“Where the hell is JD?” a very annoyed Buck asked.
“He’ll be along eventually,” Vin replied easily, hoping to calm his big friend down.
“He’s got patrol tonight. He’s supposed to be headin’ out NOW,” the mustached man retorted. “When I get my hands on that boy….”
“I saw him ridin’ out with Casey earlier,” Vin said, hoping JD’s romantic life might offer a reasonable excuse in Buck’s eyes.
He was right. Buck’s attitude softened.
“Well, I guess courtin’ a lady’s a good excuse for bein’ late,” he ceded.
Vin laughed and offered, “Tell you what, Buck. I’ll take the patrol tonight for ‘im. Ain’t got nothin’ better to do anyhows.”
“You sure?” Buck asked.
“Let’s just say JD will owe me one,” the tracker replied mischievously, before heading for the livery.
Vin and Buck talked amicably while the younger man saddled his horse and gathered some supplies for the night. As Vin mounted up outside the livery, he tipped his hat to Buck.
“See ya in the mornin’, Buck,” he said.
“You be careful, now,” Buck told him, patting the horse’s flank.
“I will,” Vin replied, heading out of town.+ + + + + + +
The Seven’s duties called for making daily rounds patrolling the ranches surrounding Four Corners. As Vin rode, he reflected on those duties. He felt good about what he and the others did, helping folks. He’d met up with lots of people in his brief lifetime that could have used the help of men such as he and the other six. And as much as he told Buck that JD would “owe him,” he really didn’t mind taking the night patrol. It was either that or he’d spend his night losing money to Ezra in a card game or just head out for a night ride, anyway. This way JD at least got the benefit of Casey’s company.
He stopped at the Beck ranch. The widow, Mrs. Beck, was still up, sitting on the porch.
“Evening, Mr. Tanner,” she greeted him.
“Evenin’ ma’am,” he returned. “Up late tonight,” he remarked.
“Just waiting on the boys,” she replied. “I worry about them getting into trouble when they stay out late.”
Vin chuckled at her statement. He’d had some run-ins with the Beck boys - they attracted trouble like magnets. At least one of the four would wind up with a black eye or two after a night in town. A couple of them given by him, he realized, and looked down, away from the woman.
“Oh, don’t you feel guilty, Mr. Tanner,” she admonished. “Those boys probably deserved anything they got from you.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he replied, giving her a shy smile. “You’ll be alright tonight?” he asked.
“I’m fine,” she said. “I do thank you for stopping by and checking, though,” she added.
“Good night, ma’am,” he said, touching the brim of his hat as he headed back out into the night.+ + + + + + +
JD woke up to darkness. He looked around and bumped into Casey’s sleeping form next to him.
“Oh, shit!” he cursed, sitting up quickly, waking up Casey.
“What’s wrong, JD?” she asked, stretching.
“We fell asleep, that’s what’s wrong!” he replied, getting up off the grass.
“So? It ain’t the first time we’ve fallen asleep out here next to the pond,” she responded.
“But I’m supposed to be on patrol tonight,” he explained, heading over toward their horses.
“Oh,” Casey replied, feeling guilty, now.
“Man, Buck’s never gonna let me hear the end of this one,” JD muttered, helping Casey up onto her horse. “I’ll take you home first, then head back to town, checking things out as I go.”+ + + + + + +
Vin figured it was around midnight when he saw the campfire. He heard what sounded like an argument.
“I saw her first! I stole a lot of money to get her! She’s mine!” one man shouted.
“But I’m the one she agreed to, Charles,” the second retorted quietly.
“Now, little lady,” the first man called. “Who’s it gonna be? Me or Jamie?” he asked, mockingly emphasizing the other man’s name.
Vin decided to check them out from a distance first, not wanting to get caught in the middle of obvious trouble. He rode his horse to the east of the small camp, to a low bluff. There he dismounted and took out his spyglass. Lying on the ground he scanned the area, checking the layout of the camp, counting the horses. He spotted the two men he’d heard arguing and a third person, a woman, the subject of their argument. The first man, Charles, looked to be about forty or so, but had a gangly look to him, like a skinny teenager, Vin thought. He looked a little familiar. The second man, Jamie, was younger. Bigger too, Vin saw. He thought he could give Josiah and Buck runs for their money. He must have been at least six feet six. He had a snobbish attitude to him. ‘Kinda like Ezra,’ he mused, smiling. Then there was the woman. Vin watched her carefully, trying to discern whether or not she was there of her own free will. When she seductively removed her dress, he decided that she was indeed there willingly. That was when he heard the distinctive click behind his head.
“You move and you’re dead,” the gravelly voiced owner of the gun threatened.
“I ain’t movin’,” Vin replied carefully, cursing at himself for not hearing the man approach.
“She sure is pretty, ain’t she?” the man asked, knowing what had distracted Vin.
He shoved the barrel of the gun against Vin’s neck, threatening him further, and took the mare’s leg from its holster. He quickly searched the sharpshooter for other weapons. Vin cursed inwardly when the man found the knife in his boot.
“I’m good at what I do,” he said, reading Vin’s reaction.
He got up, releasing the pressure on Vin’s neck, allowing him to turn over and sit up. Vin saw that the gun barrel was still trained on him, though. He looked up at the man. His looks matched his voice. He was a grizzly looking man, probably about fifty, Vin surmised.
“What do you want?” Vin asked. “I ain’t got any money,” he said.
“I want to know what you’re doin’ here, spyin’ on us,” the man said.
Vin was just about to reply when one of the men at the camp shouted out, “Jed! You alright?”
“Yeah, Jamie!” Jed replied. “Got me a spy up here! I’m bringin’ him down!”
“Jameson! My name is Jameson!” came the annoyed response from the camp.
After a brief chuckle, Jed grabbed Vin by the collar and dragged him to his feet. He shoved him forward toward the camp. Vin felt the barrel of the gun several times as Jed pushed him down the side of the bluff, before Jameson.
“So, we got us a spy?” the tall man mused, meeting Vin and Jed at the camp’s edge. He leaned in close to the tracker and whispered, “You like to watch, huh?” giving him a wink.
“Look, I was out ridin’ and I heard some shoutin’,” Vin began to explain, ignoring the man’s remark. “Just wanted to check y’all out, see if anyone needed help, is all. You give me my stuff back and I’ll be on my way.”
“Oooh, a hero!” Jameson exclaimed giddily.
Vin eyed the man warily. Something about his demeanor sent a chill down Vin’s spine. He was not like Ezra. Not at all.
Jed saw a look of recognition in his other partner’s eyes and asked, “You know him, Charlie?”
“He’s a lawman of some sorts,” Charlie replied. “Saw him when we met up with Miss Emma, here, in Eagle Bend,” he added, pulling the woman close.
Vin looked over at the man and woman. Remembered now why he looked familiar. Buck had been vying for a woman’s attentions when Charlie cut in. Apparently he’d had more spending money than Buck. Not that Buck was one to mind. He just looked toward the other five women working in the saloon. Jameson stepped closer to Vin and looked him over. Vin stood his ground, looking up to meet his gaze.
“I ain’t never had me a lawman,” Jameson mused, removing the hat from Vin’s head.
He twirled the ends of Vin’s hair in his fingers before Vin ducked out of his reach.
“Like I said,” Vin began, glaring at Jameson. “Just give me my stuff and I’ll be on my way,” he finished just before Jameson backhanded him.
“From now on, you talk when I say you can,” Jameson told him as Vin wiped blood from the corner of his mouth. “Tie him up,” he ordered Jed and Charlie as he turned to the woman standing quietly by.
“Fuck you!” Vin shouted at Jameson as Charlie yanked his coat off and pulled his arms behind him.
He watched the tall man turn back to him and waited for another backhand as Jed and Charlie tied the ropes tightly around his wrists and forearms. But the strike didn’t come.
Instead, Jameson leaned in close to him and whispered, “I’m afraid you’ve got it all wrong, lawman. I’m going to fuck you.”+ + + + + + +
By the time JD made it back to Four Corners, most of the town had already closed up and gone to bed for the night. He watched as Ezra bade the Beck boys a good evening, thanking them for their generous donations. He rode toward the saloon and the gambler.
“Well, good morning, Mr. Dunne,” Ezra greeted him. “Aren’t you supposed to be out on patrol?” he asked.
“Got a little distracted,” he replied, embarrassed. “I’m heading out now, though,” he added.
“Well, you take care of yourself,” Ezra told him, heading back into the saloon.
“Good night, Ezra,” JD replied, heading over to the jail to check things out before heading back out of town.+ + + + + + +
Jameson caught the look of uncertainty in Vin’s eyes and smiled evilly. Seeing his expression, Vin was no longer uncertain. He spit in the man’s face, only to be punched in the stomach for it. He doubled over, dropping to his knees as he gasped for breath.
“On your knees already?” Jameson asked lightly. “My, you are eager,” he added, backhanding him again.
Grabbing Vin by the hair he pulled it back, forcing the tracker to look at him. Vin struggled, but could not escape the man’s grasp. He was still keenly aware of Jed and Charlie’s proximity and their guns, too.
“Well, Charles, it looks like you’re going have to fight with Jed for Miss Emma’s attentions, now. I’ve got somebody else to tend to,” the tall man said with a smile.
Jed and Charlie looked at each other and shook their heads, snickering knowingly. They didn’t understand their cohort’s strange desires, but he was good with a gun and had the brains to keep them all out of jail, so they just let him get his jollies and minded their own business. They watched as Vin was dragged toward the edge of the camp. They heard a noise behind them and were reminded of their other guest as they saw Miss Emma standing, waiting patiently for them.
“Time is money, gentlemen,” she said with a smile.+ + + + + + +
JD eventually wound up following and then riding with the Beck boys, making sure they made it home alright. While they surprisingly made it out of town without getting into a fight, they still had had too much to drink. JD saw Mrs. Beck on the porch, hands on her hips, ready to give the boys their usual lecture. He’d heard it a few times, this not being the first time he’d brought them home.
“Mr. Dunne? That you?” Mrs. Beck called.
“Yes ma’am,” he replied. “Don’t be too hard on ‘em. All they did was get drunk and lose their money gamblin’ tonight,” he said, smiling.
“I thought Mr. Tanner would be the one to bring them home. He stopped by earlier tonight on his rounds,” she said.
“Vin’s patrolling?” JD asked, suddenly feeling even guiltier than before.
“Why, yes,” she replied. “He stopped by several hours ago.”
“Thanks, ma’am,” he said. “Good night, ma’am,” he added, tipping his hat as he turned his horse away from the house.
‘Shit!’ JD swore to himself. ‘Not only am I late, but Vin took over for me. Shit!’ he swore again.
Resigning himself to continue on the patrol, hoping to meet up with Vin and relieve him, he cheered up a little, realizing that he was lucky it wasn’t Buck that took over the patrol for him.+ + + + + + +
Vin fell to the ground with a resounding thump. Unsuccessful at keeping his head from hitting first, he felt the sharp pain as it hit the rocky ground, cutting his cheek. He stayed down, disoriented for a moment. Then Jameson’s voice brought him back to the present.
“So tell me, lawman,” he began. “You a virgin?” he asked, laughing as he yanked down the back of Vin’s pants.
Enraged, Vin managed to get to his knees and reared back, head-butting Jameson, knocking the man off balance. He tried to get to his feet, hoping to get a few kicks in before running, but Jameson recovered quickly and grabbed Vin by the ankle and pulled. Vin landed hard, his bound hands and arms taking most of the impact. Before he knew it, Jameson was on top of him, unbuttoning his pants.
“You’re a fighter, lawman. I’ll give you that,” he said, starting to unbutton his own pants. “It’s nice to have a challenge once in a while.”
With that said, he rolled his victim onto his stomach and finished what he’d started, this time grabbing a handful of Vin’s hair first and holding his head up with it with one hand and pulling the tracker’s pants down further with the other. Vin cried out as more sensitive parts of his anatomy were ground into the rocky dirt.
“I like the long hair, lawman,” Jameson remarked. “Makes it so much easier to hang on to you. Like reins on a horse,” he added, laughing menacingly.
Vin knew what was coming next, and despite his body's painful protests and the restraining hold Jameson had on him, he struggled even more to get free.
“I’ll kill you! I swear it!” he shouted, before adding some Comanche curses as well.
“Oh, such savage words! I’m afraid that just excites me all the more, lawman!” the big man returned.
Vin tried to kick him, but between the man’s weight and his own pants binding his knees, it was impossible. He was about to threaten him again, but instead of more Comanche curses, a loud cry of pain escaped Vin’s mouth as he felt Jameson force his way into him, searing through him like a hot knife.
“Oh, you are a virgin!” Jameson exclaimed. “Those nasty Indians didn’t corrupt you.”
Vin held his tongue, refusing to reply anymore to Jameson’s verbal taunts, concentrating instead on trying to hold in the pain he was feeling, not wanting the bastard to know just how much he was hurting. Vin thought he was being torn in two from the inside out as the assault continued. He felt his skin and tissues being viciously ripped open with every driving thrust. Nausea overcame him as he felt blood trickle down his legs. The bile burned his throat and he threw up what little had been in his stomach. He tried once again to summon the strength and means to throw Jameson off of him, but they did not come. Suddenly, Jameson tightened his grip on his hair, yanked his head back with it, and let out a triumphant cry as he came, spilling himself into Vin.
“There now, that wasn’t so bad, was it?” he gasped, breathing heavily as he let go of Vin’s hair.
“Fuck you,” Vin whispered weakly before his face landed in the small puddle of vomit.
But Jameson just laughed as he slid out of Vin. He leaned on Vin’s sore, bound wrists to get up off the ground, eliciting a slight moan from his victim. He looked down at Vin and was satisfied with himself. After cleaning himself up he squatted down next to the tracker.
“That was pretty damn fun, lawman!” he said, ruffling Vin’s hair. “I’ll have to look you up again next time I’m in these here parts,” he added before walking toward his friends.
Vin watched wearily as he departed. He again struggled against his bonds and again was unsuccessful. He managed to get to his knees, but with his pants pulled down and stuck between them, his effort to get to his feet only landed him flat on the ground again. He squeezed his eyes shut in an attempt to block out the pain.+ + + + + + +
JD continued riding. He thought he had picked up Vin’s trail but wasn’t sure. Even though the nearly full moon made the night bright, he was no tracker. Not like Vin. He followed it to a small bluff and stopped short as he found Vin’s horse ground tied. He looked around for Vin, but didn’t see him. He checked the horse and its tack. Found them to be alright. He left his horse with Vin’s and climbed the small bluff. At the top, he kicked something. Hearing the metallic ring as the object hit a rock made him stop and look. There, at his feet, was Vin’s spyglass. JD looked around wildly now, knowing that Vin would never leave his spyglass behind. He opened the instrument and scanned the area, hoping the moonlight was enough to let him find his friend. Finally, he spotted something. Down below, a dark shadow appeared on the ground. It had to be Vin. JD rushed down the side of the bluff, nearly tumbling in his haste.
“Vin!” he shouted.
He was silently relieved when he saw Vin moving, struggling weakly to get free of his bonds. He was alive. But JD stopped short when he got close and got a good look at his friend. He froze at the sight.
“Vin?” JD whispered, not knowing what else to say to the half naked, blood covered man at his feet.
“JD?” Vin croaked, relieved at the sight of his friend. “Get me loose,” he ordered, as embarrassment replaced relief and he realized the condition and position the boy had found him in.
JD immediately dropped to his knees and took out his pocketknife. He quickly cut the ropes and sat back, not knowing what else to do. He watched as Vin brought his arms forward, hissing in pain at the movement.
“Vin?” What happened?” he asked, already knowing, but not wanting to believe.
When Vin didn’t respond, JD put a tentative hand on his shoulder. Vin flinched at JD’s touch, but finally made eye contact with him.
“Who did this?” JD asked.
“Nobody,” Vin replied as he painfully rolled over and tried to pull up his pants.
He was failing miserably, the pain from the assault overwhelming his movements. Soon he was lying on his side, panting from the effort. JD moved toward him cautiously, hoping to help. But Vin just glared at him, visually telling his young friend to back off.
“Who did this?” the younger man asked again, getting angrier now, seeing how hurt his friend was.
“Nobody did nothin’,” Vin said, renewing the effort of pulling up his pants.
“Vin! I just found you tied up, hurt and bleeding and you tell me ‘nobody did nothin’’ to you?” JD balked, looking expectantly at Vin. “Come on,” he said, moving to help the sharpshooter again. “We gotta get you to Nathan’s.”
“NO!” Vin growled through clenched teeth.
“Vin, you’re hurt!” JD countered.
“NO!” the tracker repeated. When he saw JD’s confused look, he added, “Would you want anyone else to know you got took?!”
JD looked at Vin. Saw in an instant the pain and humiliation he had suffered by someone else’s hand. He saw just how much it had hurt just to tell him those words – that he’d been taken by another man.
“Let me help,” he said softly, changing his demeanor. “Please.”
Vin looked carefully at JD and nodded, giving in.
“Stay here,” JD said, rising. “I’ll go get the horses. Then we’ll get you over to the stream and clean you up.”