Busted Gulch vol. 11

Vengeance (baileygaines)

Vengeance

Bruce was struck dumb,

 his face had gone numb;

 The tears had dried on his face.

Believe he could not 

that Lou had been shot. 

Her killer he would now chase. 

He and Billy rode 

madly down the road 

after the unknown man. 

They wanted justice, 

 they wanted vengeance; 

beyond that they had no plan. 

They drew in close, 

could see... almost 

who it was they'd be gunning for. 

The rider turned, 

Fired, Billy's side he burned, 

then pushed his horse to run more. 

"Go on, I'll be fine. 

Don't give him more time. 

Just make sure he dies." 

He handed Bruce his gun. 

"You have my word. 

He'll get what he deserves." 

There was death in Bruce's eyes. 

He rode on ahead, 

giving his horse its head 

as he followed the killer along. 

He caught up at last; 

his horse had begun to gasp, 

when they reached a steep ledge 

Bruce fired a shot. 

Hit home it did not, 

But drove the man closer to the edge. 

Bruce shot again, 

coming further in, 

and this time he saw the man's face. 

Hidden under a hat 

he hadn't seen that 

the man who shot Lou was Shamus. 

Bruce's hand shook and it took 

all his will not to kill 

then and there. 


"How could you? 

You killed Lou!" 

Shamus stared. 

About Lou he still cared. 

"A mistake was made! 

It was meant to be Wade!" 

"Oh, you shot Wade, 

but you shot Lou, too. 

And now, Shamus McGinty, 

I'm going to shoot you." 

Shamus still had a gun, 

but just sat there stunned. 

He couldn't believe Lou was dead. 

Bruce waited impatiently. 

He wanted Shamus to see, 

to flinch when the bullet entered his head. 

The spell finally broke; 

from his stupor, Shamus woke. 

"Kill me," he said with a groan. 

"No," Bruce spoke suddenly. 

"I want you to hurt as much as you've hurt me." 

Shamus lunged at him, 

his eyes glinting with tears. 

Bruce pulled the trigger 

but Shamus's arms 

were wrapped around him 

as they both fell. 

Bruce's fingers found rock; 

his descent came to a stop, 

but Shamus plunged on. 

Bruce hung over the edge; 

thoughts flying through his head. 

Lou was dead, he should be too. 

His grip loosened 

and he looked downward 

 and contemplated letting go. 

Then Lou's last words 

in his head he heard. 

"I had such hope for you." 

He began to climb; 

It took some time, 

but he finally made it to the top.