Runaway

Sashsa sat spellbound from his words. “I just cannot get away from danger no matter where I go. Tell me what you want me to do, Colton, and I will do it. I am an excellent shot, as you know, so I can help you. I will accompany you on the watch.” “As you wish, love. See that rock over there? I want you there with the horses tied down. I will stay here. We will catch them in the crossfire if they charge us. You have your knife and tomahawk. Do not hesitate to use them. Keep your hat on at all times.” He pulled her up and crushed her to him. His lips were warm and moist as he kissed her deeply, using his tongue to search her lips. She clung to him with all her being, fearing she might lose him. Once they were in place, the night dragged on with only sounds of wolves calling out in the dark. The horses were still and did not give any indication of intruders. As Sashsa sat still, her mind started to wander. Pictures of her wedding day flashed before her eyes. She was enjoying her dreams when Bay Boy started to prance around, causing her to wake up. Her hand slid to her musket ever so quickly, and her eyes were searching the night. A bird call came echoing from afar, giving her a chill up her back. She knew it was not a bird but an Indian signaling another. Colton knew what was happening from the bird calls and the horses prancing around. It was just a matter of time before they came swarming down on them with their screams. He felt he could hold his own in hand-to-hand combat, but Sashsa would be vulnerable once her musket was fired. He planned to shoot and then run to her. With her help, they could fight them off together. If they were to die this night, at least it would be in each other’s arms. A sudden rush from the cliff, a sudden raid from the trail, and they entered the campsite screaming and rushing the horses. Colton took one shot and hit one in the chest. He spun around and continued screaming, then fell to the ground. He aimed small and hit another as he was ready to mount the rock over Sashsa. Carrying both guns, he ran, crossing the distance with blazing speed. His knife was drawn as he leapt beside Sashsa in a matter of minutes, stabbing a painted-face Indian in the back as he was raising his tomahawk to strike Sashsa on the back of the head. She had her sights on an enemy and did not know he was there. She fired just as the Indian fell beside her. Drawing her knife for combat, she whirled around and stuck the blade in the chest of another. Pulling the blade out rapidly, she stood her ground as another came running toward her. Colton fired and hit him in midair. Grabbing Sashsa, he ushered her to Bay Boy. “Mount and ride!” She sprung up on Bay Boy and kicked him hard. He flew like the wind through the darkness, away from the screams. She did not look back but hung on tight, heading down the dark trail. Colton watched Bay Boy leap over bodies as he galloped into the night. Screams were all around him as he backed up with the wet, cold rock lined up with his back. With knife in one hand and tomahawk in the other, he challenged the warriors to come take him. Painted faces came closer to take coup and his scalp. Colton knew all too well the game they were playing with him. When they were ready, they would swarm him and finish him off with the leader taking his scalp and doing God knew what to his beloved. The screams stopped, and a long silence made time stand still. Colton’s face muscles were bulging, anticipating his opponents’ next move. A shot rang out in the night, leaving everyone frozen in their tracks. The menacing leader fell face up, showing a huge gaping hole between his eyes. Colton chose this moment to scale the rock and leap on the back of his stallion. Spinning around, he reined his mount into the mass of attackers, knocking them away before he charged off to the area where he had heard the shot. It was a matter of minutes before he found his savior. Sashsa was perched on Bay Boy with her musket reloaded, ready to join Colton for their escape. He took the lead without slowing down, causing Sashsa to kick Bay Boy hard to catch up to him. The moon was bright and gave them just enough light to follow the trail without immediate danger. Hanging on so tight her hands grew numb, she screamed at Colton to slow down. He looked back but continued to race through the darkness. She could not understand why he would not slow down until she heard the screams closing in on them. Bay Boy seemed to know what was happening because he shifted into full speed as Sashsa lay down flat on his back, giving him his head.