Chapter Ten

Eugene quickly rode through the desert. He didn't want to waste any time. He had to hurry to the next town and be back to take care of Rapunzel and Little Bit. Not that he was worried that she was incapable, he just really wanted to see her again. As much as he really didn't want to admit it, he missed her soft voice and goofy laugh.

Beside missing Rapunzel, he had a job to do. He was going to get revenge on Gaston. He had not only done terrible things to Eugene, like nearly killing him and leaving him to die in the desert, but would send hunting parties out to kill the Aborigines. That was what really made Eugene want to give Gaston a taste of his own medicine.

He roughly rode through the changing terrain, different thoughts swarming in his head. What would have happened to Rapunzel if he hadn't have shown up? What if Gaston hadn't have chosen him? Would the other guy be willing to kill the Aborigines or would he do the same thing Eugene was?

Just as the dreamy orange sun began to set in the west behind the mountains, Eugene reached the small town on the coast. The waves pounding against the shore echoed across the land and got louder as he got closer. Being able to see the deep blue ocean made him feel a whole lot better.

He slowly trotted into town, holding his loaded rifle. He had to be prepared. Gaston's men could be anywhere. He strolled down a street, the sound of a fiddle being played echoed in the town. Deciding to play it safe, he tied his horse up and went inside the General Store.

xxx

"Highly unusual calibration, Mr. Fitzherbert." Mr. Grimmelman said, holding one of Eugene's bullets. Mr. Grimmelman was the owner of the general store. Mr. Grimmelman and his family were a little bit of afraid of the American, but once they found out that he was really a good guy, they knew they could trust him. "This will take some time to duplicate." He continued.

"No, sir. It won't." Eugene said, sitting across from the old man at the table. "You could substitute a .450 number two British musket lead. Gaston ain't gonna wait."

"Gaston?" Mr. Grimmelman asked, his head shooting up. "He's a murderer. He mixes his flour with poison to kill the Aborigines." He exclaimed. "Yes, this is a cruel, uncivilized. . ."

"Shh, Papa. Let the man eat." Mrs. Grimmelman said, cutting him off. "He's got a long ride ahead of him tonight." She said, shaking her head. She quickly placed some tin cans on the table, talking to Eugene. "I was able to find some condensed milk for the baby and some tins of beef for you and your woman."

"Well, ma'am, she ain't exactly my woman." Eugene said between bites. The Grimmelman's had gladly offered Eugene some of their supper once they had heard about his long journey.

Just as Eugene was about to explain the situation between him and Rapunzel, a young boy walked down from the stairs in his pajamas. Mr. Grimmelman turned around, a smile on his face. "Ah! Klaus, come over here." He said. "Mr. Fitzherbert, I would like you to meet my son."

"Pleased to meet you." Eugene said, shaking the young boy's hand.

"I know who you are. You're the American." Klaus said. He turned and looked at his father. "The one who's been helping the Aborigines."

The boy's eyes landed on the weapon on the table. He walked towards it, curiosity clear in his voice. "Is that the rifle I've been hearing about?"

Eugene looked at the father, who gently nodded his head. He trusted his son. Eugene smiled and began to rise from his seat. "You can take a look at it if you like, son." He said.

Eugene rose from the table and unloaded the weapon. He handed it to Klaus, who couldn't keep a smile off of his face. "It's so heavy." He said. Mr. Grimmelman softly smiled, watching the scene.

"Well, you get used to it." Eugene said to Klaus. Eugene gently tipped the gun away, looking at Klaus. "Son, I hid my horse in the gully out back. I'd be much obliged if you'd bring it up for me."

"Yes, sir." Klaus quickly said. He was excited to get to do something so important for Eugene.

"Klaus," Mr. Grimmelman said, getting his attention," after you get Mr. Fitzherbert's horse, saddle up ours as well."

"Yes, Papa." The boy agreed.

Eugene quickly sat down at the table and began to speak once Klaus had left. "He didn't get all that from a 'Wanted' poster."

"Everyone knows about you." Mrs. Grimmelman said, softly smiling. "The Aborigines who come to town to trade with us talk about the spirit warrior." She happily sighed.

Eugene brought his cup to his lips, trying to restrain his smile. "Well, I've been called a lot of things, ma'am, but never that."

She chuckled, wiping her hands on a towel.

xxx

Klaus was quietly leading Eugene's horse to the front of the store when two men jumped him from behind. Their grimy hands covered his mouth to prevent him from screaming. He struggled, wiggling his body to get loose as one man grabbed the horse. "Get the others." One man said to the other.

The man nodded his head then ran off. The man holding Klaus tightened his grip, his voice low and harsh. "Young fella, where'd you get this saddle?" Klaus continued to struggle as they pulled him away from the store.

xxx

Rapunzel quietly walked out of the cave, needing a change in scenery. She leaned against the cooling rocks as she brushed her blonde hair from her face. The sun had set a while ago and the moon was full in the dark sky.

She softly smiled as she stared at the large stars blinking above her. In the cave, Little Bit began to whine, his cries echoing off the cave walls. Rapunzel turned her head, her voice echoing back to him. "Shh. Don't cry." She said. "Daddy'll be home soon."

She frowned, taking a deep breath as Little Bit continued to cry. He couldn't eat much. He needed milk and until Eugene returned, they would have to make do. Rapunzel knew he would return safely to her, but a voice in the back of her head kept whispering doubts to her. What if Gaston finds him before he can return? What if he never planned on coming back?

She couldn't help but to worry.

As if she had suddenly jumped into a tub of ice water, goosebumps grew over her body. Low growls were coming from around the cave. She froze, staring into the green orbs just a few meters away.

Dingoes.

Almost as if Little Bit's cries were a dinner bell, the wild dogs ran towards the cave. Rapunzel scrambled back to the cave, rushing towards the crying baby. She had to get him to stop. He needed to stop crying.

"Shh! Shh!" She demanded, grabbing him from the floor. Almost as if he knew she wanted him to be quieter, he began to wail even louder.

"Don't cry. Hush, baby. Hush, baby. Hush, baby." She demanded, fear making her arms tremble as she rocked Little Bit in her arms. She pressed him tight against her body and rubbed her fingers on his cheek. "Daddy'll be home soon. Daddy'll be home soon." She quickly repeated, her voice shaking.

The growls grew closer and closer. Rapunzel knew she couldn't waste anymore time. This was a life or death situation and she was panicking. "Daddy'll be home soon. Daddy'll be home soon." She repeated faster as she tapped her fingers against Little Bit's wailing mouth.

She shushed harder and harder, tears springing in her eyes. "Don't cry. Don't cry. Don't cry." She begged, her voice nearly morphing into a sob. Why couldn't he stop crying? Why couldn't she get him to be quiet?

She pressed her hand over her mouth, hoping to muffle the sound. "Daddy'll be home soon." She repeated again. Suddenly, she was thrown into a different. Dingoes weren't threatening her. It was some Comanches. And in her arms was Jack Jr., not Little Bit.

She pulled her hand away from his mouth like she had touched a hot stove. She tossed her head back, an idea coming to her. She held him out in front of her, a wide smile on her face. "No. You cry. You want to cry? You cry all you want to." She grinned, her voice getting louder and louder. "Go on, darling, cry!" She shouted.

She stood up, sitting him on a smooth ledge. "Hell, let's both make some noise!" She exclaimed.

She rushed away, singing loudly. "Yes, we'll gather at the river. The beautiful, the beautiful river."

She snatched a rifle off the ground and whipped around. She continued singing through gritted teeth as she aimed at the dingoes and fired at will. She wasn't going down without a fight.

A dingo yelped as she grabbed the pistol. "Yes, we'll gather at the river." She continued, her eyebrows furrowing deeply as she fired again and again.

Little Bit continued screaming as the wild dogs rushed into the cave. She kept firing and firing and soon, the dogs rushed right back out. Rapunzel jumped to her feet. "Did you see that? I got the one wearing my green apron!" She exclaimed.

A few injured dingoes began limping out of the cave, knowing they were going to be defeated. "Run, you damn cowards! Get your yellow butts outta here!" She screamed.

She looked down, counting her bullets as a few brave dogs came wandering back inside. "I deserve a big hug after this." She mumbled as she loaded the gun. She looked up, her green eyes meeting a few snarling mouths that were dripping of blood.

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Sorry to leave on such a big cliff hanger!