The Demon
A Laramie story by Tony G
Slim Sherman was as excited as a man could be. It was two years since he had seen his brother Andy, and today Andy was coming home. Slim thought back to the time when Andy Sherman had left at the age of fourteen to go East to college to get what Slim had called a proper education. Andy would now be nearly seventeen, near enough a man and Slim was proud of his brother. So Slim was up out of bed extra early today. Oh the stage wasn't due until mid afternoon but sleep just wasn't possible. By the time that Jess, Daisy and Mike rose Slim had done half a days work.
"Bout time you got your lazy hide outta bed" Slim joked as Jess finally showed his face.
"What time did you git up?"
"About four thirty, you were still snoring. In fact that's what woke me".
" Sure" said Jess grinning as he poured a cup of hot coffee freshly made by Daisy.
"Come on boys" she said, "breakfast is ready and there's plenty of it".
Slim, Jess and Mike all ate a hearty breakfast. Slim was consumed with nervous energy, the day just wasn't going fast enough. Little did he know that this day was going to be one of the longest and blackest days in his life !
Jess spent most of the morning kidding Slim that now that Andy was all educated Slim would appear mighty dumb next to him, but nothing could dampen Slim's excitement. The only time Jess stopped ribbing Slim was to complain that there was too much work to do.
"You're always complaining Jess. Why don't you act more like Carl and get your back into it".
Carl was the new hired hand. Had been taken on about five weeks earlier. Like Jess he had been a drifter and since joining the Sherman team had proved to be a hard working responsible man who was keen to prove he could be trusted with a good days work for a fair days pay. He was a few years older than Slim and Jess at around forty, but he was as fit as either of them and tended to work harder than they did. Slim had given him a couple of days off after he requested a break to do a little camping and fishing. Carl too was due to return to the Sherman ranch sometime today, so when Jess spotted a rider approaching just before noon he figured it was Carl. As the rider got closer Jess could see it wasn't Carl after all.
"Slim, Mort's comin". Mort Corey was a long time friend of both Slim and Jess, as well as being sheriff of Laramie.
"He more an likely wants to see Andy", said Slim, "but he's a might early. I'll get Daisy to make some fresh coffee, he'll want it after the ride from Laramie".
With that Slim disappeared into the house and Jess waited to greet Mort.
"Mornin Mort", greeted Jess in a light friendly tone. But Mort didn't reply. He passed Jess and dismounted in front of the house tying his horse to the hitch rail.
"Is Slim around Jess?"
"What's up Mort, you look like you been kicked in the guts by a mule".
"Where's Slim?"
"In the house".
Mort turned towards the house and started to go towards the door. Jess grabbed his arm.
"What is it Mort?"
"It's Andy Jess".
"What's Andy?" asked Slim who appeared in the doorway. "I asked you a question Mort, what's Andy?"
"Word just came in. The stage that Andy was travelling on was held up just outside Cheyenne. Slim, Andy was shot".
"Where is he, is he hurt bad?"
"I'm sorry Slim, he died before they could get help".
The words stung Slim like a knife and he stood frozen. Jess looked at his friend and wanted to reach out and block the pain that was about to engulf him as the news sank in. Slim walked towards Mort Corey, looked him square in the eyes and spoke softly. "This must be a mistake, Mort, it's a mistake. He can't be dead". Slim looked at Jess and his eyes started to mist over, his mouth moved but no words came out. Jess could feel tears welling up in his own eyes and a lump came into his throat. His friend needed him and he did not know what to say. Slim turned around and walked back to the house, slowly like a man whose whole world has been shattered. Mort and Jess followed and nobody spoke.
Once inside the house Jess poured Slim a drink and quietly told Daisy what had happened. Daisy was a courageous woman and held herself together so that she could tell little Mike.
They all sat there in that small living area and for what seemed like hours nobody spoke.
"What happened Mort?" Slim eventually asked.
" From all accounts a hooded man stopped the stage. He didn't rob anybody Slim he just shot Andy. Said to tell you that your hell was just beginning, and then rode off".
"What are you saying Mort, that this was a murder. That Andy was killed by someone who wants to get to me?"
"Seems that way Slim. Slim I know this is not the time for questions but I have to ask. Can you think of anyone with a grudge big enough to do this".
"No I can't, not anyone that would hate me enough to kill an innocent boy just to hurt me".
"That' some fearsome hate" commented Jess.
"I want Andy's body brought home so that he can be laid to rest on the hill with Pa. Can you arrange that Mort?"
"I'll see it gets done. Well I got to get back to Laramie. Thanks for the coffee Miss Daisy. Slim I can't tell you how sorry I am and if there's anything I can do you just say".
"Thanks Mort but right now there's nothing anyone can do".
Mort walked outside followed by Jess.
Jess watched Mort ride away and thought about the first day he rode onto Sherman land and met young Andy Sherman. It never occurred to him that one so young would be dead so soon.
****************************************
The funeral was four days later. They were four bad days. Andy's body was delivered as promised to the Sherman ranch and Slim spent a long time just sitting with his brother's remains. The new ranch hand Carl Linn had returned shortly after the news of Andy's death was broken.
"I'm surely sorry to hear about your kid brother Slim, I want you to know that I'll take care of things here while you take time to sort out what you need to sort out" said Carl after hearing the news.
Slim was grateful, he felt like that was at least a weight off his mind knowing that Jess was not going to have to manage on his own.
After the funeral Slim was edgy.
"I got to find out what happened and why Jess. I'm goin' to ride out to where it happened and have a look around".
"Then I'm going with you".
"No you're needed here Jess".
"Carl can take care of things for a couple of days, he's a good man".
"No Jess. Carl is a good man but he ain't a whole lot with a gun and I'm scared that whoever did this to Andy comes around and hurts Daisy or Mike. So you have to be here to take care of them".
Jess knew that Slim was right. But then in the four years he'd known Slim he'd learnt that more often than not Slim was always right !!
Slim left the following morning fully stocked with food by Daisy who felt if she could do nothing else right now at least she could see that they all didn't starve. It amused Slim how well Daisy understood how important a man's stomach was to him. They all watched Slim disappear over the rise. " I'll be back in a day or two" he had promised. He shook hands with Jess, kissed Daisy, told Mike to look after them and then he was gone.
That afternoon Daisy told Jess she needed supplies and that she was going into Laramie to get them.
"Oh no Miss Daisy, you ain't goin anywhere on your own. Slim would have my hide".
"Well if it makes you feel better I'll take Carl along for protection".
"No that's no good either. He ain't much good with a gun. Tell you what Miss Daisy you make a list and I'll send Carl in to get it".
Daisy really wanted to get Mike off the ranch and into town for a little while until things had settled. So she argued but Jess wasn't budging. In the end she gave Jess the list.
"Carl" yelled Jess and Carl came running. "Need you to ride into Laramie and pick up some gear. Leave now you'll make it by nightfall, pick up the supplies and be back by noon tomorrow".
"No problem Jess. But you gonna be okay here on your own. If that killer shows up you might need help".
"I hope he does show up, and I won't need help - he will".
Carl nodded okay and was gone within the hour.
Jess made sure the ranch was locked up nice and tight that night and decided to sleep on the floor in the living area. He would sleep light - just in case.
It was early hours of the morning when Jess woke. Outside was light when it should have been dark.
"FIRE" screamed Jess, "Daisy Mike get up, the barn is on fire".
Jess rushed to the door and out into the night. He grabbed a bucket and filled it from the trough, ran to the barn and threw the water at the fire. Dropping the bucket he tried to enter the barn to get the horses but the heat was fierce. He grabbed a horse blanket from the fence and jumped into the trough soaking himself and the blanket. He yelled at Daisy and Mike to get away from the house in case a spark set it on fire, then he ran into the barn. The flames were hot and the smoke thick but he found his way to the stalls and quickly released the horses. As he ran out of the barn and back towards the trough to get more water he sensed someone behind him. He stopped and a sharp pain connected to the back of his head. Daisy and Mike watched in horror as a dark figure stood over the fallen Jess Harper.
Jess looked up and saw the shadowy shape. The man wore a dark hood and spoke in a sinister whisper.
"Be scared Harper" he whispered "You and Sherman have much pain to feel before you die"
Daisy ran into the house to get the shotgun and when she appeared at the door with it the hooded figure turned towards her and Mike.
"RUN" screamed Jess
Daisy raised the gun ignoring Jess' words and the dark man walked towards her.
"RUN DAISY". Jess tried to stand but shadowman turned and hit him again with the barrel of his gun. Jess fell to the ground. He was not out but he could not move. His voice was nothing more than a whisper. "Run Daisy,Run"
Daisy fired and the Dark figure was catapulted backwards by the force of the hit. Daisy looked into the night, she could see the shape of the man on the floor. She had got him.
She started to move towards Jess when to her horror the shadowy figure stood up and a hideous laugh filled the night. He opened his jacket and exposed an iron body shield. He walked towards his gun, picked it up, pointed it at Daisy and fired.
Mike screamed "AUNT DAISY" and ran to her side.
The shadowman looked at Jess and that ominous whisper started again. "I'm coming back for the boy. Don't know when, maybe tomorrow, maybe next month, but I'm coming back.
With that he turned and disappeared into the night.
"Jess help me", pleaded Mike. "Aunt Daisy's been shot, Jess please".
Jess staggered to his feet and stumbled to Mike's side. The barn burnt behind them and Jess knew he had to get them away from the fire. He picked Daisy up and carried her away from the barn and house to the safety of the field in front of the house. He was starting to regain his senses and told Mike to stay with her while he fetched blankets and medical supplies from the house.
"Don't die, please Aunt Daisy, don't die" sobbed Mike.
Come the next morning the barn was completely wrecked but luckily the house had survived as had the horses. Mike and Jess waited for Carl to return with the supplies. But when he did there was more bad news. Carl returned with an empty buckboard and a lump on his head the size of an egg.
"What happened?" asked Jess his voice very subdued.
"I never made it to town Jess. Got stopped on the trail by some guy with a hood. He told me to go back to the ranch and said if I picked up supplies from town he would kill me before I got back. Then he whacked me and I been out cold on the trail all night. I'm sorry Jess, I let you down".
"Not your fault. The hooded man visited us too. Burnt the barn and Shot Daisy".
"Is she okay?"
"No, she died last night. I want you to help me get her into the buckboard, I'm taking her body into town and that's where Mike is going too".
"Aw I'm real sorry Jess. She was a nice lady".
Jess packed the buckboard with blankets and he and Carl laid Daisy's body on top of them. Daisy was already wrapped in a blanket.
"I'll be back tomorrow. You'll be ok here Carl, he only wants to hurt Slim and me or those real close to us. But keep your eyes open just in case".
"You bet Jess".
Jess tied his horse to the rear of the buckboard and hit the road.
When Jess and Mike arrived in Laramie a couple of hours later Jess went straight to Mort Corey's office and spoke to him about what had happened. Mort agreed that Mike would be safer in town and promised that no one would get within one hundred yards of him. He also promised to take care of Daisy.
Jess decided to spend the night at the jail and head back to the ranch in the morning. Mike was safely out of the way, hidden at a friends house in town so Jess felt easier. He sat up a while with Mort just talking, trying to figure out what was happening and more importantly what would happen next.
"I'm worried about Slim" said Mort. "He's out there all alone, he could be an easy target for the killer".
"No Slim's okay. This is a game and it's only just started. This killer will keep me and Slim alive until he's good and ready. Last night proved that, he could have killed me easily if he'd wanted to".
"Maybe, but all the same maybe you should let a couple of deputies ride back with you tomorrow".
"I'll be fine Mort, but thanks for worrying. I'll leave the buckboard with you cos I can make faster time without it".
"Sure thing. Anyhow I'm ready for some shut eye so if you don't mind I'm turnin in".
"Goodnight Mort".
"Jess".
Jess sat for a while nursing a cold coffee then decided he should do the same. Luckily the jail was empty so beds were available for both of them. Jess didn't think he'd sleep too well but he was more tired than he thought and it wasn't long before he fell asleep.
"FIRE FIRE"
The words ripped through the town and both Jess and Mort were out of bed in a flash. They grabbed their guns and were in the street in a moment and in front of them they saw the hotel, the saloon and the bank were all on fire. People started filling the street and grabbing for buckets or anything that would hold water. The fire wardens organised lines to pass water along quickly but it was clear that the scale of the job was too big and they were not going to save these buildings.
"We gotta get people outta the hotel Jess" yelled Mort above the noise going on around him.
They ran toward the hotel where people were already escaping into the cold street and safety.
"You try and get in through the front Jess , I'll go around back see if I can find a way in there".
Jess obeyed and entered the hotel at the front and Mort ran down the alley to the back of the hotel. In the shadows he saw a figure just standing watching the flames. The man turned towards Mort and Mort could see the hood. He had something in his hand and too late Mort realised it was a gun. Before Mort could react the man fired and Mort fell. The man walked slowly over to Mort and the same sinister whisper that Jess had heard the night before came from the man's lips.
"You ain't going to die just yet sheriff. You and the people of Laramie are going to suffer first. Good fire isn't it, you just caught me enjoying it. I like to watch".
Then he was gone.
Some men found Mort's unconscious body a little while later and after getting him to the Doctor they found Jess and told him what had happened.
Jess rushed to the Doctor's office and was shocked at what he saw. It was like a war zone with dead and dying everywhere.
"I'm looking for Mort Doc".
"Over there Jess, now I ain't got time to talk and if you could lend a hand I'd appreciate it".
"Sure tell me what to do".
Jess worked through the night with the other helpers just doing what he could to help the injured. By morning nine people had died in the fires, it was a miracle that there was only nine. But many more were injured.
Jess decided to find out how Mort was doing and to his relief found Mort to be sitting up barking orders to anyone that was in earshot.
"Glad to see it'll take more than one bullet to kill you" greeted Jess.
"Get me outta here Jess, we have work to do".
"No chance, you gotta rest".
"Rest my eye. I saw the killer Jess and he means to hurt more than just you and Slim. He means to punish all the folks in Laramie, me included".
"He spoke to you?"
"Yeah kinda strange. Spoke in a whisper. Said he would kill me later but first all the town would suffer".
"We know this man Mort, that's why he whispers so we don't recognize his voice. He say anything else?"
"Something about enjoying the fire and liking to watch. Don't know what that was supposed to mean".
Jess froze as an icy feeling ran all the way down his body. He remembered those words from the very first day he had met Slim Sherman. Bud Carlin had used them when he made Jess hit Slim. Jess would never forget that day. Bud Carlin had told Jess to hit Slim harder while he watched. He liked to watch. Then Slim had used the same words when he caught Carlin and knocked him out.
"It's Bud Carlin, he's back".
"No that's impossible" replied Mort. "Bud Carlin was hanged over three years ago".
"Oh no". There was a look of horror on Jess' face. "It's Linn our ranch hand. Don't you get it Mort he's been taunting us even with his name - CARL LINN. He's alone at the ranch Mort and Slim's likely to be gettin back there today. I gotta get back to the ranch".
Jess raced out of the Doctor's office and down to the livery stable where his horse was bedded. He saddled up and was on the trail in record time. Linn had done enough damage and Jess was not about to let him hurt Slim. He rode like a madman, nobody had better get in his way !
Slim Sherman returned to the ranch at about eleven o'clock to see the devastation. He looked at the ruined barn and shouted "JESS". No answer so he called again "JESS, DAISY, MIKE". Again no reply. Slim turned and saw Carl coming out of the house.
"What in blue blazes happened here Carl? demanded Slim.
"Bad news Slim. The killer was here last night. He killed everyone. Jess, Daisy and Mike."
Slim staggered a couple of steps backwards, for the first time in his life he thought he was going to faint. He could not believe what he was hearing. He had only just lost his brother, now his best friend too.
"I'm sorry Slim. Sheriff Corey took the bodies to town this morning. Said for you to wait here and he would come back."
Slim was ashen white.
"I gotta sit down. I need a drink".
"Sure Slim. Come on into the house I'll get you that drink".
Slim followed Carl into the house. All of the life in him was drained away, there was nothing left.
"I know how you feel Slim. It's hard to lose family. I had a brother once but no more. He died, was killed by other folk. I should imagine you want revenge eh". Slim wasn't listening, he was in a place of his own his thoughts a mixture of jumbled up things. He was numb. But Carl kept talking, there was no stopping him now. "Yes sir, I vowed to avenge my brother and still aim to do it. In fact Slim you knew my brother. His name was BUD CARLIN"
The name hit Slim like a bolt. Suddenly he could hear what Carl was saying and the penny started to drop. He looked up straight into the barrel of Carl's gun.
"It was you!" Slim charged at Carl but was caught by a blow from his gun. He fell to the floor and Carl took his gun.
"Stay down Sherman or you die now".
Slim got the message and decided it would be better to wait for his moment then strike, so he stayed where he was.
"I actually don't want to shoot you Sherman, I want to hang you like they hung my brother. Then Harper's gonna come ridin in and he's gonna see you hangin and he's gonna know what it feels like to lose a brother. He grabbed Slim by the scruff of the neck and dragged him up. Slim tried to fight but Carl hit him again with his gun.
"You better learn fast Sherman or you are gonna have a mighty painful death".
He pushed Slim out of the house towards a tree near the front field. A rope was already over the strongest limb.
"See I was all ready for you. For your own little party. Put your head on the noose".
Slim could see no way out of this, it seemed like either be hanged or shot. He did as he was told and put his head in the noose.
"Now you don't move or so help me I'll shoot your legs from under you".
Carl went to get Slim's horse all the while keeping his eyes firmly on Slim. When he got back to the tree he told Slim to mount up.
Slim started to climb onto his horse when suddenly Carl's attention was distracted by a rider coming in hell for leather. It was Jess. Carl turned towards Jess and Slim took his chance. He lunged at Carl and knocked him to the ground but almost choked in doing so. Carl aimed his gun at Slim as Slim tried to free himself from the noose but Jess' bullet rang out first and hit Carl in the arm. He dropped his gun and ran. Slim ran after him but Jess' horse overtook him and Jess caught him first. Jess leapt from his horse onto Carl's back and they both fell heavily to the floor. Carl was up first and pulled out a knife, he ran towards Jess.
"HOLD IT", Slims voice boomed and Carl froze. "Drop the knife".
Carl looked at Slim and the knife fell from his hand. Slim walked towards him.
"You murdered my brother Linn. Now I'm gonna kill you".
"No you ain't the killin kind Sher".
Slim's bullet hit Linn before he could finish and he fell to the ground. He looked scared now.
"Please don't shoot me again, please".
Slim fired again, the bullet hitting Linn in the head and Linn was dead.
All his life Slim had obeyed the law, had tried to do what was right. This time he obeyed his own law and avenged the death of his brother Andy.
"He said you were dead Jess along with Mike and Daisy".
"Take more than that piece of dirt to kill me Slim. Mikes in town with Daisy. She's been shot but she's okay. I did lead everyone to believe she was dead as I figured she'd be safer if the killer thought she was out of the way. But she's fine".
"What a mess".
Jess put his hand on Slim's shoulder.
"I never killed a man in cold blood before Jess".
"You still haven't Slim. That was nothin more than an animal, you just put it out of it's misery".