Time To Give Up

Colton knew would she pull a fast one,

Damn her leaving BG, without me.

Coming across Regan's dead men

It wasn't hard to assess 

Brandy was in trouble again.

This time though

She was in way over her head

And if he didn't get her help

He knew she'd end up dead.

A message was sent to Donavan

To gather all of Lou's Men

Off to Crusted County, to Big Pool they would go

What they were walking into he didn't know.

"Be prepared for anything," was all he could say

It would be the only possibility they had

If they wished to win the day.

Colton rode on ahead.

Big Pool was a war zone.

He chose not to engage.

Searching for Brandy instead.

Suddenly she appears with Bruce at her side

How she made it through that firefight

He could not decide.

Sometimes he felt fate protected her on her way

She was chasing after Regan... So it ends today.

_____________

"Brandy?" Jake spoke her name

So many questions drove him insane.

Not now... Brandy thought

his timing couldn't be worse

Her sentiments echoed with Bruce's curse.

"What do we have here, Brandy dear?"

Regan's grin grew wide.

"A lover, or a brother?"

He could not decide.

Either way, he knew he'd die today

So it did matter which,

He's decision was instant

His targets he switched.

"NO!" Brandy screamed, her gun fired

as she tried to get to her brother.

But suddenly he was tackled by another.

The bullet had struck Colton in the back.

All movement ceased, Jacob found himself trapped.

Regan went down in a heap.

His promise to Lou, Bruce did keep.

A bullet to head found Regan dead.

Ending the tyranny of this creep.

Bruce looked over at Brandy,

Regan shot both guns

She was crawling to her brother

To see what damage was done.

Jacob rolled Colton off of him

Finally free,

to look into the tear-filled eyes

Of Brandy.

"Are you okay?"

Was all she could say, before

"Why are you here,

why didn't you stay?"

Jacob gathered her up into his arms.

"Jake, she's been shot!" Bruce said.

Seeing now the blood...

"Damn you! She had this handled!

Because of you, she came to harm!"

Brandy grinned, "Bruce, didn't think you cared."

Jacob held on tighter, feeling scared.

He held her in his embrace.

He could see the look of death upon her face.

Her body went limp, her eyes rolled.

"Get out the way!" He was told.

Both men looked shocked when it was

Colton that spoke, 

both believing the man

Had croaked.

He snatched up Brandy and started to walk away.

"What the hell are you doing?!"

Jake had to say.

"Trying to save her life.

Don't you dare try and stop me!

Not if you care and ounce

For your sister, Brandy."

"Where you are taking her?"

Bruce wanted to know.

"Someplace neither one of you can go."

"No!" Jacob would not stand by, who the hell was this guy.

"I'll not stand by and just watch her disappear.

Not after spending so much time trying to find her

Year after year."

"If you don't you'll be burying her next to Lou,

and you'll have on your head it was because of you."

"I don't have time to debate this with you both.

I swore I'd protect her. I must keep that oath.

Whatever happens, I promise to keep you apprised.

But if you stop me now, she dies."

Bruce put a hand on Jake's shoulder.

"Let him take her Jake. Do it for Brandy's sake."

"If you don't let us know how this ends,

you will see us again.

That's an oath I make to you.

So you better hope she lives,"

Bruce said standing aside

so Colton could pass through.

"No! I'm going with you!"

Jacob said.

"I won't wait on you to find out if she

is alive or dead!"

"And who will look after Josie while you're gone?

I know this feels wrong, but if he can save her, Jake.

Shouldn't that be a chance we take?"

Bruce's words made sense

But Jacob did not wish to concede.

yet he couldn't just stand here

And watch his sister bleed.

"You know where to reach us

When you have any news."

"I'll send a letter to Rue's."

Jacob nodded,

and watched Colton walk away.

Praying and hoping to see

His sister again, someday.