaine.

“We can catch up.” replied Arthur, “As soon as I fix this wheel.” Alaine had never seen Arthur fix anything. In fact, he only seemed to make things worse. Her father’s business. Her life in Boston. Everything.

“Why don’t you go gather firewood.” he said.

“Why?”

“In case we are unable to continue.” he answered, “We’ll need to build a fire.” Alaine didn’t argue. She would be glad to get away from him even for a few minutes and be alone with her thoughts. Her thoughts of Zeke. Happily she went into the pine forest and began picking up kindling all the while feeling that someone was watching her.

When she had gathered a fair amount of wood, she returned to the coach where she found Arthur sitting on a pail with a bottle of whiskey in one hand and a small pistol in the other.

“What are you doing?” she asked, “Did you fix it?”

“Yes,” he answered, “I fixed it. I fixed it all.” Alaine was scared and confused.

“What are you on about?” Arthur took a swig but said nothing for a long time.

“I have to say,” he eventually slurred, “you’re much stronger than I thought you were.” Alaine stood stock still, “This entire endeavor would have been much easier if you weren’t.” Fear rippled through Alaine’s soul and she wished Zeke were there. Her eyes fixated on the pistol in Arthur’s hand. It was small, even smaller than the one Zeke had taught her to shoot, but she was still frightened.

“What are you doing?” she asked. Arthur took another pull of whiskey and finally looked at her.

“You never were very bright.” he said. Alaine dropped the bundle she was carrying and dashed into the forest as Arthur fired two shots after her. She ran as fast as she could with Arthur following close behind her.

“Alaine!” screamed Arthur, “Get back here! Don’t make it harder than it needs to be.” Alaine ran until her lungs were sore. Arthur kept close, thundering through the underbrush firing shots that missed her by a mile.

She burst through the trees and into a small clearing. She could feel him getting closer to her as she struggled to cross the clearing and make it to the shelter of the trees on the other side. It seemed so far away.

Eventually, Alaine could go no further. She stopped and faced her would-be murderer. Her eyes were enough to stop him in his tracks. They stood still, a mere twenty feet separating them. The weight of this betrayal came crashing over Alaine and she felt her heart break a little.

“Why?” she wept, “Why are you doing this?”

“The oldest reason on earth.” answered Arthur, “Money. I need more. I am sorry.”

He raised his pistol and she closed her eyes against it.

Suddenly, a single shot echoed all around them. A massive figure was moving through the woods toward them at high speed. The shadowy rider stopped and dismounted.

“Put that piece down.” said Zeke, Arthur made no move to comply.

“McAllister?” said Arthur.

“Put it down,” Zeke repeated, “or I will kill you. Right here. Right now.” Zeke stepped out of the shadows and Arthur could see the massive size of the pistol that was aimed right at his heart. It was enough to overwhelm any man’s resolve. Without thinking, he dropped his weapon.

“Zeke!” cried Alaine and ran to Zeke’s side, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing his cheek.

“I love you.” he declared before he could chicken out.

“I love you, too.” said Alaine with tears in her eyes, “How did you find me?”

“Does it matter? I always seem to find you somehow.” he said. Alaine smiled. Arthur made a move for his weapon. “I wouldn’t do that.” said Zeke. “On second thought,” he continued after a moment, “if I kill you, Alaine’s a widow and I can marry her, so by all means, pick it up. Make it your wedding present to us.” Arthur seemed drunk and crazy. Zeke was calm. Arthur looked down at his gun and nonchalantly picked it up. Zeke cocked the hammer back.

“Zeke,” whispered Alaine into his ear, “don’t do this. You’re better than this.” Zeke made no reply. Arthur began to chuckle like a madman.

“It’s funny.” he said, “I should have known I’d end up like this.”

“Arthur,” pleaded Alaine, “put it down.” Alaine was watching his hand but Zeke was watching his eyes. What he saw made him uneasy. For too long, they stood there, Zeke aiming at Arthur. Arthur standing there with a gun in his hand and Alaine with her arms around Zeke. It was too much for Arthur to bear. His hand came up.

A thunderous boom erupted from Zeke’s gun and Arthur spun to the ground. Alaine had closed her eyes but now opened them.

“You killed him.” she said quietly.

“No I didn’t.” replied Zeke. Alaine was confused. Zeke walked slowly over to Arthur as though he were strolling through a park. Arthur was lying on his back, holding his right shoulder and groaning.

“You missed.” he managed to hiss between gasps of pain.

“No.” said Zeke, holstering his gun, “I didn’t.” Alaine, who had been frozen in shock, finally thawed out and ran to Zeke’s side.

“You didn’t kill him?” she still wasn’t sure what to think.

“Well,” sighed Zeke, “I figured if old Smythe is half as good at lawyering as he seems to be, then killing this son of a bitch would be just doing him a favor. I’ll let Smythe take care of him.” Alaine threw her arms around Zeke’s neck.

“Never leave me again.” she begged.

“Don’t worry, darling.” he replied, wrapping his arms around her, “I ain’t going anywhere. Not without you.” Zeke whistled to his anonymous horse who dutifully obeyed and trotted to his rider. The three of them turned away from Arthur.

“You can’t just leave me here.” moaned Arthur, struggling to his feet.

“You’ll be fine,” answered Zeke without looking back, “even with that limp.” Arthur was confused.

“I don’t have limp.” Arthur replied. In one smooth motion, Zeke turned, drew his pistol and fired. The expert shot hit Arthur in the leg where it would do little more than hurt like a sonofabitch.

“I will not abide a man calling me a liar.” Arthur fell to the ground moaning. “Be quiet, you sissy.” admonished Zeke as he turned to leave.

“You’re absolutely incorrigible.” smiled Alaine.

“Probably.” said Zeke.

Zeke loosely tied his horse to the wagon, which wasn’t actually broken and turned it back towards town.

“What do we do now?” asked Alaine as the horses pulled them forward to the horizon.

“Whatever we want. We’re free.”

With the setting sun behind them, the landscape before them was lit with a heavenly, golden glow and for the first time in a very long time, Zeke was at peace. His home, now and forevermore, was sitting beside him, holding onto his arm and resting her head on his shoulder.

THE END