"I did it, Buck. Me. JD Dunne. I killed the most
notorious outlaw in the territory with no help from anyone. Now maybe you'll
stop callin' me kid all the time."
"Yeah, ki...I mean, JD. You did
real good." (Something suspiciously like a tear shines in one eye)
"Actually, I guess I don't really mind so much if you call me kid
sometimes. I've kind of gotten used to it."
"I wasn't really gonna
stop callin' ya that anyway."
"I know." (Whispers)
"You ain't mad
at me, are you Buck? There wasn't time to go back and get help. He had those
two girls and he was gonna hurt them real bad."
"Of course I'm mad at ya,
JD. Ain't I always?"
"Don't make me laugh, Buck. It hurts."
"I seem
to recall sayin' that to you once upon a time."
"Yeah." (Silence)
Buck? Where are the others? I can't see too well." (Tries to lift head up)
"Nathan is over there with the two girls. And the rest of us are
right here, JD." (A brief touch on the shoulder accompanies these words)
"Chris?"
"Yes. I'm here, JD."
"Are you...Did
I?"
"You did the right thing, JD. I'm proud to call you friend." (The gunslinger's voice betrays none of the emotions on his face)
"All
of us are, JD." (The tracker's voice also gives no clue as to his true feelings)
"It doesn't hurt as bad this time as it did when that crazy female bounty hunter shot me. Reckon that's a good
sign?"
"I reckon so." (The healer walks over and kneels beside the young man)
"Nathan? How are the girls? They're gonna be ok,
aren't they?" (There is a brief silence as each of the men turns to look at the still, bloody figures in the corner of the room)
"They'll be just fine, JD. Thanks to you." (Buck glances at each of the men, who nod their heads in silent agreement)
"Good." (Sigh of relief)
"I'm getting
sleepy. Do you fellas mind if I close my eyes for a few minutes. I'm so
tired."
"Go ahead, JD. We'll be right here beside you." (The deep voice of the ex preacher has a soothing effect on the young man. He relaxes and closes his eyes for the last time)
The End
