Richard Jones Bell's Story

Williams grip around Halley tightened as he gave Bell another glare. Bell on the other side had no time for getting in a fight with Williams again and just grunted.

'' Let her go Williams, we don' got no time for this right now.'' Bell said as he got up and stretched his arms. The rest of the gang watched in silence as their leader approach Williams and pulled the girl out of his arms with a grin. Freddy didn't seem that happy about Bell refusinghim what he thought was his since he actually caught her. Bell ignored Williams angry eyes and picked up a small stone from the ground that he threw at Leon who was su surprised that the poor fool fell off his seat and hit the ground hard face first. Lucky Leon slowly got up and coughed, trying to get the sand out of his eyes.

'' Leon you ain't doing nothing anyway why don't you take Miss Quinn into town?'' Leon only muttered something in return and went over to the river. Bell chuckled and pulled Quinn with him one more tim back to his part of camp. Even though she offered to practicly do every chore in the camp he couldn't have her around now when he had something big as breaking Cutthroat McGee out and his man Williams on the brink of a rebellion he couldn't leave her alone but neither could he take her with him. Since she seemed to almost worship him he reckoned he could probably afford sending her back without her sending the law his way. He popped open the trunk again and threw her the dress.

'' When I come back from my lil' mission we'll come fetch ya'.. But right now you ain't nothing but trouble ya' hear? Leon will take you back and you behave now, if I find lawdogs from Splitcreek chasin' ma' tail I will come for you.'' He said and gave Lucky Leon a nod as the young man approach his boss looking ready to go. Before Bell let the girl answer Leon was dragging her with him to his horse where he blindfolded her and pulled her up on the horse with him, taking off.

The ride took a little longer then it should since Bell insisted that they always approached the town from different ways to avoid someone figuring out where they came from. Leon let Halley down a bit outside of town and pulled off her blindfold.

'' You heard he Boss, he'll come for you later.'' Leon said and then without saying good bye he turned and took off again, leaving Halley in her man clothes with her dress in the hands. When Leon came back the crew was already prepared to move out to Bullhorn to get McGee out. It'd be hard but atleast Splitcreek wouldn't have bodies dragged down mainstreet for some time.

The man looked down at Halley, as she looked up at the seemingly giant man atop the horse. Halley was offered a rather big hand, that belonged to the Marshall. She put her small petite hand in his and was lifted up onto the horses rear. His horse seemed rather small and a bit old compared to other horses she'd seen, but nevertheless, she did not complain about the random act of kindness she had been given by the town's new Marshall. She watched from the seat in the saddle, as the man dismounted and untied a mat and tied it back onto the rear end of the horse. It looked like a little make shift saddle fit for a lady of her size. She scooted back from the saddle and onto the seat as Samuel mounted up again on the steed.

As they rode off through the desert back to town, Samuel talked about how his sister looked liked herself a bit. Halley smiled at how kind and sweet the man seemed. She liked that and thought he would be the hero in town, even though he might risk his life for the safety and well being of others, being the Marshall and all, but it was comforting to know that, maybe the next time, a ruthless gang rides into town, they won't leave without a warning. She giggled softly at the Marshall's remark about the saddle and replied over the hooves of the horse, "It's quite alright, Mr. Marshall sir, it suits me just fine, thank ya." She smiled even though she knew he very well, could not see it, but gave him one all the same.

Halley looked out onto the horizon, looking for any sign of anything that might tell her where the hideout to the Bell Gang was. She was always blind folded, from when she had entered and exited their camp site. Even if she knew where the camp site was, she knew better than to tell anyone. She knew from experience that if she said to any type of law enforcement the whereabouts of their location. They would send whoever they could on a manhunt for her, kill her or do worse, in cold blood and revenge for her big mouth. She kept her mouth shut for most of the ride and listened intently to the Marshall make small talk.

As they got to the town, the Marshall began saying, "We'll be in town shortly Miss. I'll be dropping you by the Silver Spur, good place for a hot meal and a clean bed. If you haven't the funds for tonight theres a good looking fella what tends the bar down there name of Jack Westfield. He's a good man tell him to put whatever you need on my credit and I'll take care of it come tomorrow, I've some more business too attend." She smiled and was touched at how kind this man was.

She gave him a small squeeze of a hug and said, "Thank you so much for your kindness, Mr. Marshall. It's mighty kind of ya." She couldn't stop smiling at how nice he was. 'He is going to be a great Marshall, perfect for this town.' Halley thought as he rode up to the front of the Silver Spur. He dismounted and lifted her off his horse, placing her down on the ground softly.

"You stay safe now little Miss, you need anything you come for me or Sheriff Hadwin, we'll keep in touch." He said firmly with a smile. She reached up and gave him a kiss on the cheek quickly and replied, "I promise I'll try, Sir. And thank ya for the ride too. I'll see you soon Mr. Marshall." She smiled and made her way up the steps and into the saloon, as Samuel rode off to carry out his many new duties.

Halley kept her head down avoiding everyone's eyes in the saloon, blushing wildly from her embarrassment of his apparel. She darted into her room. And changed throwing her men's clothes onto the bed and changing into her dress. She let out a sigh of relief and flopped on the bed, relieved to be safe and sound in the saloon again, and in her normal clothes. Halley was surprisingly looking forward to be resuming her work in the Saloon. She put on her shoes, and fixed herself up to be presentable once more. She opened the door and went out into the saloon.

Halley looked around for her boss and saw him and a doctor, tending to the poor, nearly dead man, with his eyes and tongue cut out. She shuddered thinking that that could have been her. She couldn't believe that Mr. Bell would do that to him, but then again men like him and his gang were very unpredictable, there was no telling what was going on in their head.

Halley looked around again looking for the man, who went by the name of Damian. He had tried to save her, but she didn't want him to get hurt or she herself injured because he tried to take on Williams. She felt bad and knew that he thought that she was probably dead by now. She went to work and waited on a table of drunks, and thought that maybe she'd see Damian again in the Saloon, then she could give him a drink on the house, for trying to help her out.

Halley stood next to the man as he seemed to not mind her harmless playing with his hair and shirt. She enjoyed pleasing people, usually if she could on her own terms, but that's usually easier said than down for her. She was about to whisper something when she heard someone enter the saloon. She glanced at the door and saw Lucky Leon, the young boy who had dropped her off in Splitcreek. She liked the guy, because he didn't really pose a threat to her really. Leon seemed to be like a follower, unlike say Williams who gave off a vibe that he was privileged and could do or say whatever he wanted. Leon was a giver and Williams was the taker. She hoped that she wouldn't have to be alone with Williams long at the camp before Bell came back, or hopefully he was at the camp. She prayed in her mind that Richard was already at the camp, but being that she had only been gone for a few hours she figured that his mission wasn't over yet.

Halley stared at Leon and hoped he'd seen her already. Could he really be here to bring her back already? Or was he here to give Halley her instructions on what to get in town or tell her what she needs to get done for Bell before he comes back. Halley shrugged and stood up straight to make sure he was able to see her now. She stood over the man and ran her fingers through Damian's hair again, almost massaging it. She leaned against his back, and kept an eye on Leon, by giving him frequent quick glances over in his direction.

Halley just hoped that the Marshall or someone wouldn't catch her with Williams or someone from the gang, she was afraid she might get into trouble. But she then remembered that she had only seen Leon now, no one else. Perhaps he was sent into town because he didn't look like he was from the gang, he did resemble lots of the farm boys around her age that ran around town doing errands and working in the mines.

Damian was slightly unconvinced when she said she could handle her own problems. However he didn't want to take no for an answer. He did, however, let her run her fingers through his hair if that tickled her fancy. He started to however think of a clever plan to find a way to send the leader of the gang, if the scumbag who took her was a part of it, a simple message stating to back off from the girl, or better yet the town.

Then there was the rumors of Wildcat Kate on the loose. No one knew for sure where she is or if she's here in town at all. Finally, there was him, Damian Kovacs, otherwise known as Nomad. If he came across someone from his old days of bounty hunting, they'd either get scared or demand a straight answer to what he was doing here in Splitcreek. He first has to be deputized or something by the sherriff and/or marshall.

That's when Damian noted the fact that Halley paused for a few moments in doing what she was doing before leaning against his back rubbing right into his scalp. "That's a clear sign someone from the gang that took her probably just walked in. Well this solves plan number one, getting a message to the leader of this gang, most likely the Bell gang since there's wanted posters of Richard Jones Bell about.... they just can't get his face right, every poster is NOT like each other, all different. Illustrators these days..."

"Keep doing what you're doing Miss Quinn." he said in a low whisper, his tone was calm and relaxed so that he didn't alarm her. "If anyone comes by this table, I wanna talk some offers with him." As he said that last word he set both hands on the table calmly waiting for whoever she saw finally notice her and come to the table.

Then, he'd put his grand plan to action.

Leon found Halley standing there in her dress from before playing with a man that had his back to Leon. When she noticed him he flashed her a warm brotherly smile and touched the brim of his hat before making his way over to the bar. He was in no rush and he figured Bell wouldn't mind 'buying' him a drink. He sat down on the barstool and placed the hat on the bar next to him, the bartender quickly made his way over to him and Leon ordered a pint with a happy grin, which was returned with a grunt followed by: Ain't ya' one happy fella' by the bartender before he poured the young boy a pint of beer.

'' Mighty kind of you.'' Leon said and reached into his pocket, pulling out a couple of coins which he placed on the bar. He had to admit drinking in a saloon felt a lot better than sitting on a dirty log drinking watered down scotch with a bunch of outlaws. He slowly raised the pint to his lips and took a big sip followed by a sigh of relief. Leon wasn't reallu sure how he'd get her with him, he doubted she wanted to come back. But then again she seemed to be very cuddly with Mr. Bell back in the camp, maybe she liked outlaws? He rubbed his neck and took another sip. He'd let Miss Quinn finish up with that man and then he would see about getting her back to camp. Hopefully without trouble.

Halley continued to run her fingers through his hair and kept an eye on Leon. She was at least glad it was Leon who was smart and could go rather unnoticed by the towns people in the saloon. When she caught his rather kind smile towards her, she smiled happy to see him. She stopped suddenly, when she heard Damian give instructions to her on if Leon came to the table. Halley hadn't realized that when she saw Leon come in that she hesitated in what she was doing. Could he really tell that from her moment of rest from her current activity? Who was this man? If it was any other drunk they wouldn't even make anything of her slight hesitation. He must be and had been part of the law at some point in his life.

Halley not knowing how to deal with this situation just nodded and said a small reply in a whisper tone, "Yes sir, Mr. Damian." She took her hands off his head and rested them on his shoulders now massaging them. They seemed to be very tensed up and Halley didn't need to be a doctor to know that they were tense from the stress he'd gone through and the situation he knew was coming his way.

She continued to massage his very tense shoulders and looked back over to her friend Lucky. She smiled at him and nodded her head for him to come over. Halley took her right hand off of Damian's shoulder and placed head on in its place. She kissed Damian's cheek and said, "Thank you sir. You seem real smart." Halley kept massaging his shoulder with her left hand and put her right hand behind her back. She made a motion to Leon, in which he would hopefully see and understand, to come slowly and to be careful about the man she was with.

Halley continued to act as if she hadn't done anything, knowing now that Damian could tell when things were amiss, or when she had done something to show what she was thinking. She prayed that he hadn't caught that, but rather took her removing of her hand and the kiss on the cheek as a sign of affection and gratitude.

Halley stood behind Damian and waited for leon to make his way over. She knew that Leon was smart enough to not screw everything up, she trusted him, probably the most out of the whole gang. He had become her best friend, the only person who didn't pose any type of threat to her or made her feel unsafe. She loved him like a brother and if things got bad she'd step in and save his hide, even if he did belong to the Bell Gang she knew he was a good guy.

Leon walked up behind her and said, "Miss Quinn I didn't think I would be lucky nuff' to stumble upon you here." He smiled at her as she turned around, facing him with a big grin. "Leon." She said happily as she wrapped her arms around him, giving him two things, a big happy hug from a lady, which she guessed being in the gang he didn't get quite often, and an alibi for his being and knowing her in case he might need a get-out-of-jail free card, and that phrase would be taken literally. She would hate to see Leon go to jail because of her even if he was from a bad background. "It's good to see you. It been a while." She looked at him with a look that said 'Play along and be smart.'

Damian observed Halley and Leon's conversation. "He looks like a farmboy, not a gang member unless he's a new guy. Should I leave him alone though? So much for a message to whoever bosses them around..."

"Well. You two seem to want to be alone. I think I'll take my leave." he said as he pulled out a few silver coins and placed them on the table. "Here's some money Miss Quinn, hopefully you can get yourself a few new hairstyles or something." He got up slowly and walked past Lucky Leon, but he noted his face and made sure he memorized his description. If he finds Halley gone again tomorrow, he'd tell the sherriff and the marshall about him. That'll solve item number two on his list, getting either deputized or land a certain job.

Now the third item, the rumors of Wildcat Kate. He thought about it all throughout his walk back to the Inn. Only thing he'd come up with is to keep a sharp eye out for her, and make sure to stock on ammo before then. If seen, he'd shoot her. Simple as that.

Day 2

He slept late, Damian stretched his legs and yawned as he sat up on the bed, sweat visible on his forehead and face. He had a few nightmares before waking up he was sure. No, not nightmares... more like memories and reminders of what he did as a bounty hunter. He shuddered as he thought of it. Getting up the rest of the way he pulled on his hat and started walking out of his room.

Halley laughed with Leon as they walked back to their horses. She couldn't help but see the deep train of thought that he was in and the occasional glances she'd get from Leon. Halley guessed he was thinking about her but didn't know what about her he was thinking of. When he looked her way to check where she was she looked up at him and gave him a sweet innocent smile. Halley and Leon went to their horses and she could help but worry. What would happen when she got to the camp. Would Williams be there? What if Bell wasn't there to protect her? She strangely had a longing for Bell and wanted to see him again. It was a weird feeling almost like she missed him dearly. She shook her head dismissing the fact of the matter as they neared their horses.

Halley smiled at Leon when he told her to wait by her horse. She petted and brushed out the knots in Windys mane with her fingers and was working on the last knot when Leon arrived on his horse. Halley took some rope and Put the the dress in a small bag and tied it to the load on the horses back. With all their food, oil, flour, and supplies, she was going to have a hard time getting up and onto Windys back without something falling off. She bit her lip and looked at Leon. she tried to pull herself up onto Windy but lost her footing and slipped off falling back onto the ground. Halley tried to mount Windy once more and the saddle almost slipped right under his belly. She couldn't get on no matter what. Halley turned to Leon and asked in a soft voice playing with the dirt with her boot."um Leon, you wouldn't mind if I rode with you on yer horse would ya?" she blushed slightly and looked Up at him smiling innocently.

Halley stepped back as Leon pushed her away. She looked at Williams scared not only for herself but for Leon as well. Halley wasn't surprised to hear Williams make a rather offensive comment towards Leon, but what really surprised her was that Leon punched Williams in the face. It was before long that Williams returned the punch in Leon's gut and threw him to the ground beating him and kicking him. Halley screamed for Williams to stop, but it seemed that for the few moments they were fighting, she was temporarily ignored. She walked towards Williams and push him away risking her own safety, when he finally had had enough and went back to his tent.

Halley stared at him leave, making sure he wouldn't come back to get Leon later. When she turned back to Leon and sat up and gave her a smile trying his best to look not in pain. "Leon! I'm so, so, so, so sorry! I really don't need a bed roll. I can sleep on the ground I don't care!" She said quickly wrapping her arms around him holding him up. She used her sleeve and dabbed at the blood, then licking her sleeve she wiped the smeared blood off his cheek avoiding his nose.

"Oh gawd. I'm so sorry." Halley said over and over again. She wiped his face clean and wiped his nose also. She put his arm over her shoulders and helped him stand. She lead him away from Williams' tent and to the campfire in the middle of the camp. "I'm so sorry Leon. This is all my fault." She let a tear fall from her eye as she felt intense guilt for a guy who bought her clothes and protected her, and now especially since he took a beaten from an old outlaw just to see if he could get her a bedroll.

"Watch where your going, you dirty hick!" Hass hollered as another horse and cart sped by, blowing up a storm of dust
around him and nearly running him through. From afar, the unknown driver screamed bloody Mary and threw a volley of insults, all the while racing off toward the deserts unknown expaces. If hass had half a mind, he would walk up to that cart and... do something mean and dirty, but not today. Today, he had a job to do.

Standing up, he dusted himself off, carful not to let any dust or grime land in his sweet, sweet... actually, he didn't know what he was drinking, not that he really cared. The most he knew was that it was a labeless bottle wrapped in a brown paper bag. As long as it wasn't one of the bottles he pissed in as a joke. Now that he thought of it, he might of given it to one of those drunks that turned his bar into a confession booth, sobbing about one thing or another. A smirk crossed his face as he thought of a nameless booze-hound taking a long, hard drink before he realized he was drinking piss! That always cracked him up.

"Mr. Hass!" The forlorn voice dragged him back to reality, all the while startling him and causing him to drop his drink. It shattered into a thousand pieces on the dirt packed road, and the juices leaked into the sand.

Turning his attention to the horizon, he could barley make out the lumbering outline through the glare of the rising sun. A overloaded cart bearing a lone driver, being dragged along by a scrawny and meager horse. This man was hass's own; Jeffery or johnny or something. He prayed to god that the fool could actually count like he said he could, otherwise he was in a world of hurt.

"You got the stuff?!" Hass yelled from the roadside as the caravan teetered toward him, the weighed horse slowing as he sensed he was nearing the goal.

"Yep, all of it sir. 15 bottles of whiskey or anything with the same sting, 3 kegs of-" Hass simply raised his hand and "whatshisface" stopped dead in his tracks. "We're all geared up and ready to go, i mean." He finished.

"You mean I'm ready to go; not allowed to bring any company..." Hass pointed out as he struggled into shotgun before booting the lone man out of the drivers seat into the dust.

"But Mr. Hass..." he continued " How am i supposed to make back to town? Hass?" He simply stood there as Hass crawled towards the meet, with the goods in tow.

~~~~~

Slower and slower Hass urged the horse as he buzzards bluff crept over the skyline and the passageway narrowed. Saying he had butterflies in his stomach was a great understatement. It was more like his very innards threatened to leap out his throat and sweat pooled on his forehead. He was very carful to keep a keen eye on the surrounding rocky plateaus and steep cliffs, with lots of hiding of hiding spots. It was starting to don on Hass why "Mr. Bell" choose such a place to hold this certain deal.

Finally he stopped in the middle of a open gap in the cliff face, surrounded by menacing spires on all sides. This must be the place. It only crossed Hass's mind now that this would be the perfect place to kill a man without much woe. He only hoped that was not his final day.

"OK! I'm here! And i got your damned stuff!"

A whistle sounded behind Jan, but he didn't dare turn to meet the distraction. He knew the plan all to well; get him to look away, then shoot him in the back of the head. Instead, he kept his neck poised high as it could go, with a dead stare and a flat lip planted on his face. The truth was that he wanted to crumple into a ball and call for his mommy, but he help himself in good composure despite his urges.

Out of nowhere, two rough looking men sprang up from behind two all-to-well placed boulders in front of him. Both were armed with guns that could take his head off before he could blink, and extra rough looking to boot. One jaunted out of cover, while the other stuck behind keeping Hass well centered in his sights. His walked within several feet of the cart with a almost calm look. Seems like Hass was not the only one worried. Little did they know how defenseless he was. They could piss on him and he could do nothing about it. Finally he opened his mouth to speak.

"Ma' name's Richard Jones Bell and I do say it's a pleasure do meet you in person Mr.. Hass was it?'' Jesus, the hick sounded like he was raised in a bush, or maybe a sack of horse crap. He definitely looked the part. He then provided to slowly stride around the cart to the rear, while keeping his one readily available eye on the items he asked for.

'' I reckon everything we need is here?'' Jans spine almost bunched up at first hearing those fatal words. This was the turning point of this deal. If this "Mr. Bell" saw anything wrong with the items, he might just blow Hasses brains all over the cart. Or take him hostage and demand a ransom for him along with the gold. The scariest part was that he wasn't sure what whisky brand he liked, so he just watered down some cheap stuff. Heres to him not taking offense to that.

"Yep, every things there..." He said with the most steady voice he could muster, before swallowing down a swath of saliva and continuing, " ... Wheres the gold?"