By Joanna Phillips
Jonathan Monroe moved quickly, but resisted the urge to break into a run. His eyes moved neither to the left or the right as he tried to nonchalantly move through the prison buildings without arousing suspicion.
He'd never forgive himself if Gordon Styles got his grubby hands on Louise McCloud. When the guard had mentioned that a lady had come to see him, and described Kid McCloud's wife to him, he'd been sickened to learn she'd been taken to the warden's office. Although he was Jonathan's superior, there was poorly concealed malice between the two men. Styles hated Jonathan because of his Southern background, and Jonathan hated Styles because he was an arrogant, rich fool who thought he could take whatever he wanted. Jonathan had filed countless complaints about his conduct, but he knew that the Government had bigger problems than the leadership at an out of the way prison camp.
His white knuckles were soon rapping forcefully on the warden's closed door. Style's orderly had done as he was instructed and tried to tell Jonathan no one was to disturb him, but Jonathan had cut the boy off with a growl, and continued.
Jonathan shifted his weight nervously as no sound came from inside the room. With a sigh, knowing he could be court marshaled, Jonathan tried to open the door but found it locked. Shaking his head at his own stupidity, he suddenly threw all his weight into the door and busted the lock.
He stopped cold when he saw Louise McCloud standing close behind the warden with a pair of scissors pressed tightly into his neck.
"Close the door, right now," she growled at him in a low voice, and wordlessly, Jonathan did so.
"Mrs. McCloud, he can't hurt you now. I'm here."
"He couldn't hurt me before you were here, Sir," Lou pointed out, "Don't do anything stupid or I'll kill him."
Jonathan met Gordon's eyes and took grim satisfaction at seeing the look of fear on Gordon's face to have his fate resting in the hands of a man he'd enjoyed tormenting.
"What's going on, Mrs. McCloud?" Jonathan asked in a voice he might have once used to quiet a frightened colt. He moved across the room with his hands raised in a non-threatening manner.
"I don't know what kind of a place you run here, but I'm sure the government will be very interested in knowing your policy of prisoner exchange!" Lou growled, "You treat your prisoners worse than animals and you rape their wives too?"
"It is unfortunate that such men as this come to power, but it happens. Unfortunately, the government is unconcerned. But, I don't think they'd be so unconcerned if you injure the warden. In fact, they'll probably hang you for it."
"I'm not leaving here without…" Lou began, only to be interrupted.
"Your husband must stay here!"
"My husband is already out of here!" Lou growled, then lied. "He walked out right under your noses, and is on his way to Canada. I'm here to get out the foolish man who decided to take his place so he could escape!"
"What?" Jonathan asked, "That's impossible! I saw both of your friends leave here after one of them fought with Kid!"
Lou shook her head, "They switched places, Captain. And now a man that doesn't belong is in there, and I can't let him stay here!
Jonathan studied Louise closely. She had that same fierce look in her eyes that he was starting to get used to. How could such gentle eyes be so demanding, he wondered briefly. He was at a loss of what to do. He wanted to help the lady very much, but he also had a duty.
Gordon Style's eyes darted from the woman to Jonathan Monroe quickly. Louise was looking right at Monroe, and the pressure of the scissors in his neck had gotten lighter, her other had gripped the gun loosely.
With a suddenly move he burst from the chair and pushed the girl hard, sending her stumbling toward a wall, the hand clutching the scissors flying wildly in an attempt to keep her balance.
Time seemed to slow as Jonathan watched Louise stumbling toward the wall. His eyes never left the hand holding the scissors. Let them go! he pleaded silently, but she didn't have the presence of mind to think about it, she had been caught so off guard. He cried out in horror as he watched her fall on the scissors, and lay motionless on the floor.
Gordon Styles immediately started after her with trembling hands, no doubt to make her pay for turning on him. Jonathan, without giving it a second thought, took his whole fate into his hands and with two long strides intercepted him and delivered a hard fist into his superior's jaw.
Styles staggered backwards, then came toward Jonathan with unsteadily raised fists. Jonathan sighed and stepped forward, raising his fists as well, and knowing that winning this fight would not be hard at all. Styles took a wild swing and missed Jonathan by a landslide. Jonathan felt a surge of joy as his own fist connected with Style's nose, shattering it, and sending the man to the floor in an unconscious heap.
He didn't revel in his victory for long, though. He threw himself down upon his knees by Louise, and ever so slowly rolled her over. She had tears running rapidly out of both eyes, but made no sound.
He could see her hands wrapped around the scissors tightly, and saw the red blood seeping through her fingers and staining her dark dress. It seemed the scissors were imbedded in her side, not far from the rounding abdomen that carried her unborn. He couldn't tell how deeply or how close they were to causing the baby harm, and she didn't seem willing to let go long enough for him to see.
"Mrs. McCloud, let me look, just let me see!" He pleaded with her gently, placing his own trembling hand on top of hers.
"No!" She wailed, choking on sobs, "I don't want to know!"
"Mrs. McCloud, you're going to be fine, I promise. You've got to let me see, though."
"No," she protested, and closed her eyes tightly, "The baby."
"What?" Jonathan asked, "Is the baby coming?"
"No," Lou sobbed, "I was so stupid!"
"No, ma'am, you haven't hurt the child! The scissors are high. You've missed the baby by a long way," Jonathan assured her, and put a gentle hand on her clammy forehead. He really had no idea where exactly the scissors were imbedded, but he knew that she was close to hysteria and he saw no point in scaring her further by saying he didn't know if the scissors had harmed the child or not.
Her eyes opened slightly, "Are they? Is the baby all right?"
"Yes, the baby is fine. Now, let me make sure you are," Jonathan said slowly, hoping she'd comply.
Though she wouldn't remove her hands herself, she did allow him to, and cried out with fear and pain as he did so.
The scissors clattered to the hard wood floor. New blood gushed onto Lou's dress and covered Jonathan's hands.
"I'm going to go get the surgeon!" Jonathan said with finality and started to get up.
"You can't do that! They'll know what happened and I've got to get Jimmy and get out of here! Just pull the scissors out! I'll be fine! I'll see a doctor once I get home safely."
"What do you mean, 'pull the scissors out'? The scissors aren't sticking you!"
"They aren't?" Lou asked, sitting up. She cradled her abdomen.
"Where's the blood coming from then?" She asked frantically, after looking for a wound, "Oh no, the baby is coming!"
"Shh…I don't think that's it either!" Jonathan said, "Where is the blood coming from?" he repeated.
"It's the baby," Lou said hopelessly.
Jonathan made a move to grab her hand and comfort her, but she held it up and tried to push him away. It was in that movement that he saw the huge gashes on both of her hands.
"I can't lose this child!" Lou sobbed, finally losing all control.
"Unless you are carrying a child inside your hands, I think you're safe," Jonathan finally breathed with relief.
"What?" Lou asked in confusion.
"It's your hands, sweetheart. They're cut and that's where the blood is coming from."
Lou eyed him suspiciously before slowly turning her palms toward her face. She cringed when she saw the gaping wounds there, but felt tears of relief starting in her eyes. She'd been so frightened, she hadn't even realized her hands were stinging horribly, and that she wasn't hurt anywhere else.
"Thank God," she breathed, then on the release of air moaned, "Ouch."
Jonathan smiled slightly at her, relieved as well.
"I feel like a fool," She admitted, smiling slightly, her pale face still soaked with tears.
"Well, don't. We have to get those cuts looked at," Jonathan told her.
"No! We have to get Jimmy out of here! I have to go!'
"You can't get your friend out! We are both in more than enough trouble without breaking someone out"
"I have to! Please help me!" Lou cried out then looked at him, "Why are you in trouble?"
"I really should call the surgeon," Jonathan began.
"Stop avoiding my question."
"I just knocked out my superior officer. I'm about to hog tie him behind his desk, and bust someone out of here," Jonathan said, "that might tend to make me eligible to swing from a rope."
"You're gonna help me then?" Lou whispered, then groaned in pain, "I cut myself up good didn't I?"
"I guess I'm going to help you. I've already signed my discharge from the army. Might as well go out with a bang!"
"Thank you!" Lou said softly.
"Shh, time for that later. We aren't out safe yet. Now, we're going to at least bandage those cuts up," Jonathan insisted, and quickly looked around the office for something. He found two towels in the liquor cabinet, and also brought out a bottle of Irish Whiskey.
Jonathan hadn't met many men or women who could have endured the pain of having straight alcohol poured into such deep, raw wounds as bravely and quietly as Louise did. Although her eyes filled with fresh tears and her skin went a shade paler, she did not make the first sound or complaint.
"You okay?" Jonathan asked softly.
"I'll be fine. Just give me a second till the room stops spinning," she told him.
She appreciated the gentleness with which he wound the soft towels around her throbbing hands. Both towels were soon spotting with blood, but Lou ignored that. She wondered momentarily why this man had agreed to help her, but decided against asking him.
"Let's go figure out a way to get your friend out of here," Jonathan sighed.
"Well, actually, it's going to be simple. I have a paper signed by the warden releasing him," Lou smiled slightly, as Jonathan helped her sit up and then stand.
"Remind me to thank him next time I see him," Jonathan muttered after he'd gagged and tied the unconscious warden up behind his desk.
Jonathan led the way out of a back door from the warden's office. They twisted through dark hallways lined with guard's quarters. He stopped outside his own room and started to open the door.
"You can wait here while I go find your friend."
"How are you going to find a man you've seen once in all those men?" Lou questioned.
"You have a better idea?" Jonathan asked her.
"Yes. Take me with you."
"No! That is out of the question!"
"Why? It's really the only way. Even if you do find Jimmy, he's going to think it is some sort of trap to go with you. He'll refuse. He's probably trying to hide his face from the guards as it is."
"There's no way you are stepping into that yard, Mrs. McCloud! Those men haven't been within a hundred yards of a woman in months…some of them almost a year! Some longer! You'd be mauled!"
"Give them credit. Just because you treat them like animals doesn't make them savages," Lou murmured, "Come on, Captain Monroe. Is there any other way?"
Jonathan sighed, "There's something else…I'm not sure if you're going to be able to handle what you see out there. It disturbs me, and I'm used to it, ma'am."
"I'll be fine, I give you my word."
Jonathan sighed, "Then we're going to lay some ground rules, no exceptions…I want you to stick like glue to my side! You keep your mouth closed, and your eyes averted. If the men say anything to you, you will ignore it! Do you understand?"
Lou's eyes flashed at the strict orders she was being given. However, Jonathan Monroe's emerald green eyes were just as smoky and stubborn as hers, and she realized if she didn't agree he'd never let her go in, and Jimmy would never be found.
"Aye, Aye, Captain!" She saluted him sharply, the winced at the pain the motion caused her hand.
Jonathan smiled wryly, "Serves you right. Now come on. Let's get you a coat."
"I'm fine," Lou responded, eyeing the open door to his tiny room nervously.
Jonathan saw her look and laughed at her, "Don't worry, Mrs. McCloud. I'm not looking to try anything. I don't feel like being killed today."
Lou glared at him sheepishly, embarrassed that he'd read her thoughts. She stood in the hallway while he went inside and returned with an overcoat. He helped her into it, careful of her hands, and nodded when the too long sleeves covered the bandages.
He then pulled out a hat and placed it on her head for her. It fell over her eyes.
"Is this really necessary?" Lou groaned, feeling ridiculous in both items of oversized clothing.
"I can't hide the fact you are a woman, but I can hide the fact you are an attractive one," Jonathan responded, "Not to insult you ma'am. I just don't think anyone could ever mistake you for anything but a lady."
Lou laughed in spite of herself at the irony of his statement, "You've no idea."
Even if Captain Monroe had not told Lou to stick close at his side, she would have. Haunted, haggard eyes watched every step they took over the treacherously wet and slippery ground. Gravelly voices called out obscene remarks. Weaker voices begged for mercy, and Lou swallowed the urge to scream in terror as man after man lying on the ground grabbed the hem of her dress and asked for food, for medicine, for death.
Tears streamed quickly down Lou's face, causing the bite of the wind through the yard to be more vicious than it already was.
"Do you want to go back?" Jonathan asked her, as they leaned against the relative safety of a guard tower for a moment, "I'm not so sure you should be out here in your condition."
"I'm going to be fine. Let's hurry," Lou said, and made the mistake of breathing through her nose again, and was almost ill. They continued their search for Jimmy.
An hour went by, and Jonathan and Lou were making their way into the furthest corner of the enclosure. Lou had images burned into her memory that would never be erased, and tears still streamed down her face as she pictured Kid living in this hell for so many months, and of the men remaining who would have to endure it for God only knew how long. She'd seen dead bodies being stripped bare by nearly naked prisoners with huge, gaping lesions on their skin. She'd seen men eating mud and dirt, and bugs. She'd seen men fighting savagely for a hunk of molded bread.
"This place is an atrocity," Lou growled at Jonathan fiercely, "It's unforgivable what you are doing to these men."
"I've done everything I can to improve the condition of these men. There are camps in the South far worse than this, Mrs. McCloud."
"That's no excuse," Lou snapped back as they entered a large tent. She was starting to worry about her friend. He hadn't been anywhere, and she started to fear the worst.
If Jimmy died in here, like this, because of us, I'll never forgive myself, Lou thought.
"Lou! Lou? What are you doing here!"
A trembling sigh of relief shook Lou's frame as she turned toward the voice. Jimmy staggered up to her.
He was filthy and had a few cuts and bruises, but looked otherwise unharmed, "Oh thank God! Jimmy! We've got papers to get you out!"
"Why in God's name are you here then? Where's Cody? Or Teaspoon? They don't know you're here do they?"
"It isn't important. The important thing is we're getting you out of here! But we have to move fast."
Jimmy was surprised at his own reluctance. He could feel the eyes of several men on him. Several men that were close to death with no means of escape.
Soon, Marty was standing at his side, "I know what you're thinking, Hickok, but go! We chose our cause, and we belong here. You don't. You've got to get out of here."
Jimmy turned to look at Marty. He then held out a hand to squeeze the man's shoulder.
"Lou, here's someone you should meet. This man is the reason your husband is alive today. Marty Weathers, this is Kid's wife, Louise."
Lou stepped forward and looked into some of the kindest brown eyes she'd ever seen. Those eyes were clouded with pain, and set in a face that was starting to sag with malnutrition and disease.
Tears welled in her own eyes, "I don't know quite what to say. Thank you doesn't seem good enough."
Marty smiled, good humor still lighting his eyes even after all he'd endured, "I think knowing that I may have helped Kid come back home to such a lovely woman is enough."
"Kid told me that he offered you half partnership to our ranch, and I want you to know that there will always be a place for you there when this war is over."
Marty grinned, "Ma'am, I believe you are an angel. But, to tell you the truth, I'm weary. I've seen too much, and I don't really think I'll ever leave this place."
Tears threatened Lou's eyes again, "Leave today, with us!"
Jonathan shifted uncomfortably, wondering how many more people she planned to invite on their flight from the U.S. Government.
Marty smiled and reached a filthy hand out to touch her cheek, stopping when he realized how dirty it was. When he would have dropped it, Lou quickly reached her sliced hands up, and ignoring the pain, pushed his hand to her cheek and leaned into it with a gentle smile.
Tears touched Marty's own eyes at her goodness, "No, I'm content to stay here. I've grown used to the idea that this is where I'm supposed to be. I've made my peace with life, and the end is near for me. But that's okay. You can do me one favor, though."
"Anything," Lou replied choking down a sob, "Anything at all."
"I don't think they are much for grave markers around this place, and my father was a great man. Do you think you might find a nice spot on your land someday, and perhaps erect a cross with his name on it? Barney Weathers. He was a good man. He deserves a resting place. He liked open spaces."
Lou felt the tears flow down her face faster as she wordlessly nodded her head, "Won't you come with us?"
Marty shook his head, "What and lose all the respect I get around here? There is one more thing you could do for me, though."
Lou nodded, unable to form words around the lump in her throat.
"Maybe, if it isn't too much trouble, make a place for me beside my father?"
"For giving my husband a chance to know his child there is nothing that is too much trouble," Lou choked out, chills rising on the back of her neck. She stepped forward to fling her arms around the neck of the man who Kid spoke of so highly, who had saved his life more than once, who had brought him back from the jaws of death. "You will have the finest spot on all our land."
"Mrs. McCloud, we have to go," Jonathan interrupted uncomfortably, saluting Marty sharply.
Jimmy walked to her side and placed an arm around her shoulders, turning her away from the man she found it hard to release, to leave behind.
Jimmy met Marty's eyes and a world of understanding passed between the two men. There had been times in the past when Jimmy felt as if he'd seen too much too, but after a week in the camp he knew he'd never seen real hardship.
Jonathan held his breath as they walked back through the prison. No one questioned his orders since he was second in command at the prison, but he expected the warden to come thundering into their path at any minute.
He rushed Lou and Jimmy both, and feeling his urgency, they were quick to hurry.
"Do you think they'll come after us?" Lou finally asked as she sat on the wagon seat in between Jimmy and Jonathan and looked over her shoulder at the gap opening between them and the prison.
"Let's hope not," Jonathan muttered, "With any luck at all it will be hours before the warden is discovered."
"And if it's not hours?" Jimmy wondered, having been filled in on the story of how Lou had nearly been attacked, "If we're caught?"
Jonathan sighed, and knew that they deserved to be informed of the seriousness of what they were doing, "Then we'll all be shot."
"Lou, this is the stupidest thing you've ever done!" Jimmy finally snapped at her.
"Yeah, and it's not half as stupid as what you did! What were you thinking? Did you honestly expect to go into Point Lookout and stay there for the rest of the war? Why in God's name would you do that?"
Jimmy softened, and sighed, "Because you needed Kid, and he needed you."
"But we both need you too, Jimmy," Lou returned, her voice gentler now as she stole her arm through his and squeezed him tightly.
"I just wanted you both to have another chance."
Lou was so touched by his generosity and devotion to her husband and herself that she could think of absolutely nothing to say.
They rode in silence for awhile, daring to believe they would make it to the hotel safely.
"Do you hear that?" Jimmy asked suddenly.
"Hear what?" Jonathan asked tensely.
He need not have asked though, because in a moment all three of them heard the strange, high pitched wailing coming from behind them.
"What is it?" Lou asked, looking at Jonathan and already knowing the answer.
"It's the escaped prisoner alarm. It won't be long before they come looking for us."
To be continued…Chapter XVI
Copyright 1998-This work is not to be reproduced without the permission of the author
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