A
LOVE REBORNA
LOVE REBORN
I felt the bullet rip through my flesh as it entered and exited my body. I heard someone cry out for a doctor as I collapsed. I saw Lily looking down at me in horror and I followed her gaze down to my wound. I watched the red stain grow larger as my life's essence flowed from by body.
In the next moment Buck was by my side and holding me in an embrace.
"What . . .what are you . . .doing here?" I asked weakly.
"Shhhh, don't speak. Save your strength." He said as he caressed my face.
"There's nothing. . .more to do . . .for me."
Buck began to panic, "Don't say that! You're gonna be fine." He said as his tears began to fall. I felt their wetness in my hair and on my face.
I raised my hand and touched his wet cheek, I wiped his tears with my fingers. "Don't cry for me . . .I'm not in any . . .pain."
Buck tried to take my mind off the situation. "I went to your house, to see you."
"Why?"
"I made my decision. . ."
I smiled weakly and covered his lips with my fingertips. "The decision . . . has been made . . .for you. Fate has . . .a way of making . . . things right. . . this is not our time."
I gasped for air. "I'm getting so cold." Buck held me tighter.
"I need to . . . tell you something . . .and I don't want you . . to interrupt me."
Buck shook his head, "Devon-"
"Please I need . . . I need to talk and I don't . . .have a lot of time."
"Okay. I'm listening."
I tried not to cry, but I couldn't help it. "I never meant to hurt you . . .I only wanted the chance to . . . to make you happy. It was . . . wrong of me to . . . interfere in your life . . .I need you to make me a promise . . .and I'll make a promise . . . in return."
"Anything." He said his emotions making his voice rough.
"I promise to keep searching for . . .you until . . .we can be together . . ."
"Alright."
I trembled from the chills wracking my body, "I need you . . .to promise that . . .you'll keep Lily happy. . . that . . .that you'll love her . . .like you did . . . then."
"Then?"
"Buck, who was it . . .that healed your heart . . . after I left you . . .alone in Salem?"
Suddenly Buck remembered the Indian maiden who stood by him in his grief and who eventually took Devon's place as his wife.
"Lily." He gasped and looked up at her.
"You may not have . . .remembered it . . .but in your heart . . .you knew." Once again I gasped and coughed, blood dripping out the side of my mouth.
"Don't let them . . .touch me . . .bring me to your . . .Medicine Man . . .after I'm gone."
Buck nodded quickly.
"I'm so tired " My voice was becoming weaker, and I knew my time here had finally ended. "Buck, promise me . . .promise me . . .you'll stay with me . . .until I fall asleep. . . Promise me."
"I promise."
My world went black and my last conscious thought was of Buck and how much I truly loved him.
Devon closed her eyes and the once riotous crowd had by now become silent. Buck held Devon to his chest and rocked her back and forth, whispering for her to hold on. Her breathing became labored, then shallow and finally stopped several minutes later.
"Don't you give up on me! Devon please!" Buck yelled down to her when he realized she was gone.
Jimmy walked up to Buck from where he was standing by Lily, and knelt beside his friend. Placing his hand on the Kiowa's shoulder he whispered, "Let her go Buck, she's at peace now, and no one can hurt her anymore."
Buck looked up at his friend, then out to the crowd. He stood slowly, still holding Devon's now lifeless body in his arms.
"Are you happy?! Look at the result of your fear and ignorance" He said and held out her limp body, the crowd was too stunned to speak.
Jimmy was quickly by his side. "Don't do this." He said as he took Devon from his arms and moved to lay her away from the eyes of the crowd below. He looked down at her peaceful expression. "Thank you for listening and understanding." He whispered as he wiped a tear from his cheek, then kissed her cold lips softly.
Without her in his arms, Buck looked at the others on the gallows, his gaze stopped on Lily who was crying. He walked to her and held her in his arms, comforting her and gaining comfort in return. Then remembering that she was to be strung up as well he turned on Thompkins.
"You did this! This is all your fault!"
Thompkins looked out into the crowd, ready to rally them again.
Prologue ~ Chapter
1 ~ Chapter 2 ~ Chapter 3
~ Chapter 4 ~ Chapter 5 ~ Chapter
6 ~ Chapter 7 ~ Chapter 8
~ Chapter 9
~ Chapter 10 ~ Chapter 11 ~
Chapter 12
