Whispers In The Dark

Part 2

By Nesciri

Chapter 3. Trail of Death

"Noah! Rider's comin'! You're up!" Rachel's voice sounded over the yard.

Noah rose from the comfortable place on the porch where he'd been sitting waiting for his run. Jimmy smiled at him.

"Have a nice ride," he said as he lazily chewed on a straw.

Noah shook his head.

"You wanna change?"

"In this heat? Nope. Anything is better than heading out into that sun-baked dry territory."

"Thanks for reminding me." Noah shook his head at his friend as he mounted.

Teaspoon came around the corner of the bunkhouse at the same moment.

"Good I found you Jimmy - I need you to make a special run for me."

Jimmy moaned as Noah smiled broadly at him before he accepted the mochila and headed out on his run.

"You spoke too soon, Jimmy!" he called out before he was off.

Jimmy frowned at him before turning to Teaspoon.

"What is it?" he asked.

"A friend of mine, the sheriff of Wind Creek could use some help. You'd be doing me a great favor if you head over there for a week."

"A week? Come on Teaspoon---" Jimmy silenced when he saw the older man raise an eyebrow at him. "All right, I'll do it - what exactly is it about?"

"Well, you see---," Teaspoon started as he walked with Jimmy over to the stable.

******

Noah was on his way back when the headache came back. He held in his horse as he closed his eyes in an effort to stop it. Maybe I should take a rest, he pondered as he felt as if his head should burst open. The sight of a small lake made him make up his mind. Halting his horse close to the water he quickly dismounted and dipped his head into the water. He splashed a lot of water into his face, feeling somewhat better. Then he felt that strange feeling again, as if somebody or something was whispering inside his mind. Trying to ignore it he decided to make camp for the night. He was in no real hurry and although he was close to the station, something made him stay where he was. Fixing a small fire, he soon sat down, wrapped in his blanket, slowly eating the last of his rations. It didn't taste anything, but he was more concerned with his headache. He couldn't understand it - he'd never suffered from headaches before. And he had this strange feeling that he had memory lapses - sometimes he felt as if something had happened but he couldn't remember anything. It bothered him and he thought about seeing Doc when he got back.

He sat in deep thoughts watching the fire slowly burn out, not making any move to start it again when he heard voices close by. First he thought he was hearing things again, but son the voices were accompanied by the sound of horses. Reaching for his gun, Noah remained seated waiting for the men to approach him. Soon two horses and their riders emerged from the darkness.

"It's a nigger," the first man said condescending as they came closer.

"What are you doing her, boy?" the other continued.

"I work for the Express," Noah replied as he slowly rose, prepared for anything, well aware that the men meant trouble.

"You're lying - did you steal that horse, boy?"

"I'm a free man."

"Free, my foot. There's no such thing as a free nigger."

Noah felt the anger rise within him and with it there was another feeling. A feeling of hatred that only seemed to grow stronger. He shook his head in an attempt to regain control when the whisperings in his head came back. Suddenly the view before him became blurry and he seemed to float away from the scene before him.

Barak could feel how the young man yielded to his force as he used the anger to take control. He smiled at the men before him.

"So I'm not free?" he asked coldly, still smiling.

"Nope, and we better teach you not to talk back, right Tucker?"

"Maybe we should leave, Frank," Tucker replied. He didn't like the look on the young black man. There was something evil over it.

"I ain't leaving for no damned nigger," Frank snarled back reaching for his gun and took a step closer. It was the last thing he did. Noah's hand found his knife and with a vicious snarl he let it sweep threw the air connecting with Frank's neck just below the ear. The force was enough to almost sever the head from the shoulders and with a croaking sound from his lips, Frank sank down to the ground, dead before he reached it.

Tucker stared in horror at his friend before he looked up and watched into the hatefilled eyes of Noah.

"You wanna stay and play?" Noah licked his lips as an evil smile played over them. Tucker froze in his movements before he sank to his knees.

"Please, don't kill me - we didn't mean any harm. Please, I got a wife and a kid---"

Noah placed the knife under the man's nose.

"You want to be spared, he?"

"I'll do anything, please?"

Noah removed the knife and looked down at the shivering man.

"Maybe I'll let you live," he said still smiling, "but it will cost you---"

The man on his knees trembled and continued his plea.

"Please? My wife---" He hadn't said more when the knife separated his ear from his head and he called out in pain placing his hand where his ear once had been. Noah laughed scornfully.

"Now you're dead," he whispered as he bent down and let the knife enter the man's stomach. Slowly, as to make sure the man felt the pain, he moved the knife upwards. Tucker fell backwards still alive, but dying. Noah rose and watched his work.

"Sweet dreams," he said to the dying man on the ground as Barak felt his strength increase as he collected the souls from his killings. He rose his arms towards the sky and relinquished in the feeling as he mumbled:

"Soon, my Louise, soon I'll come for you."

******

Lou sat by Jesse's side watching the boy toss and turn in fever. Now and then she wiped his forehead with the wet napkin in her hand. Jesse moaned and opened his eyes.

"Hi there," Lou said gently.

"What happened?" Jesse asked weakly.

"The tool rack fell down over you - you got a few cuts and bruises. Doc said you'd be all right if we can keep you in bed for a while," Lou smiled at him.

Jesse closed his eyes and tried to remember. He had a vague picture of a tool rack falling down at him.

"I was looking for Buck's pouch," he mumbled. "It was so strange, Lou, it looked as if something made the rack fall."

"You've listen too much to Cody's stories," Lou said comfortingly. "The wood was old where the rack sat. It could have fallen any time - you just had a bit of bad luck to be there when it did."

"But what if the spirits wanted to stop me from finding it?"

"Don't listen to Cody, Jesse. The pouch can't do anything like that." Lou spoke confidently, not really believing in Cody's stories of the misfortune he'd run into after stealing Buck's pouch. She hadn't been there when they happened, and anybody could have bad luck. But Jesse's imagination was already working at full speed.

"Then the pouch must be in the stable. If I could---"

"You're staying in bed, and you are not even going to think about the pouch or spirits or anything like that, you hear. You're gonna rest."

Jesse was about to protest when Rachel walked in.

"Hello," she smiled and placed a soft hand on Jesse's forehead. "The fever is getting down I think."

"I don't feel better," Jesse replied weakly.

"That just because you can get out of bed yet," Rachel continued.

"Well, I'll see you tomorrow evening, Jesse," Lou said and rose. "I've got a run coming up."

"Have you found Buck's pouch?" Rachel asked.

"Nope, haven't had time to look actually. I'll have a quick look around before I leave."

"Do that. Buck seemed rather upset when it was missing. He surely doesn't need any setbacks now," Rachel added meaningfully and Lou knew what she meant. Buck had just recently recovered from the loss of Ike and although he was somewhat back to his old self, they all knew that the loss weighed heavily on him. Lou nodded and headed over to the stable for a quick search. She was quite certain that Jesse had made a throughout investigation of the bunkhouse.

*****

Disappointed she left the stables an hour later. She had no more success than Jesse had in finding the pouch. Buck must have lost it on a ride or when doing his chores, she pondered, and then it could be anywhere. She had no more time to look anyway, she had to get Lightning ready for her run. She knew how disappointed Buck would be so it was with a heavy heart she wrote a note explaining everything. She left it on his bunk before she went back to the stables. Ten minutes later she headed out after receiving the mochilla from Ben Harker.

*****

Teaspoon yawned audibly as he sat by his desk at the office. It had been two quiet days with Jesse in bed and four riders out. Buck and Noah were expected back today if nothing unexpected happened. And if he was lucky the calmness would continue until Jesse was on his feet again. Teaspoon doubted that the accident would cool Jesse down for long. Best to enjoy it while it lasted he thought, as the door was slammed opened.

"Marshal! There's been a murder!"

Teaspoon sat up with a jerk as Hansen rushed inside.

"Murder? Where?"

"Just outside South Bend," Hansen said. "Ain't a pretty sight either, marshal, one of'em almost got his head cut off."

"Head cut off?" Teaspoon asked with a frown as he rose from his chair.

"Yeah. You better see for yourself."

Teaspoon reached for his hat and followed Hansen out to the wagon that stood outside. Under a large blanket he could see the contours of two men. Bracing himself he slowly lifted the blanket. A quick look and then he sadly shook his head and left the blanket down.

"Did you find'em?"

"One of my hired hands did." Hansen shook his head. "Who could do something like that?"

"You know them?"

"One of'em. He used to work for me, and although his death is no loss, no man should be killed this way."

"A bad apple, he?"

"You can say that. Took to the bottle too easily and he treated his wife badly. Still, it's gonna be hard on her. Doubt that she has any income."

"We'll see what we can do. Do you have any idea of what might have happen?"

"Nope. They were looking for trouble, but I haven't seen Tucker for a couple of weeks."

"Any of your men being out there?"

"Afraid not. We couldn't find any traces there either. Maybe you should ask your riders - it ain't far from the Express run."

"I'll do that. I'll ask around in town to see what I'll find out and then I'll head out there later. Thanks for bringing them in, Hansen."

"Well, Tucker used to work for me so it was the least I could do for him. I'll talk to his wife as well, if you like."

"I'd appreciate that."

Hansen nodded and took the wagon over to the undertaker. Teaspoon looked after them with a sad face. The quiet days were over, and earlier than he had expected.

*****

Noah woke up with a headache. He tried to get to his feet when he suddenly was violently sick. Still feeling dizzy, he slowly recovered and looked around. He remembered that he had made camp on his way back because he recognized the surroundings, but he had no memory of what had happened then. He remembered the headache and assumed that he must have fallen asleep. I really need to see Doc when I get back, he pondered as he reached for his water canteen. It was then he noticed the blood on his sleeve. Puzzled he stared at it and then he started to look for a wound. When he didn't find anything he looked closer at himself. He found more traces of blood on his trousers, but as far as he could see there was no wound on him. When he noticed that there was blood on his knife, he became more confused. What had happened? How hard he tried he could not remember using his knife or how it was that there was blood on his clothes. The only explanation he could find was that he must have killed an animal or something for food. He used some of the water to clean off the worst, as the headache slowly seemed to go away. He was already a bit late, so he quickly gathered his things and mounted. Within minutes he was on his way back to the station.

When Noah finally arrived and handed the pouch over to Cody he felt better. A lot better, in fact, with the exception that he still seemed to have a memory lapse from the night before. He had managed to get most of the blood of from his clothes before he left his camp and he felt refreshed after he'd dipped his head in the horses' trough. It was almost as if the headache and sickness from the evening before and in the morning never had occurred.

"Hot run?" Rachel smiled at him as she passed with a basket full of clean laundry.

"Yes. And since you asked, there weren't much to eat either. You don't happen to have any sandwiches or something?"

"I don't understand what you do to yourself on these runs," Rachel complained jokingly. "Didn't they give you something to eat at Reams Station?"

Noah smiled foolishly, hesitant to tell of his sickness earlier.

"I wasn't hungry," he said instead hoping that Rachel wouldn't ask anymore. Fortunately she seemed satisfied with that answer.

"If you can wait for a few minutes, you can have some soup. I'm making some for Jesse anyway."

"That's sounds fine. How's Jesse by the way?"

"He's slowly getting better. He's still in bed and he really longs for someone to talk to. Why don't you stop by before I fix that soup?"

"Sure, why not?"

Noah walked back to the bunkhouse where Jesse had a bunk in the kitchen. When he stepped in he walked over and brought a chair to the bunk.

"Hi Jesse, how are you feeling?"

"Pretty low," Jesse confessed. "How was your ride - did you run into any trouble?"

Noah laughed softly at the question.

"No, just an ordinary run. Why do you ask?"

"Thompkins was out here with some supplies and I overheard him talking 'bout a murder - "

"Whoa, take it easy Jesse. You're in no shape for solving murders and such."

"I just wondered ---" Jesse's eyelids closed for a second.

"Tired?" Noah asked. "You better get some sleep then."

"Ain't tired," Jesse said sleepily, but Noah silenced him.

"You better rest and I'll talk to you later."

"OK," Jesse mumbled and closed his eyes.

******

Barak looked at the sleeping boy. It would be so easy for him to end the boy's life right now and for a moment he pondered doing it. But then he realized that it would mean that the others would suspect the young man whose body he used. If the body was killed he might not find a new right away, so his only other possibility would be to leave. Either way he wasn't ready to leave this place just yet. Not until he had possessed one of the most beautiful and strong souls he'd ever encountered. So he let the boy sleep although the thought of forcing the life out of him was tempting. Sighing he returned to the dark and let over the control to the young man.

Noah flinched as he experienced another headache. He looked at the sleeping Jesse and shook his head trying to get rid of the headache. He couldn't understand what had brought it on - he hadn't done anything straining. He wiped his forehead as Rachel stepped in.

"Is he sleeping?" she whispered. Noah nodded.

"I'll fix you some soup anyway," Rachel smiled at him as she headed over to the stove. Noah felt relieved that she apparently hadn't found anything wrong with him - maybe he just was tired after his run.

*****

Teaspoon didn't return to the station until late in the evening. The riders looked up from the dinner when he entered with a tired smile.

"What's up Teaspoon?" Buck asked.

"Hansen found two men murdered over by South Bend. I've been out there trying to find any leads."

"Did you?" Kid asked.

"Nope. Not a single tread. Can't understand why though. One of the men had his throat cut - there should have been more."

"Teaspoon, we're eating," Rachel said with a frown.

"Sorry, Rachel. Guess I can't stop thinking about it. Never seen anything that brutal."

"South Bend? That's not far from our run. Didn't you pass close by there, Noah?" Kid looked at Noah.

"Yes, but I didn't notice anything unusual. When were they killed Teaspoon?"

"Hard to say - you're sure you didn't see anything? You might have passed there just about the time they were killed."

Noah shook his head.

"Nothing." For a moment he felt a strange feeling of that there was something he should tell Teaspoon, but the memory eluded him and he simply shook his head again. "Sorry, Teaspoon."

"That's all right. I didn't expect you to. I suspect they got into trouble with one of their "friends". They weren't sober when they left town. That's a fine example of what drinking can lead to, I'll say."

"That's enough of that. I don't want to hear more about it," Rachel stated vehemently as she placed a plate in front of Teaspoon. "Now we'll eat."

*****

Barak couldn't rest. He'd been still for two long. The killings had created a craving for more. He had been forced to hide for too long and there where unexpected forces in this country. The people were different than he remembered or maybe it was he that had weakened. He'd been around since time's beginning and his master had brought him to many corners of the world but he'd never encountered this much trouble in taking control over his 'host'. And the young Indian that seemed to be protected by some sort of spirits that was stronger than he first expected. And he had felt the presence of another force, a force he was unable to define or detect. He needed to be stronger and that fast, before he was defeated. Somehow he knew that if he could possess the girl, he would be safe. Barak slowly rose from the bunk and looked around as he could feel the anger of the Indian spirits surround him. He frowned. They could do nothing to stop him, but they irritated him. He looked for the pouch that seemed to be their center but as he approached the box, the owner stirred in his sleep and almost woke up. Barak cursed silently as the illusive force he'd felt occasionally made itself reminded. A soft growl emerged from his throat as he realized that this spirit was also connected to the Indian. A new idea formed in his mind. Maybe he didn't need to take this one's soul. Maybe he could take his knowledge. An evil smile played on his lips as he silently left the room.

*****

Barak slowly walked down the street. Music and laughter was heard from the saloon as a few men strolled out into the street. It did not interest him. He chose to walk on the less lightened streets and alleys in search of a soul to satisfy the hunger in him.

"Hi there stranger." A blond girl dressed in only a chemise and a skirt smiled at him. "Looking for some company?"

Barak stooped and looked her over. A weak soul, but it was better than nothing.

"You're one of he Express riders ain't you?" The girl walked unsteadily up to him and Barak realized that she was intoxicated by something. "You know, I've never had a black man before," she continued as her fingers played with the buttons on his shirt.

"No?" Barak asked as his hand caressed her neck, slowly and deliberately.

"No," she replied as she raised her head, offering more of her neck to his hand. Barak bent down until his lips were close to her ear.

"But I need more than you'll be willing to give," he whispered cruelly as his hand slowly closed around her neck. He heard her gasping for breath as his grip hardened and he could feel her soul slowly leaving her body as he captured her. In his mind he heard her silent cry for help as her life left her body and her soul was caught only to be forced to serve him for eternity.

To be continued Chapter IV