{"id":5135,"date":"2010-10-30T15:45:48","date_gmt":"2010-10-30T19:45:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5135"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:23:39","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:23:39","slug":"ladykiller","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5135","title":{"rendered":"Ladykiller (by Sassybrass)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0<\/span>Joe is found in a ravine with mysterious injuries.\u00a0 He has a dark journey into his own memory to discover how he got there and why his brother is in danger.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0WC 7800<\/p>\n

Ladykiller<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 1:<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, my God.\u201d Adam skidded to a halt halfway down the long ravine. Bright moonlight had shown Joe\u2019s body, but now it showed that the shadow around his leg wasn\u2019t a shadow at all. \u201cHoss? HOSS?? Bring a rope. I\u2019ll need to climb down and I don\u2019t want to fall on him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Forever passed in the moments it took for Hoss to clamber down the steep slope with a coil of rope in his hand. \u201cIt\u2019s bad?\u201d he peered around Adam, who took the rope with a very serious expression.<\/p>\n

Adam paused. \u201cWell, you can see for yourself. And it looks like there\u2019s another body down at the bottom. I\u2019ll get him next. Haven\u2019t heard anything from either one, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss glared down again. He couldn\u2019t see the second body, but Adam had good night vision so he let it go. \u201cRight then, I\u2019ll hold you steady.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam slipped down the slope as best he could without starting a slide of pebbles onto Joe. The whole mess so far was a mystery. Where had Joe been these past two days? Why had Cochise stayed with Joe instead of coming home? All so odd. And why was Joe hurt?<\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t take long to check Joe out. Hatless, coatless, his shirt torn, his face beat up, and that nasty leg wound all added up to a very careful shoulder lift and the gentlest exit possible from the ravine. Hoss waited, then helped take Joe\u2019s dead weight on his shoulders. \u201cStill breathin\u2019. That\u2019s good.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe bleeding has already stopped, looks like a knife wound. The main artery was missed by just a hair. Let\u2019s get him ready to get home.\u201d Adam was quick to double check the leg wound. \u201cWhat a mess.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get him up on Cochise,\u201d Hoss said grimly and tilted his head back down the steep drop. \u201cTie the rope tight, brother. I don\u2019t wanna have to haul you out of there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGot it,\u201d Adam said concisely, rope already in his hands. He skidded down a ways to the next scrubby tree, tested it, then tied the rope around it. It wasn\u2019t going to be long enough, but it was better than nothing.<\/p>\n

One brother went up, one down, each with too much worry in their heads about the now to think about the recent past.<\/p>\n

Hoss kept Joe as steady as he could as he ascended the slope. As he dug in each foot, he kept up a conversation with Joe. \u201cAll right now, we\u2019ll get you home and get the Doc out to see you. Hop Sing will get that leg wound all tidied up, don\u2019t you worry \u2018bout that. And I\u2019ve seen yer face beat way worse and the gals still lined up to dance. Don\u2019t you worry, Joe. Me \u2018n Adam will see to things. You just hang in there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam climbed up the slope a short while later, his cheeks flushed and puffing from the effort. \u201cDead. I\u2019m going to leave him there so we can get Joe home, and one of us get the doc. If we split up, it\u2019ll go a lot faster. And we can let Roy know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou ride for the Doc. I\u2019ll get Joe home. What the heck happened these past two days? We hear nothing, then you get this damn fool notion to head out here after supper. You know something I don\u2019t, Adam?\u201d Hoss was busy double checking that Joe was not tied too tightly, and that the makeshift bandage of an old shirt on his leg held.<\/p>\n

\u201cA feeling. And we hadn\u2019t searched out this way. Joe said something about fixing something. And he mentioned coming out this way a bit before. Two and two.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, yeah,\u201d Hoss grumbled. \u201cNow, Joe,\u201d he said companionably, \u201cyou hang in there, little brother. We\u2019ll get this all figured out.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 2:<\/p>\n

Adam found his trip into town more aggravating than he\u2019d imagined. Another murder, another woman missing, and another house fire all seemed to interrupt his mission. Doc Martin was in the middle of cataloging the most recent cadaver, and had to take several long moments to leave off his task and get ready to leave for the Ponderosa. Once he\u2019d accomplished seeing Doc Martin underway, Roy Coffee was Adam’s next stop.<\/p>\n

\u201cI tell ya, Adam, I\u2019m run around in circles right now. I\u2019ll come see that body tomorrow if I can, but it\u2019ll probably be the next day. We\u2019ve had a run of lunacy in town this past month, if you hadn\u2019t heard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I heard. Read, actually,\u201d Adam said scathingly. \u201cA monster. A werewolf.\u201d He rolled his eyes. \u201cOr just a bunch of drunk, vicious men turning on each other and anyone in their way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s odd all way \u2018round.\u201d Roy shrugged. \u201cSounds like Joe took care of whoever was trying to get him, and he won. Defending himself, I might add, so no murder charges. No papers on the body?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head. \u201cNo, none I could find. Well, Roy, if you can\u2019t make it, send word and we\u2019ll pull the body out ourselves and give him a decent burial.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCut to the chase, Adam. Save me a trip. So many vagrants these days that by the time I get out there, there won\u2019t be much to identify. Just save the clothes in case.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded. \u201cWe know what to do,\u201d he re-settled his hat. \u201cI\u2019ll see you later, Roy. Hope things calm down for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy laughed without humor as Adam let himself out the door.<\/p>\n

++++++<\/p>\n

Ben over saw Hop Sing\u2019s examination of Joe, especially concerned about the leg wound. \u201cA knife? No,\u201d he worried. \u201cToo jagged. Good lord, what happened out there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMissa Joe lucky to live. Whoever cut him meant to get big vein. Just missed. Think shoulder dislocated, too. This bad, very bad. Look like rope on wrists, too. Just one wrist. Very odd.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Ben went down on one knee beside the bed, gently touching just above the purplish-red thick line on Joe\u2019s wrist. \u201cJoe? Son? Can you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nothing. Joe\u2019s shallow, slightly gasping breath remained unchanged. Ben\u2019s hopeful half smile fell and gave way to a grim determination. \u201cSon, I\u2019m here. I\u2019ll wait.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chapter 3<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ben kept an eye on the clock while he waited by Joe\u2019s bed. Who knew how long Joe had lain in that ravine? Ben raged inside. Why can\u2019t we do more for you, son?<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam had come home and checked in on Joe, but Ben stood his ground. First shift, he called it. Hoss already had dibs on the second.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the one wrist tied up that gets me, Pa, every bit as much as the jagged cut. And there was no signs of the struggle right near where we found him. The dead body didn\u2019t reveal much, either. I hope he wakes up soon to clear this up. Who did this? Why?\u201d Adam remained standing by Ben, who was firmly ensconced in the chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want you to head back there in the morning and have a look around. I want whoever did this caught, and if the culprit in the dead man, then I want to know why. Take a couple of hands with you, though. Too many killings lately.\u201d Ben looked up at his eldest. \u201cWatch your back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI always do, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then they fell silent, looking at Joe. He was tucked in and they\u2019d done all they could. Now it was up to the young man with the bruised face, purpling bruises on his bare chest and, out of sight, horrific leg wound, to pull through.<\/p>\n

+++++<\/p>\n

\u201cHey , yer a pretty one, almost like a girl! Look at this, Jake! Real purdy. Ooooh, now he\u2019s mad.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNow, now, Fred, don\u2019t go making that one mad. He may be little, but he\u2019s got some mighty big brothers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, boy, are your brothers pretty like you?\u201d<\/p>\n

He\u2019d put his drink down. He remembered that. He\u2019d been so mad he wanted to draw, but he\u2019d just put his drink down. \u201cYeah, prettier,\u201d he said and sneered, all while his blood boiled. But something about the two men made his skin crawl, something about the way he felt sized up by the devil made him turn so he could keep an eye on them.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, blondie! C\u2019mere! We\u2019re lonely\u2026\u201d the one named Fred had called out to Sadie, a new girl, very pretty and on the young side for the saloon girls.<\/p>\n

+++++<\/p>\n

Joe moaned. Ben leaned forward. \u201cJoe? Joe? I\u2019m here!\u201d He took care to touch Joe\u2019s arm to reinforce that he was home, safe, with his family.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, stay away,\u201d Joe managed to say through bruised, swollen lips. Ben went to speak to reassure his still unconscious son, but Joe continued. \u201cIt\u2019s not right. They\u2019re not right. Stay away from them,\u201d his voice rose in a bit of panic, and Joe twisted. He arched from the pain in his shoulder and let out a keening moan from the back of his throat.<\/p>\n

Ben tried again to rouse Joe, but Joe was completely unconscious again, his breathing a little faster, and his face tense with something, something Ben would call fear.<\/p>\n

Chapter 4<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adam stood tall over the body. Early afternoon sun showed that Joe, well, most likely Joe, had given better than he\u2019d gotten. And a similar wound to Joe\u2019s leg was right above the heart on the corpse. He knelt down again to look at the face. A plainer, less describable face would be hard to find. Even the clothes were completely common. A second methodical search of pockets and such hadn\u2019t revealed a single thing that hinted at identity, which, now that he had enough light, had led Adam to look around more.<\/p>\n

Rocky ground hid a lot, but it was clear he wasn\u2019t the only man to come down the steep slope. Someone had been there before him, probably even before his first examination of the body. Adam set out to follow the trail but it disappeared in the bigger rocks where a springtime creek tended to roar. It was just a trickle now, but the rocks refused to yield any clues.<\/p>\n

Not on my land,<\/em> he fumed and threw a flat rock at a larger rock, watching it explode with sharp eyes. No one attacks my brother on Cartwright land and gets away with it.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

+++++<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just Hoss,\u201d said the biggest of the Cartwright clan. \u201cHey Pa! Joe\u2019s comin\u2019 round!\u201d he hollered over his shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, that hurt,\u201d Joe complained and raised his unmarked hand up to his forehead and winced. \u201cHey, what? My OWW!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLay back and don\u2019t move. Yer shoulder\u2019s been set back in and you\u2019ve got a heck of gash on your leg,\u201d Hoss said gently.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Joe gasped, then groaned. \u201cGood lord! I hurt everywhere. Ow, my mouth. What happened? Did I mess with a herd of buffalo? Augh,\u201d Joe\u2019s eyes fluttered closed. \u201cWhere don\u2019t I hurt?\u201d he muttered softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you remember anything? Anything at all?\u201d Hoss said with a hint of urgency that didn\u2019t escape Joe despite the pain.<\/p>\n

\u201cKinda. No,\u201d Joe whispered. \u201cKinda.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Ben burst into the room, slowing to take the chair Hoss vacated for him. \u201cTell me what happened? How are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHurt like a herd of horses stomped me,\u201d Joe tried to smile but it failed. His lips were too swollen. Still, his eyes sparkled despite the bruising. \u201cHow\u2019d I get here? Where was I?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam and Hoss found you by Fastrock Ravine, halfway down. There was a dead man there, too, at the bottom. Looks like the two of you had a fight\u2026\u201d Ben paused and hoped Joe\u2019s eyes would light with recollection.<\/p>\n

\u201cFight\u2026\u201d Joe muttered and closed his eyes. \u201cI fought. I know I did. Why? Why can\u2019t I remember? Oh, Pa, it\u2019s all jumbled.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTake it easy, Joe, it\u2019ll come back. Just give it time. Adam\u2019s out there\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes flew open in a panic. \u201cNo! Not Adam!! Get him back here!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Ben said, his voice low and full of worry. He put his hand on Joe\u2019s uninjured shoulder. \u201cJoe? Why does Adam need to get back here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked away, trying to lick his puffy lips. \u201cI don\u2019t know. I just know it\u2019s not safe for him. Get him back, Pa, please.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not alone, Joe,\u201d Ben said soothingly. \u201cTake it easy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes closed. He saw things without actually seeing them and it was driving him mad how he could react to what he couldn\u2019t recall. But he knew Adam was in danger. \u201cJust make him stay home, Pa. Please.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chapter 5<\/strong><\/p>\n

Eyes watched from behind bushes. The man in the black hat was much bigger than he\u2019d thought. With these sore ribs from the kid\u2019s well placed boots, there was no way he could even think about tackling that big one.<\/p>\n

Let him go, get him later\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

The figure lay in the shadows and waited until nightfall before limping back to town. The full moon wasn\u2019t much help with the ribs. It hadn\u2019t been much help last night, either. That kid wasn\u2019t so much a kid as a whip-strong, canny young man who could keep his head surprisingly, and distressingly well.<\/p>\n

Chapter 6<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!! Joe! Wake up!!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben was by Joe\u2019s side in a flash. He put his hand to his youngest\u2019s forehead. Hot<\/em>. \u201cJoe, son! You\u2019re home! It\u2019s all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d Joe\u2019s eyes flashed open. He panted like he\u2019d been running for his life. \u201cPa,\u201d he moaned. \u201cI hurt. I hurt so much. And I can\u2019t think. My head\u2026.\u201d Joe licked his swollen lips and tried to catch his breath. \u201cIt\u2019s all so wrong. I see things but I can\u2019t remember them, and I remember them, but I don\u2019t see them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m here, son,\u201d Ben murmured. He put his hand back on Joe\u2019s forehead. \u201cRest. Can you drink?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eye flew open again. \u201cWhiskey. No. NO! Get Adam home. Don\u2019t let him drink\u2026\u201d Joe\u2019s eyes went unfocused. \u201cI tried to help her, I told her to go get Adam. But she didn\u2019t. Why didn\u2019t she? Oh, Pa, I tried to help her\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShhhh. Rest.\u201d Ben face was haggard. This wasn\u2019t like Joe. Something other than fever and pain was eating at him, and so far Joe had resisted the laudanum sitting in a dark bottle on his bedside table.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Pa. I can\u2019t. But I tried. I really did,\u201d Joe\u2019s voice dropped off. His eyes drifted shut despite his fight to keep them open, and then he heaved a keening sigh as he slipped back into unconsciousness.<\/p>\n

Chapter 7<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cRoy,\u201d Doc Martin said with worry as he held up a shaking hand, \u201cthis is going crazy. First, it was just a few more murders. Now it\u2019s making my hands shake, and with mine accidents, you know what I\u2019ve seen.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m the one dragging the bodies to you,\u201d Roy complained and added some whiskey to his coffee. His own hands were pretty shaky. \u201cLast few days, it gone right south.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll say. Pass me that bottle. Did you know that Joe Cartwright was attacked, on the Ponderosa no less? The edge, mind you, but still. Don\u2019t know what could have caused that wound on his leg, but I\u2019d say someone was trying to land a good enough cut into his artery in his thigh to end it all pretty quick for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

+++++<\/p>\n

Adam scowled as he said the appropriate words over the grave. It had been easy enough to dig one in this soft, slippery grit. He\u2019s never liked this part of their land much. It had little life and here was little they could do with it to make it better, but whoever held it held substantial water rights, so they made sure they held it.<\/p>\n

A pile of rocks and a makeshift cross of whittled sticks marked the grave of the unknown man. His grubby, non-descript clothes sullied Adam\u2019s saddlebags, making Sport nervous.<\/p>\n

+++++<\/p>\n

\u201cPa!!\u201d Joe tried to leap up and wound up falling back to his bed in a scream of pain. He\u2019d used his hurt shoulder to push up instead of rolling and had just paid for it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m still here, son,\u201d Ben said urgently. He rose and looked down at the sweating, pale lad looking small and vulnerable in the big bed with white linen sheets that, horribly, matched the tone of Joe\u2019s skin where it wasn\u2019t bruised. The pillow had packed down as Joe tossed and turned and Ben tried to slip it out from his shoulders. \u201cLet me make you more comfortable. Ah, Joe, my boy, my boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I let you down. I only got one. But I got him good,\u201d Joe tried to wipe away sweat. \u201cI kinda, kinda, see it all, but then it goes away. I just know that getting just one wasn\u2019t enough. I think I made it worse. I think I brought them here!\u201d Joe groaned and fought Ben\u2019s grip to try to get up. He yelped at the pain in his shoulder and fell back to the bed. \u201cThey\u2019ll come here. One. One left\u2026Pa,\u201d he panted, his breath too hot, reflecting the fever starting to rage at the infection in his leg. \u201cStop them!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHere, you need some laudanum, Joe,\u201d Ben murmured and reached for the little bottle.<\/p>\n

\u201cNO!\u201d Joe screamed hoarsely and smacked the bottle away, the dark contents leaving a stain up the plaster like a spray of blood. \u201cGotta stay clear! Gotta.\u201d His chest heaved as he tried to steady himself. He met his father\u2019s eyes and forced himself to focus despite the pain in his leg that hurt as much now as it did when, when\u2026<\/p>\n

It all faded away.<\/p>\n

Hoss came into the room at speed. \u201cJoe was yelling. Hey, what happened there?\u201d he looked at the stained wall with huge eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe wouldn\u2019t take his medicine. He\u2019d rather be in pain and alert. Whether he\u2019s right or not, there\u2019s something going on here and it\u2019s got Joe scared out of his wits, and ready for a fight. Put the hands on alert. Better be safe. Is Adam in yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, sir,\u201d Hoss said quietly. The look on his father\u2019s face said he was ready for war. That alone was enough to unsettle him. But Joe\u2019s outcry had put chills up his spine.<\/p>\n

Chapter 8<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Late in the night, Joe opened his eyes and knew, deep down, he\u2019d beat the infection. He\u2019d beaten the \u2026man\u2026who\u2019d slashed him. He recalled that clear enough. Fight to the death. Laughter. Manic laughter. Then something, something so deeply wrong his mind still shied away from it. But that damn\u2026knife? So wrong in his hand\u2026But he\u2019d won. He knew that. He remembered using the \u2026knife? To cut the leather thong that had tied him to that\u2026man. Then he\u2019d torn the thong off his wrist and meant to go after the next man. Man? Either way, he\u2019d meant to go after him. But he\u2019d faded away.<\/p>\n

The pain in his leg burned like brimstone. Joe set his jaw.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll fight this. I\u2019ll win this, too. I beat one, I\u2019ll beat the other. Some men are \u2026monsters. Why God lets men like that walk the earth I don\u2019t know. But I\u2019ll fix that. Got one. I\u2019ll get the other. Maybe Roy will get him. Maybe they\u2019ll all figure it out. Adam\u2019s smart, he\u2019ll\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u201d Joe cried hoarsely. \u201cPa, where\u2019s Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

But it was still Hoss by his bedside. \u201cJoe! Joe! Pa\u2019s just getting some sleep. Adam came home about an hour ago. He\u2019s fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI need to see him, need to,\u201d Joe panted. \u201cWater?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou bet, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe drank slowly, marveling at how it tasted better than the finest whiskey he\u2019d ever had, so cold and smooth and soothing. \u201cNow, Hoss? Could ya get Adam? I need to, to see\u2026\u201d Joe waved for more water. Hoss tipped the glass. \u201cSee that he\u2019s all right. Maybe seeing him will give me some answers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe could all do with some answers, that fer sure,\u201d Hoss agreed strongly.<\/p>\n

Chapter 9<\/strong><\/p>\n

Another night, and this time it wasn\u2019t just one missing person, it was three. All women, all pretty, all ladies of negotiable virtue.<\/p>\n

Which wasn\u2019t helping Roy get any sleep.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt least we haven\u2019t found the bodies yet,\u201d Doc Martin grumbled. \u201cAnd I\u2019d best ride out and see Joe. Funny I haven\u2019t heard from them. Usually I\u2019ve had a second call by now, especially on Joe. That boy develops secondary infections like few I\u2019ve seen. But he gets through, by and by.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy raised a bushy eyebrow. \u201cHe\u2019s the odd man out here. Since these girls have started disappearing and turning up in few and fewer bits, it\u2019s like a damper got put on all the other violence, other than the shootin\u2019 over that daft Brit trying to cheat at cards. He\u2019s lucky he was just winged.\u201d<\/p>\n

The \u201cDaft Brit\u201d A young, sweetly boyish man locked up in one of the cells in the front of the office. He waved sheepishly.<\/p>\n

+++++<\/p>\n

Joe had refused to let Adam out of the room. He threatened to get up, to tear off his bandage, to throw things, and to scream the roof down at Adam\u2019s wedding, if ever such a thing should happen. Adam\u2019s appearance had both unsettled and eased Joe, but nothing more had come to mind about just why it was so important that Adam stay in sight.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a pickle,\u201d Adam leaned the chair back, almost tipping it over but not quite. He lifted an eyebrow at Joe. \u201cI\u2019ve got things to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll I know is that you\u2019re not leaving my sight until I\u2019ve got my head screwed on straight again,\u201d Joe muttered.<\/p>\n

Adam snorted. \u201cI\u2019m doomed for life, then, if we have to wait that long.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe blew a raspberry at his sardonic older sibling. \u201cSo there, smartass.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell debated, Joe, as usual.\u201d Adam chuckled and let the chair tip forward so he could look at Joe again. \u201cThere has to be some way to unlock that pile of grey muck you call a brain.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d punch you right now if I could get up,\u201d Joe retorted, but he was fighting a smile. \u201cI think I\u2019m getting better, y\u2019know. Must be all this brotherly love you exude.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve been reading the dictionary again. Trying to impress that new schoolteacher?\u201d Adam winked and snickered as Joe\u2019s jaw dropped.<\/p>\n

\u201cI do NOT have any interest in dictionaries or teachers, well, at least not that one. She\u2019s mighty snippy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo she turned you down?\u201d Adam laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Joe sighed, and shrugged just his good shoulder. Even that made him wince. \u201cSchoolteachers are your thing. I think she likes you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cME? And why does everyone think I want to court the schoolmarm? Maybe I\u2019d like a sweet little piece of fluff, you know, all in blonde ringlets and that just says \u2018yes Adam\u2019,\u201d he teased back at Joe as he tilted the chair back again, and managed to get one long arm hooked so that he could include the night table in his lean. \u201cMakes me apple pies and sweet potatoes just the way I like,\u201d he went on.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019ll be the day,\u201d Joe muttered. \u201cShow me one like that and I\u2019ll grab her first.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf she cooks like I want, Hoss will beat both our heads in to get her,\u201d Adam commented easily.<\/p>\n

Joe laughed, then winced. \u201cOw. Don\u2019t make me laugh. It hurts.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, did you hear the one about the lawyer, the cowboy and the senator\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up, Adam.\u201d Joe was already starting to snicker at his latest favorite joke. He put good hand up to hold his sore ribs and paused. \u201cWait. Wait! That\u2019s right!! Adam!! The guy down the ravine!! He\u2019s one of the ones\u2026he and his partner got a pretty gal\u2026I know her name, but\u2026one of the new gals at the Delta, sweet little thing, and she went with them, but I followed. They kept calling me pretty\u2026and I made them trade places, let her go! They said sure, and next thing I knew, I\u2019m tied, no, sorta lashed to this one guy, and the knives weren\u2019t knives, they were these stones!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe started to sit up in his excitement, but wisely lay back down. Adam was beside him, listening with an intent expression that spoke of a man hard set on keeping his ears wide open as his mind raced. \u201cStones,\u201d he prompted Joe gently.<\/p>\n

\u201cLong, sharp stones. They said I had to fight one; the other had a gun! And on our land, up by \u2013\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere we found you, and the dead man,\u201d Adam filled in the pause.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. I won. Dammit, Adam, I won. I was sure the other one was going to get me, but he slunk off. I pushed the guy down the hill, right after stabbing him. It was him or me. Evil. Pure evil. But neither was anything to look at, to fix in your mind, just their eyes. And that was it, Adam. They hate. Really, really hate.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe was starting to sweat again. Adam pulled up the sheet as he waited for Joe to continue, but Joe was lost in thoughts full of horror, if the look on his face was anything to go by.<\/p>\n

\u201cHate what, Joe?\u201d Adam said hopefully.<\/p>\n

\u201cUs. We\u2019re pretty, they said. They hate pretty. Anything pretty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam scowled at that remark. \u201cMen?\u201d He tilted his head and looked at Joe, who snapped his eyes open and glared back with enough force to set his older brother aback.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey said,\u201d Joe\u2019s voice trembled, \u201cit was time to upgrade. They said,\u201d his shudder shook the bed, \u201cwe think we\u2019re too good. They\u2019ve got the women scared, but they\u2019re just women. Killing us, somehow, they think that\u2019ll do something for them. Something that I can\u2019t even get my mind to get to, it makes me just stop thinkin\u2019, it scares me so much. They’re madmen\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam fell very serious. His own mind clearly drifted and even Joe, in his agitated state, saw his brother go pale and oddly still.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, there\u2019s still one out there. And he means to get us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chapter 10<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Moonlight was supposed to give them powers<\/em>, the old shaman had said. But it hadn\u2019t. Not against that little fool, that pampered, trumped up center of affection for half the girls in town.Maybe he has his own power. The shaman had said people themselves could have power. Not very many, just some. They were usually shamans. They\u2019d killed the old man to get his stones, his powers. It had worked right up until Joe Cartwright.It had been like an angel of destiny had appeared to them when Joe had ridden up and demanded they let the girl go. There he sat, so tall and sure on his horse, not knowing who or what he faced. It was as if the most perfect specimen had come to them, thanks to all their effort to call more and more power, as if he was entrapped and didn\u2019t know it.<\/p>\n

But the ritual, it hadn\u2019t worked. The girls, well, they didn\u2019t deserve the ritual. They just were little vessels to empty.<\/p>\n

But Joe, he was a prize. And now the prize would be all HIS. Destiny made more sense now. No more sharing the power, the prizes.<\/p>\n

And if Joe was that much of a prize, then his oldest brother, heir apparent, face of a fallen angel compared to Joe\u2019s face of a risen angel, was equally as necessary. Getting them both would surely give him all the power he\u2019d ever, ever need.<\/p>\n

He looked up to the sky and chanted the words the old man had taught them. One dark, one light,<\/em> he thought with glee. Gifts brought by all the little powers from those stupid silly, screaming girls\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 11<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adam stretched out. He\u2019d done as Joe asked, and was now settled into his own bed, his gun handy under the pillow, along with a knife. His rifle was at hand, although the butt was cold against his leg. If this is what it took to get Joe to stay still and in bed, he\u2019d do it. Something about Joe\u2019s fear had migrated of Joe and was affecting the rest of the house.Hoss was sleeping in a chair beside the gun cabinet. He wasn\u2019t taking any chances. His guts told him something weird was afoot, and the way the hands were talking about the gruesome finds just up that ravine where Joe had been found was making his skin crawl. Roy had ordered them all out and back to the house while he, Doc Martin, and a few men in plain suits, up from San Francisco about similar finds there, all worked at what Hoss suspected was something he didn\u2019t want to see. Or even imagine.Ben sat on the opposite side of the room, cleaning his favorite Henry rifle. He was lost in thought, but his face was set in lines that spoke of fury and strength.<\/p>\n

+++++<\/p>\n

They found it, dammit.<\/em><\/p>\n

They\u2019re stealing my power!<\/p>\n

Too many, too, too, many. Can\u2019t fight them. But I still feel strong. Must act now, before they bless the bodies and ruin the power!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 12<\/strong><\/p>\n

A low, cold cloud rolled in, bumping up against the taller peaks before rolling down like freshly picked cotton. It was the kind of cloud that was more like sticky fog; it swirled around and followed footsteps like a puppy desperate for attention. The later is got, the thicker the fog. But it stayed soft and white, as if heaven were trying to cover the Comstock to hide the angel\u2019s eyes from the sad pile of limbs and bloodsoaked dresses that turned gown men ill and made them weep for the lives lost there.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t even count,\u201d Doc Martin said bleakly. \u201cI guess the ones found around town were when they couldn\u2019t make it here. I\u2019m guessing it\u2019s a they, and not just one. But I might be wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is just down from where Adam reported finding a dead male. Apparently he\u2019d attacked Joe. Funny, that\u2019s the only guy\u2026\u201d Roy shuddered.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo far. Weren\u2019t not to the bottom yet. How many reports you got of a missing girl, Roy?\u201d doc Martin turned around and tried to take a breath of fresh wind to get the taste of carrion out of his mouth.<\/p>\n

\u201cA good thirty in the last month. And there\u2019s all sorts who could vanish and no one would know,\u201d Roy put down his burden. \u201cAbout twenty more than usual, I\u2019d say. If I\u2019d had any idea, any at all\u2026but these girls come and go all the time. Oh, Paul, I feel sick. Sick to my stomach. We\u2019ve got a monster on the loose. I gotta get back to town. Clem will warn people, but right now I want to stop him, or them, before they strike again. If I don\u2019t, I\u2019m turning in my badge.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the new men, wearing a grey suit that clearly was not top of the line, came forward. \u201cSir?\u201d he said in a very cockney accent, \u201cif I may, I\u2019d ask that you not quit. When lawmen start to see that there are these kinds of monsters out there, and ask the right questions sooner, it makes them easier to catch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see your point,\u201d Roy heaved a sigh. \u201cSo, you boys say you saw some of this back in Frisco?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSome,\u201d the man admitted. \u201cTwo men, from what we gather. I was a copper in Edinburough and we\u2019d get some of this, but this is by far the worst I\u2019ve seen. It\u2019s escalated beyond anything I thought possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

+++++<\/p>\n

Joe woke up and knew that miserable fever had come back. The room was too hot, his blankets were unbearable and his leg throbbed even more than his shoulder. Although, he had to admit, the shoulder was improving better than the last time he\u2019d had to have it put back in.<\/p>\n

He lay there, after kicking the sheet off, and wondered at the thoughts that kept lurking just under a layer of fear. He knew more, but didn\u2019t know what the more was. That alone was bugging him. Heck, I\u2019m thinking about thinking, wonder if this is what it\u2019s like for Adam all the time.<\/p>\n

A vision of Adam, in the desert, dragging a corpse. Joe had wondered about that, and why he kept seeing it since regaining consciousness. Oh, there had been the rational explanation about the dragging, but no matter what, it wasn\u2019t rational to near kill yourself dragging a dead body, especially if the man had tried to kill you.<\/p>\n

Joe had listened to Adam\u2019s dead monotone when he\u2019d finally talked about those lost weeks under the thumb of Peter Kane. I thought older brother had no weaknesses, until I heard him talk about that madman. That was when I knew Adam had a flaw as big or bigger than any of mine; pride in being himself. Heck, I\u2019d have fought it out, gotten away or been dead. Either way, I\u2019d not be any man\u2019s slave just to show that I\u2019m incapable of being anything less than rational. And there\u2019s no way I\u2019d have dragged his sorry rotting ass along and jeopardized myself in the process.<\/em><\/p>\n

And why am I thinking of that? Why\u2026<\/p>\n

Oh, GOD no.<\/p>\n

Things came rushing back so hard that Joe felt ill, like being hit in the belly by a fist that went in and twisted his insides. He knew, then, what his mind had been hiding and he wished it was hidden again even though a part of him grew stronger at knowing the whole of it. Fear, cloying, childish fear twisted and solidified into a man\u2019s fear, a fear that gave him certainty and power.<\/p>\n

No DAMN way are you touching my family. No DAMN way are you touching another woman. And NO DAMN WAY are you getting away from me!<\/em><\/p>\n

Joe knew that his gun was downstairs, but he had knives in his room. A good one stayed in his bedside table drawer. It was sheer painful hell to shift over and open the drawer, but he did it. As he settled back with the sheathed hunting knife in his good hand, he fell as silent as possible.<\/p>\n

Some nights, you are the hunted. Some nights, you\u2019re the hunter.<\/em><\/p>\n

Joe knew which he was tonight.<\/p>\n

Chapter 13<\/strong><\/p>\n

It took half the night, but he heard it. He\u2019d steeled himself, thinking over and over again that the house was safe. No one was getting through that door downstairs. But part of him knew that the door wasn\u2019t where the problem would slip in.<\/p>\n

His voicebox seemed to freeze. \u201cPa<\/em>?\u201d he tried to yell, but no sound came out, just a barely audible rasp. \u201cAdam<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nothing at all.<\/p>\n

He lay there in agony at the near silent footsteps in the hall, but he still knew he wasn\u2019t the hunted. Not tonight. Come to me, that\u2019s right, come to me, I\u2019m waiting\u2026<\/em>Joe thought it all as hard as he could, turning it into an odd prayer as he repeated it.<\/p>\n

Joe lay there and felt the darkness as much as heard it<\/em>. He swore he could feel a chill in the air as it<\/em>, for no man could bring this kind of feeling, it<\/em> moved through the upper hall. His good hand had the knife ready, and he turned his head and pretended to sleep.<\/p>\n

The chill stopped. Joe felt his heart race the hardest it ever had. It was a bigger fight to lay still and not get up and try to face it<\/em> head on. But he knew he might have to. It<\/em> wasn\u2019t coming any closer.<\/p>\n

Joe lay there, stalemated. Expend all his last strands of energy getting up and warning the thing, or lay there and wait? He felt cold sweat trickle down from his temples, itching through his hair. And still he felt it <\/em>just standing there, waiting, not yet at his door.<\/p>\n

Then the pressure lifted from his soul, as though he were free. Joe took a deep, clear breath and shook. Had he really felt that? Was it fever? Surely Pa and Hoss would have secured all the upstairs shutters!<\/p>\n

Joe opened his eyes and berated himself for being a fever-ridden fool. His mind was addled from the fall and infection, that was all. He\u2019d fought a man, just a man, albeit a crazy, delusional one, and had won. Nothing evil walked the halls, and he was safe.<\/p>\n

\u201cSafe<\/em>,\u201d Joe went to say aloud, but not a sound came out.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?<\/em>\u201d he tried again. Nothing.<\/p>\n

But, despite his closed door, he heard a slight thump from down the hall. Adam was not the type to flail in his sleep.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam<\/em>?\u201d Joe tried again. Still not a peep. He sat up as carefully as he could, his shoulder screaming at him despite the nice, tight bandage securing his arm down to prevent any movement until it mended.<\/p>\n

Joe felt his hackles start to rise. His leg took on new shades of purple agony as he stood, knife in his good hand, and went to the door. It wasn\u2019t easy to open it, the knife between his teeth and his eyes wide open, but he did it. His steps were uneven and staggering and, worst of all; slow, as he went down the hall to Adam\u2019s room.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s room with the closed door.<\/p>\n

Joe leaned against the wall and steadied his courage. What if I\u2019m crazy? What if Adam is in there, asleep, and he shoots me because I told him to put his gun under his pillow? Pa will be pretty upset if that happens. So will I, come to think of it.<\/em><\/p>\n

What if my brother is in there, dying, and I don\u2019t take the chance?<\/p>\n

Joe heaved himself off the wall and put the knife in his teeth again. He stood aside as he ever so slowly turned the knob.<\/p>\n

Chapter 14<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fear. Fear swept over him, freezing him. Moonlight seemed to be made of darkness and didn\u2019t reveal so much as conceal. Joe knew how to look through the darkness now. He stood his ground and closed his mind to the blinding fear, his fever making it all too easy. Now he could see through the dark that had been put in his head. Two men, at each other\u2019s throats. But one was weakening, dark running down his chest. Long fingers clenched in a death grip on the uninjured man\u2019s neck.<\/p>\n

Joe could not move closer without falling, his leg was already collapsing\u2026<\/p>\n

Huge hands tossed him aside without being rough. Those same huge hands glowed white in the unnatural dark, and blue eyes blazed with inhuman strength right at that moment. The intruder was lifted up like a doll as Adam fell back, his hands going to his own throat to try to stem the blood. Bones crunched as Hoss twisted the intruder\u2019s neck so hard there was nothing left to hold his head up with, so it fell at the most unnatural angle Joe had ever seen.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss!\u201d he cried out, and heard his own voice at long last. Moonlight turned white again and the sounds of the living took over.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the Sam Hell?\u201d Ben bounded into the room, a gun in each hand. \u201cWe heard you get up, but\u2014\u201c Ben saw Adam and went to him instantly. \u201cSon?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam said nothing, but Joe spoke up. \u201cI think this thing tried to cut Adam\u2019s throat. Do something, Pa!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben was already tearing the pillowcase into a bandage. Adam took it and pressed it in tight. \u201cI woke up at the last minute,\u201d he whispered. \u201cDone worse shaving.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll not take any chances. Hoss,\u201d Ben looked up.<\/p>\n

Hoss was looking down at the face of the man he\u2019d killed with his bare hands. He felt a tickle in his mind but pushed it away. \u201cWhat would drive a man to do such things? It don\u2019t make any sense. I\u2019ll put him outside and send one of the hands for the sheriff and Doc Martin. Frankly, I don\u2019t want to leave this place, who knows what else could happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked up at Hoss\u2019 blue eyes and thought them the most beautiful sight he\u2019d seen in a long time. \u201cThanks, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam glared at his father, who was fussing over what Adam clearly thought not a serious cut despite evidence to the contrary. \u201cFrom me, too,\u201d he said carefully. \u201cHow\u2019d he get in here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI dunno,\u201d Hoss said as he picked up the corpse. \u201cDouble-checked everything myself before nightfall.\u201d<\/p>\n

+++++<\/p>\n

Hoss sent the messages off with two men, believing that tonight, of all nights, in safety in numbers. He put the body behind the barn for the sheriff to look at later, and went where he belonged. Back inside with his brothers and father.<\/p>\n

Beauty is as beauty does\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

+++++<\/p>\n

\u201cToo close for comfort,\u201d Ben murmured, now helping Joe up. Adam was simply looking vexed in addition to being too pale for his own good. Hop Sing was muttering and making odd hand gestures as he stripped the bloodied sheets off Adam\u2019s bed. Joe felt his head swirl around, and while he felt sick to stomach form the pain in his leg and shoulder, it was a normal sick to his stomach.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d Joe said quietly as he balanced on his good leg. \u201cDidn\u2019t you put a gun under your pillow?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Adam said in a rough voice. \u201cIt jammed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you keep your gun in perfect shape,\u201d Joe whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Adam said angrily. \u201cCaught like that, in my own room. I must be getting old. Thanks Joe, for the warning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben hefted Joe up a little better. \u201cWarning? What\u2019s going on here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust a feeling, Pa,\u201d Joe said lightly, then winced as he tried to put some weight on his bad leg. He didn\u2019t want to worry his father. As Hoss had said, dead was dead. The feeling had left. Adam, while cut, was only suffering a flesh wound. He\u2019d been through mush worse. Joe saw no point worrying his father needlessly right now. \u201cI need to go lay down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing, son,\u201d Ben half smiled. \u201cMaybe some sleep is what we all need.\u201d<\/p>\n

+++++<\/p>\n

The morning sun found Adam with several stitches, his throat covered by linen bandages and under order to not move around much. Despite that, he was at the table for breakfast and making it clear he wanted his fair share.<\/p>\n

Joe had insisted on being hauled downstairs to join his family and double check on Adam, then promptly hugged his eldest brother and almost wept. He steadied himself when he saw Roy and his Pa come in looking very grave.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think this is even possible?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSaw it with my own eyes,\u201d Roy shuddered. \u2018I\u2019ll be having nightmares for the rest of my life. The deputies; they couldn\u2019t take it any longer, and Isaac, well, he\u2019s also a preacher, so he said quite the prayer, then we just buried them last night. Most of \u2018em were matched to descriptions and didn\u2019t have no one. Sorry to use your land like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam, his hand to his bandage, said softly, \u201cLet them have their place. We don\u2019t use that land. We\u2019ll put up markers. It\u2019s theirs now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know what we\u2019re talking about?\u201d Roy said with some surprise.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Adam said quietly, his face still pale as paper. \u201cThe guy who tried to murder me said something about how women scream, but I wouldn\u2019t because I would have a throat to scream with. The way he said it, afterward, I thought I wasn\u2019t the first one he went after\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shuddered and eased his aching body down into the red leather chair. \u201cEvil. Pure, black evil. That\u2019s what they were. And I don\u2019t mean men turned evil. They were evil.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben went to his youngest. \u201cMen can be more evil than we ever expect. That\u2019s fever talking, Joe. And they\u2019re dead now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomehow, Pa, I know it\u2019s not fever. It\u2019s not men gone mad. It was more.\u201d He met Adam\u2019s eyes and felt an understanding there, but Adam said nothing.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, dead is dead,\u201d Hoss muttered. \u201cRoy, you gonna take that body back with you? It gives me the creeps the way the head isn\u2019t quite attached anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYup. Brought a wagon. His papers say he\u2019s John Smith, no address, no kin from the looks of it. Some fellas from elsewhere were lookin\u2019 for him and his buddy. They\u2019re gonna dig up the other fella and take him, too. And I found two stone sorta knives on the guy, plus a passle of odds and ends the defy understanding. Either way, I\u2019m glad they\u2019re dead. I can sleep a little easier at night.\u201d<\/p>\n

+++++<\/p>\n

Adam avoided Joe until nightfall, when he offered to help him up to bed and made a joke about the half-bled-to-death leading the lame. Hoss had already triple checked everything, but tension still ran high.<\/p>\n

As Joe settled under his blankets, he looked Adam square in the eye. \u201cYou know it was more.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked away. \u201cJoe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know it!\u201d Joe said evenly. \u201cI know it. No one will ever believe us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam put his hand up to his throat. His fingers shook just a bit. \u201cI don\u2019t know. But any man who wants to skin off my face and yours isn\u2019t human in the usual way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe said that to you?\u201d Joe gasped. \u201cWent on about \u2018pretty\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout dark and light, and power, and taking it by taking our faces. As if skin is who we are,\u201d Adam muttered. \u201cYou tangled with these guys to save a girl? That was brave. And stupid. But I\u2019d have done the same thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know.\u201d Joe winked. \u201cAnd who\u2019d want your ugly mug?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam chuckled just a bit. \u201cAlways told you your looks would get you in trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

+++++<\/p>\n

In the cell back in the jail, the lone occupant in the front portion, facing Roy Coffee\u2019s unoccupied desk, shifted and felt oddly warm and comforted. He felt purpose come to him and fill him.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeauty,\u201d he murmured and gazed out at the night sky, \u201cis only skin deep. Ha. Who believes that old clap?\u201d Jack sighed once and mulled over the idea of heading back home to London. It all made so much sense, all of a sudden.<\/p>\n

Finis<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0Joe is found in a ravine with mysterious injuries.\u00a0 He has a dark journey into his own memory to discover how he got there and why his brother is in danger.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0WC 7800<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":138,"featured_media":3478,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,32,29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5135","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-mystery","category-halloween","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-32-id","wpcat-29-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2076,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/4Cartwrights.jpg?fit=849%2C541&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":14350,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14350","url_meta":{"origin":5135,"position":0},"title":"The Pure Heart (by BeckyS)","author":"BeckyS","date":"June 28, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 The strength of ten in one. 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