DARK INTRUDER
DARK INTRUDER© nesciri
Part 5
Rosemary stood in silence. She had left the place with Tad Brown's body and was now exploring this new feeling that filled her. She was still out on the plains, she had no clue where, but it did not bother her. Something had brought her out her for some reason and that same something would guide her home. Baruk. That was what he had called himself. The entity that called itself Baruk was part of her now. She didn't know how, but it didn't matter. Baruk made her stronger. Nothing could hurt her now. In amazement she held out her arms before her, seeing the force fill her as a soft red light seemed to surround her, almost sensuously.
Baruk smiled as he let the woman experience his presence. He seldom used women as hosts, he preferred men as they were easier to possess. But this woman was different. She was perfect for his means. He had learned from his last encounters with his Louise's protectors. This time there would be no mistakes. He would not do anything stupid, wasting his forces on the impossible. And he was stronger this time. And with a willing host, a host that was close to one of his enemies, this would be easy. This time he knew how to get Louise. And bringing the woman out here was the first part. He could feel the disturbance in the air. Somebody had felt his presence. It didn't scare him - they wouldn't be able to hurt him, not this time. This night was his and he could smell death in the air. Relishing in the feeling he allowed himself to take over from the young woman and his laughter sounded over the desolated plains. Death was definitely in the air.
Buck was deep in thoughts as he rode towards Red Mesa. Part of him was hesitant of what he was supposed to do and another part of him told him that it was necessary. He wished he had White Feather with him. There was something sinister threatening his friends and he had to find out what before it was too late. And all he could do was hope that he was doing the right thing. He was so deep in his thoughts that he hardly noticed her. She was standing there in the middle of the plain, watching calmly for him to approach her. Buck held in his horse and looked around him. There was nothing else in sight, not even a horse. Not knowing what to think about it, Buck urged his horse closer to the woman.
"What are you doing here, Rosemary?" he asked as he held in his horse and dismounted. "Where's Jimmy?"
Rosemary stared calmly at him. "I was waiting for you."
Buck looked startled at her. "Me? How did you know I was coming this way? Ain't Jimmy with you?"
Instead of answering Rosemary raised her right hand, holding a gun. Buck had no chance of reacting before she had pulled the trigger. The sharp sound from the gun and the smell of acid filled the night. Buck stumbled as a dull ache settled in his chest before falling to the ground. As in a shadow he saw Rosemary standing above him, the gun aimed at his heart. As in a fog Buck couldn't help noticing the gun - Jimmy's gun. He desperately reached for his gun but as he managed to get a hold of it, Rosemary kicked it out of his hand. Buck fought the darkness that forced to overtake him as it felt as a huge weight was placed on his chest making it hard to breath.
"Don't do it, Rosemary," he pleaded, but found no sign of her changing her mind as her finger squeezed the trigger again. Desperately he tried another way. "Why?" he asked. "What have I done you?"
A sardonic smile appeared on Rosemary's face and she lowered the gun. "Since you're done for anyway I'll let you know," she said. "We've crossed paths before."
There was a slight change in her voice and Buck struggled to remember where he had heard it before. He knew it, he was sure of that, but he couldn't place it. Something about if filled him with fear and he suddenly realized that it wasn't just Rosemary there. There was something else there, something fearful. He fought the feeling of fear that built up inside him, as he knew that he would need every ounce of wit to survive, if he wasn't doomed for already. His strength was ebbing fast and he could almost feel his life leave him as blood poured from the wound in his chest.
"Remember me yet?" This time there was nothing left of Rosemary's voice and Buck gasped as recognition hit him. He had fought this spirit once and almost lost. He had thought they had defeated him. Fear caught him in its grip and he stared up at Rosemary, knowing that it wasn't she he saw.
"I see you remember. This time there's nobody here to protect you, and I won't make the same mistake I did last time. This time I'll make sure that your soul is trapped with you as you die. Nothing will stop me now - not even you."
Buck wanted to scream but not a sound left his mouth. The horrible memories of pain and fear came back to him and all he could see through the fog was the evil grin in Rosemary's face, a grin that he was certain didn't belong to her.
"Rosemary," he pleaded through the pain that threatened to throw into unconsciousness. "Don't let him do this to you - fight him. You've gotta fight him."
The only answer he received was a raised gun and as in a distance he heard the second shot, moments before a heart wrenching pain ripped through his chest and effectively wiped out the last of his consciousness. The shot echoed in the night until it slowly disappeared. Nothing moved.
Rosemary looked down on the unconscious man beneath her. To her surprise he was still breathing and she raised the gun to finish it. She knew that the man was a friend of Jimmy, but it meant nothing to her. She had given away her soul a long time ago and Baruk's presence was merely the confirmation. If this Indian was to die for her to achieve her goals then so be it. But before she could pull the trigger a high-pitched scream made her turn around. A raiding party was heading towards her and she forgot about the wounded man on the ground. There was no chance that he would live anyway. She quickly jumped on his horse and high-tailed out of there when Baruk managed to gain control over her and she pulled the horse to a halt. "They can't hurt you," Baruk whispered in her mind. "Let me show you the power I have given you."
The raiders yelled in triumph when they saw the horse stop, thinking that the woman had decided to give up. None of them saw the evil smile that played on the woman's lips, nor did they see the sinister look in her eyes. not until she raised her arm and sent the first warrior sprawling to the ground, dead from a bullet in his heart. Rosemary leaped from the horse and rushing up to the warrior she grabbed the spear he had dropped and raised it above her head in a challenge. Bullets strike the ground close to her but she felt no fear. A sharp pain in her shoulder almost made her loose her balance and when she looked she saw blood seeping through the fabric of her dress. But still there was no pain.
"Trust me," the voice in her mind repeated and ignoring the wound she used the spear against the next warrior, cutting up a huge wound in his stomach. The man's death wail sounded eerily through the night. She stared at her shoulder again and realized that the wound had stopped bleeding. It had healed and the thought made her feel invincible. Nothing could kill her. She managed to kill another warrior before the rest fled in horror. Rosemary suddenly felt sick and a huge headache pained her. She sank down to her knees as her stomach revolted. Baruk laughed softly in her head. "Nothing is for free, Rosemary. It's a small prize to pay, don't you think?"
Jimmy couldn't sleep. He was worried about Rosemary. Finally he couldn't stand it anymore and rose from the bunk. Since Lou and Kid nowadays occupied the large room in the house, he was alone in the bunkhouse. He appreciated it since it meant that he wouldn't risk waking up anyone. He quickly got dressed and put on his gun. He had left the other one with Rosemary, but now he regretted it. He should have stayed with her. He quickly saddled up his horse and a few seconds later he was headed at full speed towards Rosemary's cottage.
He knocked hard on the door. "Rosemary!" he called and he continued to pound the door with his fist. He was about to give up when the door was opened.
"Jimmy?" Rosemary peered out from the door. Jimmy thought she looked pale and as he opened the door to let himself in, he found that she was still dressed. His gun laid on the table and Rosemary had dust on her skirt.
"What happened?" he asked her and reached for the gun. It was empty. "Rose, what happened?" he asked again with a worried frown.
"Nothing happened." Rosemary looked at him and brushed some stray hair from her face.
"Why did you fire the gun?" he asked. "And where have you've been?"
Rosemary tried to laugh but it ended in a sob. Jimmy quickly crossed the room and took her in his arms.
"Rosemary, please tell me what happened?" he pleaded eagerly when he felt something wet under his hand. As he withdrew it from her shoulder he saw the blood on his hand. "You're hurt!" he exclaimed.
"It's nothing, Jimmy. I'm tired."
"What's going on?"
"I don't know. I feel sick and I have a headache."
"Sit down. Everything's gonna be alright." Jimmy looked worriedly at her. Rosemary started to sob uncontrollably.
"I found him, Jimmy."
"Found who?"
"The man that killed David. I found him."
"You found him. You know who he was?" Jimmy didn't believe what he was hearing. "Why didn't you tell us - why didn't you tell me?"
"I trusted him. I thought he was working for me. When he admitted to killing David, I - I shot him."
"You shot him?"
"Yes," she mumbled in a trembling voice. "I think I fired more than once - I don't know. I was so angry, Jimmy."
"Don't worry, honey, it's over. I'm right here." Jimmy pulled her into an embrace. He would tell Teaspoon tomorrow. Right now Rosemary needed him. They sat in silence for a few minutes before Rosemary rose her head from his shoulder.
"I'm so happy you're here, Jimmy," she said, caressing his face with her hand. "I'm sorry I didn't trust you enough to tell you."
"Don't think about it, Rose. You're safe that's all that matters."
"And that you're here," she whispered, leaning towards him. There was a sinister glint in her eyes, but Jimmy failed to see it. All he saw was what he wanted to see; love and trust. As their lips met into a passionate kiss he forgot everything else for the joy of holding the woman he loved in his arms.
"Stay with me, Jimmy," Rosemary mumbled into his ear as she nibbled his earlobe. "Stay for the night."
