Eye for an Eye

Big Valley, February 1897

Runs with the Wind sat in the back of the lead wagon on the way to Hanging Dog Ranch in Big Valley, West Elizabeth. As usual, he was tied at the wrists and was accompanied by Abe, one of the Wyatts’ guards assigned to keep tabs on him. Bruises adorned his wrists where a rope was always tied to keep him from running away in between meetings, and he worked to try to loosen the ropes to give him some relief.

They were headed there to meet up with one of Samuel’s brothers, James, who owned the ranch. In the morning, Runs with the Wind would go with James, Samuel, and their men to meet up with a tribe of natives at Blackbone Forest. It would be the usual meeting; Samuel would try to convince them to give up their land and if they refused, Runs with the Wind would step in and work with them to strike a deal.

It had been six months since Samuel Wyatt had captured him, and six months of hell he endured working for him. Runs with the Wind was weak. For six months he was fed just enough to stay alive. He longed for something substantial; for food that would make him full instead of leaving him hungry. He was getting thinner by the day and had no strength left in him.

In the first couple months Runs with the Wind fought back any chance he could; charging at the guardsmen, trying to escape, trying to ruin deals. Anything to cause hell for the Wyatt family in hopes that they would either let him go or kill him. At that point he hadn’t really cared which outcome he would see. Anything would be better than being a slave to the Wyatts. Even death. They had broken him down and now he was just a shell of the man he once was.

Runs with the Wind learned, however, that neither of those two options were available. When he would disobey or defy the Wyatts, he would be beaten just to the brink of death. But they always made sure he lived. They needed him to carry out their plans and weren’t going to give up so easily.

Eventually, Runs with the Wind stopped pushing back. His body couldn’t take another beating, he was already bruised enough. As much as it pained him, he knew his only option was to obey their commands and ride it out until they either grew tired of him or he could make a clean escape.

As the wagon train approached Hanging Dog Ranch, they were met at the gate by James Wyatt. James had dark hair just like his brother, but sported thick side burns instead of a mustache.  He was dressed smartly, more like he was a banker instead of a ranch owner.

They pulled the wagons over next to the barn and Runs with the Wind was released from his ties. He was ushered out to help unpack the wagons as Samuel and James barked orders.  Once the wagons were unloaded, Abe grabbed Runs with the Wind and led him into the barn. Once they were inside, he was shoved into one of the stalls and his hands were once again tied. They went to great lengths to make sure Runs with the Wind was uncomfortable every step of the way and they did their job well. It had been months since Runs with the Wind had slept on anything other than a dirt floor and just as long since he had slept without his hands bound together.

At suppertime Samuel brought Runs with the Wind a small bowl of stew, just enough to slow his hunger. He was untied just long enough to eat the stew as Samuel watched him.

“You’ve become our greatest asset, my boy.” Samuel said as Runs with the Wind finished his stew. "You’ve made my family very wealthy, and that wealth will only grow larger. Once we’ve moved this tribe off their lands we’re heading west to New Austin. That state has been run by outlaws and bandits for far too long. Full of uncivilized folk like yourself ruining great lands.”

Runs with the Wind scoffed at the sound of Samuel calling him uncivilized.

“Don’t you get smart with me, boy!” Samuel said, raising his voice.

Runs with the Wind hated being called “boy,” now more than ever. Six months he had been held by Samuel Wyatt in all that time Samuel had never learned his name. He only referred to Runs with the Wind as “boy.” It was dehumanizing.

“Now you’ll do your job tomorrow and you’ll do it well. These people won’t be so easy to crack, they’re a resilient bunch. But once we crack them, it’s smooth sailing from here on out. And if you do this well, who knows. Maybe you’ll be upgraded to something other than a dirt floor to sleep on.”

Samuel smirked as he said it. It was an empty promise and Runs with the Wind knew that. Just an incentive to ensure that things go well tomorrow, Samuel had no real intentions of giving him upgraded sleeping quarters.

“Now get your rest, boy. Can’t have you looking so disheveled for our meeting tomorrow.”

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Runs with the Wind was suddenly woken up by the sound of gunfire and shouting. The guard that was assigned to watch Runs with the Wind ran over to the barn door and opened it slightly to see outside.

“It’s an ambush, we’re under attack!”

The guard and the other men who had been sleeping in the loft of the barn quickly grabbed their guns and rushed outside into the hail of gunfire, leaving Runs with the Wind tied up in one of the stalls. Runs with the Wind worked hastily to try and free himself. He wasn’t sure if the people attacking the ranch were friend or foe and he didn’t want to be a sitting duck.

As he tried to free himself, a group of men burst through the door. They were a mix of white men and natives, presumably men who had all had their land taken from them by the Wyatts.  The men split up to check the barn for anyone who might be hiding, when one of them came across Runs with the Wind.

“Hey Black Elk, you better come see this.” One of the white men said, gesturing to a young, native man.

Black Elk came over to Runs with the Wind and he let out a small chuckle.

“You must be the man we’ve been hearing so much about. Samuel Wyatt’s Native ally.”

“I’m no ally, I’m a prisoner. Runs with the Wind barked back. “If I were a true ally, do you think they would have me chained up in the barn?” He pleaded with the men, hoping they’d free him. “Samuel Wyatt has held me captive for months for making an attempt on his life. I’m no threat to you, but of no use either if you keep me tied up here.”

Black Elk thought for a moment then gestured to one of the other men to cut Runs with the Wind loose. When he was freed, Black Elk tossed him a rifle.

“Don’t make me regret this.”

Runs with the Wind rushed outside to see the chaos unfolding. He saw many of the Wyatts’ men laying lifeless on the ground, while the others feverishly tried to fight off their attackers. Runs with the Wind knew that this was his moment to escape, to get far away from the Wyatts. He looked around to quickly figure out an escape route. He looked around him to see some of Wyatt’s men fleeing into the valley, that wouldn’t work. Then he looked behind him toward the mountains.

“There.” He thought. It was the perfect route, no one would be crazy enough to follow him into the mountains in the middle of winter.

Runs with the Wind made his way to the main house, dodging bullets and guards and shooting anyone who got in his way. If he was going to run to the mountains, he needed supplies. He frantically rummaged through the house picking up provisions and ammunition and putting them into a satchel he found in the bedroom. Once he felt he was stocked enough he made his way out the front door.

As he exited the house and was headed to the hitching posts to fetch a horse, he tripped over something and fell to the ground.

“Oh no you don’t!” He heard a man shout.

Stunned, Runs with the Wind looked up to see the face of James Wyatt staring down at him.

“You’re not getting away from us that easily.” James said as he walked closer to Runs with the Wind.

The next few moments seemed to happen in slow-motion. Without giving it much thought, Runs with the Wind reached for his rifle and aimed it at James. He hesitated for a moment but pulled the trigger before James could react. In a flash, he watched as James fell backwards. Runs with the Wind shouldered his rifle and ran over to see James’ lifeless body laying in the mud, a bullet hole in his face.

As he stood over James Wyatt, he heard a man shout from across the ranch. It was Samuel.

“Shit.” He thought as he bent down to pick up James’ revolver from its holster and began firing. Samuel frantically tried to make his way over to James while shouting at his men to go after Runs with the Wind. Black Elk had seen what happened and he and the others provided cover fire for Runs with the Wind to make an escape.

“Go on, brother!” Black Elk shouted at Runs with the Wind as he made his way over to a chestnut and white horse. “We’ll take it from here, enjoy your newfound freedom.”

Runs with the Wind nodded at Black Elk as he grabbed a lantern and mounted the horse. He turned to look at Samuel, who was standing over his brother’s body.

“Now he knows my pain.” Runs with the Wind thought to himself. James wasn’t his intended target, but it still hurt Samuel all the same and he figured this would slow Samuel down.

“Hyah!” Runs with the Wind shouted as he pushed his new mount into motion. He jumped the fence and headed for the path that led up the mountain.

Runs with the Wind was soon followed by a group of men who began shouting and firing at him. Runs with the Wind pushed his horse to go faster and began weaving in and out of the trees to make him a harder target to hit. As he moved further up the mountain snow began to fall and he began to distance himself from his pursuers. Eventually, the men gave up.

“Leave him, he’ll die up there in the cold anyway.” One of the men had said.

Runs with the Wind didn’t look back, he only kept pushing further north. It wasn’t long before he came across a series of old buildings hidden among the trees and cliffs. Runs with the Wind slowed his horse as the buildings came into better view and he saw that it was an old mining camp.

When he reached the buildings Runs with the Wind dismounted and grabbed his lantern and rifle. He searched the buildings for signs of life but found none. He hitched his horse to the side of one of the buildings and took refuge in a small dilapidated shack. He decided this place was as good as any to rest for a while. He so desperately needed rest if he was going to survive up here. The shack had a small stove and a bed, two luxuries he hadn’t had in a long time. He found some firewood and matches in one of the other buildings and brought them over to the shack and lit a fire in the stove.

He sat close to the stove and pulled out a small box of biscuits from the satchel he had stolen. It had been a long time since he had felt the warmth of a fire. He could feel the fires slowly breathing life back into him, relieving his fingers and toes from the numbness he had felt from the cold. After sitting by the stove for some time, Runs with the Wind began to feel the exhaustion creeping in. For six months he had barely slept. Between the uncomfortableness of sleeping on the dirt with his hands tied and not knowing if or when they would beat him next, it was enough to make him restless. He could feel the heaviness in his eyelids more and more and moved over to the bed to lie down.

He had endured hell for six months, wishing each day that they would grow tired of him and end his life. But now, he no longer wished for that. Now, he was free at last. He closed is eyes and soon drifted off into a deep sleep.