Story The Truck the Witch and the Blacksmith

[gonewacky]

As they drove away Albert opened up the Blacksmith Shop, and went to the corner of the shop. Moving some rods he pulled out the small piece of angle-iron, and set it on the anvil. Starting the fire he thought, I think I’ll make her a long thin blade.

On the Stagecoach Kathy was hanging onto Sieg like her life depended on it. She was in a trance like state enjoying the most wonderful thing she ever felt. She wanted this ride to never end. She just wanted to sit with him forever. Sieg was just taking it slow not working the horses to give the best ride possible.

In the coach Jim whispered, “You know it’s just not being a chaperone is why I came. If you haven’t noticed I try to never let Kathy get to far from one of us. Her powers are not made for fighting alone.”

Suzy replied, “I thought that too, but she can stop time and call for help. That makes her as powerful as any of us. Here let me do something. By the power of Njal I command time to stop.”

Then she opened the Coach door leaping out, and flying around to the front of the coach. Hovering in front of Kathy and Sieg she made a ball of bright flashing colored light and pushed it into Sieg. Looking at Kathy Suzy smiled, “We want him to feel it too you know.”

Kathy took Suzy’s hand and put it to her chest and little flickering stars surrounded her hand exploding, and pure love flowed into Kathy. Little flickering stars shot from Kathy exploding around her. Then Kathy leaned her head back against Sieg, and Suzy flew back in the coach starting time.

Back at the Blacksmith Shop Albert gave the bellows a pump, and pulled the white hot steel from the fire. Setting it on the anvil he put his magic to work. Little flickering sparks flew from the metal exploding making little flashes with each hit. Then it was back in the fire. Soon it was a little tap here and a tap there. With a strange ringing sound coming from the steel with each hit he made. Albert dropped it in the water bucket thinking what he should do about a handle.

Back in Lambert Bill had a problem at the Marshal’s office. The outlaws had broken out of the jail in the knight. Two men came in and over powered his Deputy and tied him up. Then let the outlaws out of the Jail. Bill was steaming mad and ordered the Deputy to get their horses and roundup a posse. Bill had no tracker and wanted to get on their trail, so he took his posse and headed south.

Back at the Blacksmith shop Albert was cutting a deer horn in half for a handle. He had filed the sides smooth, but he left the Burr just below the Brow Tine to keep her hand from slipping from the knife. After he had cut it in half he placed one half on the blade tang and mark the rivet holes. Then he marked the other half, and drilled the rivet holes.

Back in Lambert Sieg was bringing the Stagecoach down Main Street. That’s when he saw the two men backing out of the Bank with their guns drawn. Then four more men came running out. The first one had saddlebags in his hand, and slung them over his horse. Sieg pulled the Stagecoach to a stop as the men road at him. He stood up and took a shot, as the men shot at him. Then Kathy saw things in slow motion as blood sprayed from Sieg’s thigh on to her face. She jumped up yelling, “No!”

Flinging out her arms a bright light flooded everywhere blinding everyone but Kathy. Then in a rage she yelled, “By the power of Njal I command time to stop.”

Jim blurted, “I’m blind.”

Suzy bellowed, “Me too, and I heard Kathy stop time.”

Kathy got down from the coach and walked to the outlaws frozen in time and exclaimed, “Oh look, all of your eyes move but none of you can see, and three of you have read eyes.”

Then looking at one man with red eyes Kathy growled, “You’re mine!”

Then she took his hand pulling him from his horse, and kicked him. Then she went back to the Coach and opened the door and exclaimed, “Sorry about this James, but this one is mine.”

Then she slipped his knife from his sheath saying, “Three of them have red eyes, and the other three have eyes that move. You need to go get Albert and the truck. I’m going to shoot you with a spark so you can see. We have work to do.”

Then Kathy shot Jim and Suzy with a little spark, and they saw her walk away. She walked down the street to the Doctors office. Going inside she found Patrick and grabbed his wrist and demanded, “Come with me!”

Patrick exclaimed, “I’m blind and can’t see!”

Kathy replied, “Sorry, here,” then she shot a little spark at him as she drug him along. Patrick questioned, “What’s happening?

Kathy explained, “The Bank just got robbed, and they shot the Stagecoach driver. You need to check him out before we start time.”

Arriving at the Stagecoach Suzy was dropping their guns in a pile by the coach. Patrick exclaimed, “Oh crap he’s still standing up with his gun out shooting.”

Then Patrick realized there was blood on Kathy’s face and gasped, “Where are you hit?”

Kathy insisted, “I’m not.”

Patrick asked, “Then how did blood get on your face if he’s up there?”

Kathy was getting inpatient and snapped back, “I was up there with him and he stood in front of me to protect me. Now get up there and check him out!”

Kathy let her hand slip down Patrick’s back as he climbed up. She stepped on the wagon wheel to keep her hand on Patrick. The doctor put his finger in the bullet hole and ripped open his pants Then Patrick did the same to the back of his leg, as Kathy barked, “Well what do you think Doc?”

Patrick revealed, “Looks like a flesh wound. Clean in and out he’ll survive.”

Then Kathy let go of his foot and he froze. Then she bitched, “Where the hell is that hangmen!”

Suzy pushed love into Kathy and insisted, “Its ok Kathy time is stopped. We have all the time we need. You just need to calm down.”

Kathy barked, “That red eyed bastard on the ground shot Sieg. I’m sending him back to hell myself.”

Suzy calmly replied, “He’s yours Kathy, and we’ll let you do him first.”

With that Kathy went to the Demon possessed men and put a cloud over their heads. Then the Iron Horse appeared with Albert sitting on the hood. Kathy shot Albert with a little spark so he could see. He had the winch cable in his hand and jumped from the truck. Kathy stood by the man on the ground, as Albert drug the winch cable to her.

Standing next to Kathy Albert insisted, “Go ahead I got you covered.”

With that Kathy kneeled down next to the man, and touched him so he would come to life. Then she thrust the knife into his eye pushing it until it would go no more. The Demon twitched as she ordered, “Back to hell with you Demon.”

Then a black cloud in the shape of a hideous monster slipped into the ground, as Jim walked from the truck. Taking his legs Jim dragged the lifeless body to the front of the truck. Albert tossed the noose over the next read eyed demon ordering, “Clutch pedal in Winch P.T.O. Reverse High, Clutch out.”

It jerked the man from the horse and drug him across the ground as Albert followed yelling, “Back to hell with you Demon.”

Then a black cloud in the shape of a hideous monster slipped into the ground, as Albert called, “One more then it Suzan’s turn.”

Albert dragged the cable back for the last one, and Suzy started on the Demon possessed men. She’d pull one off its horse and make a ball of bright flashing colored light and push it into their chest. Holding her hand over it she ordered, “Back to hell with you Demon.”

Then a black cloud in the shape of a hideous monster slipped into the ground, as Kathy clapped her hands removing the cloud. Then Jim reached down and touched him and disappeared. Jim reappeared in the Lambert Jail. Then he blinked back for the next one. After Jim put them all in Jail he got the saddle bags with the money and put them at Sieg’s feet on the coach. Then Suzy threw a ball of bright flashing colored light in the air, and shot it with a lightning bolt. Thousands of little flashing stars rained down on them as Jim blinked them out. After disposing of the bodies Jim blinked them and the Iron Horse back to the Feed and Seed. After dropping off Albert and the truck Kathy shot Albert with a little spark and they faded away.

Then Jim took Kathy and Suzy back to lambert to reset time. Kathy shot Jim, Suzy, and Patrick with a little spark, and adjusted the light so it was like a thick fog and you could only see a few feet. At the coach Jim climbed up by Sieg. Touching Patrick Jim blinked them to the Doctors Office. Then he went back for Sieg. Touching his arm Jim whispered, “Holster your gun Sieg you’ve been hit.”

Looking around Sieg inquired, “A thick fog moved in. Did they get away?”

Jim replied, “No you stopped them and saved the banks money. Don’t you remember helping me putt them in the Jail?”

 

[gonewacky]

Sieg replied, “No, last I remember I was taking a shot.”

Jim insisted, “You must be in shock from being shot. Pick up the Bank’s money at your feet. You need to go to the Doctor and get fixed up.”

Sieg grabbed the saddlebags and Jim blinked them to the doctor’s office. In the office Sieg questioned, “How did we get here?”

Jim assured, “You walked. I think the blood loss is affecting your thinking. Here get up on the exam table.”

Jim helped Sieg up on the table and helped put the saddlebags next to him. Then he pulled his hand away letting Sieg freeze.

Then he blinked back to the stage with Kathy and Suzy. Jim explained, “Ok when we start time we need to chase their horses out of town. We need to make it look like three of them got away. That will cover for the three we had to take care of. Kathy can you slowly remove the light like you did to make it look like fog?”

Kathy replied, “Sure how slow do you want me to do it.”

Jim replied, “Maybe a little at a time. I want people to think they just couldn’t see what happened because of the fog. Maybe you can do it over fifteen or twenty minutes. I’m going to say Seig jumped from the Coach onto one of the prisoners. Pulling him down and grabbing the saddlebags with the banks money. I’ll tell them I got one by hiding behind the stage and jumping out pulling him from his horse as he rode by, and that made the horse behind him go down. That gave Suzy the chance to take him at gun point. Then the other three got away.

Suzy and I will take care of everything out here and you can go be with Seig. You need to convince him he’s a hero saving the Banks money. You can do that right?”

Kathy insisted, “I got it. He jumped from the Coach catching an outlaw and saving the bank’s money. Who’s starting time?”

Jim replied, “I am as soon as you get your but in there with Seig.”

Jim turned to Suzy and explained, “Ok we need people to think there was a big shoot out, so I say we chase the horses off by shooting guns. We each take one of the outlaw’s guns. Then use our gun in one hand and an outlaw gun in the other. Then shoot wildly chasing the horses out of town. Then people will think that was the shootout.”

Suzy replied, “Sounds good.”

Then they each took one of the outlaw’s guns that hadn’t been used, and put the rest in the Stagecoach. Then Jim started time and they started slapping the horses on the ass, and shooting the guns.

Then Jim went to the Jail and Suzy went to the Doctor’s Office. On their way Suzy confessed, “I think Sieg fell under Kathy’s spell, and is falling in love with her.”

Jim inquired, “What makes you think that?”

Suzy replied, “He put himself in front of her and took a bullet to protect her.”

Jim argued, “I’m not convinced. That might be the kind if man he is, or it could be his training to protect his passengers.”

Suzy shot a little Lighting Bolt in James ass and replied. “Sorry that’s just the kind of gal I am.”

Jim blinked out as it got a little lighter allowing them to see the outline of things. In the Doctor’s Office Patrick was across the hall checking on Clyde. Kathy saw Suzy and insisted, “Over here Suzy. Seig’s a hero he saved me and the town’s money. The Docter gave him some stuff, and is waiting for it to start working.”

Suzy revealed, “Your pants are ruined. Patrick tore the leg open on the front and back by the bullet hole. I’m going to the Mercantile and get you some pants.”

Seig insisted, “Get thirty-four’s. I like them lose I just tighten up my belt some.”

Suzy exclaimed, “I got it,” as she went out the door.”

Suzy stopped at the Wells Fargo office to tell about their Coach in the middle of the road, and what happened to Seig. The Station Master explained that he already sent Morris to check it out. At the Mercantile Suzy ran into David. She remembered him as the reporter that did the story on Rebecca and the Shelton gang. He recognized Suzy right away. Approaching her he questioned, “Did you see anything? I’m following this story.”

Suzy replied, “See it, I was in it. I was in the Stage when it started.”

David insisted, “Please tell me what happened.”

Suzy went on, “In an incredible amount of danger Seig put his fear aside. Using fortitude and Courage Seig had no thought of his own life and safety. He used his own body to protect his passenger by moving in front of her and taking a bullet. He was heroically shooting until his gun was empty. Then He dove at the lead man pulling him from his horse, and fighting him to submission. The man’s horse behind him went down throwing him well the fight was going on. I pulled my gun and put my foot on his neck, as I watched James pull another man from a horse. He hit him in the head with the butt of his gun knocking him out.

Seig was dragging his man to the Jail with the banks money in hand, and James was dragging his man by the boot right behind him. I made my outlaw walk behind them. The other three had escaped without a cent. At the empty Jail I wandered where the Marshal and his Deputy were, but they were nowhere to be found.”

David explained, “The Marshal is out with a posse looking for the men that just robbed the bank.”

With the pants in hand Suzy insisted, “I need to get these pants to the Doctor’s Office for Seig. You can get James point of view at the Jail.”

Then she was off. At the Doctors Office Patrick was bandaging Seig’s leg, and telling him how to take care of it. Suzy scolded, “Kathy he don’t have his pants on!”

Looking at Suzy Kathy explained, “It’s alright the Doctor made me a Nurse so I could stay with Seig.”

Suzy gave Kathy a disappointed look as she set the pants on the treatment table. Then she asked, “What’s the word Patrick?”

Patrick replied, “Well this is about the most normal case you’ve ever brought to me. He’ll be fine for the next four hours. Then the medicine I gave him will wear off and it will start hurting, by tomorrow it will hurt like hell. This kind of thing always hurts worse after a night’s sleep. The less he walks on it for the next few days the faster it will heal. The bandage needs to be changed every day until a good scab forms. That’s about it other than the two dollar Doctor fee.”

Kathy insisted, “I’ll pay it. Oh no I left my bag on the coach.”

Patrick smiled, “Don’t worry little lady I’ll trust you for it.”

Then Kathy twirled her finger and a spinning rainbow covered the celling. Then the rainbow turned to twinkling little stars and faded away. Patrick insisted, “That’s enough of that stuff. Get his pants on and get out of here before someone sees that stuff. They’ll be thinking I’m a Witchdoctor or something.”

Suzy pushed a ball of pure Love into Patrick and exclaimed, “Paid in full. That’s my medicine.”

Patrick smiled, “That will be acceptable this time. I’ll just bill the bank. You are taking the money back. Aren't you?”

Picking up the money bag Seig replied, “Nope, Kathy and I are going on Holiday. I’m rich for the next ten minutes walking to the bank.”

Patrick laughed, “After saving the Bank you are going to be rich in this town.”

Then they started the walk to the Bank with David chasing after them for his story. At the bank they were met by Mr. Gobson the bank owner opening the door, and pulling them in. He explained as he locked the door behind them. He was closing the bank for the day. He feared of a bank run. He insisted this is the kind of thing that could start one. Then he praised, “Thank God you got the money.”

Seig handed him the saddlebags and affirmed, “Courtesy of Wells Fargo. I return what is believed to belong to the town of Lambert’s Bank.”

Grabbing Seig’s wrist as he took the saddlebags Mr. Gobson looked in Seig’s eyes and related, “You can call me Phillip. I just want you to know you saved more than the bank’s money today. You saved the life of every family and merchant in this town. Thank you!”

Phillip let his hand slip away as Kathy wrapped her arm around Seig’s, and Suzy took his other and guided Seig to the door. Phillip let them out locking the door behind them. David was taking notes the entire time. Then he stayed to get an interview from Phillip Gobson the bank owner.

Then they went to the Wells Fargo office. Seeing the Station Master Seig found Morris was stabling the horses, and Seig was told to take a few days off to recover. Kathy tugged on Seig’s arm and insisted, “Time to go eat. I’m buying lunch at the Hotel.”

Seig insisted, “You got breakfast it’s my turn.”

 

[gonewacky]

Kathy bubbled, “No way am I letting you own me. You’re mine and that’s all there is to it.”

Suzy explained, “I’m swinging by the Jail and seeing if James want’s anything. Then I’ll be right over, but remember I’m your chaperone. I don’t want any monkey business going on.”

Kathy looked at Seig and suggested, “That means we have to get to the room before she gets back.”

Suzy gave Kathy a mean look and scolded, “Don’t make me stop time.”

Kathy smiled, “We’ll meet you in the Restaurant.”

Suzy added, “James and I will get the room. Two bed’s in the same room. There will be no hanky-panky on this trip.”

At the Jail Suzy revealed, “I think we need to watch Kathy like a Hawk. I think she would jump in bed with Seig in a hot second.”

Jim agreed, “I knew that from the first moment she saw him. Albert and I had a talk with Seig about that. We knew that by the way she was hanging on him when they came back from the store. Seig wasn’t any better. He was sucking it up like a kid finding a piece of candy.”

Suzy went on, “Why I came over was I wanted to know if you want me to get you something to eat.”

Jim replied, “No, go and watch them and I’ll get something later.”

A hug and a kiss and Suzy headed back across the street. In the Restaurant Suzy spotted Kathy and Seig at a table by a window. There were people crowded around the table. The news of what Seig did had raced through the town. Suzy heard one man say, “If that fog hadn’t set in. I’d bet you and James could have got them all.”

Suzy pushed her way through the crowd exclaiming, “Hay, why don’t you let us eat. We’ll be here after we’re done.”

With that all the people but one left, and the one remaining guy inquired, “Aren’t you worried about the ones that got away coming back after you?”

Suzy stood and looked him in the eyes as she barked, “Aren’t you afraid that a woman is wearing a gun? You know women are unpredictable.”

Then Suzy heard a “Klick,” and turned her head and saw Kathy. She had her gun pointed at his head. Then she exclaimed, “Are you threatening him?”

The man stuttered, “No Mam,” as he backed a way.”

Kathy barked, “Then get!”

She let the hammer down and holstered her gun as she mumbled, “Some people.”

Suzy sat and remarked, “Why Kathy you surprised me with that move.”

Kathy reassured, “If Seig will take a bullet for me. I’ll shoot one for him. The way he said it made it sound more like a threat than a question.”

The Waiter came back to the table questioning, “Are we ready to order now.”

Kathy replied, “Sure.”

The Waiter went on, “The special is Chipped-Beef over noodles with a roll for 30¢.

Seig piped, “Sounds good to me. That’s what I’ll have.”

The Waiter inquired, “What to drink, Coffee, Tea, Milk, or Water?

Sig replied, “Coffee for me.”

Kathy insisted, “Same for me.”

Then Suzy declared, “Just coffee for me.”

The Waiter finished writing the ticket and left.

Seig divulged, “I guess I’m going to hide out for a few days. I can’t handle being mobbed by people. Especially about something I don’t even remember. You sure I did that stuff?”

Suzy explained, “When we’re in shock and do something like that. Instinct takes over and we don’t even know what we’re doing. Then when the danger is over we don’t know what happen. I think when that bullet went through your lag that is what happened. The real you came out and did what you had to do.”

After eating Seig insisted, “I need to go to the Wells Fargo office. The pain medicine is starting to ware off and my leg is starting to throb.”

Suzy and Kathy helped Seig to Wells Fargo. Where Jacob Schiefer the Station Master took him to the bunk room, and insisted they would watch over him. Kathy wanted to stay, but Suzy insisted she come with her.

Then Suzy and Kathy went to the Jail. Where another crowd had gathered waiting for the Marshal to get back. They were complaining about the bank being closed, and not being able to get money. They pushed their way through the crowd, and went in the Jail. Jim asked, “Where’s Seig?”

Suzy explained, “He’s in pain and staying in the Wells Fargo bunk room.”

Jim replied, “Well that’s great. Now I have to stay here. I can’t leave the Jail unattended. And I don’t have anyone to watch it well I go eat. You’re just going to have to bring me something.”

Just then the door flew open, and in came the Mayor announcing, “I’m Mayor Stein how we doing? I see the Marshal’s not back yet. How many prisoners do we have?”

Jim disclosed, “We got three in Jail and three got away.”

The Mayor went on, “Bill should be back before dark. They didn’t take provisions to stay out for the night. I’ll see if I can get Leo or Andre to come over and help you out. That way you won’t have to leave the Jail unattended if you use the outhouse or something. Good going Deputy you’re making quite a reputation for yourself.”

Jim replied, “Why thank you Mayor, but it was Seig that made it all possible.”

The Mayor affirmed, “So I’ve heard. I’m going to see him next. On behalf of Lambert we thank you.”

Jim revealed, “Just doing the job I’m paid to do.”

The Mayor left and Kathy wined, “I want to go see Seig. We were going to spend this time together before his next trip.”

Suzy insisted, “I’m sorry Kathy but only men are allowed in the bunkroom, and Seig needs his rest.”

Jim divulged, “I’ve found anything worth having is worth waiting for. Trust me the time waiting will make you love him more.”

Kathy went on, “It’s just that I’m a little bit nervous that the best years of my life have went by. This might be my last chance. If I only knew when I was being poked and grabbed by men that I was in my prime. I pushed them all away back then, and that made no one want me. I don’t want to lose my last chance.”

Then a tear slipped down her cheek flashing different colors as it slid along. Dropping to the floor it exploded with a bright flash. Suzy felt the despair as another tear slipped down her cheek, so she pushed Love into her. Then the door opened and Leo came in saying, “Mayor Stein sent me to help out.”

With Leo watching the Jail Jim and Suzy went to eat and get a room. Jim rented a room with two beds, and they went to the Wells Fargo office to get their bags. The Station Master told Jim Seig was asking for him, and took Jim to the bunkroom. Seig saw Jim and insisted, “You come and get me for Dinner. I promised Kathy I would spend this time with her, and I believe a man is only as good as his word.”

Jim replied, “She needs that right now. I’m glad you’re a man of his word. I’ll tell her. See you at dinner.”

Seig barked, “Wait! You need to get Theater tickets too. Let me give you some money.”

Jim protested, “Not happening Seig. I’m getting the tickets. I own this one.”

Seig mumbled as Jim left, “Why do they have to own everything?”

Jim told Kathy what Seig said and she perked up and replied, “I knew he wanted me.”

Suzy smiled as they took their bags to the Hotel. Then that night before dinner in the Hotel lobby. They took Seig to the far side of the room away from everyone. They sat Seig on a bench and Kathy put her hand over Seig’s wound. Jim stood to block the view as Suzy put her hand on Kathy’s and Jim put his over Seig’s eyes. Little flickering stars surrounded their hands and the stars exploded in the air with little flashes.

Seig let out a sigh of relief and cried out, “Whatever you’re doing don’t stop it feels great.”

Suzy smiled as she pushed Love in Kathy with her other hand. The little flickering stars surrounded Seig’s thigh and started pulsating, as the stars flashed out. Jim pulled his hand away as Kathy removed hers and asked, “Do you feel better now?”

 

[gonewacky]

Seig replied, “It doesn’t hurt at all now. Whatever you did it made the pain go away.”

Then they ate dinner and went to the Theater. In front of the Wells Fargo office Kathy said good night to Seig. Then she gave him a kiss that almost made Suzy’s eyes pop out of her head. Suzy took Kathy’s arm and gave it a tug saying, “Ok that’s enough of that you’re not taking him to the room.”

Seig insisted, “Come get me for breakfast.”

Then he floated into the Wells Fargo office. Where the men teased him about Kathy, but Seig didn’t care he was in dream land.

On the way back to the Hotel Kathy started planning her day. “Tomorrow I’m taking him to the Mercantile. We’ll sit on the bench out front and drink a bottle drink. You know his leg and all he can’t do much walking. Then we’ll go to the Bulls Horn Billiards Hall. We could knock the balls around, and I know James would like that. Then we could get something to eat at the Restaurant. After that we need to go to the Doctor’s office so Patrick can change the bandage. Then we could go to the Saturday Comedians Hour at the Theater at two o'clock. Then we could go down to the Livery and watch the trick riders practicing for the Fair. Then dinner and cuddle time please.”

Suzy was in shock at Kathy’s plans and questioned, “Isn’t that a bit much for one day.”

Kathy replied, “That’s why most of it is sitting down stuff, because of his leg you know.”

Jim questioned, “What about Sunday?”

Kathy replied, “I got that figured out too. We go to Church and the picnic lunch after Church. I’ll have the Hotel Restaurant pack us some food. Then on Monday he has to take the Stagecoach to Fort Boise to get it back on schedule for Tuesday’s run. Then he’ll take us back to Dention with Rebecca’s Newspapers on his way to Spokane.”

Then it happened as Kathy wanted with a little help from Jim and Suzy.

On Monday the Station Master insisted that Seig take Morris to help until his leg was better.

The next thing they knew it was Tuesday and they were taking the stage back to Dention. There were two passengers heading north, so Kathy sat between Seig and Morris. She hung tight to Seig knowing it would be days before she would see him again. The time came that Seig pulled up in front of the Horseshoe Restaurant. Rebecca took the mail bag and papers, and headed to the Store. The passengers went in to get something to eat. Jim and Suzy waited for Kathy to say her good byes to Seig.

Soon the time came and it was a kiss. Then a wave as Seig and Morris pulled away with their passengers.

By evening they were at the Salmon river. Known as “The River of No Return,” the Salmon River went from calm to wild as it twisted its way to the Snake River.

Driving the coach on the Ferry Seig explained, “I have to get down and walk around. My leg is getting stiff, and if I don’t do it I won’t be able to walk at all.”

As the Ferry glided across the river Seig walked back and forth the length of the ferry. Nearing the back of the Ferry Seig’s leg gave out, and he went down rolling off the back of the Ferry into the river. No one saw it happen and the current carried him away. Then Morris saw someone floating down the river. His heart skipped a beat as he looked for Seig. Then he yelled, “A man fell in the river.”

The Ferry operator looked and barked, “Stupid fool. There isn’t anything I can do about it. All I can say is I hope he gets to shore before he gets to the rapids. It looks like he’s halfway there now.”

All Morris could do was watch as flashes of Seig’s head bobbed up and down then disappeared. Morris took off his hat and put it over his heart thinking that was the last of Seig.

Seig went into the rapids fighting for his life. His shoulder hit a rock shooting pain up his neck. Then his bad leg hit another bolder causing immense pain. Then he was rolling like a log down a hill as he faded in and out of consciousness. The last thing he remembered was a hand reaching for him. Then everything went black, and he herd mumbled talking.

Blind and unable to move he felt his body being dragged across the ground. Then he felt cold and he knew he was in the land of the dead. There was nothing but cold and darkness. This seemed to last weeks or longer and he questioned himself wondering. Is this all there is to death just a big nothingness? Then a Light Being came to him and spoke with a soft tender voice, “You must fight my child. Love is coming for you, but Evil wants you. You must not let it fool you. It will appear as good and kindness, but don’t be tricked by its deception. It just wants your Soul, and you need to keep it pure.”

Then the Light Being faded away and pain filled Seig’s body. His entire body throbbed with pain. Then everything went black again. Then he felt his clothes being removed and being covered up. Then he herd the crackling of a fire. A blurry vision of dark and light shows moved around him as a voice proclaimed, “This should get you warmed up. You’re going to make it. You just have to want it. Fight damn it.”

Then everything went Black again and Seig was in the land of the dead again. He could hear voices saying, “Go back. Not yet it’s too soon. Love is coming. Fight!”

 

[Texican]

Wacky,

What a place to stop.

Texican....

 

[gonewacky]

Chapter Three

In the kitchen at the boarding house Victoria was quizzing Suzy about Kathy and how the chaperoning went. Suzy told about all they did and how Kathy was living in a dream land over Sieg. Then Suzy told how Sieg took a bullet for Kathy and Victoria boasted, “I told you he’d be like that. After all he is a Wells Fargo man. There a special breed of man. Not anyone can be a Wells Fargo man. Next would be a Pony Express rider. I would add Banker to the mix, but there to big headed. They just love their money. No I think she got lucky finding a Wells Fargo man.”

Suzy went on, “We had to watch them close, and it’s a good thing she doesn’t wear a dress. After we went to the Theater she gave him a good night kiss that would have made her dress fly off. I had to almost pull her off him. I think she’s in over her head, and doesn’t even know it.”

Victoria muttered, “I think this is her first time feeling that kind of love. She’s like an alcoholic wanting a drink. She just can’t get enough. I just hope this works out and she doesn’t get the big letdown.”

Kathy was moping around the house as time seamed to stand still. Then she got a feeling of dread. She knew something happened. She could feel it inside of her. She remembered the feeling from the day Hawkins died. She knew she couldn’t live through that again. Then she went to her room and wept.

Then the Ninja Warrior Princess appeared, “Oh child you are uneducated in the facts of Love. You are lacking in the knowledge of giving Love. You just give Love to all not understanding the effects Love has. I’m sending you on a Journey to help you work with others. You will learn to fight a different type of Demon. You will fight Demons that possess things not people.”

Then she was standing with the Horsemen and Fire Ball as the Ninja Warrior Princess explained, “I bring Kathy to you for help with the unseen Demon. Teach her and help her on this Journey. She needs Love for her powers to work. This you must do by order of the Love Giver.”

Then the Warrior Princess faded away, and a driver came with an old woman. He stopped the Carriage and asked, “Are you the Demon Hunters that expel evil from a place?”

The Horsemen assured, “That would be us.”

The Driver informed, “The Shipmaster’s Wife would like to talk to you.”

They walked to the Carriage by the woman with a veil hanging over her face. She was well dressed with fine clothes and questioned, “Can you clear a house of evil?”

The Horsemen revealed, “We can, but sometimes you just have to burn it to send it back. You want us to try?”

The Lady continued, “I lived there with my husband for years. We knew there were strange things happening in the house, but it was never harmful. It just moved things around, and did child pranks on us. Now that my husband has moved on it has become Evil. It won’t let me eat. It pushes my food off the table. It tried to push me down the stairs, and attacks me in bed at night. I had to move out of the house. You are my last chance to keep my home.”

The Horsemen looked at Kathy and asked, “What do you think Kathy.”

Kathy stepped next to the Carriage and took her hand and looked in her eyes and disclosed, “I’ll do everything in my power to help you. Now close your eyes. Fire Ball give me Love.”

Then Fire Ball made a ball of bright flashing colored light, and Kathy snatched it from her hand. Then she pushed it in the lady and exclaimed, “Open your eyes.”

She opened her eyes and gasped, “I’ve been sent an Angel.”

Kathy whispered, “No just a goddess, but I’m not afraid to call one if I need it. Now let’s find what we have.”

The Lady commanded, “Tom take me to the Hotel and show the Goddess my home.”

Then they were off and the Horsemen followed the Carriage into San Francisco. At the Palace Hotel across from the four stories of the Gingerbread Grand Hotel the Carriage stopped. The door man came and helped the lady into the Hotel. Then they followed the Carriage driver up a hill overlooking the bay. Kathy saw the most magnificence house she had ever seen. It was covered with scrollwork and turnings everywhere. Fancy leaded glass windows with hand carved trim all over. It stood a grand three stories with a four story tower.

Fire Ball and the Horsemen got down from the wagon, but Kathy was frozen in place. She just kept looking at the house. Then the Horsemen questioned, “Are you coming?”

Kathy insisted, “Someone is looking out of the window. You think we should talk to the boy?”

The Horsemen questioned, “Witch window? I don’t see anyone.”

Fire Ball demanded, “What boy?”

Kathy insisted, “Why the one sitting on the steps of course.”

Fire Ball insisted, “I don’t see a thing.”

Kathy climbed down from the wagon and asked the Carriage Driver, “Are you going to let me in?”

The Driver bellowed, “Oh hell no! Here is the key let yourself in. Like all the other servant’s there is no way I’m going back in that place. If I were you I’d get as far away from that house as possible.”

Kathy pulled the key from his hand saying, “I’m going in.”

Then she walked to the porch and sat next to the boy on the steps. Then she asked, “What’s your name?”

The boy replied, “Emmitt.”

Fire Ball demanded, “Are you relay talking to someone?”

Kathy revealed, “Of course. This is Emmitt. Don’t’ you see him?”

The Horsemen replied, “It’s a Spirit Fire Ball. She’s the Spectrum Goddess and can see things we can’t. That’s why they sent her.”

Kathy asked, “How old are you Emmitt?”

Emmitt replied, “I’m six, but I’ll be seven soon.”

Kathy asked, “Who is in the house Emmitt?”

Emmitt replied, “My mommy. She’s sad because my father hasn’t come home yet. He’s the Captain of a big ship. Mommy watches for him every day from the Widow's watch. We’re hoping he’s back for my birthday.”

Kathy got up and walked to the door. Then pushed the key in the lock and gave it a turn. There was a klick and she pushed the door open. Stepping inside it felt cold and goose bumps covered her arms. Fire Ball and the Horsemen came in right behind her. They were in the foyer and on their right was curved stairs going up to the second floor landing space. The celling went all the way up to the top of the next floor with a chandelier hanging from a twenty foot chain.

On their left was a Parlor room with two sliding doors that went into the wall. The foyer turned to a grand hall past the stairs. Kathy took a step towards the grand hall and a fog started felling in around them. Kathy felt fear fall upon her and she pulled the knife Albert made for her, and held it in the air. Then she grabbed the wrist of the Horsemen ordering, “Blink us out of here!”

The Horsemen put his hand on Fire Ball and blinked them outside. At the stairs to the porch Emmitt asked, “Did you see him?”

Kathy answered, “No but I felt him. He’s pure Evil.”

Emmitt disclosed, “Even Mommy is scared by him. He’s bad and is keeping us here.”

Fire Ball inquired, “How can we fight what we can’t see.”

Kathy insisted, “Here touch me.”

Fire Ball touched Kathy and little flickering stars shot from her exploding, and she saw the boy. Fire Ball jerked her hand away exclaiming, “What just happened?”

Kathy apologized, “I’m sorry I should have warned that when a Love Goddess touches me little stars shoot out exploding in the air around us.”

Fire Ball insisted, “Horsemen touch her.”

 

[gonewacky]

The Horsemen touched Kathy and saw the boy. Then Kathy twirled her finger making a spinning rainbow. The boy reached out and touched it and turned a rainbow color. The Horsemen exclaimed, “How did you do that?”

Kathy replied, “I don’t know I just do it. This Spirit is a good Spirit. It’s just trapped. I believe we will need the mother to pass over to send this one home. I need to get a bag of salt to go back in there. Suzy told me that a Spirit can’t cross salt or running water. If I get a bag of salt and it comes at me I can spin around dumping it out around me. Then it can’t get to me, and I can call you to blink me out.”

The Horsemen admitted, “It’s getting late and will be dark soon. I think we should go home and come back tomorrow. Spirits seem to have more power at night, and by the time we get salt it will be dark. We don’t have lanterns or know the layout of the house. I don’t think we should be roaming around in the dark. What do you think Kathy?”

Kathy looked to Fire Ball and acknowledged, “You’re the most powerful Fire Ball. What do you think?”

With that Fire Ball threw a ball of bright flashing colored light in the air, and shot it with a lightning bolt. Thousands of little flashing stars rained down on them as the Horsemen blinked them back to their farm saying, “I guess this means I put the horses up for the night. Why don’t you take Kathy to the house and let her pick a room.”

Kathy followed Fire Ball to the house as she asked, “How many people live here?

Fire Ball replied, “Just the Horsemen and I.”

Kathy queried, “Why such a big house for just the two of you?”

Fire Ball explained, “We rescue a lot of children. The Demons around her steal children for slaves and sacrifices to make them stronger.”

Fire Ball stopped and pushed open a door saying, “This is my favorite.”

Looking through the door Kathy saw a rocking horse and a doll house. A full sized canopy bed filled the center of the room with a ragdoll on it. Fire Ball insisted, “Try the bed.”

Kathy sat on the edge of the bed. She sunk into the mattress and exclaimed, “Suzy has a bed like this. It’s like a pillow.”

Fire Ball revealed, “All our beds have a mattress from the future. Don’t you have one?”

Kathy admitted, “No, only Jim and Suzy have one.”

Fire Ball proposed, “Then when you get back. You take your Time Lord to your room and shut the door. Then demand he get you one. He’ll do it; he has to it’s a code among Demon Hunters. Now I’m going to go start something to eat and you can stay here or come along.”

In the woods by the Salmon River Sieg came too shivering. Slowly opening his eyes he saw a big husky bearded man wearing animal skins for clothes. Seeing Sieg’s eyes open he announced, “Welcome back to the land of the living. Your clothes are almost dry. Are you running from the Law or something?”

Sieg looked around and saw the Mule and stacks of animal skins. Sieg knew he was in the camp of a trapper, but not much more. He didn’t know how he got there, or who he was. Everything was a blink. Sieg replied, “I don’t know. I can’t remember.”

The man smiled, “Don’t matter anyway. I just wondered because of the bullet hole in your leg.”

Putting his hand to his leg Sieg replied, “Oh, that’s why my leg hurts so much.”

The man put a bear skin over Sieg and insisted he rest.

Back in Kathy’s room the sun shined through the window on her face. Coming to life she got dressed, and went to the kitchen. The Horsemen and Fire Ball were talking over a cup of coffee. Looking up Fire Ball declared, “You’re back with the living. How did you sleep?”

Kathy proclaimed, “That was the best night’s sleep I ever had. I didn’t want to get out of bed. I could have laid there all day.”

The Horsemen pointed out, “This bag on the table is about five pounds of salt. I was hoping that would be enough. As soon as we eat we’ll head out.”

They ate and the Horsemen hitched up the team to the wagon. Then Fire Ball threw a ball of bright flashing colored light in the air, and shot it with a lightning bolt. Thousands of little flashing stars rained down on them as the Horsemen blinked them back to the Victorian House.

Appearing alongside the house Kathy could see the size of the house. It was twice as big as she thought. She looked for the little boy, but he was nowhere to be found. Then Kathy picked up the bag of salt and advised, “I think you should wait out here. I’ll go in and check it out and come get you if I think it safe. Kathy slipped her hand down and checked her gun. Then moved it to the knife Albert made for her. Then she announced, “Here we go.”

She walked up the steps and went across the porch. Stopping at the door she slipped in the key, and pushed the door open. There sat the boy on the stairs looking at her. The boy floated to his feet and motioned, “Follow me. Mommy is waiting for you.”

Kathy followed the boy up the stairs to the second floor. Then they went up another set of stairs to the third floor. From there they went to the bottom of the tower. The stairs were steep and made three turns to get to the top. Kathy came out to a viewing area overlooking the bay. There stood a slender tall woman wearing a white nightgown hanging to the floor. She was almost transparent as if she wasn’t even there. The boy ran to her pulling on her nightgown saying, “She’s here mom. She came to help us.”

The woman just looked out at the bay saying, “He needs to come back. We need him.”

Then the boy and his mother faded away. Kathy looked out over the bay. She could see the ships at the dock and the Ocean past the bay opening. Then she went back down to the third floor and looked around. Not much was on this floor, and most of the rooms were empty. Not finding anything she went down to the second floor. Going down the stairs she saw the boy waiting for her. When she reached the bottom of the stairs the boy called out, “Follow me.”

Then he shot through the wall under the stairs. Most houses like this one used this space for storage, but this one had no opening. Kathy looked at the wall and a speck of light appeared. The spot got bigger and brighter and grew out word like a ring of fire burning through something. Then it opened up a hole and Kathy could see through the wall under the stairs.

She gasped at what she saw. Then a chair slid across the room at her. She jumped out of the way, as the chair slammed into the wall busting into pieces. Kathy slung out her arms and a bright white light engulfed everything.

Outside the Horsemen and Fire Ball watched beams of light shoot out of all the windows. It was so bright it lit up the hillside.

Inside a wind blew that carried strange high-pitched squealing sounds. It blew the hat off Kathy’s head, and her hair stood straight out as she walked from the house. Coming out the front door she clapped her hands and the light disappeared. Sitting on the steps Kathy exclaimed, “I found it.”

The Horsemen and Fire Ball approached Kathy asking, “Found what?”

Kathy revealed, “The boy and his mother hid under the stairs. Their mummified in their hiding place. Murdered I think.”

The Horsemen insisted, “I was in the house with you and it’s all open under the stairs.”

Kathy explained, “Not on the stairs to the third floor. It’s boxed in there. There’s another problem. The demon I believe killed them is protecting his property. That is why he won’t let them cross over. He sees them as his.”

 

[gonewacky]

The Horsemen questioned. “Did you touch anything?”

Kathy insisted, “I told you their incased under the stair way.”

The Horsemen inquired, “Then how did you see them.”

Kathy explained, “I can see through walls if I try. If you touch me or I make you invisible you can see it too. I can’t go back inside unless Fire Ball charges me up again. I’m too weak right now to protect you. I would want us to hold hands so you can blink us out if needed.”

The Horsemen demand he see it for himself it they are going to go any further. Fire Ball made a ball of bright flashing colored light and pushed it in Kathy. Then she did it again and looked at Kathy and asked, “Is that good?”

Kathy requested, “One more time just to make sure. Are you coming in with us Fire Ball?”

Fire Ball replied, “I’ll wait out here in case I have to call Njal or something. I don’t think my lightning bolts will do anything to this kind of demon.”

Kathy revealed, “I think you’re right. I saw Suzy try it one time and the lightning bolt just went through it.”

Kathy took the Horsemen’s hand and started pulling him to the house. She flung open the door and pulled him straight up the stairs to the second floor. Pointing to the hole she made she insisted, “Right there look through that hole I made.”

The Horsemen looked and gasped as the room started shaking. Things started falling off the walls and flying through the air. Feared for their safety The Horsemen blinked them out. Appearing next to Fire Ball he explained, “I don’t know how to fight this thing.”

Kathy informed, “This is the kind of Demon James and Suzy first fought. They had to travel from the future back a hundred and fifty years to kill it. In the future they put a ring of salt around the house. Then it couldn’t leave the house. What we have to do is find the Demon when it had a body so we can fight it. Then we can cast it to Hell from that body.”

The Horsemen gave his plan. “Now what we do is go to Mrs. Whiteley about tearing down the wall. Then we get the Constable to get some men up here to do the work and investigate the murder of the mother and child. Then use that information to find who the Demon is. Then we can go after him.”

Fire Ball added, “Kathy and I can go to the land office and find the history of the house. There might be clues there.”

The Horsemen looked at Kathy and asked, “What do you think Kathy?”

Kathy replied, “Well it isn’t going to happen with us standing around here. Let’s get started.”

In the woods the trapper handed Sieg a cup of hot broth, and insisted he drink it. Sieg sipped on the broth as he fought to remember. Flashes of the stage went through his head, but he couldn’t remember any faces or names. He wondered what the stagecoach mint. But everything was all jumbled up.

The trapper asked, “What are you in such deep thought about?”

Sieg replied, “I’m trying to remember who I am and how I got here.”

The trapper insisted, “You got here by me fishing you out of the river. You were a goner going down for the last time when I pulled you out. Drink up you’ll need your strength. Tomorrow we need to move out and check my trap line.”

Back in San Francisco at the Palace Hotel they ask the desk clerk to call Mrs. Whiteley. He sent a Bellhop to find Mrs. Whiteley and asked them to have a seat in the Lobby. After what seemed like a long wait Mrs. Whiteley came and took a seat across from them and questioned, “You need some money?”

The Horsemen was insulted by her response and argued, “We never ask for money! We’re sent by a higher power and do this to remove Evil from the world.”

Then she snarled, “I suppose you’re here to tell me you found nothing, and it’s all in my head.”

Kathy couldn’t believe what she was hearing. The lady was so nice the day before, and seemed desperate for help. Kathy called out, “By the power of Njal I command time to stop.”

The Horsemen exclaimed, “What are you doing we’re in public.”

Kathy insisted, “I know what I’m doing our team dose this all the time.”

Then she kneeled in front of the woman and touched her. She came to life looking around. It was dead silent and everyone in the busy lobby was frozen in place. Kathy looked in her eyes and revealed; “Now it’s just you and me. Your house is Demon possessed, and a mother and her child are sealed up in the wall under the second floor stairs. You want us to fix this for you, or should we just go home? Don’t answer. Just sit there and think about it.”

Then Kathy twirled her finger and a spinning rainbow covered the celling, and turned to twinkling little stars exploding as they faded away. Kathy jerked her hand away letting her freeze. She got back in her seat and looked at the Horsemen and Fire Ball and asked, “Are we ready?”

They knotted and Kathy looked at Mrs. Whiteley like she was before time stopped. Then she called out, “By the power of Njal I command time to start.”

Calmly the Horsemen went on, “No it’s not like that.”

Mrs. Whiteley butted in, “I want to ask the woman dressed like a man something. Did you just say something to me?”

Kathy smiled and questioned, “Are you going to let the Constable tear open that wall?”

Mrs. Whiteley replied, “What wall?”

Kathy smiled, “You know what wall I’m talking about. I already told you once. Watch this.”

Then Kathy grabbed Fire Ball’s arm and little flickering stars surrounded her hand exploding in the air with little flashes. Then Kathy pulled her hand away and informed, “There’s only one of me in this world, and I came to help you.”

Mrs. Whiteley urged, “What can I do?”

The Horsemen insisted, “Just let the Constable investigate the house and tear open the wall.”

Mrs. Whiteley agreed, “Done, you don’t need anything else?”

The Horsemen insisted, “Nope, that dose it. Have a nice day.”

Then they were off. Kathy and Fire Ball went to the records office and the Horsemen went to see Constable Roberts.

At the records office Kathy and Fire Ball found the home was built by James Maury then went to Samuel Jackson by marriage and sold to captain Whiteley.

The Horsemen was pleading his case to Constable Roberts. He explained about the mother and child, but the Constable was reluctant.

Constable Roberts explained, “Look I can’t just go into a house and tear out a wall in what some supposed Psychic tells me they saw. You know I don’t believe in all this Hocus Pocus stuff.”

The Horsemen insisted, “Mrs. Whiteley wants you to investigate it. If you don’t I’ll get a photographer up there and do it myself. Then you can read about it in the News Paper.”

Finally Constable Roberts agreed and took two men and headed up to the house with the Horsemen. They were joined by Kathy and Fire Ball on their way to the Palace Hotel. After seeing Mrs. Whiteley they headed to her house. Where they went to the second floor and started busting through the wall. Then the house started to shake and the Horsemen pulled Constable Roberts back. A chandelier fell crashing in front of him as one of the men shouted, “Bring that lantern over here. Looking through the hole he saw the mummified remains of a woman. Constable Roberts cried out, “Oh my God how did you know?”

The Horsemen insisted, “The more important question is who did this. She didn’t wall herself up in there.”

Constable Roberts recalled, “I believe this is James Maury’s wife and son Paul. He was the captain of the Northern Light, a wooden-hulled steamer with three masts. He died and his wife remarried to Jackson. Then it was told she took the train back to Minnesota with her son. Jackson stayed behind and sold the home to captain Whiteley. Then Jackson was killed in a fire at the Lantern Saloon two days later. We never heard from his wife again, and no one knows where the house money went. We had assumed he sent it to his wife, but now it looks like he murdered her and the boy.”

The Horsemen declared, “Well our work here is done. I think we’ll leave the rest to you. We have a Demon to chase.”

Roberts insisted, “Like always you dump some strange case on us and take off.”

Outside the house Kathy and Fire Ball were waiting at the Wagon. The Horsemen insisted, “We have some time traveling to do and a Demon to send to Hell.”

Soon they were at the farm in 1982 with Wind Walker and Bird Man. The Horsemen and Wind Walker disposed of the Demon body, and Bird Man took Kathy home.

The Horsemen and Fire Ball were on their way home when time stopped. Then Njal and the Ninja Warrior Princess appeared in front of them. Njal’s voice echoed through the air, “The Warrior Princess has lost a Soul to a Demon. He has taken control of the spiritual essence of a person, and has turned him into a slave to the Demon. He’s in a cataclysmic struggle between the forces of good and evil. You need to set him on the right track, and send him on his way back to the one waiting for him. The Warrior Princess will guide you to him. Now go forth and retrieve this Soul from its capture.”

Then they were by the Salmon River at a Ferry crossing. The Ferry was on the other side of the river unloading, as they waited not knowing where they were. They didn’t even know who they were looking for.

Across the river a few miles downstream the trapper had his Mule loaded, and had Seig loaded like a pack Mule. Then they headed down river as the trapper checked his traps and added them to Seig’s load. It was all Seig could do to walk let alone carry this load. He fell to the ground in pain, and the trapper yelled, “Get your ass up! Don’t make me leave you here to die!”

Seig was in an overwhelming amount of pain and it was taking over his every essence controlling his thoughts. All he could think of was his will to survive and the pain, but he was on the brink of death. He was fighting to find a meaning to continuing his life, but he couldn’t even remember who he was. He struggled to his feet and pushed on.

 

[Texican]

Thanks wacky for the chapters.

Texican....

 

[gonewacky]

I just want you to know this is still hard for me. I have been trying to use bigger words if you haven’t noticed. I was just reworking the sentence around the word, but now I’m trying to force myself to figure them out. Some of them take a lot of time to figure out even with Google. I also have to think this stuff up. This all takes more than I would have ever thought, but I like doing it. I just hope you are enjoying it.

Here comes more crazy stuff…



Joe

 

[gonewacky]

As the Ferry neared and a Indian arrived to take the Ferry. The Horseman asked, “Do you know this land?”

The Indian replied, “This is an evil land filled with Demons and Spirits. Some Spirits will help you and others are Evil. The other side of the river is the land of the Skin-Walker. He steals people and their souls. We believe he killed and ate his family giving him his power. He can manifest himself in many forms of human, animals, or birds. He cast no shadows and speaks with a nasal twang. He lurks in the places where he was killed or places which hold some other deep significance for him. We attribute strange rumblings heard deep within the Woods and Mountains to him. Also the shaking of the ground and the crashing of boulders are all thought to be him. Why would you come to this Evil place?”

Fire Ball replied, “We are Demon Hunters sent to save a man from this Evil.

The Indian revealed, “I am Tonka. I too send you to destroy this Evil Skin-Walker. I give you my Hawk to guide you to him. Use your powers wisely for he will surely try to deceive you.”

Then the Ferry was unloading, and The Horseman drove the Wagon on the Ferry. He looked around for the Indian, but he was gone. Looking he saw the Hawk circling over the river screaming, “Kee-eeeee-arr.”

Fire Ball mumbled, “I do believe we just saw a Great Indian Spirit.”

The Horseman agreed, “I’m sure of it Mama. I also believe he gave us a guide.”

In the woods the Trapper came out carrying a Rabbit. Seeing Seig he announced, “We’re lucky you get to eat today. Now drop the skins and build a fire. You do know how to do that don’t you?”

Seig replied, “Yes, but I don’t have anything to light it with.”

The Trapper threw a flint and it landed at his feet on the ground. Seig dropped his load and picked up the flint, as he filled with anger. Evil thoughts went through his head. He gathered sticks to make a fire trying to think. He so wanted to remember who he was. He didn’t want to be this Evil outlaw the trapper thought he was. He got some dry moss and made some shavings with his knife. He pulled a bullet from his gun and bit the led bullet pulling it from the shell. Just as he thought the gunpowder was wet from his swim in the river. He used a twig to scrape most of it out onto the moss. Then he put the shavings over it. Then he used the flint to get an ember going. Then he blew on it getting a little flicker that started drying out the gunpowder. Then it took off and he pushed it into the pile of twigs and started the fire.

The Trapper returned with the skinned out Rabbit. He threw the skin at Seig and demanded, “Scrape this skin and I’ll cook the Rabbit.”

Then the Hawk circled over them screaming, “Kee-eeeee-arr.”

The Trapper laughed, “Come down here. I’ll eat you. You don’t deceive me.”

Then another Hawk appeared circling over the first Hawk and the Trapper ordered, “Go forth and deceive them.”

With that the Hawk flew off. Seig watched as he scraped the Rabbit skin.

Back at the Wagon The Horseman stopped the wagon where the hawk went into the woods. Then they saw the Hawk down the road. The Horseman insisted, “I think it wants us to go down there.”

Then the Hawk took flight screaming, “Kee-eeeee-arr.”

The Horseman gave the rains a whip and the team started to move as another Hawk landed on the road in front of them. The Horseman pulled back on the rains bringing the wagon to a stop. Fire Ball exclaimed, “How do we know which one to follow?”

The Horseman called out, “Time be gone.”

Time stopped and the bird in flight froze in the sky. The one on the road flew to the wagon seat. Then the bird flew in-between to big trees into the woods screaming, “Kee-eeeee-arr.”

Grabbing the bag behind the wagon seat Fire Ball informed, “I got the jerky and hardtack. Grab the canteen and I guess we follow the bird into the woods. Then they were off following the Hawk through the woods.

Stopping to rest The Horseman called out, “Time be on.”

Fire Ball chuckled, “I was wondering when you would realize you had stopped time.”

The Horseman replied, “I knew. I was just enjoying the quietness. It makes it easier to think.”

Fire Ball inquired, “What are you thinking about?”

The Horseman replied, “First they send us Kathy to work with. Then we do things we’ve never done before. This Spectrum Goddess is the youngest one of any God or Goddess we know. Yet she just goes all out like she has done it for years. We’ve been working the 1880’s for over forty years. Almost all of our cases have been for children. Now we get that strange house Demon, and now this Skin-Walker. We’re saving some guy and don’t know why.”

Fire Ball insisted, “We never know why we get a case. This one is a journey. We’ve been on them before. This one is just a little different. Hay quiet!”

The Horseman whispered, “I hear talking.”

In the Trapper’s camp Seig was complaining, “What do you mean I only get one leg and thigh! You bastard I get half!”

The Trapper argued, “It’s my Rabbit you’re lucky if I give you any at all.”

Seig growled, “Then carry your own skins. I quit!”

Then the Trapper turned into a Black Bear and stood up roaring. The Horseman and Fire Ball came out in the small clearing and saw the Bear. The Horseman yelled, “Time be gone.”

Time stopped and Fire Ball exclaimed, “I think we found our Skin-Walker. Now what? I can’t touch it because it will come to life, and won’t be frozen in time any more. I can’t fight something like that.”

The Horseman acknowledged, “I don’t have the wagon and team, so I can’t put a noose over its head. We have to find a way to contain it so you can cast out the demon.”

Fire Ball insisted, “I think this is the time we call for help.”

The Horseman pondered, “This clearing isn’t big enough for the wagon and team, and the trees are too thick to get a pull. The Boat Twins are out there’s no water. Bike Man could do it. He could drag this thing all the way back to the road. We never use him. I think we should call him.”

Fire Ball called out, “By the power of Njal I command Bike Man to appear.”

Before them Bike Man appeared on his bike with his rope coiled on his shoulder. The Horseman explained, “We have a Skin-Walker that has changed into a bear.”

Bike Man’s eyes opened wide, “So the stories are true. The Skin-Walker’s do roam the land. This is my first.”

Fire Ball divulged, “Ours too. If you noose it I’ll cast the wickedness out of it.”

Bike Man replied, “Got yah.”

 

[gonewacky]

Then he revved his bike and took off with dirt flying from the tire. He whipped the noose over the Bears head, and threw the coil of rope on the ground. Then he took off between two trees with the rope coiling out as he went. Then the rope snapped tight pulling the bear off its feet, as Fire Ball dived at the Bear with a ball of bright flashing colored light in her hand. Flinging her hand at its chest she called out, “Back to hell with you Demon.”

Then a black cloud in the shape of a hideous monster rose up into the air. It was twisting around as it made a squalling sound. Then it was sucked into the ground. Bike man rode up next to Fire Ball. She was sitting on the bearded man’s chest. Bike man exclaimed, “Did you see the monster that came out of that thing? I’ve never seen anything like that. I swear it shot up fifty feet in the air. I worried it might not go into the ground.”

Looking to Seig Bike Man questioned, “What’s up with him?”

The Horseman answered, “That’s the one we were sent to rescue.”

Bike man coiled his rope and hung it on the handlebars as he spoke, “We need to start filling him with Love so we can start time.”

Fire Ball questioned, “You want to help me?”

Bike Man replied, “Sure.”

They went to Seig and Fire Ball pushed love into Seig’s chest and Bike man pushed love into his back. Then Bike man revealed, “This man is in bad shape. I can feel the pain in his soul.”

Then he kneeled next to Seig and put his hands on his bad leg. A bright light radiated from his hands as the wound healed. Then he moved to his shoulder and neck announcing, “This man must have been in a tremendous amount of pain. It’s a wander he could even walk and talk. That kind of pain takes over your entire being.

Fire Ball explained, “We were told a Demon had taken control of the spiritual essence of him, and had turned him into a slave to the Demon. We were sent to help with his struggle between the forces of good and evil. Then return him to the one waiting for him. We were told The Warrior Princess would guide us, but she sent us an Indian Spirit guide. The Indian Spirit gave us the Hawk as a guide.”

Bike Man went on. “He should start to think right now that I healed him. I’m sure he’ll help you guide hem on his way.”

Fire Ball responded, “We didn’t know you were a healer. We didn’t even know there was anyone with healing powers. We could have used you a few times.”

Bike Man revealed, “I’m not the only one. There’s another one on the team with the Spectrum Goddess, but she hasn’t learned it yet. Njal told me about her. He said she almost used that power once on a little boy, but he had to stop her. She wasn’t ready to be using it yet. He had to stop time and do it himself.”

Fire Ball exclaimed, “Wow you talk with Njal?”

Bike Man insisted, “I have no choice. He’s my Time Lord. I have no Time Lord on my team. Heck I don’t even have a team it’s just me, and I have to call him every time I need to mess with time. He thinks I’m his child, but that’s all right with me. I like hearing the things he tells me. There’s hope in his words.”

Fire Ball affirmed, “It’s not just you Bike Man he thinks we’re all his children.”

The Horseman questioned, “Are we ready to wrap this thing up?”

Bike man asked, “Are you going to do it Fire Ball?”

With that Fire Ball threw a ball of bright flashing colored light in the air, and shot it with a lightning bolt. Thousands of little flashing stars rained down on them as The Horseman blinked them out. They appeared at the Wagon and The Horseman called out, “Time be on.”

Then Seig questioned, “What’s going on?”

Bike Man informed, “Again.”

Then Fire Ball threw a ball of bright flashing colored light in the air, and shot it with a lightning bolt. Thousands of little flashing stars rained down on them as The Horseman blinked them out. They appeared at the farm in 1982. Wind Walker came from the house asking, “What do we have here?”

The Horseman replied, “It’s a Skin-Walker.”

Wind Walker pointed out, “This is only the second one I’ve ever done. The first one came from the Boat Twins out of the swamps of the Mississippi River.”

Sieg exclaimed, “What is going on it’s like I just keep reappearing in different places.”

Fire Ball pushed Love into Seig’s back and whispered, “We’re helping you. Don’t worry we’ll get you home. What’s your name?

Seig stuttered, “I don’t know. I can’t remember anything. I might be an Outlaw.”

Wind Walker and The Horseman drug the Demon body to the barn as Bike Man stepped next to Seig. He pushed Love into him saying, “That’s the Demon talking to you. That’s not true you’re a good Soul. Love is calling for you. Try hard and you’ll hear it. Then the Ninja Warrior Princess appeared and pulled her sward. Bike Man stepped back as she tapped the sward on Seig’s head saying, “Remember.”

Then she faded away. Fire Ball mumbled, “That’s a first for me.”

Bike Man insisted, “That Princess scares me every time I see her.”

Sieg announced, “Seig, that’s my name Seig. I’m trying to get back to Kathy. Boy am I hungry.”

Fire Ball gasped, “Oh now I understand this is the Wells Fargo Man Kathy’s in love with. They sent us to save her Love.”

Bike Man queried, “Kathy the Spectrum Goddess?”

Fire Ball replied, “Yep, she was just telling us all about him.”

Bike Man acknowledged, “I need to get out more. I don’t know anything about this new team. Other than the two group fights we’ve been in.”

Back in Dention Kathy whispered in Suzy’s ear, “I’m taking Jim for a little while.”

Suzy replied, “If it will cheer you up, but remember you’re going to tell me about your time with Fire Ball.”

Kathy insisted, “You won’t even miss us.”

Suzy thought, I know that Girl she’s got something sneaky going on.

 

[gonewacky]

Kathy took Jim’s hand and pulled him to her room and shut the door. Then she insisted, “I need you to take me to the future. We need to go to the Coin Shop so I can get some future money. Then to a Mattress store so I can buy a Mattress.”

Jim insisted, “Kathy we’ll have to go change into future clothes first.”

Kathy snickered, “Not if we go on Halloween. We could just say we’re going to a costume party. Rich People still do that in the future don’t they?”

Jim replied, “Kathy it’s not just Rich People in the future that dose it. Anyone can do it then. People just walk around and work in a costume. I can tell you’ve been thinking about this a lot.”

Kathy replied, “No Fire Ball told me you have to do it because you’re the teams Time Lord.”

Jim insisted, “Make us invisible.”

Then he took a hold of Kathy’s arm and blinked out. Appearing at the Coin Shop they saw Oliver was with a customer. Jim whispered in Kathy’s ear, “When I open the door shoot me with a little spark and make yourself visible.”

Jim pulled the door open and the bell went off. Then Kathy shot Jim and faded back. Oliver looked up just in time to see them become visible and announced, “I’ll be right with you folks.”

The Lady asked, “How much is that braided gold ring?”

Oliver explained, “It’s an 18 karat solid gold handwoven braided wide band Ring. It’s nicely woven and heavy. I have to get at least $350 for it.”

The Lady revealed, “I only have $300 can’t we work out a deal for that.”

Oliver thought for a moment then said, “No, I can’t do it I can melt it down for that much.”

Kathy stepped next to the Lady and insisted, “Let her try it on Oliver.”

Oliver pulled the ring from the case and set it on the counter. The lady tried on the ring and inquired, “You sure you can’t take $300 for it?”

Kathy whispered, “Money talks put the cash on the counter.”

The Lady pulled her wallet from her purse, and pulled out three crisp one hundred dollar bills. Then she laid them on the counter. Retrieving a silver dollar from her pocket Kathy spoke up, “Would you trade that ring for this 1856 silver dollar?”

Oliver insisted, “It’s not even your kind of thing amethyst girl, but you know I would.”

Kathy looked at the Lady and offered, “I’ll sale you this coin for $300 and you can trade it for the ring. What do you think?”

Oliver barked, “Hold on a minute.”

Then he pulled a felt marker from his shirt pocket, and dragged it across the bills. Then Oliver exclaimed, “OK you can do it if you want.”

The Lady looked at Oliver and he gave a nod of approval. Kathy held out the coin, and the Lady took it and handed it to Oliver. Kathy picked up the cash and stuffed it in her pocket. Oliver continued, “Let me get you a receipt for that ring.”

Taking the receipt the lady exclaimed, “Hay this receipt is only for $300.”

Oliver insisted, “That is what you paid.”

Then the Lady went out mumbling to herself. As the door shut Oliver chastised, “Don’t ever get into one of my sales like that again. She knew the price and had the money. She would have paid the $350 for the ring. Now what do you need?”

Jim apologized, “I’m sorry Oliver I’m sure she won’t do that again. Kathy needs cash to buy a Mattress.”

Oliver looked at Kathy and questioned, “What do you have?”

She set four silver dollars on the counter and Oliver offered, “I’ll give you a hundred dollars a coin as a punishment.”

Kathy asked, “Will that be enough for a pillow top James?”

James insisted, “I’m not sure. Maybe you should try for more money.”

Oliver smiled. “Oh no wonder she’s in a mood. Not enough sleep will do that to you. You need your beauty sleep for sure. I’ll go $700 with the $300 you got that should be enough. Just don’t go cheap. Get a good one that will last.”

Then Jim blinked them out to the Mattress store. Kathy laid on one bed after another them made up her mind. Then she picked the Beautyrest Br800 Plush Pillow Top Mattress for $799. Then Jim had them deliver it to Suzy’s house. He blinked then to Suzy’s house to wait for the Mattress. Jim made some coffee and Kathy talked about her time with Fire Ball and The Horsemen. She told about her time with the Spirit of the woman, and how she told her about her Love to Samuel Jackson. Then he put a pillow over her head and killed her. She thought he Loved her, but he only wanted her house and money. That got me thinking about how do you know a man really Loves you.”

Jim replied, “That’s what Suzan and I have been trying to tell you.”

Kathy insisted, “I understand that now, but I can’t give up. I think I’ll enjoy Seig for a while. Fire Ball told me that if he really Loves me he’ll wait as long as it takes. Do you think that is true James?”

Jim squeezed his chin and replied, “I would think you’ll know in two years. If he sticks around that long we’ll all know by then.”

Kathy smiled, “Then two years it is.”

Then there was a knock at the door. The Mattress was at the door. They drug it in the house and locked the doors. Then Jim blinked them back to Kathy’s room about five minutes after they first left. Jim told Kathy to just push her old Mattress in the Hall and he’d have Amos take care of it. Then we went back out to the dining room where Suzy ask, “What was that all about?”

Jim replied, “Just the kind of stuff a father would do for his Daughter.”

Suzy replied, “Oh, didn’t take that long.”

Jim mumbled going out the door, “Only half a day. I’ll be at the Jail.”

Suzy looked out the kitchen window as Jim walked past Victoria. Then she went down the hall to Kathy’s room. Kathy was pushing her old mattress into the hall. Suzy looked in Kathy’s door and saw the pillow top mattress in Kathy’s room, and bubbled, “So now you’re a princess are you.”

Kathy smiled, “If the Queen can have one so should I.”

Suzy replied, “I never should have let you sit on my bed.”

 

[gonewacky]

Kathy replied, “It wasn’t you. I got to sleep on one at Fire Ball’s house. She told me to make James get me one, so I did. Then we talked about the Hotel. Has he talked to you about it?”

Suzy replied, “Oh yes a few times.”

Kathy asked, “Are you going to let him do it? You know you’re the one that really owns the land.”

Suzy smiled, “We’ll see.”

The Horseman guided the wagon into town pass the Boarding house and down the street. The Horseman and Fire Ball went through town to the Livery. Meeting Henry the Horsemen ask, “Can you feed and water my horsed I need to find the Sheriff.”

Henry instructed, “The Sheriff is across the street at the Jail.”

The Horsemen replied as he helped Fire Ball down from the Wagon, “Thanks.”

Looking through the window Jim blurted, “Isn’t that The Horsemen and his wife?”

Albert replied, “Sure looks like it, and their headed over here.”

Jim went and stood by the door, and pulled it open for them. The Horsemen announced, “Why Sheriff, good to see you when we’re not fighting something Evil.”

Albert replied, “What brings you to our time?”

The Horsemen replied, “I thought I should tell you about a guy we just saved from a Skin-Walker. Let me tell you their one nasty powerful Demon and are a changeling. This one turned into a bear on us. Anyway this guy fell off a ferry into the Salmon River. He got washed a few miles down the river going through some rapids. Near death when the Skin-Walker fished him out to use for a slave. His Soul was in danger of being lost to the Demon, so Najl sent us to save him. When we found him he couldn’t remember anything. Not even his name.

He started getting his memory back and we found his name was Seig. Then he remembered he worked for Wells Fargo, and we were sure he was the Seig Kathy talked about. We left him at the Wells Fargo station in Lewiston to catch the Stage back from there. We dropped him off about two hours from now. He should be on that stage tomorrow when it comes into town. I just wanted to warn you he might not be the same guy he was before. He’s been through a fight with a demon for his very Soul.”

Albert insisted, “What am I supposed to do with this. I’m not going to tell her.”

Jim blinked out to his room. Opening the door a crack he saw Suzy and Rebecca at the table. He waved for Suzy to come to the door. Then he grabbed her arm and pulled her in. He told her a little of what was going on. Then he blinked back to the Jail announcing, “Suzy’s on her way.”

A little bit later Suzy showed up with Rebecca. The Horseman looked at Rebecca and questioned, “Who is this? We can’t let outsiders hear some of this stuff.”

Pulling Rebecca next to him Albert assured, “She knows everything. You don’t have to hold anything back. Like us when time stops she doesn’t freeze and the overseers know about her. Not that they don’t already know everything.”

Fire Ball announced, “I’ll go first and tell what we’ve learned about this kind of thing from working with children.

His struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, the authorities, and the cosmic powers of this present darkness. He has to deal with the spiritual forces of evil. He will need reinforcements to be able to withstand that evil every day for a time. He will just have to learn to stand firm in what is good and fight the temptations.

Much depends upon the health of His body, mind and spirit. Bike Man is a healer and he healed his wounds for us. Now he needs to deal with his spirit. For example, a spiritual crisis could be understood as a spiritual emergence and personal transformation, or as a living nightmare of paranormal phenomena. Whether or not the crisis is understood as a positive experience or a negative one he may experience drastic challenges and changes to his personal meaning and sense of purpose, world view and beliefs in his identity and relationships.

Spiritual crises can also involve further challenges to him through what appear to be paranormal phenomena: for example, psychologically projected apparitions of dead people linked with unresolved bereavements issues, or actual paranormal phenomena such as poltergeist activity. That he generates unconsciously in response to suppressed mental and spiritual distress.

In some cases it could become a spiritual crisis through a personal cultural filter, or revised it through revisiting the memory. This sometimes becomes evident in the retelling of the experience. Revisiting can affect others who are involved. That would be all of you and the ones he works with.

His road is going to be a ruff one, and he might try to hide it. This kind of Demon is very powerful, and this was our first encounter with one like this. We just want you to understand no matter how he deals with this. He won’t be the same man he was. There might be some hope though. The Ninja Warrior Princess is working this case. She came to us at Wind Walker’s farm. Like Bike Man says, “She scares me every time I see her.” Anyway now you know what you might be in for. I have no idea who should tell Kathy what. This is your team, and our work is done.”

Jim replied, “I think the Warrior Princess scares everyone but Kathy.”

The Horsemen agreed, “I know what you mean. Kathy talked to the Spirits like she would talk to you or me. She just accepted them as a part of life. Gave me that feeling like when you first realize you’re talking to a Demon. You know that tingling putting you on guard thing.”

Albert acknowledged, “I believe we all get that feeling, but we have to push it aside and do our job.”

Suzy spoke up, “What happened to the Hawk?”

Fire Ball informed, “I think it’s up on top of the Livery watching us. Anyway that’s where it was when we came in.”

Jim looked out the window, “Yep it’s still there.”

Suzy smiled knowing they had a guide Bird. Then she revealed, “I think we’ll just wait and see what Seig tells her, and watch for the things that could happen.”

Rebecca insisted, “I’ll wait with her for the Stage tomorrow, and ride to Lambert with her. I might get a story out of this for the paper. I watch to see if he has any of them hallucinations you talked about, or starts breaking down. Then I’ll report back to Albert.”

 

[Texican]

Thanks wacky.

You throw lots of curves and fast balls at us in your story which keeps us on our toes and anticipating the next ball game surprises.

Texican....

 

[gonewacky]

Me in the woods hanging the Skin-Walker- Bike Man

Hi Bike Man here. I thought I would tell you about the Demons I have to fight the most. The Love I wield will not destroy a Demon. I can chase it off for a time, but it will come right back. The love works like sending someone to rehab. It works well their under its influence, but when it wears off the Demon can come back. Just like when the Drug addict gets out of rehab, and can’t wait to pit that needle in his arm. The moment you chase that Demon out it starts fighting to get back in.

I've come to the conclusion that an addict will, more likely than not, partake in seven out of seven vices from this particular group.

Drug Demon, Alcohol Demon, Greed Demon, Power Demon, Lust Demon

(Sloth) Being excessively lazy

(Pride) Think you are better than everyone.

(Greed) Keeping what you have all to yourself.

(Gluttony) Only living to fulfill your body's hunger

(Wrath) Wanting to commit murder or the hatred of others.

(Envy) Wanting everything other’s have.

(Lust) Only wanting a person’s body for sex.

What I try to replace these Demons with-

Chastity: The practice of refraining from the Lust of anything, Drugs, Alcohol, Women, ect…

You know we all fight these Demons everyday. We see them all around us. In people we know, family, and ourselves. We walk amongst them daily. Keep your guard up their everywhere. I had Njal stop time one time in a Night Club and over half the people were possessed. That was a turning point for me. I now know I only cast out Demons that are harming others. Many Demons only harm the person their in. Have a wonderful day there is still good in the world. You just have to look a little harder now days.



Bike Man

 

[gonewacky]

I’ve posted this in the Private Section. I don’t want just anyone seeing it.
Link to the post

 

[gonewacky]

Chapter Three

It was finely Tuesday morning, and Kathy had no problem getting out of her bed with the Pillow Top Mattress. This was the day she had been waiting for. Seig would be bringing the stage back through town, and she had planned to take it to Lambert. Just the thought of sitting with him made her rush through her morning. At the breakfast table Rebecca sat next to Kathy and revealed, “I’m going to take the stage with you to Lambert. Then I can turn my news story in at the Newspaper. That means I’ll be your chaperon on this trip. Jim said him and Albert were taking his wagon to Lambert, and would bring us back.”

Kathy replied, “Then I’ll buy you lunch at the Horseshoe. If the stage is on time it should be here a little after noon.”

After breakfast Jim, Albert, Henry, and Emily all left for work. Walking down the board walk Jim informed, “Now that we’ve decided to build a Hotel I think it should have a water closet. That would make us the first to have one in the town. Of Course we’ll need a wind mill to pump the water and a water tower.”

Henry replied, “I’m not sure we need to spend that much money. The Hotel will most likely never make enough money to pay for that.”

Albert insisted, “I think things are going to change faster than you think. I’ve heard the telegraph will be here next spring. That’s less than a year away.”

Jim added, “The Rail Road line is almost to Fort Boise. There building the trestle over the Snake River right now. I think with the telegraph and Rail Road this area will boom.”

Henry agreed, “Well it won’t hurt to check it out. Then we can talk about it.”

Emily crossed the street when they got to the store. Jim just kept pushing for his water tower. Back at the house Suzy left with Mable. She was going to spend the day with her at the dress shop.


The wagon moved slowly as the old draft horse moseyed up Main Street. The gray haired old man pulled the wagon to a stop between the General Store and the Hardware Store. Hank saw the peddler go by, and went to see where the huckster was going. Across the street Mable announced, “Hay, look it’s a travelling cheapjack. He pulled up across the street. Let’s go see what he’s got Suzan.”

With that Suzy and Mable headed across the street. Hank was already talking with the man. They could hear the man reply, “Don’t worry I don’t even have the things you sale in the store, and I’ll be leaving tomorrow.”

Then looking at Mable he gave his pitch, “Why I see we have the dressmaker. I believe I have just the thing for you.”

He opened the doors on the back of his wagon and pulled out a spool of thread. Holding it up he went on, “Here try to break this thread.”

Mable spooled off some and gave it a pull, but was unable to break it. The peddler continued talking, “Now feel it between your fingers. Doesn’t it feel like the thinnest spider web? See it’s as strong as steel yet soft as the finest silk. What you have there is a hundred years of research and development to create the finest thread. You would have to agree it is softer than the feathers of angel’s wings. You will not find this in any store or retailer. They can’t even get it. No shipper is shipping it and no supplier is stocking it. This is only available through me.”

Mable questioned, “Then how do you get it?”

The peddler explained, “I have connections with the government. Its smuggled in over the Great Wall of China by oriental birds specially trained to fly over mountain regions. Each bird caries a minute amount in a small capsule around their neck. It takes over nine hundred crossings to get enough thread to go around one single spool. Now normally you would expect to pay twenty dollars for this, but today I’m giving away a very few at not twenty dollars or even ten dollars. Not even five dollars, for the low rate if just one dollar. But wait since you’re a seamstress I’ll let you have it for the low price of just fifteen cents. All I ask is that you tell your friends about this amazing thread.”

Mable insisted, “I have to have one.”

Then she paid the man and the peddler handed her a wooden top and insisted, “You must give this to a child as part of the discount agreement.”

Suzy spoke up, “I want two tops.”

The peddler started his pitch, “Oh no the tops only come with a purchase. I do have something for you though. I have this bottle of perfume from Tibet. It’s one of the wonders of the world. It’s made in the Tibetan Mountains underground by strange little men. They’re said to be the wisest in the land. They use magic and incantations to make what looks like normal perfume, but each and every one they make has extraordinary powers. Each and every bottle has the power to keep you looking and feeling young. Now you would think I would want ten dollars for this magic perfume. Not so I’m not even asking five dollars, but for the low rate of just one dollar I’ll sale you two bottles. All I ask is that you tell your friends about my amazing wonders. I’ll even include two tops, and trust you to give them to two children as part of this discount agreement.”

Hank had heard enough and went back to the store. As Hank came in the door Emily asked, “What did you find out?”

Hank insisted, “It’s just a Pitch Man selling trinkets. He’s no threat to our business. He’s kind of good at it though.”

Back at the peddlers wagon Suzy saw a half empty whiskey bottle and asked, “What’s in the whiskey bottle?”

The peddler started his pitch, “That bottle is not for sale. It holds a Demon inside of it. I got that bottle from an old lady on the prairie. She explained that a Demon hunter had tricked the Demon into the bottle. Then he left it out in the prairie. She heard it calling her at night, and went looking for it. As soon as she found the bottle she knew it was Evil, so she left it out in the prairie. It kept calling her and got louder and louder every day. Then one day she was out hanging the wash and the bottle rolled up to her foot.

She filled with fear and kicked the bottle, but it just rolled around following her. She took it in her house and put it on a shelf to stop it, but then it talked to her in her sleep. It told her that a Demon Hunter tricked it into the bottle. He told the Demon if it went into the bottle he wouldn’t send him back to Hell. Then the Demon could take the next person to drink from the bottle. Then the Demon Hunter took the bottle out to the middle of nowhere, and left it stranded. If you hold the bottle you can hear the Demon. Do you want to hold it?”

Suzy replied, “No way am I touching that thing. Why did you even take it from her?”

The peddler replied, “It was a mission of mercy. I just couldn’t leave her there to suffer with this Demon torturing her. I was sure I could find someone in my travels that knew what to do with it.”

Suzy leaned into him and whispered, “I’ll see what I can do.”

Then she paid for the perfume and took the bottles and tops. Crossing the street with Mable Suzy insisted, “I’m giving one of the bottles to you. Who knows what’s in it, but I wouldn’t use it. It’s just for setting out and looking at.”

Mable questioned, “Then why did you buy it?”

Suzy smiled, “I was almost hypnotized by his performance. I would have paid to see him in a theater. It was even better than seeing him perform in a theater. I got to stand next to him and talk with him as he performed. Pure magic is what he’s got. That was a once in a life time experience for me, and I got a top for Helen and Pearl.”

Mable asked, “What about Tommy?”

Suzy replied, “Oh James will get Tommy one when he gets back with Albert.”

 

[gonewacky]

The travelling vendor was on to his next victim. Sir you look like you would like a perfect roasted chicken. If so I have the perfect thing for you. This Roasting Jack will turn an ordinary chicken into the best roasted peace of perfection you’ve ever tasted. It will make the juiciest finger licken good chicken you’ve ever had. It’s made of the highest quality Nickle, Steel, and Copper anywhere. Each one is hand crafted to the perfection only obtained by a Master Craftsmen. Just hang your meat and wind the clockwork mechanism and it does all the work. With this work of Mechanical Engineering you’ll be enjoying the best Chicken you ever put in your mouth. Now you would think I would want ten dollars for this magic machine. Not so I’m not even asking five dollars, but for the low rate of just two dollars you’ll have the happiest wife around.

As the day went on the peddler made his pitch to all that would hear. Jim and Albert left to make a deal for the lumber for the Hotel. Then at about 12:30 the stage pulled up to the Restaurant. Seig climbed down from the coach and opened the door. Out came a well-dressed man helping his wife behind him. Then Seig put out his hand to help a young woman from the coach as he announced, “We’ll be here about a half hour. You’ll have time to get something to eat. Then we’re off to Lambert.”

Morris came down from the coach with the Mail Bag. Rebeca took the Mail Bag and headed to the General Store. Kathy was waiting behind Seig as he turned around saying, “My princess awaits me.”

Kathy took Seig’s arm and insisted, “I have a table waiting for us inside.”

As Kathy touched Seig’s arm he stopped as darkness came over him. Then there was bright blinding light followed by a rainbow of colors. Seig looked to Kathy and exclaimed, “You have a strange power about you. I can feel it coming from your soul. You are special and one of a kind.”

Kathy leaned her head on Seig and whispered, “And I’m all yours.”

After eating she climbed up in-between Seig and Morris, and they were off with their passengers and Rebecca. Morris told Kathy about Seig falling off the Ferry and floating down the Salmon River. Morris explained that he thought Seig was a goner, but then he showed up the next day at the Wells Fargo station in Lewiston. He’s got to be the luckiest guy ever.

Kathy leaned her head against Seig and he mumbled, “I see that you see things we don’t see.”

Kathy lifted her head and stared at Seig as Morris insisted, “He’s been this way since he fell in the river. He says strange things whenever he touches someone. I don’t know what to think about it.”

Kathy leaned her head against Seig as they went on to Lambert.

Jim and Albert arrived at the Mill just east of Lambert. It was just outside of town by a small Victorian House. This was a sign of wealth in these times. They met with the Mill owner to make a deal for the lumber. Seeing Jim and Albert were Law Men Sir Charles questioned, “You ever hear of a child having fits? I have a girl that suffers from them.”

Jim questioned, “What made her that way?”

Sir Charles whispered, “She’s a wild thing with a loving heart I know. You need to know she was abandoned at the age of two,”

It was a cold night in November, and I was enjoying a pipe by the fire. Then there was a knock at the door.

Elizabeth cried out, “I got it.”

Then that all too familiar cry, “Charles you better come to the door.”

There stood a little brown haired green eyed girl. Dressed in a rag of what was once a dress and rag’s wrapped around her feet. She whispered, “I’m yours.”

A cold blast of air hit my face as I grabbed her arm. “Come inside child!’ I demanded, as Elizabeth pushed the door shut.

Kneeling next to her I ask, “What is your name child?”

She just stared through the arched doorway at the fire in the parlor. I took her arm again and led her to the fire pulling a quilt from Elizabeth’s chair on the way.

Wrapping the quilt around the child I sat her by the fire. Then got my coat and went out to see what I could find. The moon was low in the sky, but was full and bright. It was casting eerie long shadows along the ground. The air was still, and the quietness filled the air. I looked around as I walked to the barn, but saw nothing.

I pulled a match from my pocket as I opened the barn door. I lit the lantern, and took it from the hook. Clyde came to the stall gate, and I gave him a little pat. Then I whispered, “You in here alone?”

I walked the lantern around the barn, but saw nothing. Heading back to the house I looked off into the distance once more, but saw nothing. We didn’t know what to do so we kept her. Elizabeth loved her from that first night, and we raised her as our own. It was about three days later Elizabeth named her Galena, because it means the one who is quiet. We’ve had her ten years now and she still talks in whispers.

The deep dark secret is she has fits. She goes wild making wild howling sounds and flinging around hurting herself. We don’t know what to do about it. We’ll tie her to her bed, but we never know how long it will last. These fits can last hours or even days. We’ve been fighting with this for the last ten years. I thought since you were Law Men you might know something about this kind of thing.”

Albert knew the signs right away and insisted, “Take us to the child.”

Sir Charles pondered, “I don’t know. She’s having one of the fits right now.”

Jim barked, “Take me to her! We can rid the child of this. This is an evil thing doing this to her, and we know how to cast it out of her. For God’s sake don’t let the child suffer anymore. Take us to her.”

Sir Charles yelled, “John!”

Soon a tall slender man came to the Office, and Sir Charles ordered, “I need you to watch over the Mill. I’m taking these men to the house.”

John joked, “Just don’t let them drag you off to Jail. Tomorrow is payday you know.”

Albert teased, “Your dream of taking over this place isn’t happening today John.”

Sir Charles took them across the field to the house. Coming in the house Charles heard Elizabeth yell, “Charles is that you?”

Charles replied, “Yes Dear, I have got some help.”

Elizabeth’s voice echoed through the house, “You better hurry Charles. I think this is the worst one yet.”

They entered the room and saw Elizabeth trying to hold the girl down as her body bounced up and down wildly. The girl was making the sounds of a Demon. Seeing this Jim barked, “What’s your name Demon?”

Mixed in with the sound of the squeals and howling the Demon replied with laughing, “You are no trickster hunter. I’m here to stay.”

Jim stepped next to the bed and touched Elizabeth’s arm requesting, “Please step away Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth backed away as Jim questioned, “Do you have some Whiskey?”

Sir Charles shot out of the room returning with a half full bottle of Whiskey. Jim took the bottle and splashed some on the girl and the Demon laughed, “That’s no Holy Water you fool. I fear you not Time Man.”

Jim Replied, “So you are in there, and you have no fear of me. How about a Love Goddess? What would you do if I called one up?”

The Demon hissed, “You’re disturbing me go away Time Man.”

Albert called out, “Truck on.”

Then time stopped and Jim touched the girl and whispered, “Is it hell or this bottle. I’ll call a Love Goddess to cast you to Hell, or you can go into this bottle. Then you can possess the next person to drink from the bottle. You choose.”

The Demon hissed, “Threats is all I hear I see no god before me.”

With that Jim called out, “By the power of Njal I command Bike man to appear.”

Startled Bike Man exclaimed, “What’s going on? No one ever summons me. Then twice in one week.”

With Bike Man’s appearance the girl’s body bounced up and down wildly, as loud howling and hisses came from the girl. The Demon fought to escape its bindings. A burst of energy came from the Demon knocking them back and starting time. Bike Man made a ball of bright flashing colored light and moved towards the Demon. Then the Demon cried out, “The bottle, the bottle.”

 

[gonewacky]

Jim pulled the cork from the bottle and held it in the air, and a black cloud in the shape of a monster with an elongated face rose from the girl’s body. Then it was sucked into the bottle. Bike Man turned and pushed the Love into Elizabeth. Then he made another ball of love and pushed it into Charles, as Jim put the cork back in the bottle. Bike Man insisted, “Untie your girl and feed her she’ll be hungry. The Demon is gone and you have your life back.”

Jim stepped away from the bed and let Charles and Elizabeth untie Galena from the bed posts. Bike Man stepped next to Jim and exclaimed, “I’ve never seen that done before. Where did you learn that?”

Jim replied, “To tell the truth I just thought it up, and gave it a try.”

Bike Man declared, “I hope that don’t come back to haunt you.”

Jim replied, “I’ll take it out to the middle of nowhere and let it suffer for a thousand years.”

They followed Charles and Elizabeth as they took Galena to the kitchen. Bike Man was pushing love into them at every chance. Jim explained, “I need to get rid of this evil thing, and you need to spend some time with your girl. We’ll be back to close the deal another day.”

Charles insisted, “The deal is done. I’ll send a load a week your way. Now get that thing away from here.”

Albert replied, “Consider it done Charles.”

With that Jim, Albert, and Bike Man went to the wagon. As they went down the road Jim blurted, “I’m waiting on you Bike Man.”

Bike Man replied, “Oh,” and threw a ball of bright flashing colored light in the air, and shot it with a Lightning bolt. Thousands of little flashing stars rained down on them as Jim blinked them out.

They appeared in the middle of nowhere with tumbleweeds blowing around them. Jim explained, “I took us out in the prairie a hundred years ago. This is like no man’s land out here. I think this will be the border between Idaho and Nevada someday. Now if you’ll help me out I’ll take us home. Then I’ll take you back.”

Bike Man nodded and threw another ball of bright flashing colored light in the air, and shot it with a Lightning bolt. Thousands of little flashing stars rained down on them as Jim blinked them out. They appeared just outside of Lambert as Jim questioned, “You ready for me to take you back?”

Bike Man requested, “Maybe we could hangout sometime. I’m all alone you know.”

Climbing down from the wagon Jim replied, “That would be fine. The jeans and a t-shirt would work. We could just throw a flannel shirt on you and you’d be good to go. Oh but not the sneakers, you should wear your riding boots.”

Bike Man agreed, “Then it’s a plan. Now take me to my place in Texas in September of 1996.”

Jim put his hand on Bike Man’s shoulder and the other on the book and blinked out. In a flash he was back and got on the wagon. Then they went to town to find Rebecca and Kathy. Albert saw them through the Hotel Restaurant window, and parked the wagon by the door. Joining them at the table Kathy bubbled, “Our day was great how about you?”

Albert spoke up, “We got the lumber deal, and James put a Demon in a bottle.”

Jim flagged the Waiter and as he revealed, “Aww, it was nothing.”

The Waiter came to the table asking, “You having the special?”

Jim replied, “Sounds good to me how about you Albert?”

Albert insisted, “I’ll have the same with coffee.”

Walking away the Waiter mumbled, “It’ll be right out.”

Jim asked, “How did it go with Seig?”

Kathy explained, “He was a little strange. I think he knows about me somehow. Morris told me he fell off the Ferry into the river, and he thought he saw Seig go under. Then he showed up at the station in Lewiston, and didn’t remember a thing. He didn’t even know he fell off the Ferry.”

Rebecca added, “He seemed a little strange to me. He might have some of the things we talked about.”

Kathy blurted, “What things?”

James covered up saying, “Oh just that he is out of his mind over you.”

Kathy smiled, “I know. Isn’t it great? He couldn’t wait to see me when he got to the Horseshoe. Now I have to wait until next Tuesday to see him again.”

The Waiter came out with Jim and Albert’s steak and coffee. After their dinner Rebecca and Kathy headed back with Albert on the wagon.

Jim blinked down the road and waited for them. When they arrived Jim got on the back of the wagon and stood behind them. Then he blinked the wagon to Just outside of Dention.

At the Jail they found Liam looking at another book. Looking up Liam insisted, “Suzy came down and told me she needed James to go see her right away.”

Jim walked through town knowing the only things open this time of night was the Horseshoe and the Saloon. Walking passed the Dress Shop he saw the peddler’s wagon across the street as he headed to the Boardinghouse. Coming on the porch there sat Henry smoking his pipe. Looking up he questioned, “How did it go?”

Jim replied, “We made a deal for the lumber. I’m sure Albert will tell you about it when he gets here. He’s putting the team up with Kathy and Rebecca.”

Henry insisted, “Suzan’s inside doing the dishes with Victoria. Be warned, I think she got a bottle of instant romance from that huckster that came to town. I saw her taking the little bottle to your room.”

Jim just chuckled as he went in the house. Suzy saw Jim pass the kitchen window and was waiting for him at the door. She took his hand and dragged him to their room. Shutting the door Suzy exclaimed, “The peddler that came to town has a Demon in a bottle.”

Jim gasped, “Not a Whiskey bottle?”

Suzy exclaimed, “How did you know? Yes it’s a half full Whiskey bottle.”

Jim mumbled, “I put the Demon in that bottle. Damn it Bike Man warned me about something like this happening.”

Suzy questioned, “When were you with Bike Man?”

Jim replied, “Today at the Lumber Mill. I cast the Demon in the bottle with him.”

 

[gonewacky]

Suzy asked, “Why didn’t you call me?”

Jim replied, “Because you were spending time with your grandmother, so I called Bike Man.”

Suzy shook her head, “When you put two guys’ together this is what you get. You should have called Fire Ball she would have never let you do that. I just don’t understand if you put it in the bottle today. How did the peddler already have it?”

Jim explained, “Like a dumb ass I took it back in time and dropped it in the middle of nowhere.”

Suzy smiled, “Its back, and now you have to figure this out.

Jim questioned, “What’s in that little safe by your desk at the house?”

Suzy replied, “Nothing now it’s in the Chamber Pot under the bed. Why?”

Jim replied, “I’m going to put the bottle in it and drop it in the River. Do you want to take a steamboat ride with me?”

Suzy replied, “I guess I can help you fix your mess.”

Then they heard Albert on the porch talking to Henry.

Suzy took Jim’s hand and gave it a pull, “Come on you silly guy. I don’t know what ever made you think you could be a Love God. Demons go to hell not in a bottle. We’re getting Albert I know he had a part in this.”

Suzy pulled Jim out onto the porch. Henry took one look as he saw Jim being dragged across the porch and announced, “Time for me to call it a night. I know that look Albert. You’d better run if you know what’s good for you.”

Henry skedaddled as Suzy took Albert’s hand and started pulling him along. Albert questioned, “What’s going on?”

Jim mumbled, “You know that Demon in the bottle. Well it’s in the peddler’s wagon on Main Street.”

Albert replied, “What the hell.”

Suzy complained, “Well, that’s where it should be, but you two screwed that up.”

Arriving at the peddler’s wagon he was nowhere to be found. Then Suzy spotted him coming up the Boardwalk from the Horseshoe Restaurant and announced, “Here he comes. He went to dinner. We’ll just wait here for him.”

He saw them as he approached and started his pitch, “I see you’re eager to view one of my amazing wonders. Could I interest you in a…

Jim cut in, “A half full Whiskey bottle with a dark black swirling cloud in it.”

The peddler gulped, “It’s not for sale.”

Jim replied, “We’re not buying we’re taking. Albert now.”

Albert said, “Truck on.”

Time stopped and Jim blinked out and came back with the little safe from Suzy’s house. Then Suzy opened it and touched the peddler ordering, “Put the bottle in this strange box.”

The peddler started his pitch, “I could trade the strange box for a Tibetan Bronze Ritual Candle Holder with and Earthquake Bell. It will warn you of the smallest trimer in the earth.

Suzy barked, “The Bottle!”

Then she shot a lightning bolt at his foot. Jumping the peddler opened the back of the Wagon, and pulled out the Bottle. Suzy insisted, “Put it in the box!”

Trembling with his hand shaking he put the bottle in the Safe. Jim flopped the door shut, and Suzy pulled her hand away exclaiming, “I could feel the demon through him as he picked up the bottle. The surge went right through him into my hand. I’m glad that’s over. That thing is dangerous. I have no idea how to cast a Demon out of a bottle. If that bottle would have broken and the Demon came out, it would have darted in the first person around. Then I could cast it to hell, but in that bottle… Well no more tricky stuff like that Time Lord. You do the time stuff and I do the Demons.”

Albert insisted, “You need to push some of your stuff in him Suzy.”

Suzy assured, “I know my job unlike bottle man here.”

Jim sighed, “I’m never going to live this down.”

Albert laughed, “Bike Man warned you. He could have cast it to hell you know.”

Suzy pushed love into the peddler as Jim touched his shoulder demanding, “You started this mess it’s only fair you end it. Pick up the strange box. I’m taking you to dispose of it.”

Suzy took a hold of Albert’s muscular bicep and the peddlers arm. Then Jim blinked them out. They were standing by the rail on a steam boat, as it passed Multnomah Falls. All the passengers were on the other side of the boat looking at the falls as Jim insisted, “Throw it over.”

The peddler dropped the safe over the rail, and Suzy pushed Love into him as they heard the splash. Albert questioned, “Where’s Kathy in this time?”

Jim whispered, “We’re back before her travel to us. She would be about 15 now. I would think she’s carrying her water bucket around. Suzy pushed Love into the peddler as a tear slipped down her cheek and whimpered, “This time in her life was so sad. It hurts me to think about it. I just need to think about how happy she is with Seig. Oh I so hope that works.”

Albert confessed, “It has no choice but to work. That Warrior Princess is making this happen. James and I saw her use her sword on Seig, and so did The Horsemen and Fire Ball. You know the Spectrum Goddess is one of a kind, and we’re lucky to have her on our team. I’m glad she’s blinded by Seig.”

Suzy replied, “You know you’re special too Albert. You’re the only Iron Man, and you’re on our team. Yes our team is special, and all the other teams know it.”

Albert turned into a Polar Bear and pushed against the rail questioning, “I wonder if the Polar Bear relay is a Bear?”

Changing back Albert laughed, “We’re all special. We’re Demon Hunters!”

Suzy proposed, “Isn’t it time we head back?”

The peddler spoke up, “Do you think we could go to the bow of the boat first? I would like to stand there if that’s alright?”

Jim chuckled, “Sure.”

Then they walked up the side of the boat, and at the Bow the old man stood right at the point with the wind blowing in his face. Then Jim stood behind Suzy and put his arms around her. Suzy took a hold of Albert’s muscular bicep and the peddlers arm. Then Jim blinked them out. They appeared at the peddler’s wagon and Suzy pushed Love into the peddler one last time, as Albert started time. Then it was back to the boarding house.

 

[gonewacky]

Chapter Four

The next morning as they sat having breakfast there was a knock at the front door. Albert jumped from his chair and went down the hall. Opening the door there stood the messenger boy. Handing Albert a note the boy announced, “I have a massage from the Army for you Sheriff. Have a good day.”

Then he turned and went to his horse as Albert shut the door. Albert opened the note, “To Sheriff Blocker you’re needed in Elk City. We need a representative to negotiate with the Indians. Your presence is expected. Colonel John P. Whitfield.”

Back at the table Albert announced, “James and I have to go to Elk City to negotiate with some Indians. We will be gone at least a week if all goes well. Which these kind of things never do.”

Rebecca questioned, “Is there Indian trouble?”

Albert smiled, “There is always Indian trouble, but the Indians around here don’t run around killing people very often. This is most likely a land dispute and I’ll have to make the people move. Those on the wrong side of the line anyway.”

Jim complained, “Crap, we’re not going to be here when the lumber starts coming.”

Henry replied, “I’m not incompetent you know. I can show them where to stack it.”

Albert teased, “Yep, he’ll have them put it right in the middle of the lot.”

Henry laughed, “You’re getting to know me well Albert. I’ll head down and have my stable boy start getting horses ready for you.”

Kathy spoke up, “Now if we could get rid of Henry we could rule the place without any men.”

Jim uttered, “You know you said that out loud?”

Kathy just smiled as Albert insisted, “Time to go. Are you ready Emily?”

As Emily got up she replied, “Let me guess canned beans?”

Albert informed, “I’m getting my saddlebags I’ll want my road trip list of stuff.”

They passed the peddler leaving town as they went to the store with Emily. After Albert had Emily gather up what they needed. They went and got their horses and came back for their supplies. Then they went and said bye to Suzy and Rebecca, and headed out.

They rode most of the morning before coming upon a man. He was trying to put a wheel back on a wagon. Offering him a hand Albert and Jim got down from their horses. That’s when two men came rushing out from behind the wagon with rifles. Albert blurted, “Truck on,” and time stopped.

Jim looked at all the men’s eyes and none had eyes that moved or were red. Jim jerked the rifle from one of the men and touched him disappearing. Then he reappeared doing the same with the other man with a rifle. Reappearing Jim pulled the pistol from the last man’s holster. Jim pushed it down his pants, as Albert asked, “What did you do with them?”

Jim smiled, “Nothing, I just took them an hour into the future. There still standing right where they were. Just without guns.”

Albert replied, “Then we show this one who we are and tell him to get his ass out of our part of the country.”

Then Jim and Albert stood in front of the last man and held there vests open. With their badges showing Jim touched him, and they told him to take his friends and get out of their territory. Then Jim pulled his hand away saying, “I say we start time when we’re down the road a ways. Let him come too all by himself. That will give him time to think until his friends show up an hour from now.”

An hour later his friends magically appeared out of nowhere, mumbling, “What the hell just happened? Hay my rifle’s gone. Mine too, what’s going on?”

The other man complained, “Where did you go? One minute you had the draw on them. Then the next thing I knew you were gone, and a Sheriff and his Deputy were standing in front of me. I went for my gun and it was gone. You guys ran off leaving me here to face the law all by myself, and that was like an hour a go.”

One man replied, “You fool, we’ve been here the entire time we never went anywhere!”

They argued for some time and the man left behind insisted, “The Sheriff said for us to get our ass out of his part of the country.”

One man exclaimed, “Yah, great idea Phillip. Act like we’re broke down and rob whoever comes along. We need to come up with a better plan next time.”

Going down the road Jim did his quick draw from his horse and boom. His horse was jumping around as he yelled, “Got dinner.”

Albert pulled his Horse to a stop and replied, “We’ll stop here and I’ll heat up some beans. You can field dress and skin that rabbit, and I’ll get a fire going. After they ate some beans and jerky Jim hung the rabbit over the saddle horn. Then they were back on their way.

That night they had the rabbit and beans for dinner. Then slept under the stars, and headed out at first light.

Arriving in the town of Elk City they found a trail of a road and about six small buildings. There was a Trading Post, and a Blacksmith Shop for businesses. Just outside of the town you could see the Army camp of about fifty tents. Riding out they were met by two soldiers on horseback. They led them to Colonel Whitfield’s tent. Greeting them he explained, “The Indian Chief refuses to negotiate with anyone but a law man. He says the Great Spirit told him to only negotiate with a man that has a shiny star on his chest. In my book that would be you or a US Marshal. I knew you would come. The Marshal not so much he thinks Indians are the Army’s problem.”

Albert asked, “Do you have an interpreter?”

The Colonel replied, “The government is sending us one but we have no idea when he’ll get here. The Indians are camped a little ways down the Big Elk Creek. They’re at the spot where the Big Elk Creek and Little Elk Creek meet.”

Albert insisted, “It’s late in the day I say we head there tomorrow.”

Albert was having memories of the time he spent as Running Deer, and his friend Bucking Horse. He wondered if this Chief was like Little Arrow or more like great Hunter. Albert tried to remember the stories Little Arrow told. That was the knowledge of their people. He knew he could use that knowledge to negotiate, but it seemed like it was a hundred years ago.

Jim was having his own haunting thoughts about this. He knew he could blink out at any time, so he had no fear of death. What he was worried about was the future. Whatever they did could change everything. One changed line in the treaty could change everything. He worried because he didn’t know the history of the Schitsu’umsh tribe. What Jim didn’t know was in his time it was known as the Coeur d'Alene tribe. Coeur d'Alene Idaho was a well-known boarder city between Idaho and Washington in his time, and named after the Indian Tribe.

The next morning they ate with the Colonel. Then he took ten men and led Jim and Albert to the Indian village on the bank of Big Elk Creek. As they neared the village a group of Indians met them. They demanded only the man with the star come into the village. The Army soldiers had to wait on the hill.

Then two Indians led Jim and Albert to the Chief’s Teepee. They found the Chief knew very little English, but had a Brave that spoke English. Albert told the interpreter the Supreme Being sent him to talk with the Chief.”

The Brave told the Chief something, but Albert knew from his time as Running Deer it wasn’t what he said. Without hesitation Albert called out, “Truck on.”

Jim questioned, “What’s wrong?”

Albert replied, “I don’t know what he told the Chief, but it wasn’t what I said.”

Jim insisted, “We need an interpreter we can trust. I’m going to try to find one, but you must know I don’t know what I’m doing.”

Albert insisted, “Get one from the future that knows the history.”

Jim replied, “I’m going to get Wind Walker to help me. I think we need his help with this.”

Then Jim blinked out to the farm in 1982. He told Wind Walker his problem, and what he needed. Wind Walker proclaimed, “This is much more than a negotiation. If you question his interpretation of you words he will want to fight you. Your negotiation just turned into a matter of honor, and he will fight you for that.”

Jim replied, “I can do that I can just blink out when he comes at me.”

Wind Walker explained, “You won’t be able to do that. The entire tribe will gather around you to watch the fight. This is the Indian way.”

Jim replied, “We’ll half to deal with it when it comes to that, but now we need someone that knows the language.”

Wind Walker explained, “I’m of no help there I speak Navajo, and they speak Salish. I would say we need to go to Northwest Museum of Native American Heritage in Spokane Washington. Then see if we can find an old traditional Native American. Hopefully we can convince him the Great Spirit sent us to him.”

 

[gonewacky]

Stepping on to the porch Bird Man Revealed, “It is true you know. We’re guided by the Supreme Being. Just use your powers for something you shouldn’t and find out.”

Jim replied, “I’m aware, Njal has had to chastise me.”

Wind Walker looked to Bird Man and insisted, “I’ll be back for Dinner.”

Jim put his hand on Wind Walker shoulder and called out, “Museum of Native American Heritage here we come.”

In a flash they were standing outside of the Museum. They walked in the door and there sat a young Indian girl in ponytails waring a dear skin dress and moccasins. She laughed and said, “Him I can let in for 25¢ he’s a Native American, but you lawman I have to charge the 50¢. Nice try white man.”

Jim reached in his pocket and pulled out a silver dollar and replied, “This here is an 1874 silver dollar. I will trade this for where I can find a traditional Indian that knows the history of the Schitsu’umsh people.”

The girls eyes opened wide and she exclaimed, “You know the ancient name of the tribe. Everyone now days knows us as the Coeur d'Alene Tribe. Grandpa would like you. She pulled a piece of paper from the desk and wrote on it. Then she folded it in half and held it out. Jim set the silver dollar on the desk and she let go of the paper.”

Jim opened the paper and it said, “I will go get him.”

The Girl smiled as she walked off leaving them standing at the desk. Wind Walker queried, “What did it say?”

Jim smiled, “It said she would go get him.”

Wind Walker snickered, “They learn young don’t they.”

An older man in his mid-sixty’s came back with the girl. She announced, “This is them Grandpa a Medicine Man and a Lawman.”

The old man smiled, “Yes it sure looks like it child. What can I do for you?”

Wind Walker replied, “The Great Spirit sent us to you.”

The old man laughed, “And you road up on winged horses.”

Wind Walker looked at Jim and that was all it took Jim announced, “By the power of Njal I command time to stop.”

Wind Walker revealed, “Now we need to find a way to prove him the Supreme Being sent us.”

Jim put his hand on Wind Walker’s shoulder and insisted, “Touch him Wind Walker.”

Wind Walker touched the old man and he came to life, as Jim replied, “No I just took us here like I’m taking you out into the road.”

Then Jim blinked them out onto the road in front of the Museum. Then he blinked them to the beach. Looking at the Ocean Jim blurted, “How about your ancestors a hundred years ago.”

Then they appeared in the Teepee standing next to Albert. Wind Walker jerked his hand away and the old man froze. Albert exclaimed, “Is this our interpreter?”

Jim explained, “Not yet, but we are hoping. I say we take him back to the beach. You shoot a lightning bolt at me, and push love into him and see what that dose.”

Wind Walker touched the old man and explained, “This is the Chief we need you to talk with.”

Then Jim blinked them back to the beach. Wind Walker shot a Lightning Bolt next to Jim’s foot and complained, “Would you quit showing off. We need an interpreter, and he’s going to be too distracted to do it.”

The old man questioned, “Did you drug me or something? I’m having hallucinations.”

Jim replied, “Oh no, I’m a Time Lord sent to take you where you need to go. This is Wind Walker he is a Love God sent to remove Evil if needed.”

Wind Walker butted in, “We need you to interpret the negotiations for your people in the 1870’s. We believe the interpreter being used is telling the Chief the wrong things.”

The old man insisted, “If you’re Gods. Why don’t you do it yourselves?”

Wind Walker explained, “We’re not Gods. We’re just spirits that have been given a power to do a job for the Supreme Being.”

Wind Walker made a ball of bright flashing colored light, and pushed it into the old man. He took a deep breath as Wind Walker asked, “How does that feel?”

The old man replied, “Like a hug from my granddaughter.”

Wind Walker went on, “That is my power. That is pure Love, and Evil has no power over it. I can use it to cast a Demon out of a person, or to help people like I just did to you. I guess I kind of drugged you a little, but we have no power over freewill.”

Jim questioned, “Do you know the history of this treaty?”

The old man replied, “This was not a treaty. My people already had a treaty with the Government. This was talks to change the treaty. The second-largest silver deposits in the United States were found on our land. Our land was reduced to approximately 600,000 acres by President Ulysses S. Grant’s executive order, so they could steal the silver. My people we’re to receive allotments as compensation for the land, but my people never received any compensation.

Chief Peter Moctelme traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with the President to discuss his disagreement of allotments. Upon ratification, Chief Peter Moctelme's land was reduced by 1/3 and sold to white settlers. The US agreement with the tribe expressly included part of the St. Joe River (then called the St. Joseph), and all of Lake Coeur d'Alene except a sliver cut off by the northern boundary.

As of 1885, Congress had neither ratified the 1873 agreement nor compensated the Tribe. This inaction prompted the Tribe to petition the Government again, to make my people a proper treaty of peace and friendship.

The Government agreed to properly and fully compensate for such portion of our lands not now reserved to us, and that our present reserve may be confirmed to us. Successive government acts put a reservation boundary across Lake Coeur d'Alene, rather than following customary practice of using the high water line, and reduced the size of the reservation to 345,000 acres near Plummer, south of the town of Coeur d'Alene. Another land grab is what we got.

During this period the tribe worked to restore its government under the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934. It gained approval of a written constitution in 1949 and elected representatives to the Tribal Council. In the 1950s, the tribe was one of several that came under termination pressure by the United States Congress. It helped found the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, an organization to represent the Salish peoples in both Coastal and Plateau tribes, and resisted termination of its federal status.

Today we still fight for what was stole from us without compensation. Now you come to me asking me to help negotiate the very thing that started this whole mess. What do you think I’ll do?”

Jim explained, “I know it looks bad now, but your day will come. Your people will get some of what you deserve. It will take another forty years but your tribe starts winning your battles with the government. In 1991 your tribe will file a lawsuit against the mining companies, as they were concerned that the cleanup progress by EPA and the state was too slow. They filed suit against Hecla Mining Company, ASARCO and other companies for damages and recovery of cleanup costs of the site. In 1996 their suit was joined by the United States. The Mining Companies reached a settlement of $452 million with the Coeur d'Alene Tribe.

Also you get back by building a Casino. The Coeur d’ Alene Casino/Hotel operation north of Worley, Idaho employs about 500 Indian’s and generates about $20 million in profits annually. It funds programs creating economic development and diversity for the tribe.

The thing is if we let Evil change this. All this will never happen. It could even wipe out your very existence. It can even lead to war that will remove your people from the land altogether.”

The old man questioned, “How do I know you tell me the truth?”

Jim replied, “I will take you and show you. Just tell me what you want to see first.”

The old man replied, “Show me this Casino that makes so much money.”

Wind Walker insisted, “I think we need the Spectrum Goddess if we’re going to be jumping around time.”

With that Jim called, “By the power of Njal I command the Spectrum Goddess to appear.”

Kathy appeared and questioned, “You summoned me?”

Jim replied, “Shoot me.”

 

[gonewacky]

Kathy shot a little spark at Jim and he disappeared.”

Then Jims Voice echoed, “Now do Wind Walker and fade out, and last do this man with us.”

Kathy shot a little spark at Wind Walker and faded out. Then shot a little spark at the man. The old man watched them each disappear and then saw them reappear. Now that they were all invisible Kathy touched Jim and Wind Walker. Then Wind Walker touched the old man, and Jim blinked then out.

They appeared in front of the Casino in 2005 ten years after it opened. They were standing next to a statue of Chief Peter Moctelme on a Horse. The old man explained, “Legend states that if the horse is rearing (both front legs in the air), the rider died in battle; one front leg up means the rider was wounded in battle; and if all four hooves are on the ground, the rider died outside battle. Chief Moctelme died outside of battle so all four hooves are on the ground.”

Kathy informed, “I’m Kathy. What is your name?”

The old man replied, “I’m Garry Ignace, the last traditional chief. Now the tribe is led by seven members of the tribal council that are elected by the citizens of the tribe.”

Kathy went on, “I must tell you how this works Garry. We are all invisible and no one can see us unless I touch them. If you talk or touch someone they will freak out, so if you want to talk to someone let me know. I’ll touch them so they can see us. Just whisper in my ear and I’ll touch them.”

Garry replied, “I want to go see inside.”

They went in to the Casino to find it was grand with all kinds of bright colored lights flashing everywhere with slots. The Casino included a cultural lounge where you could watch movies, view artifacts, and learn about tribal history. Gary saw an exhibit for Jeanne Givens born in 1951 when she became the first Native American woman politician who served in the Idaho House of Representatives. She served in the 4th district as a member of the Democratic Party.

Garry exclaimed, “That’s my granddaughter. Now I become proud of what she has become.”

Then they went to see the golf course, and a buffalo farm where you could enjoy fresh off the grill buffalo burgers. Finely after seeing what the Reservation had become Garry agreed to go with then to the negotiations.

Jim explained, “I will be the only one that the Chief will see. You will need to whisper anything I need to know in my ear.”

Garry questioned, “What if I mislead you, or deceive you?”

Jim, Wind Walker, and Kathy all looked at each other. Then Kathy spoke, “We are like you, and have freewill, but if we misuse our power. Then an overseer will stop time and punish us. You are no deferent you have freewill, and your power is knowledge. If you misuse your power of knowledge you will pay the price. You might face an overseer like Njal, or if it’s bad enough the Supreme Being will send an Angel to fix it. Believe me you don’t want something that can cast you straight to Judgment to show up. The universe has rules we have to follow, and Evil will use them against us if it gets the chance.”

Jim asked, “Are we ready to go back a hundred years? Albert is waiting you know.”

Garry insisted, “All we have to do is convince Chief Moctelme to travel to Washington to meet with the President. Then the Chief will do the rest when he meets with President Grant.”

Jim looked to Kathy and insisted, “Shoot me.”

Then Kathy shot a little spark at Jim, and Jim felt her hand touch him. Then he blinked them out, and they appeared in the teepee with the Chief. Time was still stopped and Albert questioned, “Did you find one?”

Jim replied, “He’s here with Wind Walker and Kathy. Kathy’s going to stand behind you and touch you so you can see them.”

Albert replied, “Oh I see everyone now. Should I start time now?

Garry spoke up, “Let me hear his words again.”

Albert called out, “Truck on,” and time started. Then he continued, “Speak the words Supreme Being sent me to talk with your Chief.”

The Indian repeated the words and Garry whispered in Albert’s ear, “He traded the words Great Spirit for Supreme Being in his translation. Albert smiled and announced, “Tell your Chief he is wise to choose such a great Worrier to trust with his words.”

Pointing to a blanket the Chief demanded, “Sit and we smoke the pipe.”

They all sat in a circle around the fire in the middle of the Teepee. The Chief picked up the pipe sitting next to him. It was carved from wood, and about a foot and a half long. With small animals carved down the sides. Then he put a stick in the fire until the end was burning. Pulling out the stick, he said, “Now we smoke the pipe. Like all of our Fathers before us have done.”

The Chief put the burning stick to the pipe, and puffed until it was going good. Then he handed it to Jim. Taking the pipe, Jim took a small puff, and blew the smoke back over the pipe. Then he took a big puff trying not to inhale too much, because he didn't want to choke on the smoke. His judgment was pore, and he hacked uncontrollably, as he handed the pipe to Albert.

Jim felt dizzy and everything started to spin around. Then everything went black, and he was filled with fear. His eyes slowly cleared, but what he was seeing was not the same as before. Everyone had changed, and there were a lot more people in the teepee. Many of them were young in their late teens or early twenties. With long hair hanging way down over their shoulders, or a ponytail hanging down one side of their smooth bare chest. They were wearing only a loincloth and moccasins, except the ones without a ponytail had a leather band around their head. John heard the Indian to his right say, “Crazy One.” He turned his head to see a Chief wearing a headdress. It was not a bright colored headdress, but it had gray and brown feathers with only a few blue ones. The feathers protruded from a woven band of bright colored beads.

He spoke to John saying, “Your woman is with child, and he will be a keeper of dreams. Now is the time for Mother Earth to take back what was taken. Lighting will come from the sky, and the fire will kill your great White Chief. All your people there will burn in the fire from this lightning. Then the lightning will strike all the big villages, and the people will burn. Some will burn at once, and others will burn slowly, as they beg death to come. Nothing will be spared, even the fish, animals, and birds will burn in this fire. You will be safe from this fire, but not from the cleaning of the land. The land must be washed clean, for the new berth to begin.”

Then everything went black, and John saw three flashes of light like lightning. Then he was back with Albert and the Chief in the teepee. Albert was talking, “You are wise to go see the great White Chief.”

This made Jim feel strange, and he wondered what happened. All the strange feelings had gone from him, but he felt exhausted and weak. Jim asked, “What happened?

Albert replied, “After you spoke in their native tongue, and told of what was to come. The Chief told Trees Popping he was going to see the great White Chief.”

Jim questioned, “Trees Popping? Who’s that?”

Albert insisted, “I’ll tell you later.”

The Chief spoke and Garry cupped his hand over Alberts ear and conveyed, “The Chief said to tell you that you are his friend, and he named your Deputy, ‘Estúpido Naqš,’ which means Crazy One.”

Albert insisted that he should tell the Army the Chief’s decision to see the President, and requested that Trees Popping go with him to do so.”

The Chief insisted, “kʷneʔ uʔl Fc̓gʷičst̓mn̓,”

Garry cupped his hand over Alberts ear and conveyed, “The Chief said to tell you that you he’ll see you later”

Trees Popping led them out. Albert held the teepee flap back for Jim and Kathy, and Garry slipped out in-between them. Walking to the braves holding their horses Albert stopped time and Jim took Wind Walker and Garry back to the Museum.

Wind Walker apologized, “Sorry I have to do this to you, but when you awake tomorrow this will all be but a dream to you.”

Then he pushed Love in to him and Jim called out, “By the power of Njal I command time to start.”

Then Jim insisted, “I think we will go ride off on the winged horses.”

Garry laughed and said, “Sit child I have a story to tell you before it leaves my mind.”

 

[gonewacky]

Outside Jim Blinked Wind Walker home, and went back for Kathy. He returned her to the Jail where she was talking to Liam. Putting time back on its path Jim blinked back to Albert.

Albert started time and everything was back on track, but the story about Trees Popping.”

Jim asked, “What about that Trees Popping thing?”

Albert explained, “If you were born in the time of trees popping, you were born sometime in late December through January. When temperatures dip well below zero, trees will make all kinds of popping and cracking noises, especially if the temperature drops very quickly.”

The Indian pointed at himself and smiled, “Trees Popping.”

Then he pointed at Jim and said, “Crazy One. Chief says only a white man would think he could cut off the bottom of a blanket, sew it to the top of a blanket, and then think he had a longer blanket.”

Albert explained, “I think that came from the wild story you told in the Teepee. I thought the Chief would never stop laughing. I have no idea what you sad, but they thought you were a wild story teller.”

 

[Texican]

Waky,

Thanks for the chapters.

Texican....

 

[gonewacky]

I’m working on rest of the last chapter hoping to be done soon. Until then there is this… https://www.timebomb2000.com/xf/ind...witch-and-the-blacksmith.639641/#post-9954261

 

[gonewacky]

As Albert talked with the Colonel, Trees Popping requested, “Crazy One come sit with me and I’ll share one of our story’s with you. Jim sat on the ground across from Trees Popping and he started. “Once there lived a beautiful young Indian maiden called White Dove, and she was beloved by all, and she was talented in the art of handicrafts. Many beautiful gifts were fashioned by the clever fingers of White Dove. Two days before the great Indian feast, White Dove and her lover Nanokarsi set out to take the ornaments to White Dove's grandmother. Her grandmother lived a day's journey away in the foothills of the mountain range. Taking only a light lunch for their midday meal, the young couple bid their families goodbye, and promising to return in time for the great feast.

Shortly after they had finished their noon lunch, they were unpleasantly surprised by a chilling gust of wind. Immediately Nanokarsi climbed to the top of a giant pine tree and looking north saw billows of black ominous clouds. Fearful of the storm he urged White Dove to run as fast as her legs could carry her, but they had gone only a short distance when the storm burst upon them in all its fury!

The wind howled about them, whipping the heavy snow into enormous drifts and blinding their vision. They wandered hopelessly until nightfall. Then cold, exhausted, and hungry, they laid down in the shelter of a large rock. There they embraced each other to share their body warmth.

The Feast was at its height when the old Chief, Running Deer, solemnly announced the two had not returned and that he feared they were lost in the storm.

All the braves volunteered to go in search of them. After four days the searchers came upon the couple, still embraced, but sleeping the Great Sleep, from which there is no awakening! The braves knelt beside them and called upon their Spirit God to breathe new life in their bodies.

The Great Spirit told them he could not bring them back as they were now in the home of the Great Manitou, neither could he forbid the Snow Spirit to come again. Spirit God did, however, promise he would give them a sign that would forever warn them of the Snow Spirit approaching and, if heeded, would bring them no harm. As the braves watched, they were amazed to see the bodies of White Dove and Nanokarsi slowly disappear into the snow and there where they had laid, appeared two pretty little soft gray birds with striped heads.

As they flew into the air, they darted from left to right, making the snowy plumage of their breasts and under their wings and tail quite visible to the on-looker.

Where these birds come from, or where they go, no-one knows, but when you see them swirling and darting around in large flocks, take heed, for as surely as night follows day, snow is not very far away! Now you watch for this Bird when the time of Trees Popping comes. This is my gift to you.”

Jim replied, “I will use this knowledge wisely and think of you when I see the birds.”

The next day Jim and Albert started their trip back home. Albert acknowledged, “You’re being quite today James. Are you missing Suzan?”

Jim replied, “I’m thinking about being a Time Lord. At first it was fun to play with jumping around. Then I found I could jump through time, but that came with responsibility. Every jump runs the risk of changing the future. I came to understand not only could I destroy myself, but all of humanity by one mistake.”

Albert replied, “I think that’s what the book is for. I don’t think it will let you do that.”

Jim replied, “I know, but it won’t stop me from going and watching dead people. I do that you know. Njal chastised me for doing that, but I still do it. I’m not like a Love Goddess, and made of a ball of Love. I long for it. It would come in my dreams at one time, but that seemed to have faded away.”

Albert was quite as he thought of what to say. Then he revealed, “I didn’t know you were fighting this battle. I might never understand what is happening to you. I think it is because of your knowledge of living in the future that dose this to you.”

Jim went on, “I feel like I’m the Bus driver. Oh sorry I mean the Stagecoach driver. You’re the Hangmen and can change into things. Suzan can do all kinds of powerful things with her Lighting Bolts and Fire Balls. Kathy can see things we can’t and make it so we can see it. She can see through things and blind people. All I can do is move people and things around.”

Albert disclosed, “Did you ever stop to think how I became the God of Iron and a Changeling, or Suzan became a Love Goddess, and what made you a Time Lord? You did that! None of this would have happened if you didn’t build the Iron Horse. That started all of this, so never think you just drive us around. None of us could or would be doing what we do without you. I think you just need to take the Iron Horse out a little more to remind you of that. You know I take Rebecca out in it all the time. We’ve even fell asleep leaning on each other in it. I’ll never forget that first ride you took me on in it. I thought it was a spaceship or something. It looked dangerous and I was afraid of it. Now I know the only ones that should fear it is Demons, and I control that power as do you!”

Jim road his horse alongside Albert’s and reached out and touched him. The next thing they knew they were riding passed the swimming hole as Jim announced, “Sorry but I didn’t want to sleep on the ground again.”

Albert informed, “Rebecca was down in Kathy’s room, and now she wants a mattress like Kathy has.”

Jim smiled, “She wants it on your bed right?”

Albert laughed, “Doesn’t everyone know she sleeps in my room. She just uses her room for dressing and writing.”

Then they were riding down Main Street to the Livery. After stabling their horses they went to the Boarding house. After having dinner Jim went to his room. Then he drifted off into dream land, and awoke in fifteenth century sitting at a table. Bird Man was sitting next to him. Across the table was the Horsemen and the Eskimo at the one end of the table was one of the Boat Twins. Jim questioned, “What’s going on?”

The Horsemen asked, “Haven’t you ever been in a dream before? Ray maybe you should tell him.”

The Boat Twin spoke up, “You see Jim when we all sleep at the same time we come here.”

Jim inquired, “What is this place?”

The Eskimo replied, “This is Dreamer’s Castle. You see whenever Dreamer makes us all sleep at the same time we come here. I have to admit it’s different this time. The table isn’t round. Now it’s a rectangle table and for some reason Ray gets to sit at the end.”

Ray replied, “That’s so Dreamer can stair straight down the table at me. That twisted mind-bending dream machine. Don’t ever look in his eyes Jim. You won’t like what you see.”

Bird Man insisted, “Don’t let him scare you Jim. Just because he saw a nightmare doesn’t mean everything about Dreamer is scary.”

Jim looked puzzled and asked, “What is this place, and why are we here?”

Everyone laughed then The Horsemen explained, “This Castle is where Dreamer lives. Dreamer is the one that brings us dreams. When you dream about ones that have gone to the other side Dreamer is the one that brings the dream to you, and when you have a nightmare that is a warning from Dreamer. When you dream about love Dreamer is spreading your dream to others for you.”

Ray added, “The Dreamer is a jokester too. He will bring you a dream that has nothing to do with anything. It’s his way of saying ha ha I got you.”

Jim questioned, “Why do we come here?”

Bird Man snickered, “Blink up to that wrought iron chandelier and swing on it to get the answer. The Horsemen did it.”

The Horsemen added, “I sure did.”

Jim blinked to the chandelier twenty feet up in the air. No sooner than he grabbed it. The chandelier pulled out of the celling, and Jim came crashing to the floor with the chandelier on top of him. Then in a flash Jim was back in his chair, and the chandelier was back hanging in its place.”

Bird Man snickered, “Most of the time we just tell each other things we encounter.”

The Horsemen began.

“We had one Demon attacking an older lady. Her daughter swore she was being haunted and abused by a demon. The daughter told us many crazy things happened while she was in bed. She said she would go into the room to do normal care and leave. Then seconds later her mother would start screaming bloody murder. She said she’d run into the room to find her looking like she’d been in a fight with a boxing champ or something. She’d have a bloody lip, black eye, and markings all over her body. She never saw her doing any of this stuff to herself.

She also told us things would get moved around the room by themselves. The doctor had her put her mother in protective restraints, because the doctor thought she was hurting herself. There was no way she could have moved or done anything to herself while in these restraints, but new marks would always appear, and furniture would be moved across the room. The room was secure so there was no way someone else was doing this.

When we asked her questions, “She’d just say its evil.”

Fire Ball and I spent the night in the room, and Fire Ball pushed love in her to keep the lady safe. I fell asleep and awoke to the bed jumping up and down. All the furniture slid to the far side of the room including the chair I was sitting in. Fire Ball was shooting Lightning bolts at the head board yelling get out Demon, but we never had to do a demon that possessed an object. It was without a doubt the bed was possessed by a Demon.

Jim demanded, “Tell me what you did!”

The Horsemen went on, “The only thing we knew to do. We drug the bed out behind the house. Covered it with Cole oil, and lit it on fire. We could see the Demon dancing in the flames, as it squealed and howled.”

 

[gonewacky]

Bird Man revealed.

It was my night to cook, and I was doing a roast. I could take a delicious piece of meat and with a smile on my face and all good intentions in my heart, murder the hell out of it. I had just cooked the roast into a dry peace of fire wood when we got the call.

I was on my way to the secret meeting place in the woods. Wind Walker had been promising to mow the lawn there since 1972 and now it had become a jungle. I landed the helicopter in the small clearing. There where three plastic chairs circled around a small barbecue pit. That pit brought back some pretty good memories. We roasted hot dogs and marshmallows while we swapped stories, and talked about everything under the sun. I was the first to arrive and took pride in blinking into the better of the three chairs. I left the one with the slightly wobbly leg and the other with the broken armrest for Wind Walker and the Priest.

After some time the Priest appeared and took a seat around the fire. He told us about a boy that he believed was being tortured by a Demon. I have been there and cleansed the house three times, but it only last a few days. Then it’s back moving things around, and pushing him down. It bites him in his sleep leaving horrible marks on his body. He has nightmares waking up everyone in the house. The Priest insisted the boy wasn’t possessed and he didn’t know what to do.

Wind Walker and I decided to spend the night with the boy. The Priest slept in a chair in the living room, and we sat on the floor in a dark corner. It didn’t take long for it to start happening. Wind Walker jumped up and shot a Lightning bolt at the Dark black dog standing on the boy. It was growling at the boy’s face. Then it turned and we saw the red glowing eyes. The Demon had taken over a dog and not any dog a big black dog. Wind Walker threw a ball of bright flashing colored light at the dog, and it jumped up in the air. The dog landed on all four lags next to the bed. Then the Demon Dog growled showing its teeth as it came at us. Wind walker made another ball of bright flashing colored light, and leaped at the dog with it. The dog went wild Jumping and spinning around. At this point we were knocking things around. I remember a snow globe falling on the floor braking.

That is when I leaped at the dog and blinked out. We were now outside by the helicopter. The Demon Dog tried to run off, but I blinked to it and took it up about twenty feet in the air and dropped it. It got up and tried to get away again, so I did it again a little higher this time. By then Wind Walker had made it from the house, and leaped at the dog with a ball of bright flashing colored light. Slamming it into the dog he yelled, “Back to hell with you Demon.”

We hung the dog from the helicopter, and took it to the barn. You know what happened from there.

The Eskimo responded.

Once in a while, a story of a dreadful disappearance, demonic possession, or town full of devil worshipers will land in the local paper. Whether it’s real or fiction, we often never find out. Maybe they're crazy, but maybe they're right. There was this one time an island and its entire village disappeared. Since the appearance of the flying storm beasts, the souls of the dead have been lured to the island by its demons. With the storm came the Demon soul hunters. They would come to a dying person and snitch the soul just before death.

The Storm was made up of the Soul’s the Demons harvested. The storm would travel to a parting Soul, and a funnel cloud would come down with a Demon in it. The Demon would convince the soul it was the spirit guide there to take the soul on its journey through the universe. Then the Demon would harvest the Soul, and the funnel cloud would be sucked back to the storm. After adding the Soul to the storm it would go back to the island. It would drop down on the island hiding it from all that passed.

We were confused on what to do to stop this Soul harvest and how to free the trapped Soul’s. When the storm came back the Polar Bear flew up above the cloud. Then threw a ball of bright flashing colored light over the cloud, and shot it with a lightning bolt. Thousands of little flashing stars rained down over the cloud. The Polar Bear was hoping the stars would knock the Demon’s out of the cloud, but what happened was amazing. All the stars were attaching to the Soul’s. Soon they were sparkling and rising up out of the cloud. A Light Being appeared high up in the sky an guided them all away. It was the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen.

​

Ray exclaimed.

"Holy spiritual light being I can never top that story. I do have one we ran across on a sternwheeler. This Steamboat was a luxury floating Casino known as the Riverboat Lady Sun Casino. It attracted all kinds of people. Gamblers, Travelers, and families all would take these floating casinos up and down the river. We knew this particular Riverboat as a magnet for Demons. On one trip up the river I saw the ghost of Carmella. She was a Casino gal that worked the boat. She was standing on the stares staring at me. We work the Steamboats a lot, and I’ve seen a few ghosts. Most of the big boats have them. With the liquor and entertainment on the boats most people never see me. I blink around the Riverboats all the time.

If someone sees me disappear or appear out of nowhere they would never say a thing. I guess they think they had too much to drink, or don’t want people to think there crazy. Anyway there was Carmella standing on the stares staring at me, so I blinked next to her. When I appeared in the stairs she was gone, and I saw her at the top of the stairs. I blinked up there and she opened a locket she had around her neck. I saw a picture of a little girl. Then she disappeared and was way down the hall. Then I blinked down to her and she went right through the door to cabin 227B. I knocked on the door, but no one answered. I blinked to the other side of the door, and saw her go into an Armoire. I pulled it open and saw the little girl from the locket hiding in it.

I went down to one knee and asked, “What are you doing in there?”

She stared at me shaking, “Are you the bad man.”

That’s when it hit me. Carmella had just died, and this must be her child. I called out, “Boat on, and time stopped. I thought for a moment, What’s the safest place for this little girl. Then it hit me. On the Ships Bridge, so I touched her and blinked her to the wheelhouse. Then I stood her next to the Captain, and blinked to the Casino.

Phil saw me and complained, “What are you doing Ray? I just left two hundred riding on this toss of the dice. That’s our dinner money on the table.”

I explained, “I saw the ghost of Carmella. She led me to her child hiding on the boat. She’s on the Boat dead or went overboard. The killer might be on the boat.”

Phil told me he would fly around the boat and see if he could see anything. He told me to start checking the rooms for her. The first deck was the Casino, Bar, Restaurant, and luggage check area. That deck was easy to check. The next deck had one hallway down the middle of the boat with 24 cabins on each side. I had to blink into each room checking them one at a time. I found nothing, so it was on to the third deck. The third deck had the same layout as the second deck. Blinking to the hall I saw Phil. He told me he saw nothing on the deck or down the river. He agreed to check the lower deck with the engine room, and I continued my search. I found nothing and went to the top deck where the luxury cabins were. There were only twenty cabins on this deck, but most were two or three rooms.

After searching the entire boat we found nothing, so I blinked to the Wheel House to check on the little girl before starting time. She was gone! How could this be? Time was stopped, and I had never started it. The Wheel House was just one big open room, and I could see everything. The Captain was still standing at the Wheel, and everything was the same as before. Just there was no little girl.

Phil and I went back to our places and I started time. Phil threw the dice and won the money. He pulled three quarters of the money and let the rest ride. Then he through snake eyes and lost. Picking up his money he winked, “Now we eat.”

I’m not sure what happened that night, but three months later we we’re back on the same boat. I saw the Ghost again and…

 

[gonewacky]

Just then they were all standing on the table and were only about six inches tall. Then an old man with long white hair hanging down over his shoulders, and a white beard hanging half way down his chest appeared in the empty chair. A crack of thunder filled the air as he laughed, “You sleep my Lords. Did you not think I could find you here? All the rooms in my house have dreams. There are Ocean’s and Seas of every kind. You could have took a journey on a ship, or walked on any beach. There are rooms with meadows of every kind in every time of the year. You could lay in a meadow of wild flowers as it snowed. Yet you always come to the room with the dropping chandelier.”

Bird Man disclosed, “Yes, but those rooms are filled with dangers. The dream could turn into a nightmare in a flash.”

Dreamer laughed and thunder filled the air, “You should know by now nothing can hurt you here. Those traps are for children to teach them to overcome the unknown.”

Dreamer laughed again and added, “Or for Time Lords to blink from one nightmare to another not finding a way out. Since you spoke first I’m sending you to April 28, 1789. You will be Captain Bligh of the HMS Bounty in the middle of the mutiny. Good luck!”

Then Bird Man shrunk down to a little star and flickered out. Then Dreamer set his sights on Ray, “Since you want to know where the little girl went. I send you there.”

Then Ray shrunk down to a little star and flickered out.

Dreamer then set his eyes on the Eskimo, “You are already living a nightmare on that ice cube. I’ll send you to Scotland to have your dream in a Box Bed.”

Then the Eskimo shrunk down to a little star and flickered out.

(About the Box Bed

In the cold winters of northern Europe made houses difficult to heat. Then some forgotten craftsman gave a bed to build that was almost like a closet. Where you could hide from the cold of the night when the last chills of the family fire went out.

The Box Bed is thought to have originated in Brittany, France in the late medieval period and its obvious advantages saw its usage become more general across other European countries and in particular Scotland.)

Then Jim stood all alone as Dreamer set his sights on him, “Yes the one that feels powerless. What should I do with you? How about I let you control your dream, and give you the power over the outcome. I’ll send you and your team to a battle in the fifteenth century. The leader of the Starlight Clan is on the ground and about to be run-through with a sword. His death will be the doom of his people. After winning the battle the Rockjaw clan will kill all the women and children. The will wipe the clan for the face of the earth. This dream should show you how powerful you are. You must learn you all are as one, and their power is yours, as is yours theirs making you all one. You will be led by a little girl white as snow with golden hair.”

Then Jim shrunk down to a little star and flickered out. He appeared on a hill overlooking a furious battle that was ferocious, fierce, savage, and violent with blood flying everywhere. He turned to Albert and insisted, “Stop time, Kathy make us all invisible.”

Albert called out, “Truck on.”

Then Jim ordered, “Let’s go on to the battle field. We need to find the leader of the Starlight Clan. He’s about to be run-through with a sword.”

Albert exclaimed, “Well that’s only about half of them. Can we narrow it down a little more?”

Jim cried out, “There over there the one on the ground with the big bastard about to shove his sword through his eye-socket. Let’s check him. Suzy throw a fire ball at him to bring him to life.”

Suzy made a ball of bright flashing colored light the size of a marble and threw it at the man, and he came to life. Sliding out from under the sword he stood. He looked around at the battle field as he turned around. Then he called out, “What Demon or Witch did this? Show yourself.”

Jim whispered in Kathy’s ear, “Shoot me.” She did and Jim became visible in front of the man.

Fixated at the star on Jim shirt, the man questioned, “What kind of Sorcerer are you?”

Jim replied, “Who are you to ask me this?”

The man replied, “I’m Gunnar leader of the Starlight Clan.”

Jim went on, “Then you’re the one I’ve come for.”

Gunnar questioned, “Are you my guide to the afterlife? I see my Clan is being defeated.”

Jim replied, “No I’m a Time Lord and have magical powers over time. I’ll take you two winters past and help you build an Army. I will help you gather mercenaries. You’ll hire them for the time of the campaign. Your people will feed clothe and care for the highly skilled knights and their household troops. We will gather other warriors from other Clans. Then this battle will be a lot different.”

With everyone touching each other Jim put out his hand and Gunnar took it. He gripped Jim’s hand hard and firm as Jim blinked him to his Clans village two years earlier.

Then Jim revealed, “I need to find the little girl that’s white as snow with golden hair.”

Gunnar laughed, “That child is detached from reality. She sees visions in a dream or trance, and has hallucinations. She’s unable to cope with daily problems or stress, and she has trouble understanding and relating to situations and to people. The fact is she’s crazy.”

Jim laughed, “Rule of majority, if everyone was like her and you weren’t. Then they would think you were crazy. Does that make you crazy? I’d like you to know she’s the one that sent for me to help you.”

Gunnar’s mouth dropped open, “You mean crazy Cecily sent you to me.”

Jim insisted, “Yes! Now take me to her.”

Gunnar took them to the far side of the village. There sitting by a fire pit was the young blonde haired girl poking a stick in the fire. Jim razed his hand and called out, “Come to life child.”

Suzy made a ball of bright flashing colored light the size of a marble and threw it at Cecily, and she came to life. Looking up she said, “So many and so much power. I feel the love, the strength of Iron, hidden things, and you the power of the sun, moon, and times of the year. Why do you seek me?”

Gunnar said, “He told me you sent for him.”

Cecily replied, “In a dream I sent for help for all that live here. He will help you but his powers don’t belong here. He can only show you; because you have free will, you must do it yourself.”

Jim questioned, “Where shell we start Cecily?”

Cecily replied, “The Clan of bowls and lamps.”

Gunnar announced, “The CopperTones Clan. They make all sorts of bowls, lamps, pots, pipes, jewelry, and decorations.”

Jim put his hand on his book and the other on Gunnar as he announced, “Take me to The CopperTones Clan.”

In a flash they appeared at the edge of the Village. Jim announced, “Time should start, and I’m going to be invisible.”

Albert whispered, “Truck off,” Kathy shot a little spark at Jim.

Time started and Jim saw a dirt road lined with makeshift huts of rock and dried mud and tents. It seemed everyone was doing something with copper. Gunnar led them to the side of a hill where many men were working crushing rocks to smelter for the copper ore. Jim witnessed the proses of lost-wax casting being performed using beeswax and clay. He was amazed at what they were doing with copper tools.

Gunnar stopped at the man overseeing the operation and the man asked, “Gunnar what brings you to us?”

Gunnar replied, “Godfrey My spy’s tell me the kingdom of Nigh is plaining to attack my clan and take the land. There are rumors your Clan is next to be enslaved then the Clan of Birchstone. I think we need to join forces to keep our way of life. I desire to setup a training camp to train our fighters. I’m headed to the kingdom of Chromista to see the king. I’ll try to make a deal for him to send some Knight’s to train our men. I need you to see how many men you can send.”

 

[gonewacky]

Godfrey replied, “You ask much for what might be a rumor of nothing. How can I trust your words?”

Jim whispered in Gunnar’s ear, “Tell him if an Eagle lands on his shoulder you speak the truth.”

Gunnar noted, “If I send an Eagle to land on your shoulder would you believe then?”

At that moment Albert turned into an Eagle and took flight. Kathy shot Albert with a little spark and he appeared in the sky. Godfrey chuckled, “I would love for you to pull that one off.”

Gunnar stepped back as Albert swooped down in front of Godfrey, and fluttered around over him. Then landed on his shoulder then jumped to his head and flew off. Kathy Shot Albert with another little spark and he landed next to Kathy. Then he turned back into himself again.

Godfrey questioned, “What kind of Witchery is this you command?”

Gunnar replied, “Not Witchery Godfrey, but the power of truth. Ask Cecily she will tell you. You know her words come true.”

Godfrey insisted, “Crazy words are what she spews. You can’t understand her most of the time. Only after it happens do you know. I’ll see what we can spare, but I give no promises.”

Gunnar insisted, “My people thank you my friend.”

Then they were off to their next stop the clan of Birchstone.

The Clan leader was much more trusting and promised to send men after the planting, but would need them back for the harvest. Then they went to the StoneBorns, IronSets, and Crystal clans. All agreed to help protect their land. However Kathy had to whisper stuff to the Crystal Clan leader to get him to agree.

Then they were off to the kingdom of Chromista to see the King. They traveled through the town surrounding the castle, and down the cobblestone road. At the castle the gates were closed, but the door in the gate was open. There was a guard on each side of the door. The guards lowered their spears making an X across the doorway, and questioned, “What are your intentions upon entering the castle?”

Gunnar acknowledged, “I’m here to see the King.”

The guard insisted, “The king is not holding Court today.”

Gunnar insisted, “I need to request a Knight be sent to the Village of the Starlight Clan.”

The guard went on, “You must understand it takes time to bring the court to gather. The king will need all his advisers. That means summoning the Queen, chancellors, seneschal, marshal, constable, Knights, castle guards, relatives, barons, lords, and members of the church. The king won’t take the Throne without them. It might be better if you seek a Knight and have him make your request for you.”

With that Gunnar headed back down the cobblestone road as Jim asked, “Where are you going now Gunnar?”

Gunnar replied, “To the pub to get a Knight.”

At the pub Gunnar talked to the Barkeep and learned any Knight that would come came after dark.

Gunnar talked aloud, “If you can hear me. You took me from the battle field and I have nothing to buy or barter with. I’m hungry and wondered if you could do that thing and take me to tonight?”

Jim spoke, “Kathy.”

Then a little spark flew from her finger making Jim Visible. Stepping next to Gunnar Jim dug in his pocket and pulled out a five dollar gold coin. Handing it to Gunnar he questioned, “Will this help?”

Gunnar looked at the coin and turned it over. Then he turned it back commenting, “The workmanship is unbelievable. Who is the lady on the coin?”

Jim thought for a moment and replied, “That’s the Goddess of Liberty.”

Gunnar gripped his hand around the coin and exclaimed, “I can’t let anyone see this coin. They would behead me for sure just for having such an evil thing.”

Opening his hand a little he peeked at the coin as his eyes bulged, “The bird is not of this world. I must destroy this.”

Jim asked, “Why it’s just gold.”

Gunnar insisted, “No earthly man could make such a thing of beauty. It would take a God or Devil to make something like this.”

Gunnar went around behind the pub and found some rocks. He set the gold coin on a flat stone, and got a rock and started pounding on the coin. Jim had Kathy make him invisible again as Gunnar pounded on the coin. Soon he had turned the coin into a beat-up round disk. With none of the markings visible he revealed, “Now we can trade it.

Then he walked the streets looking for a buyer. At the end of the market sat a man with a balance scale, and a box of coins. Gunnar handed him his gold and the man put it on the scale. He put a weight on the scale and Jim could see he had several sets of weights. Jim knew this trick, one set of weights for buying, and a set for selling. Jim could tell the weights were off, so he stepped behind the man. Then in a deep voice Jim grumbled, “You cheat him and I’ll strike you dead with lightning!”

Suzy smiled and shot a little lightning bolt at the table. The merchant jumped back and wailed, “Did you see that?”

Gunnar heard and saw everything but insisted, “See what? All I saw was you jumping around. Are you going to do this or what?”

The man reached in to the box of coins and dropped them on the table announcing, “That looks about right.”

Gunnar scooped up the coins and put them in his pouch hanging from his rope belt. Then he headed down the market. His first stop was to get a big round disk of bread. Then he went and got a peace of wild boar, and headed out of town to a tree. Sitting in the shade he requested, “Show your selves.”

With that Jim knotted and Kathy shot a little spark at everyone and faded back. Then Gunnar requested, “Can I borrow a knife? My sword isn’t made for cutting this meat.”

Jim pulled his Knife from his sheath and handed it to Gunnar. He cut a piece of meat and tore off a piece of bread. Looking up he insisted, “Help yourself there is plenty.”

They all sat around Gunnar as Jim questioned, “Don’t you realize you are changing history. All your people were to be wiped out and you are changing that?”

Gunnar took a bite of the bread. With part of it hanging out of his mouth he insisted, “I know! Isn’t it great? I have the Gods behind me.”

Albert jumped in, “Gunnar you could still die in battle.”

Gunnar replied, “Then let it come. At least I know there is a good place to go after this… well it’s not so great here sometimes.”

He took another bite and Suzy threw a ball of bright flashing colored light in the air, and shot it with a lightning bolt. Thousands of little flashing stars rained down on them as Jim blinked them out. They appeared in the darkness of night. Jim announced, “Take your pouch full of coins and head to the pub. We want to try the ale of this time.”

With that Kathy shot everyone with a spark and faded out. Then they followed Gunnar to the pub. Inside he found Sir Stompalotte and Sir Gawain two unruly Knights. He explained his problem and Sir Stompalotte admitted, “I too have heard the rumors of this. I think I shell request my Uncle the King to send Sir Edwin to you.”

Sir Gawain laughed, “That is one way to get Isabela all to yourself. Yes indeed we’ll send Sir Edwin.”

After a few drinks they pushed Gunnar from the pub, and down the street. Then Jim blinked them to the Starlight Clan’s Village and blinked out.

Standing at the edge of the Village Albert questioned, “What time is this?”

Jim replied, “It’s a year and a half later, and I just wanted to see how my plan worked out.”

They all walked through the Village and saw not much had changed. Then they heard shouting at the other end of the Village. Approaching the noise they saw Sir Stompalotte kicking a man in the butt yelling, “Try it again! You’ll be killed for sure that way.”

 

[gonewacky]

Before their eyes was a training field with hundreds of men training to fight. Sir Stompalotte, Sir Gawain, and Sir Edwin were all working training the men. Sir Edwin cried, “Get with it you peasants the king of Nigh is sending a Army, and your King Alexander of Chromista doesn’t want them to get so much as a pebble of his land.”

Off to one end was a group of archers shooting arrows. Then there was swords men attacking dummies. Others were practicing holding shields up high over their heads to protect them and the ones behind them. It was like watching a Roman movie.

Jim looked to Albert and announced, “Time to go see the battle.”

Then Jim blinked them to the day of the battle. Half of the men were hid behind the hill and the other half were lined up across from the Army of Nigh. Sir Edwin was up front on one end on his horse and Sir Gawain on the other end mounted and ready. Then Sir Stompalotte was mounted on his horse in the middle with Gunnar standing at his side. That’s when Albert insisted he be in the fight. He turned into a Shire horse witch is the biggest horse in the world and insisted, “Walk me to Gunnar James.”

Kathy shot the two of them with a little spark, and Jim took Albert to the front line. Jim insisted Gunnar take the horse into battle. Once mounted Gunnar gave the horse a kick and Albert took off with the ground shaking under his feet, (or hoofs as it were.) Sir Stompalotte followed right behind, and the entire front line ran at the army.

As Albert reached the first man swinging an Axe at Gunnar Albert stopped time and Gunnar chopped the hand from the man. The Axe fell to the ground as Sir Stompalotte yelled, “You learn well my friend.”

As the battle raged on the second group lined up on the hill. It was at that point the battle turned, and the kingdom of Nigh’s Army started to retreat.

Then Jim awoke. Suzy was shaking him saying, “James wake up.”

Jim opened one eye and mumbled, “What?”

Suzy replied, “What were you dreaming?”

Jim mumbled, “About a hot redhead that was passing out love and I was next in line. Then you woke me.”

 

[gonewacky]

Chapter Five

The next morning Suzy was up with Victoria making bread and starting breakfast. When the bread was in the oven Suzy went to the porch. She was feeding her Crow when Victoria came out and sat in her chair asking, “What do you think about Jim and Albert’s trip to Elk City to negotiate with some Indians?”

Suzy replied, “I don’t know. Jim didn’t talk about it. Only some story about a snow bird.”

Victoria went on, “I hope they stay in town for a while this time.”

Suzy insisted, “I’m sure they will. They have some more lumber coming this week.”

Victoria added, “Today is Tuesday and Kathy will be at the Restaurant with Rebecca waiting for Seig. What are you doing today?”



Suzy replied, “I think I’ll spend the day with Mable. I need to make some more pants for Jim. He just destroys them so fast. I should just let him look like a bum.”

Victoria insisted, “Now you knew he was that way when you married him. Don’t expect him to change. You could just buy him some at the store you know.”

Suzy revealed, “No I made a deal with Mable for the sewing machine. The way I see it is I already paid for them.”

Victoria got up announcing, “Time to check the bread.”

Suzy started the pancake batter, and put on Miss Watson’s tea water. Victoria requested, “When you go to the store could you get some Baking Powder. Then we can make biscuits and gravy tomorrow.”

Suzy smiled, “James will like that Victoria.”

Slowly everyone showed up at the table. Dropping pancakes on Jim’s plate Suzy commented, “Did you see that redhead again?”

Jim replied, “Sure did, and now she cooks for me.”

Suzy smiled as she went back to the stove. After eating Jim and Albert were off to the Jail. Coming in the door they saw Liam at the desk reading, and a young man in the Jail cell. Albert questioned, “What’s the boy in jail for?”

Liam explained, “Frank the Barber brought him in. This is John the Sutherland’s boy. With the day’s getting so hot Mrs. Tomson has been doing her wash early in the morning. Tuesday is her wash day, and this boy has been going by every Tuesday and pushing her down and tearing her clothes off the line. She told Frank the Barber and he hid and waited for him to do his evil deed. Then snatched him and drug him here, and had me lock him up for you.



Albert groaned, “Assault and destruction of property first thing in the morning. Jim go to the Sutherland place and bring Myrtle down here. I need to talk to her about her son.”

Then Albert walked over to the Jail cell and barked, “You’re in a heap of trouble Boy. You have no idea how bad this is for you. You could be looking at years in reform school. Now you’re making me talk to your Mom and Mrs. Tomson. Not how I wanted to spend my morning. How old are you Boy?”

The Boy stuttered, “15 sir.”

Then Albert picked up the coffee pot from the stove and set it on the desk. Liam explained, “I didn’t make any coffee because it’s going to be hot. I didn’t want to make it so hot in here I couldn’t stand it.”

Albert pulled a quarter from his pocket and tossed it on the desk saying, “I’m glad about that. Go next door and have Orla fill the pot about half full. I need another cup this morning.”

Albert was sitting out front when Jim returned. He was helping Myrtle down from his wagon when Albert ordered, “Now go get Mrs. Tomson.”

Jim drove off as Albert talked to Myrtle, “Your Boy is in bad trouble Myrtle. If I take him before the Judge miners are governed by the doctrine of parens patriae. That means they get no attorney and no opportunity to question their accuser, and their fate is entirely up to the whims of a Judge. I know this Judge he will give him the maximum. Witch would mean he would be sent to Reform School until he’s 21. That would be a six year sentence. If he was a man he would get a maximum of two months in jail.”

Myrtle broke down and started whimpering, “I just don’t know what to do Sheriff. Ever since his dad got drunk, and fell in the creek and drowned the Boy has gone wild. He’s getting so big I just can’t control him anymore. He dose keep the firewood up and bring in the water. I don’t know what I would do without him.”

Albert comforted Myrtle saying, “Will see what we can work out.

Jim pulled up and Mrs. Tomson jumped from the wagon yelling. “I’m sick of that boy of yours pulling these shenanigans! I hope he rots in Jail.”

Albert grabbed Mrs. Tomson by the arm and dragged her to the front of the Horseshoe Restaurant as she yelled, “Look what he did to my dress! It’s ripped all the way down one side. That devil needs to stay locked up. No one is safe with him around.”

By this time everyone was watching out the Restaurant window. Even Martin the cook stepped to the dining room doorway to see. Albert shook Amelia saying, “I have a punishment that I think will fit the crime. Just give me a chance to explain my plan.”

With Albert gripping Amelia’s arm he went on, as Rebecca and Kathy showed up. Rebecca stood behind Albert to get the story. “Now what I think should happen is I put the Boy on a year’s probation. Then he will spend the next two months in Jail. During that time my Deputy will bring him to your place to do your firewood and water. Then he’ll go to his house to do the same. I’ll have the Dressmaker make you a new dress. He will pay for the dress by working for me in the Blacksmith Shop. He will also have to teach Liam. Liam knows addition and subtraction, but I want the Boy to teach him multiplication and divisions.

Then there’s one more thing. To start with I take him out behind the Jail and whip his ass. The Boy has had no father figure in his life, and I’m going to change that. I’m going to make him understand that the law is his father figure. Well do you think we should go talk to his mother?”

Amelia replied, “Well if your Deputy is with him I see no harm in this punishment.”

Albert replied, “Good, then let’s go see what his mother thinks.”

Rebecca followed behind Albert to get the story first hand. Kathy went into the Restaurant and got a table by the window.

At the Jail Albert had worked things out with Amelia and Myrtle. Then he went in the jail as Jim took them back home. Albert took off his gun belt and hung it by the desk. Then took off his belt, and got the key to the cell. Unlocking the door the Boy yelled, “I’m too old to be spanked!”

Albert grabbed the Boys arm and jerked him from the cell. Yelling, “I’m not going to spank you! I’m going to beat you!”

Then he dragged the Boy out back and started hitting him on the butt with the belt. The Boy tried to get a way, but Albert had the grip from hell on the Boy’s arm. Now with the Boy running in a circle around Albert trying to get away the Boy yelled, “Please stop! No more. I’m sorry; please I’ll never do it again.”

Albert just kept swinging the belt saying, “You better never do something like that again.”

Albert was hitting him up and down his legs and butt. Then he fell to the ground and wouldn’t get up anymore. That’s when Albert put his belt back on and slung the Boy over his shoulder, and carried him like a sack of potatoes. He dropped the Boy on the bottom bunk, and locked the cell door.

Liam mumbled, “Was it that bad Sheriff?”

Albert replied, “If we don’t stop this now. One day he’ll be robbing and killing people.”

Liam acknowledged, “I’m sure Law Man knows this thing.”

Albert informed, “As part of his punishment I’m making him teach you multiplication and divisions.”

Liam asked, “What this thing?”

Albert replied, “It helps you to know how much of something to buy. It’s that kind of a thing.”

Liam questioned, “The Boy no can walk?”

Albert replied as he poured a cup of coffee and sat, “Maybe for a day, but he’ll walk again.”

Jim came in complaining, “What the hell Albert. You could have waited until we were out of town. We could hear the Boy clear at the other end of town. It sounded like you were killing him.”

Albert confessed, “Not quite, but the Boy thought so. I’d bet he hadn’t been whipped since he was old enough to stop his mother.”

Jim inquired, “How bad did you beat him?”

 

[gonewacky]

Albert explained, “Not as bad as it sounded. He might get a bruise or two, but he’ll be fine. Now we have to work out who is going to sleep at the Jail at night. At least for the next two months.”

Jim whined, “I’ll go get a cot, blanket, and pillow from Hank.”

Albert insisted, “Have him bill it to the county. Tell him I’ll come in and sign for it. I’ll go next door and make arrangements for Josette to bring meals over for the Boy.”

As Jim was leaving Suzy came in questioning, “What’s going on down here? I could hear screaming clear down at the Dress Shop.”

Liam replied, “This Boy evil and do bad things. Sheriff whip boy.”

Albert spoke up, “He’s hateful, and has been pushing Mrs. Tomson down and tearing her laundry from the line. He’s been doing it for weeks. Today he pushed her down so hard it ripped her dress down one side. Frank dragged him down here and had Liam lock him up. He has committed assault and vandalism along with a few other things.”

Suzy asked, “Did you check him?”

Albert replied, “For what?”

Suzy gave Albert a mean look and Albert cried out, “Truck on.”

Then he asked, “What are you talking about?”

Walking over to the Jail cell Suzy pointed to the Boy’s eyes, “That right there.”

Albert watched as his eyes followed Suzy as she moved. Then Albert mumbled, “Oh crap I didn’t even think about that he’s just a Boy.”

Suzy insisted, “Not anymore he isn’t. Open the door so I can do my job. Or do I need to call a Time Lord to get me in there?”

Albert insisted, “Just hold your horses I’m getting the key.”

Albert unlocked the door, and Suzy went in and sat next to the Boy. Then she made a ball of bright flashing colored light, and slammed it into his chest. You could hear a howling sound as Suzy ordered, “Back to hell with you Demon.”

A black cloud in the shape of a hideous monster slipped into the floor of the cell. Then Suzy left the cell closing the door she announced, “Fire Ball told me Bike Man was a Healer. I’m going to call him to undo what you’ve done.”

Albert complained, “Women just don’t understand it’s the suffering that changes the child.”

Suzy snarled, “By the power of Njal I command Bike Man to appear.”

Bike Man appeared and questioned, “You summoned me?”

Suzy replied, “Yes, Albert beat this Boy and I understand you’re a Healer.”

Bike Man replied, “Sure, and so are you. You have that power. Let me show you.”

Bike Man opened the door to the cell, and went in to the Boy. He was lying moaning as he had been brought to life by Suzy casting out the Demon.

Suzy informed, “Time is stopped. I had to cast out a Demon is why he’s alive.”

Bike Man insisted, “Get over here and help me pull his pants down.”

Suzy took off the Boy’s shoes as Bike Man undid the buttons on the Boy’s pants. Then he pulled his pants over his buttocks as he cried out in pain. Suzy pulled from the cuff of the pants until the pants were removed. Bike man saw how bad he was beaten and held out his arm to keep Suzy back. Looking at Albert Bike man questioned, “What did he do to make you whip him like this?”

Albert told the story about what happened. He then explained, “I’m not a love God or Goddess. I’m a Blacksmith and Lawmen that thinks the way of the people of this time. This is what was expected of me. I didn’t want him to end up robbing and killing people. I wanted to knock that out of him. Now I feel remorse for what I did, but it was that or send him to reform school for the next six years. His mother needs him and I would be sentencing her to six years of hell.”

Bike Man put his arm down. Then bent over the Boy and made a ball of love, and pushed it into the Boy’s back. Then he instructed, “Watch this.”

Bike Man put a hand on each side of the Boy’s thigh and his leg started to glow. Then the welts slowly faded away. Then he stepped back and instructed, “Now do just what I did. Put a hand on each side of his thigh and think about making a ball of bright flashing colored light. The ball will form inside of him healing from the inside out.”

Suzy did it and smiled as Bike Man pulled down the boy’s shorts. Then he revealed, “Watch this. Have you ever made a little ball on your finger?”

Bike Man dragged his finger across a welt on the boy’s buttocks, and little stars flickered and bounced around his finger. The welt disappeared where he dragged his finger. Then he stepped back and said, “You try it.”

Suzy started removing the welts and Bike Man insisted. “Leve a few of them Suzan we need to leave him a reminder, so he don’t let the Demon back in. That looks good. Now he will be having trouble sitting for a few days.”

Suzy pulled the Boy’s shorts back up over his behind. Then she made a ball of love and pushed it into the Boy’s back. Then Bike Man stepped next to her and did the same explaining, “Always at least three times if they see things.”

Suzy mumbled, “I know that rule.”

After leaving the Jail cell Bike Man questioned, “Do I need to call a Time Lord to take me home?”

Suzy replied, “No, James should be here in a few. If you step out the door Albert can start time. Then you can come in and Liam here will be none the wiser.”

Bike man stepped out the door and Albert started time. Then Suzy let him in as she saw a strange looking guy ride up. She closed the door saying, “I think this guy is coming here Albert.”

Albert looked out the door and exclaimed, “Looks like a New Yorker or something.”

The man came to the door and pushed it open. Seeing Albert he pointed out, “Oh, good the Sheriff. Do you know when the Blacksmith Shop opens?”

Albert questioned, “What do you need?”

The man replied, “I’m looking for a man that works for the Blacksmith. I believe his name to be Jim Hanson.”

Suzy whipped her head around and looked at Albert. Without hesitation Albert stopped time, as Suzy insisted, “No one knows that name in this time but you Albert.”

To everyone’s surprise the Man revealed, “And me, so what name is he using in this time?”

Bick Man insisted, “He’s not part of our platoon, and he’s out of sync with time. Who is your Overseer?”

The man insisted. “General Becker commander of the Time Continuum Facility. I’m Jerald Mckinney Time Traveler 762.”

Suzy stepped back exclaiming, “Oh crap and honest to goodness Time Traveler.”

Albert seamed angry and demanded, “What do you want this man for?

Jerald insisted, “You should know you just stopped time. You’re all Time Travelers except for the guy at the desk and the one in jail.”

Suzy questioned, “What year are you from?”

Jerald replied, “2215 and the 762nd since the beginning of the time project in 2185.”

Suzy went on, “How do you know Jim Hanson?”

Jerald replied, “Every Time Traveler knows the others staggered through history.”

Pointing to Bike Man he revealed, “I know him as the Traveler in Texas in the 1980’s. Then there is one in 1982, but none of them could help me. I landed in 1871 and spent the last four years finding this nest as we call them. My next shot would be a husband and wife team in 1888 some ware around San Francisco.”

Bike Man questioned, “How did you know none of us was Jim, and how did you know me?”

Jerald insisted, “Pinstrip I’ve seen all of you on Pinstrip. I saw Jim this gal right here and another one at a Hospital, and I saw you on a Motorcycle driving up the side of a high-rise. It was the Bank of America building in Downtown Dallas Texas.”

Suzy asked, “What’s Pinstrip?”

Jerald thought for a moment and replied, “I believe they were called Video’s back then.”

Just then Jim appeared standing behind Liam complaining, “Why are you stopping time so much? I don’t see any fighting going on. Oh hell it’s Bike Man, and why did you bring this guy to life?”

 

[gonewacky]

Jerald insisted, “Its Jim Hanson! It’s an honor to meet you Sir.”

Jim barked, “How do you know me?”

Jerald went on, “Everyone knows you in my time Sir. You’re a famous Time Traveler. They’ve made movies about you. Everyone has heard about you tricking the government.”

Suzy explained, “He says he’s from 2215 James.”

Jim blinked right in front of him asking, “If you’re a Time Traveler tell me how it works?”

Jerald gulped. “That would be like asking and Astronaut how his spacecraft worked, but I’ll do my best. It all started back after WWII when the U.S. Government started the Starlight project. Then they found there was Time Travelers doing things all around them, so they tried to capture some of them.

When that didn’t work they started making machines to bend the space time continuum. But that was too unstable to use for anything. In one attempt to move through time they created a temporal displacement or time displacement that was a temporal phenomenon in which a certain element from one time period was continuously misplaced into different time periods. If not corrected, a temporal displacement could have devastating effects on the timeline. By some miracle it dissipated and things went back to normal as far as we know.

Then in 2110 we had our first success making a wormhole in the space-time continuum. It was based on a special solution of the Einstein field equations. Wormholes are essentially hollow tubes through space and time that can connect very distant regions of the universe. A star may be thousands of light-years away, but a wormhole can connect that star to us with a tunnel only a few steps long.

Wormholes also have the somewhat mystical ability to allow backwards time travel. If you take one end of the wormhole and accelerate it to a speed close to that of light, it will experience time dilation its internal “clock” will run slower than the rest of the universe. That will cause the two ends of the wormhole to no longer be synchronized in time. Then you could walk in one end and end up in the past at the other end.

Detecting gravity was the hard part of Time Travel. When Time Travel was invented they built prototypes that would go back in time for a split second and return. They had sensors and cameras on them. Unfortunately they never returned, so they put GPS trackers on them. It was later discovered that the machines were ending up about 15 miles away and 3000 feet in the air. The Earth was rotating away from them, and a system had to be invented that would “hold” the machine to the Earth. We learned gravity was the key.

The fix was based on very sensitive clocks and gravity sensors. It stops the time distortion machine if radical changes in gravity are detected. However there was another problem. It was known as the timeline shift, or alternate dimension and parallel dimension line. Once in this alternate reality you could most likely never be able to return. That is what happened to me.

In my time you and other time travelers are well known. The most well-known one is the farm with a time machine disguised as a Helicopter, but that’s in 1982 and I landed in 1871. The next closest time travelers were in 1888 down by San Francisco. That meant I would have to wait another 13 years if I couldn’t find you. Then there was the fear that none of you existed in this time line. This is where it gets complicated.

If I think the future is already written, then the things that are most valuable about being human are illusions along with time. We still aspire to make choices in life. That’s a precious part of our humanity. If the real metaphysical picture is that there are just atoms moving in the void, then nothing is ever new and nothing’s ever surprising it’s just the rearrangement of atoms. There's a loss of responsibility as well as a loss of human dignity. With this thinking for something to move one way something has to move another. That would just be a rearrangement of what already exist. Like Evil and Good changing places. In this thinking if you replace Evil with Love the evil just appears somewhere else. This is what your Time Travelers do isn’t it?”

Then they all appeared on a beach overlooking the ocean, and heard the echoing voice of Najl from behind them. “You can’t see the end of it, or are you at the end and can’t see the beginning? Time is like an ocean. There is no beginning or end. Just places around and in it. Now we have a problem with this one. He landed on the wrong beach, and now can’t go back. No Time Lord will be allowed to take him home. He has landed in our realm of time which is outside of time. You all know you live it the time between the living and the Spirit worlds. You just interact with the living. So I ask Ron do you want a Time Lord?”

Suzy whispered, “Bike Man’s name is Ron.”

Ron replied, “You know I’ve always wanted one Najl, but I will miss our time together.”

Najl Laughed, “You know I’m always with you, and see everything. I see you too Jim. You need to quit visiting dead people. I know you wanted to see your mother, but don’t do it too much.”

Then Najl hit the handle of his Axe on the ground and the ground shook under their feet. It made Kathy appear standing next to Suzy. Najl revealed, “Now the team is together.”

Then Najl banged his Axe again and all the other teams appeared standing with them, Eskimo and the Polar Bear, Wind Walker and Bird Man, and Fire Ball and the Horsemen. Then Artemis and the Ninja Warrior Princess appeared alongside Najl as he echoed, “It brings me joy to see you my children.”

Jerald was in ahh seeing all the Time Travelers in one place, and was a bit terrified of the overseers. Najl went on, “This is Jerald Mckinney he has been sent to us to be a Time Lord. I will send him to the Bird Man to train, but I expect all time lords to help in his training.”

Jim spoke up, “I never had anyone help train me. Why is he special?”

Najl laughed, “You are special my child. You were chosen. This one was sent, and has to prove himself worthy.”

Then Najl held out his hand and called, “Bird!”

The Crow appeared and flew to him. Then Najl whispered in the Birds ear, and it flew to Jims head. Jim saw flashes of light as he traveled through a wormhole and came out at the Time Continuum Facility. He was floating over everyone and heard a General say, “You sure he’ll never be able to come back?”

A man replied, “General I guarantee it. He’s not even in a time line of any kind. He’s in the void of nothingness.”

Then Jim was back looking at Najl as the crow flew to him. With the Bird on his arm Najl hit his Axe handle on the ground and all his children went back to their homes.

Jim saw it was just him Suzy and Albert. Jerald and Bike Man didn’t return with them. Suzy requested, “If we all take our places Albert can start time.”

 

[Texican]

Wacky,

Interesting chapters. Thank you.

Texican....

 

[gonewacky]

After Albert started time Liam questioned, “Where did the two guys go?”

Albert replied, “They were in the wrong place and left.”

Suzy insisted, “I’m going to go see what’s holding Jim.”

Then she went out the door and appeared by the great Columbia River. She was standing next to Najl as he spoke as a whisper in the wind, “Sometimes fate decides we should start life a fresh. We must forgive where we condemned and seek to mend the things we shattered. Nothing will ever be perfect again but there will always be beauty somewhere. Hold it close and breathe it in incase it cannot stay. The heart will always find its place. Some call it home some call it friendship, and if we’re lucky we can call it Love.

Love is a lifelong learning lesson on where we belong, and what defines us. It’s an education of things we can never measure. It’s a page that is fresh and never turned. Love is an unusual amazing and surprising special thing that’s extraordinary in every way. One touch of Love can change the lifetime of a soul. You have changed a few not even knowing. I send you to see your work. You will not be seen or heard, but you can see what happened. I know you’ll want to push Love into them, but it’s too late for that now. Their making their own Love now. Go forth and see.”

Then Suzy appeared at a graduation ceremony. She was in a banquet room filled with people. There was a group of Girls standing next to her, and one girl opened her purse and pulled out an envelope. Then she carefully slipped out the peace of notebook paper. It was well worn, and she unfolded it carefully announcing, “My first A+. I got it from Miss. White in the first grade.”

That’s when it hit her. This was her first grade class. Suzy stepped behind Joannie, and looked over her shoulder to see the paper.

Nicholas walked up and saw the paper and exclaimed, “Joannie you still have yours, me too. I keep mine in a frame by my bed. I look at it every morning. That day was the best day of my life.”

Nancy spoke up, “Me to. I’ve got mine.”

Daisy added, “I keep mine in my box of memories. I think she gave everyone an A+ on that day. Cindy cried because she never came back. She Loved Miss. White and told me that is why she started drawing. She told me she helped her make her “O’s” and from then on it was just in her hand. If she could think it her hand would draw it.”

Nicholas revealed, “You just brought back a memory. Remember how Billy was before that day? Everyone hated him. Then he changed that day.”

Daisy added, “I think we all saw him change that day. When he apologized to Miss. White I think we all knew something special happened.”

Joannie went on, “Who would have thought he would be Class President and Prom King back then.”

Kim walked up, “What are we talking about?”

Nicholas revealed, “Miss. White our substitute Teacher.”

Kim had a tear slip down her face as she thought of Suzy. Daisy pulled out a Kleenex and dabbed it on Kim’s cheek saying, “I know Kim we all feel that way, but the tears are making your mascara run down your face.”

Kim whimpered, “You know I Loved her a lot. I use to pray Miss. Johnson would get sick so she could come back. I know that’s wrong, but I wanted her to teach us again. It was like magic when she taught us. The learning seamed so easy.”

Nicholas questioned, “Remember that riddle she wrote on the blackboard for Miss. Johnson? Billy stayed after school and copied it. I copied his copy and keep it with me. I’ve had to rewrite it a few times, and I know it by heart now. I didn’t know how smart our class was back then until years later. I’ve asked hundreds of people to solve the riddle. Only about one in ten people know what it is. Yet everyone in our class knew it was Love.”

Kim sniffled, “That is because she was Love.”

Suzy’s emotions were running wild as she thought what Najl told her, “I know you’ll want to push Love into them, but it’s too late for that now.” He never said anything about raining Love down on them.

Then she threw a ball of bright flashing colored light over their heads, and shot it with a lightning bolt. Making millions of tiny little flickering stars rained down all around them. Then with a smile she did it again.

Then in a flash she was standing outside of the Jail door right where she had left. With a tear in her eye she looked down the street and saw Rebecca and Kathy coming to the Restaurant.

 

[Texican]

Our Love is powerful and touches more people than we will ever know.

Texican....

 

[gonewacky]

Our Love is powerful and touches more people than we will ever know.

Texican....

All too true my friend something as simple as a smile can change someone’s life without you ever knowing.

Joe...

 

[gonewacky]

Not wanting to talk to anyone about what happened. Suzy crossed the street and walked down the other side to the Dress Shop. Rebecca and Kathy took the table by the window, and watched the street. Jim had loaded the cot in the wagon and was heading out when he found himself standing in front of Najl.

Najl’s voice echoed in the air, “We know this is not the best of all worlds, but it is the only world we have at this point in time. You must remember there is always justice, and so we must live with the inequity and despair of all things. As for justice it moves at its own pace, and manifests itself in its own way. Sometimes it’s as obvious as a bolt of lightning, and other times it’s as silent as the fall of a leaf. Either way justice will be done finely for all eternity. I’m sending you to try and change a sad case. One moment of weakness can send a soul down a lifetime of suffering. I’m sending the Bird as this will involve a time reset, but it must be by her choice. The will to do the right thing will be up to her. She must use her freewill to change the outcome. I want you to take her back to the day of the event, and have her relive that day. Now go see what she did.

In a flash Jim was watching the event.

Twenty years later in a bar. Dotty comes into have a drink and sees an old High School friend. Stopping at the table she asked, “Tammy Fulcrum?”

Tammy replied, “Dotty is that you.”

Dotty continued, “I almost didn’t recognize you.”

Tammy added, “I almost didn’t recognize you either. I was to busy looking at your earrings, neckless, and rings to see your face.”

Dotty smiled, “Oh yes, there all real diamonds too. How’s Tom?”

Tammy replied, “Oh Tom’s Fine.

Dotty questioned, “Is Tom still handsome?”

Tammy replied, “Oh yes Tom’s still handsome as ever. He’s even got better with age.”

Dotty questioned, “What’s Tom doing now days?”

Tammy went on, “You know what he’s doing.”

Dotty replied, “Still selling suits at Jakes.”

Tammy insisted, “That’s all he ever wanted to do was ware smart clothes and meet rich people.”

Dotty asked, “I would like to apologize to you Tammy.”

Tammy went on, “For what?”

Dotty explained, “For hating you all those years for taking Tom away from me.”

Tammy added, “I couldn’t take what you didn’t have.

Dotty went on, “Well you did me a favor in a way. I would have been stuck with Tom.”

Tammy cut in, “Just as I am.”

Dotty revealed, “Well this way I had three marriages, and each one of them richer than the last.”

Tammy muttered, “I’m happy for you.”

Dotty requested, “Maybe I can help you, or we can get together sometime.”

Tammy insisted, “No, it would never work Dotty I’m under a curse. I did it to myself, and there is nothing anyone can do. I just have to suffer with it the rest of my life. I’m doomed to be poor and unhappy.”

Dotty went on her way feeling sorry for Tammy.

After seeing what Tammy did Jim went to her house and rang the doorbell. Inside Tammy complained, “Another salesman wanting the money I don’t have.”

Opening the door Jim questioned, “Did I awaken you?”

Tammy inquired, “Who are you?”

Jim replied, “James White and you are Miss Roberts.”

Tammy replied, “Yes, what do you want Mr. White?”

Jim replied, “I should say what do you want Miss Roberts?”

Tammy replied, “Well you’re the one that rung my bell.”

Jim insisted, “Yes because you sent for me.”

Tammy growled, “I sent for you.”

Jim revealed, “Yes, the Supreme Being sent me to you.”

Tammy remarked, “Supreme Being?”

Jim pushed his way in saying, “Why don’t I come in. Thank you I have a copy of your letter here.”

Tammy inquired, “My letter?”

Jim uttered, “You don’t recognize it?”

Tammy demanded, “How did you get that? No one has ever seen that? I burned it in the fireplace when I wrote it.”

Jim insisted, “The ones I work for can fix this for you.”

Tammy demanded, “Just how much is this going to cost me?”

Jim assured, “Nothing.”

Tammy asked, “Then how do you stay in business?”

Jim added, “We’re a nonprofit if you get my meaning.”

Tammy asked, “What’s this about a job, or a chance to go into business?”

Jim asked, “What do you want it to be?”

Tammy insisted, “Well it’s too late to change the course of my life.”

Jim insisted, “It’s never too late.”

Tammy claimed, “You don’t understand.”

Jim replied, “I think I do.”

Tammy insisted, “You see something happened twenty years ago.”

Jim insisted, “Twenty-one years ago to be exact.”

Tammy mumbled, “Yes but..”

Jim insisted, “You know the evening Twenty-one years ago.”

Tammy barked, “Quit teasing me!”