Chris was up and dressed before sunrise. The others were in various stages of waking except for Ezra who was still sleeping soundly. Chris crossed the camp and used his boot to kick softly at Ezra's bedding. " Ezra. Come on let's get going." Ezra opened one eye and started to say something but saw the look on Chris' face and thought better of it. When everyone was dressed they ate a breakfast of jerky and water while they searched for any signs of Vin's presence.Nathan was the one who found it first. "Here, Chris. Over here. What's this look like to you? " Pointing down the others saw a set of footprints pointing north next to an area of old blood and gutted deer meat. Shuffled around it were several other footprints all much larger than the single set. Chris and Buck studied them carefully. "Looks like Vin was dressing out that buck when some men joined him. " Chris stated as he made his way toward the edge of the clearing. "Here. Looks like the men mounted horses and Vin was walking . . . or running behind them."
"I don't like the looks of this Chris. Why would three men take Vin? Ya think they were bounty hunters?" Nathan asked as he walked up leading his horse.
"Hard to tell Nathan. Could have been almost anyone, but the horses aren't shod. Might be Indians, renegades . . . I don't know anyone. Only way to find out is to follow the tracks. So let's get moving. JD, you and I will follow the tracks. Ezra, Josiah ride out to the right and Nathan you and Buck ride to the left. Keep just out of sight as much as you can. Let's be sharp. Whoever took Vin could just as easily get us. These woods are thick. Lot's of places to hide. "Hold on Vin. " Chris whispered. "I'm coming to get you."
+ + + + + + +
Vin was holding on but barely. Between the fever and the frequent changes of the flaxen dressing in his rectum, he had gotten little resting sleep. Nothing was taking all the pain away. He could no longer move his fingers and his arms hung above him like dead weights. He had finally given up and taken water from the woman but refused the soup she had brought him. The smell had made his stomach turn and he was too exhausted to eat. All of his energy was focused on keeping the pain from taking over his entire being.
+ + + + + + +
Chris saw the clearing before the others. They had followed the tracks, noting the place where Vin had fallen and was dragged and the pace had slowed down. Coming over a hill in the woods, the shack and its outbuildings stood bare in the evening light. "Hold it." Chris whispered. He signaled to the others who rode in to join up. Together they surveyed the layout. Noting the six horses in the corral and the fire burning in the stove, it was clear the place was occupied. Since there was no cover to move safely to the shack, they decided to make camp and wait until dark to check the place for Vin.
Inside the shack, Vin was sleeping. The woman and Esau had just done a dressing change. The woman was satisfied that the bleeding had almost stopped but for Vin the pain just continued. The flax was soothing after they were finished, but seeing Esau standing with his hands at Vin's groin brought bile to the back of his throat. Alternating between chills and flashes of radiating heat, Vin fought for the darkness that would bring him relief. He just had to stay alive now, he knew, he could feel that Chris was on his way to help him. He had nothing to base it on just a deep feeling of faith in the man he loved, Chris Larabee.
Chris Larabee was at this moment making his way crouching low across the open space toward the shack. Staying close to the building he looked into the window along the west side. He could make out the figures of two men and one young woman sitting around a table. An older woman stood at the stove stirring something in a pot. His eyes moved around the room searching for signs of Vin.
Chris was getting ready to move and check out another window when a large man, bigger than Josiah came out of a back room carrying a bowl. "Ma, I'm getting mad now. You promised he'd be ready to play with again today and he ain't. Couldn't even get him woke up enough to make him drink. You promised."
The woman turned and yelled at the large man. "Ain't my fault you done tore him! You ain't got no control, none of ya! This one's gonna end up out back in the dirt with all the others. Ya don't take care of any toys I give ya . . . ya never have." The young girl jumped up and screamed. Jumping up she made for the shelf above the stove. Shouting she started to mix the herbs with water. "The father of my child ain't gonna die . . . that's final! I wants him one more time for he dies just to make sure. He'll drink this stuff if I have to pour it down him."
The entire group started screaming at each other; yelling at one another, claiming that the man in the room belonged to each one of them and not to the girl alone. Chris left them and moved so he could check out the back room. Approaching the window, he looked in and saw a figure on a bed in a darkened corner. Angling so he could get a better look, Chris finally made out the familiar form of his lover. Vin was chained arms and legs to a metal cot. A white bandage was wrapped around Vin's groin and buttocks, otherwise Vin was naked. Chris searched the room for keys to the cuffs that held Vin and saw them on the bedside stand. Vin wasn't moving and that worried Chris. Vin was a restless sleeper the only habit Chris found bothersome. He only slept quietly when Chris held him. Chris shook his head clearing the memory and began to put a plan together to get Vin.
He left Vin's window and made his way around the back of the shack. The saw Josiah standing at the corner on the other side and motioned him over. Whispering he told him what he had seen. Josiah frowned and shook his head sadly. Pointing toward the barn, Josiah pointed out JD and Ezra concealed in the darkness. "Ok, Josiah, wait until I'm in the Vin's room and then signal Buck". Chris gave Josiah a nod and turned back to enter the shack.
The window offered no resistance as Chris climbed inside and carefully made his way to the door. Opening it slightly he could see and hear that the family was still fighting. Shaking his head, he turned and approached Vin's bed. Close up, he got his first look at the tracker, and gasped at what he saw. Vin's naked body was covered with a sweaty sheen, his entire chest and rib cage was a mass of black and blue marks mixed with longs cuts. Both his hands were swollen and cold despite the fever Vin had. Looking closely at the bandage around Vin's groin, Chris could see dried blood. Both ankles had open wounds where the cuffs had rubbed. Chris felt tears coming to his eyes at the sight of his lover in such terrible shape, but shook it off and grabbed the keys to the handcuffs off the side table. He began to hurry when he heard Buck's voice outside.
Buck stood in the shadow of the clearing and began shouting at the people inside the shack. He had gotten Josiah's signal that Chris was inside the building getting Vin ready to move. All they had to do was distract the occupants long enough for Chris and Josiah to get him out. "Hey, you in the shack! Your shack is surrounded. We just want our friend back and we won't cause you no harm. So throw out your guns and walk outside peaceful like and no one will get hurt. " Yeah, right! Buck thought to himself. The only answer Buck got was a shotgun blast from the front window. "Well, so much for the easy way." Buck shook his head and got ready to fire. "Now you don't want to go doing that! We're only interested in getting our friend home. I'm telling ya, don't know body have to get hurt if you'll just put your guns down and walk out. "
Another shotgun blast sounded above Buck's voice, while Chris worked to free Vin. The cuffs on his ankles' came off easily and Vin moaned as his legs were let down on the bed. The arm cuffs were harder and took more time, Chris was starting to worry about someone checking on the room, when he saw Josiah at the window. Signaling for him come in to help, Chris opened the handcuffs and cringed as flesh came away stuck to the metal. Vin screamed as Chris lowered his arms and tried to work some circulation back into them. Chris didn't get Vin's mouth covered in time to muffle the scream and he heard someone making their way toward the back room.
"I'm gonna check on the man. Thought I heard a scream. You all keep them occupied."
James shouted as he made his way toward the back room. Opening the door he was met by a fist in his face from Josiah, and slumped down. Josiah quickly moved him to the foot of the bed and chained his arms into the cuffs. Stepping toward the bed he joined Chris who was trying to wake Vin. " I can't get him to wake up Josiah." Chris' voice was filled with fear and concern. When he turned his head to look at Josiah, there were tears in his eyes that he didn't try to hide.
"Let me have him Chris, you get outside the window and I'll hand him to you. " Josiah placed a hand on Chris' arm and motioned him to the window. More gunfire flew into the shack, one of the bullets catching an oil lamp and splashing liquid fire across the small living area. Both men turned at the sound of a woman screaming but didn't stop. Chris quickly slipped out the window and Josiah lifted the limp form of the tracker in his arms and carried him to the window.
The door to the room slammed open. The large man Chris had seen from the window stood in the doorway, the living area burning behind him. Chris tried to shout to Josiah but he couldn't hear because of the roar of the fire. Smoke began to fill the room as Josiah made his way closer to the window.
A sudden force hit his back and Josiah was thrown forward, Vin crashing to the floor in front of him. Esau grabbed Josiah's neck and tried to bend it to cut his throat. Josiah anticipated his move and thrust up with his legs throwing them both over backwards. Chris watched in horror as the two men struggled each seeking an advantage. Chris looked but could no see Vin. While the two men fought, Chris climbed back in the room and tried to see through the mounting smoke.
Josiah was thrown back on the cot, driving the wind out of him, dazing him for a moment. A moment was all Esau needed as he made to throw his knife into Josiah's chest. Chris saw the glint of steel and jumped at it. The knife slashed into his upper right arm deeply as Chris fell across Josiah. Esau picked Chris up and threw him across the room. Chris flew and landed heavily against the far wall. Chris looked through dazed eyes as Josiah tackled Esau at the waist and threw them both on the floor.
Pulling his legs up underneath him he tried to stand but felt his legs start to give way. Grabbing on to a side table for balance, he spied Vin laying on his side against the opposite wall. He wasn't moving. Chris couldn't tell through the smoke if he was even breathing. Making his way toward Vin he knelt over him and cupped his head with his hand. Vin was still breathing but he now had a swelling above his right eye that wasn't there before. He heard grunting from the corner and saw Josiah take a punch to the stomach from the huge man. It knocked him backwards and he lay still. Esau turned and made toward Chris.
Esau was crazy with anger. These men were trying to take his toy from him. He saw the way the blonde man was holding the boy's head, and it came to him. This. This was the man that his toy really loved. This was the man Chris the boy had called for in his fevered sleep. "You Chris?" Esau bellowed.
Chris was surprised when the man spoke. He started to stand as he spoke."Yeah, I'm Chris." He felt for his gun and saw it on the floor beside Vin.
"This is your boy, then? You're the one he calls for in his sleep? Ha . . . well, guess what I had your boy with this . . . " Esau pulled open his pants and lifted out his penis. "He ain't gonna be of use to you now. I done ruined him for ya. And I enjoyed every minute of it!" Esau laughed madly as a ceiling beam started to burn violently above them.
Chris stared at the huge organ not believing it what the man said. Not his Vin. No. Not that way. "You, bastard!!" Chris screamed and jumped toward his gun. Throwing himself sideways he grabbed it and fired one shot into Esau's groin. A second shot went to his head. The man still stood as the ceiling beam fell on him smothering him in flames. Chris felt himself being lifted up and pushed out the window.
"Get out quick before it all comes down! " Josiah was turning and picking up Vin throwing him over his shoulder and moving quickly back to the window. Flames leaped at both of them and the heat took the air from their mouths. Josiah was near passing out as he pushed Vin through the window into Chris' waiting arms. He jumped head first through the window as a ball of flame blew out the window behind him.
"Run! Chris! Run. Take Vin toward the barn. I'm fine. " Josiah rolled over and knelt on all fours catching his breath. Chris gathered Vin over his good shoulder and ran as fast as he could toward the barn. Ezra and JD were laying down cover for them but it soon became evident that no bullets were coming out of the shack. Ezra approached Chris and eased Vin off his shoulder.
"Let me have him, Mr Larabee. It's ok. You've gotten him to safety. JD sit Mr. Larabee down while I tend to Mr. Tanner. " Chris resisted but the energy from the fight flowed out of him and he laid back in JD's arms staring at Vin as Ezra placed him in a section of hay.
EIGHT
Buck and Nathan appeared with Josiah supported between them. "Everyone ok here?" Buck looked over the group noticing Vin and saw the look on Ezra's face."Mr. Tanner appears to have suffered considerable damage. I've attempted to wake him from his slumber but have been unsuccessful. Perhaps you should assist him Mr. Jackson. " Ezra stood and moved away from Vin as Nathan knelt beside him.
"Nathan, he ok? " Chris watched Nathan work ignoring attempts by Buck to tie a dressing around his bleeding arm. "Damn it Buck! That hurts. Nathan?" Chris' attempt to get up was stayed by Buck and JD. He gave up fighting them but never took his eyes from Vin's face.
"Vin? Vin? Can you hear me?" Nathan talked to Vin as he inspected his chest and arms. "Chris how was he when you found him? Do you know where these wrist and ankle wounds came from? They look like marks from chains. " Nathan moved down to Vin's groin and saw the dried blood on the bandage. Nathan looked at Chris questioningly. Chris understood and nodded. "JD. Go get me some water from the well. Ezra, you go find me what blankets or sacks you can find."
Josiah turned at looked at Buck. "Let's you and me go and get the horses and supplies." When only Nathan, Vin and Chris were left in the barn, Chris crossed to Vin and sat down beside him.
"Know anything about his Chris? " Nathan started undressing the bandage. Chris stopped Nathan's hands and looked into his face.
"The man I killed inside. The man that Josiah fought? He was bigger than Josiah. He was crazy Nathan. He was standing over me raving about how he had raped Vin. How they all had. He . . .he . . . pulled out his . . . you, know . . . " Chris stopped he was about to break down and he needed a moment to calm down. Chris felt the comforting hand of Nathan on his shoulder. Chris looked up into Nathan's face and said. "It was huge Nathan. I mean . . . no woman or man . . .do you think he really did it to Vin. God, I just can't imagine." Chris felt the tears begin to fall down his face and he reached over and caressed Vin's face, pushing the long soft strands of hair from his face.
"Chris I'm sorry. But you can see there's lots of dried blood here. And it looks like a dressing rolled up in his buttocks. I'm gonna have to take it out to see why don't you go stand by the door and stop any of the guys from coming in until I'm done." Nathan gave Chris a push with his arm. Chris backed away looking at Vin lying so helplessly on the ground. After Chris was watching out the door, Nathan began to unfold the dressing the woman had placed.
Chris heard Vin cry out and turned to see Nathan tossing the dressing into a bucket. After inspecting the wound, Nathan went into his bag and brought out a salve mixture and worked it into the area. Vin moaned and cried out, but didn't wake. Nathan finished a new dressing and then got up and walked to Chris.
"Chris. It looks like the man wasn't lying. Vin's been torn up pretty badly. Looks like someone knew what to do, so some healing has begun and there probably won't be any permanent damage. I don't know what his mind is gonna be like after this though. I saw men in the war had this happen who never were right. He's gonna need a lot of care. Rest and being safe for a while. He'll recover best were he feels safe. I can fix a place in the clinic . . . " Nathan was cut off by Chris' hand on his shoulder.
"Nathan, thanks for helping him. But he's not going to the clinic. I know where he'll feel safe. We'll take him to the shack. He's been staying with me for a couple months now. He's told me that's where he really feels safe. " Chris looked Nathan straight in the eye, knowing he was giving him their most cherished secret.
"I understand, Chris. You are a lucky to have found each other. I can come out and check on him each day and I'll show you what you need to do to help him heal. The physical stuff I can help him with. How he comes out of this with any sanity will be up to God, and you. Now, let me look at your arm."
The trip back to Four Corners went quickly. The bodies of the clan were buried behind the house and the life stock turned out. The horses were led back with two of them pulling the wagon that contained Vin. Wrapped in blankets on a bed of straw, he lay with his head on Nathan's lap and Chris driving the rig. Every so often Vin would cry out in his sleep or moan when the wagon hit a rock, but otherwise he stayed unconscious. By the time they made it to Chris' shack, he had been unconscious for almost two days.
Nathan stayed on at the shack. He couldn't leave Vin until he was awake and the fever was gone. Between the two men, they bathed him with cool water and forced feverfew tea down his throat. On the second night at the shack, Vin's fever had risen so high that Nathan had insisted on carrying him down to the spring water to immerse him in an attempt to bring the fever down. Chris had sat in the water with Vin, his head resting on Chris' lap. Cupping cold water in his hands, Chris moved the water across Vin's beautiful face and watched the long eyelashes flutter. Suddenly Vin's eyes opened.
Vin looked up and saw trees. He was laying in something very very cold. It felt wonderful against his fevered body. His head was above the coldness, but Vin could feel the cold water being poured over his head and through his hair. Soft fingers stroked his hair and caressed his throat and face. The movement of his head made the person stroking him bend down. It was Chris! Chris! He knew Chris would come to him. Chris was here; now he could start to heal. He was safe.
"Vin? Vin? You awake?" Chris leaned down closely peering into Vin's face. "Hey there cowboy, wake up." Nathan moved up from where he had been washing Vin and saw the smile on Chris' face.
"Chris?" Vin's voice was weak. More of a croak than anything else. He started to speak but found a cup at his lips. It smelled of herbs. Someone was forcing him to drink herbs. He felt himself start to panic and made to sit up, knocking the cup out of Nathan's hand.
"Vin! Vin, it's ok. Stop! Lay down. It's ok. You're safe. " Chris stroked Vin's hair while speaking softly above him. " Those people are dead. No one is going to hurt you. We're at the shack. You're home. I'm gonna help you get well. All the horrible things those people did to you will fade away. Just lay still and sleep. I've got you now. It's gonna be ok." Chris pulled Vin's face up higher to his and kissed him softly on the lips. Nathan watched quietly not wanting to steel this precious moment of healing between the two men.
"Chris? Chris? Am I home? Those people they're gone?" Vin whispered quietly as Chris ended their tender kiss. "I love you Chris. Hold me tight please, I was so scared when those people had me. Where were you? I needed you. They hurt me."
Tears began to cloud Chris' eyes as he heard Vin's words. "Yeah, I know Vin. I'm sorry they hurt you, but I'll make it better, I promise." Chris spoke the words as he began rocking Vin back and forth in his arms. He felt Vin relax and rest in his arms.
"You promise Chris? " Vin's sleepy voice came as he nestled closer in Chris' embrace.
"Yeah, I promise Vin. I promise." Chris started to cry softly as Vin fell asleep in his arms.
Between the two of them Nathan and Chris carried the sleeping Vin from the spring to the shack. After settling Vin on the bed, Nathan motioned Chris out of the room and into the kitchen area.
"Now Chris, his fever has broken this time. All the wounds look clean but there is still a lot to do till he gets back to normal. " Nathan began unpacking some of the items he had brought with him this trip to the shack.
"It's time you get back to town. Tell me what to do and I'll see that he gets what you think he needs. " Chris stared intently at Nathan trying not to look at Vin, so pale and fragile looking while he slept.
"Ok, I've got everything mixed. All you have to do is make sure he takes everything. He's not gonna like some of this stuff. (Chris chuckled and nodded as Nathan continued.) I want him to continue getting the feverfew tea three times a day. Make sure one of those times is before bedtime, he'll sleep better that way. Now he has to take the cascara tea one cup in the morning and one in the evening." Holding up his hand as Chris was about to speak. "I know he spits it out, it don't taste good, but Chris he's still tender inside, you know, and this makes it easier for him to do his business. It's just gotta be that way till he's fully healed.'' Chris grimaced but nodded his head in affirmation. "I understand Nathan, he'll take it if I have to tie him down to do it. Anything else? "
Nathan studied the jar in his hand and didn't speak.
"Nathan, anything else? I know the gruel stuff we've been feeding him and the teas . . . " Chris kept looking at Nathan wondering what the healer was waiting for.
"Uh, Chris. Well, I guess this is a might embarrassing. I mixed up this salve. It's part willow bark, for the pain and aloe leaves to soften the tissues. He needs to have this put, you know, uh . . .up his buttocks so the skin don't heal together. There are gonna be little scars that got to be broken up each day. This is the only way I can think to do it. After you finish that take some of this soft cotton and soak it in witch hazel and place it on the outside of his hole. Press on it firmly till the lotion soaks into the skin. That'll take away some of the sting. Now, I can come out and do it each morning, if you . . ." Chris stopped Nathan from going on by taking the jar from his hands.
"It's ok, Nathan. I know what to do. Why don't you leave me some laudanum for the first couple of times? Till he heals up better and can stand the treatment. " Chris held his hand up when Nathan started to speak again. "I know what you're gonna say. He's gonna relive the things they did to him when I do this, isn't he? "
Nathan turned his head to look at Vin. "I don't see how he can avoid it. Wish there was some other way to make sure he would heal but I can't. Perhaps if a real doctor would see him." Nathan gestured helplessly at Vin.
"Nathan, Vin wouldn't let anyone else tend him and you know it. I don't know if there are any answers for this. We'll just have to be there to help him, whether he likes it or not." Chris grinned at Nathan and helped him gather his coat and gear. "Thanks again for all your help. We'll see you day after tomorrow? If I need you before then I'll come get you. One of the boys has been dropping by accidentally each day just to check on Vin, I don't suppose that will stop. So I can have them find you if I need ya. " Shaking Nathan's hand he turned back to the bedroom as Nathan rode out.