Eidolon

Chapter One-Reminiscing

I stood against the railing in the last car of the luxury train that James West and Artemus Gordon, two of my best friends, use and own. I had crossed my arms over the top of the railing and watched as the tracks flew backwards behind the train. I heard a gentle huff from the steam engine in front of it and easily peeked around the corner, marveling at the size. The black steam engine’s pistons were moving in sync propelling us forward over the tracks. My dark brown hair with blond streaks whipped around my face and I reached up to tuck a few strands behind my ears. Above, the sky was a lovely midnight blue color. There was a full moon out and the stars twinkled merrily beside the moon. Being in the middle of the desert was nearly pitch black, with the exception of the silver light from the moon and the few inside the train. The train was gently rocking and I returned to leaning against the railing.

Inside, my other best friend, Rebecca Ambrose, was reading. I turned around and peered in through the rectangular glass pane on the door leading out onto the caboose deck. She was sprawled out on the couch reading. James T West was playing pool with Artemus. I felt a warm smile forming on my face as I watched Artemus. The only one who knew my true feelings toward him was James. I knew I could trust him with it. Rebecca didn’t even know either. I watched as James suddenly turned around and froze, listening. I heard a mumbled voice speaking over the ‘mega horn’ as Artemus called it. It was a device that allows the conductor to talk to us if there is a problem on the tracks a head. When James turned around, his face was grim as he began talking to Artemus and Rebecca. I saw three pairs of eyes suddenly turn toward me. All three had grim expressions. Rebecca’s blue eyes were suddenly misty and swelling with tears. I froze. Artemus was dressed in a very soft blue shirt, a matching satin vest with a navy tie and dark slacks. His blue eyes were focused on me. His wheat colored hair was gently brushed back and reached the tops of his ears. He began slowly walking toward me but I opened the door and stepped into the compartment.

“What’s going on?” I demanded anxiously, moving my green eyes from James, to Rebecca to Artemus, eventually letting them linger on him.

“I think you should sit down, Emma,” Artemus said quietly as he gently stepped forward and took my elbows. I let him gently usher me back toward the couch and I flopped down. I was still completely perplexed as to what was going on. The only sound I heard was the pistons and the wheels running against the iron rails below us. The gentle rocking motion was starting to make me sleepy. Artemus got down on one knee in front of me and gently put his hands on the edge of the couch on either side of my thigh. My own heart hammered in my chest as I studied him closely.

“Emmet just got word that Loveless killed one of his hostages,” Artemus said slowly.

I waited for him to continue. All three of them were too quiet and I was starting to get incredibly nervous and panicky. And I began realizing who Loveless killed.

“Oh no, not my father,” I said quickly jumping up from the couch. Artemus stood back up again. James had his arm around Rebecca’s shoulders as she sobbed quietly. I began backing up toward the exit again. Artemus held up his hands in a defensive position and approached me.

“I’m so sorry Emma,” he said quietly, his blue eyes locking on my own. “We will get him for this.”

I stubbornly shook my head and turned, bolting from the car. I stopped at the deck on the caboose, feeling the hot tears flowing down my cheeks. I wanted to run forever, but on a train there really wasn’t too far to go. I burst into tears. My only family was gone and it was because of Arliss Loveless. After a few moments, I heard the door opening behind me. I didn’t turn around. I knew it was Artemus. I grasped the railing with my hands and began speaking.

“Why is this happening?” I asked as my voice cracked. “Why is Loveless doing this?”

I heard Artemus clear his throat behind me. The next thing I knew, he was standing close beside me. He too leaned over the railing and clasped his hands. He turned to look at me.

“Loveless is seriously constipated I believe. Just look at him. He has no lower half,” Artemus said in a deadpan tone. I knew he was trying to help. He sighed and continued. “But mark my words. James and I will not rest until he pays for what he’s done.”

I felt him gently put a hand on the side of my face. I turned to face him and without speaking, I stepped closer and wrapped my arms around him, pulling him into a hug. Artemus seemed a bit shocked, but he slowly encircled his arms around me in return. He cleared his throat again and spoke.

“You still have us,” he spoke quietly. I just shut my eyes enjoying the embrace.

After a few moments, he released me and stepped back inside. The door opened again and James stepped out in his usual black slacks, a light grey satin vest, a dark tie and a grey long sleeved shirt. I wiped my eyes and turned to James.

“At some point you’re going to have to tell him, Emma,” James said as he looked at me. I sighed.

“Oh this was the perfect time. ‘My dad was killed by a well known felon and by the way Artemus, I love you?’” I looked at him scandalized and irritated. “This wasn’t the time. My father died for crying out loud! I can’t tell him something like that now!”

James smirked.

“He’s not stupid Em,” James continued. “If you don’t act soon, you’re never going to tell him.”

Damn. He knows me too well! I’m terrified to tell him. I’ve been putting it off because I’m so scared of his reaction! I blinked and scowled at James.

“I will tell him! Just not right now!” I said angrily and brushed past him, pulling open the door and I stormed into the car, by passing Artemus and Rebecca. I heard Rebecca asking James what was wrong. I entered my section of the train and flopped down on the couch. I curled up and stared out the window, watching the scenery whiz by. I was getting rather tired so I shut my eyes and began dozing off, memories of my father still fresh in my mind as fresh tears began spilling out.

I felt warm sunshine on my face as I slowly opened my eyes. I blinked at few times and sat up right. I was still dressed in my clothes from last night, so I quickly grabbed a fresh dress, a baby blue one and quickly changed, leaving my hair fluffed around my face. Around my neck was the pendant that my father had given me on my 16th birthday when I was young. I’m now 28 years old. I inhaled deeply and found everyone sitting discussing a plan.

“Apparently, Loveless has headed toward Arizona,” James was saying. “We can head him off.”

Once I entered, all eyes moved onto me. I sat down beside Rebecca. She gave me a quick hug.

“How are you feeling today Hun?” she asked softly.

I shrugged one shoulder. “Meh. Like crap basically. But I want to see Loveless get his anyway,”

At the last four words, my tone hardened. Artemus smiled at me and nodded.

I leaned forward, eagerness alit in my eyes.

“So let’s get going,” I said grinning.

Emmet stopped the train once we reached Arizona and the four of us got horses. I was riding a beautiful chocolate brown gelding with four white socks and a blaze. James was riding a midnight black horse, Artemus a palomino and Rebecca was riding a chestnut horse. The only sound was the thudding of our horses hooves on the ground. The town was looming a head of us. It was fairly busy at this time of day, which I gathered was late afternoon around 2 pm or so. We reached the town and slowed our horses down to a walk. The buildings were built close to one another. It was the typical western town, with blacksmiths, a saloon, a hotel, a livery stable and a general store among other smaller buildings. We reached the saloon and dismounted , tying our horses to the hitching post outside. I dusted the front of my dress off and turned. Artemus and James were already stepping into the saloon. Rebecca and I also carefully stepped into it as James stood in the center of the saloon, speaking loudly.

“We know Loveless is nearby. So if anyone values their life, I suggest telling us where he is now,” James said angrily and firmly.

Snickers went around the saloon. One man stood up as we entered, and all eyes were turned on us.

“Well now,” one man cooed smirking. “We might be opt to telling you where Loveless is if you grant us a night with these two gorgeous ladies.”

Another man got up and pressed himself against Rebecca and I. I scowled.

“Step away from them,” James ordered as he moved his hand onto the handle of his gun, which was nestled nicely into its holster around his waist.

“Aw now come on. We’re just having some fun,” the man said sounding offended. The man slowly reached his hand out to grab one of my breasts, but Artemus’ hand shot out across my chest, catching the man’s’ hand in mid air. He had a murderous expression on his face as he glared at the man.

“He said don’t touch them,” He said coldly.

The man pulled out his gun and cocked back the hammer, aiming it Artemus.

“I wouldn’t start unless you can finish it,” the man hissed narrowing his eyes.

James sighed.

“I was hoping we didn’t have to get rough,” he said as he turned his gun onto the men. It was a flurry of activity. I heard gun shots going off as Rebecca and I dove to the ground. I covered my head with my hands. I heard glass breaking and shouting. Someone tripped over me and Rebecca and I crawled under a table.

“I hope James is alright,” Rebecca said nervously.

I hope Artemus is safe too I thought as after a few moments, the chaos seemed to have stopped. Rebecca and I slowly crawled out from under the table and stood up. There were bodies everywhere, but thankfully Artemus and James were remaining standing.

“Found out where Loveless is, let’s go,” James said.

I felt my lip twitch. Rebecca quickly headed over to James as they left. I began walking behind them, with Artemus beside me. He cleared his throat and glanced at me sideways.

“Are you ok? I mean you’re not hurt or anything?” he asked nervously and worriedly. I smiled and shook my head.

“Good,” he said sounding relieved.

We entered one of the hotels. James marched right up the stairs onto the second floor. He stopped in front of the door and pulled out his gun. Artemus did the same. James gently ushered Rebecca and I back, so there was no danger. On a count of three, James kicked down the door and stepped into the room, guns aimed directly at Loveless, who was in his wheelchair. The man creeped me out big time. He had no lower extremities. He only had the upper half of his body. I felt a tingle run down my spine.

“Well well well, what do we have here?” James said coldly, standing in an isosceles firing position.

Arliss Loveless turned himself around and smirked at us. He had a black goatee and was dressed in a black suit and tie from the neck down to his waist.

“James T West and Artemus Gordon,” he cooed. “And who are these lovely young ladies behind you? Don’t be shy step forward.”

“We’re here to make you pay for what you’ve done,” James growled. “You killed an innocent man and now have hostages! Release them or pay.”

Loveless chuckled.

“Dear James T West,” he said shaking his head. “You clearly are a remarkable man. Its too bad you can’t put your talents to better use. It’s a shame to see such a talent to go to waste. I have no intention of releasing the hostages until I get what I want.”

His eyes moved onto me next.

“And you must be the lovely Emma Dawes,” he said smirking as he moved his wheelchair toward me. I felt Artemus tense up as he stood beside me and I knew James was eyeing him very carefully. “Your father was a great man. It was a shame to put him down.”

“You’re a real bastard,” I hissed at him.

He smirked and chuckled again.

“Well now, I think I’ll just prove to myself how generous I can be,” he said as he slammed his fist down on the arm of the wheel chair. A pop went off as I felt searing pain in the center of my abdomen. With that, Loveless vanished as a thick cloud of smoke filled the room. I heard James, Rebecca and Artemus coughing from somewhere around me. Once the smoke cleared I saw them. I glanced down at the front of my dress. A red stain began forming. In slow motion, I saw Artemus lunge forward, arms outstretched as I dropped to my knees. I felt Artemus cradling me in his arms, his expression was grim and pained. My eyes fluttered closed as I drifted off into darkness.