Apocalypse Joe Chapter 2

Chapter 2.

The sun was rising above the horizon far off in the arid distance of the vast Arizona desert. It's life giving glow spreading across the sands and dunes and making their way to the small desert town of Haven. The warm light of the sun began to peer into the windows of the saloon Joe was taken into. He lay on the bed, resting, having yet to gain consciousness. Slowly the sun's light crept across the wooden floor of the bedroom and slowly making their way to the bed. As the light began to be cast across Joe's face began to stir. After a few minutes of the sun's warmth on his face he began to open his eyes. As he looked toward the wood paneled ceiling he could not see much. His vision was blurry and he felt week. He slowly began to sit up in bed and again he felt the pain and soreness of his broken body, but it wasn't as sever as before.
Joe blinked and shook his head a little trying to clear his vision. The action did little to improve his sight. He gritted his teeth and let out short, small, sharp gasps as he sat upright. He then squinted his eyes and attempted to look around the room his was in. Still not quite aware of where his was. Then once more he felt the pain in his mind. Again he reached up with his right hand and placed it on his fore head. Again he experienced these flashbacks. Short visions of only what was, yet still they were so brief he could not get a concise picture of what the memory was of. He could hear the shouts and cries of men screaming, the cries of his wife and daughter, and the sounds of something animal; primal even. Joe saw the splatter of blood in his mind. Of whom, however, was was uncertain.
And then, as quick and sudden as they came, the memories subsided. Again Joe breathed heavily, panting from what just transpired. Then with the hand he propped himself upright with he felt the cloth of the sheets and the softness of the quilt between his fingers. Joe's vision was still blurred, but he could make out the basic shape of objects on the room. Slowly he began to step out of the bed he was in. Placing one foot on the floor and then the other. With some effort he stood up upon his own two feet, if only just. To his right he thought he saw a dresser or cabinet. Joe turned to head towards it and he shuffled his feet in order to do so. With every step he seemed to struggle, his body aching badly. He almost tripped over himself once on his way to the dresser. It was only when he got to the object did he realize that it was a sink and mirror. His hands exploring what he could not see clearly he felt water in it. It was room temperature, but he immediately began to wash his face.
After splashing a few handfuls of water onto himself he hissed sharply as the gash across his face began to burn and sting fiercely! For whatever reason though the washing of his face seemed to help his vision return. It was an improvement, but still his sight was blurry. Joe then looked up at the mirror to see himself. Again he squinted, trying to focus his vision to see himself clearly. Slowly his eyes began to focus and he could see his reflection in the looking glass on the wall. As he saw himself he could see that he didn't look the same as he could recall. His facial features were the same. The same ice blue eyes, jaw line, dark brown hair, nose, mouth, and so on. But his hair was messy, his face covered in stubble from not shaving. And his sideburns seemed overgrown and slightly bushy. It was then when he saw the wound across his face. He looked and inspected it almost in awe and traced its course with his left hand.
As Joe continued to inspect himself using the mirror he became startled. The door to the room suddenly opened and the hinges creaked as it did. First a woman stepped inside and upon entering and seeing Joe standing screamed! This took Joe by complete surprise. He jumped from being startled and lost his footing! His vision became blurry again and he fell to the floor with a loud thud! Others then entered the room quickly moving passed the young woman. Joe lay on the floor and winced from the pain of his soreness. The men that had entered the room all had surprised looks on their faces. The young ranch hand from the night prior, Jonny, was also present. Immediately he left the room and leaned out over the railing of the upper story, looking over the saloon below.
“DOC, DOC!!!” Shouted Jonny! “He's Alive!!” he then said. Doc, who had nearly fallen asleep from staying at Joe's side all night, snapped into alertness! Though he had a confused look on his face. He then hurried up the stairs as quick as his elderly legs would take him.
Inside the bed room the other men were helping Joe back on his feet and he then sat on the edge of the feather stuffed bed. Again he held his hand to his face. His fingers still gently feeling the topography of the gash on his face. The doctor then entered the room and paused once entering the room, his face expressing shock and puzzlement. Joe looked up as he felt the doctor's presence. His vision now clearer than before and he could make out the doctor's form, but his sight was still clouded. The doctor then looked around and asked some of the men to leave. The young woman, who had first entered, was asked to stay. Jonny also remained. The doctor then walked swiftly over to Joe.
“Hold still.” the doctor ordered and Joe obliged as he sensed now threat. With his index and middle fingers extended the doctor placed them on the side of his neck and checked Joe's pulse. It was strong and lively, like a pulse should be. Then the doctor put on his stethoscope and checked Joe's breathing. Afterward the doctor dropped himself down in a chair by the bed side with an even more confused look on his face. He even reached up to scratch his head in bewilderment, reaching up beneath his black bowler hat.
Joe looked around, his vision still blurred, but for some reason he could understand their emotions and thoughts without seeing their expressions. He turned his head to look at the individuals in the room, curious as to their thoughts. He then looked at the doctor and began to speak.
“W-Why... err... w-what is so baffling? You seemed surprised to see me?” Joe spoke weakly and somewhat horse. The doctor looked at Jonny, standing by the doorway, and the young dark haired woman. He then sighed and turned to Joe.
“You ask me why I am so puzzled? By all accounts you shouldn't even be speaking right now!” replied the doctor. Joe now becoming confused.
“I... I don't understand.” Joe then said. Again the doctor sighed and looked up toward Joe's ice blue eyes. He seemed to pause and go into thought. Most likely formulating the best use of words to explain the oddity of the situation.
“Young Man...” the doctor began to say. “I pronounced you “Dead” no more than three hours ago.” the doctor said bluntly. “You wandered aimlessly into the main street and collapsed out front of the Saloon here last night. You fell into unconsciousness and we brought you into this room. I personally tended to your wounds, which are most peculiar I might add! After two and a half hours of your arrival your heart beat ceased as did your breathing.” the doctor went on to say. Joe had been listening intently to the doctor's words, trying to understand what had happened. In some way hoping they would help him regain the fragments of memory he had some how lost. “I waited and hour or so longer believing that your vitals were just too faint to be noticed. However your body began loosing body heat and thus, I'm afraid to say, you physically died...”
Joe was silent for a few moments attempting to register what the doctor had said to him. He then looked up again and to the doctor sitting before him. “A-Are you certain? If I died how is it I speak to you now?” replied Joe. The doctor then reclining back in his seat.
“This I do not know, nor can I explain. By any and all medical means and definitions you, Sir, were absolutely dead and without life. The only explanation I can come up with is that this is an act of God!” the doctor retorted. Again there was a brief moment of silence between them. The young woman in the corner of the room rubbing the upper part of her arm. The doctor then leaned forward in his chair. He folded his hands together and placed them under his chin and resting his elbows on his knees.
“Soldier, if I may ask, who are you? What happened to you to have caused such injuries?” the doctor inquired. Joe looked towards the floor and answered.
“My name is Law... J-Joseph Law.” he replied, lifting his head and looked back at the doctor as he did so. Then Joe was still and silent. He again raised a hand to his head and attempted to recall the events passed, but to no avail. “As for what happened, I'm sorry, but I don't remember. T-There was screaming... and crying. I recall blood and the immense feeling of fright and dispair. L-Like a pressure compressing me from all sides spiritually, but that's all. I don't remember anything else.” said Joe timidly. He then began to lick at his parched lips and then looked up. “I-I'm sorry, but could I have some water?” Joe then asked. The doctor then turned around and motioned ot the young woman in the corner of the room. She nodded and then hurried out of the door and down the stairs.
Then as Joe looked around and patted the bed he sat on, in a searching manner, he seemed to be getting upset. “M-My Rifle, w-where is my rifle!?” Joe then asked with concern in both his voice and expression.
“Do you mean that peculiar looking weapon you were carrying?” replied the doctor. Joe look at the doctor and nodded. “Not exactly what I would expect a military man to carry.” The doctor then continued. “The rifle of yours is in good hands. The barkeep down stairs his it in his possession. As is your pistol. By the way, I hope you don't mind, but your uniform was completely tattered and useless upon your arrival. We dressed you in some new clothes while you were still unconscious.” Joe first let out a sigh of relief, no knowing that his Revolving Rifle was not lost or missing. Then when the doctor mentioned the new clothing he was given Joe looked down at himself, only now just noticing the new garments.
His slacks were black with a brass buckled leather belt around the waist. His shirt was grey in color and had a button up front. It was collared and had long sleves. It was slightly loose around him as it rested upon his form. Joe then placed his hands upon himself and explored the new attire he adorned.
“Uh, no. T-Thank you. I greatly appreciate the new clothing.” Joe said; thanking the doctor. The doctor nodded in accordance.
“Now then mister... er... Mister Law, you are a military man, correct?” Joe nodded as he looked at the doctor.
“Yes, I am. I'm a Lieutenant in General Magruder's forces based out of Fort Wayne. He had ordered me and my unit to investigate some trouble brewing south around the border. I recall riding out there with our caravan, but anything afterward is a blur of incoherence.” Joe said, his vision now clearing.
“So how are you feeling now?” The doctor then asked. Joe raised his hand to rub the back of his neck.
“Sore... I feel extremely sore. I also feel a slightly light headed and my vision is blurred.” The doctor nodded, taking mental note of Joe's condition. Then the foot steps of the young woman from before were heard. She soon entered the room carrying a tray. On it was a glass and a pitcher of water. The carefully set the tray down on top of a night stand next to the bed and proceeded to pour a glass for the thirsting soldier. Joe then reached for it thanked her for it. “Much obliged, Ma'am.” he then said as he took a drink. The water cool and refreshing with every sip of the glass he took. Instantly Joe's mood began to improve and his actions more lively. For the next few minutes The doctor and Joe continued to speak with each other as Joe slowly regained his strength. Or at least enough of it to move around unaided.
One hundred miles north Eli and his men took cover on a ridge overlooking the the town of Contention. Contention was a town of respectable size and even had a train stop. Eli lay on his belly next to a few pale rocks and stones atop the rocky ridge. In his hands were a pair of binoculars. With one finger of his gloved hand he watched as Lucius and his band of men approached the town limits in the hard pan desert valley. Then they came to a halt just outside of Contention. Eli found this peculiar and again focused his binoculars hoping to enhance the image of them from the great distance. Lucius' men gathered around him and he seemed to be giving them instructions. His men nodded in affirmation of their orders.
Then Eli raised himself a little bit, propping himself up on his elbows. “Wait... what the hell!?” Eli then said to himself as he continued to watch Lucius and his men. Aside from Lucius and one other member of their party the rest rode off in a southerly direction. Lucius and his other man then rode towards Contention. In the distance the haunting sound of a train whistle echoed off of the valley walls and the morning local approached the train depot.
Eli then lowered the binoculars. “Damn that bastard!” Eli spoke aloud! One of Eli's other men who was close by looked up as he waited intently for Eli to come down from the ridge.
“What is it Sir?” he asked. Eli then carefully crawled down the pale rocks, stone, and sand incline. As he reached the bottom, where his men were awaiting him, he dusted himself off after handing the binoculars to someone else.
“Lucius split up his men into groups of two. They're going to search all three towns at simultaneously. Lucius and one of his men are heading for Contention now. The others are heading south and fast! Mount up! We need to get to Haven before they do!” Eli said sternly as he collected his gear and climbed atop his horse. “C'mon! Let's go!!” He shouted! Then spurring his horse and rode south. His men were quick to follow suit, leaving a trail of dust in their wake. Even though it was still morning it would take Eli and his men the whole day of constant riding to get there. Most likely longer in reality. All Eli knew for certain is that he must reach Joe before anyone else, whether it be for his own sake or Joe's.
On the outskirts of Contention Lucius and his comrade made their way towards town. The other soldier under Lucius' command rode on his right side. He then looked toward Lucius and spoke to him.
“Someone has been shadowing us.” said the soldier. Lucius laughed to himself and let a smirk spread across his face. He then replied, but did bot turn his head to face him.
“Are you just figuring that out now?” Lucius replied in a chuckling manner. The soldier looked at him with a slightly puzzled look as the rode closer towards town. The train whistle now stronger as it pulled into the station at Contention. The locomotive idling. Dark smoke rising from its balloon style spark arresting smoke stack and white steam gently wafting from its pistons and valves as the pair rode by and across the tracks.
“When did you notice them, Sir?” the soldier then asked his superior. Lucius laughed again and replied.
“How long you ask?” Lucius began to say. He then turned to face the soldier, still with that smirk on his face. “Since we left Fort Wayne.” Lucius then returned to his initial position looking forward. A little ways down the main street was the Sheriff's office, their destination.
“Even with our forces divided to search more quickly, won't Eli and his unit find Joe first?” The soldier then asked. Questioning his superior and his methods. Not that Lucius cared.
“More than likely.” Lucius retorted. “However it doesn't matter. Either way Law will be a dead man. I did promise his head to Magruder. And if Eli does come across Law  before we do....” Lucius then paused, pulling on the reins of his horse and coming to a stop. The soldier beside him doing the same shortly after. Lucius then turned to him and continued. “...He and his unit will suffer the same fate as Law's.” he finished. His tone sounding as if that is what he hopes to happen. Lucius then dismounted and tied his horse to the horse rail in front of the Sheriff's office. The soldier under his authority followed suit.
“Fret not, for the wheels of fate are in motion and Law's time on this earth are shortly to come to and end. Especially when these are at our disposal.” Lucius then also said, patting one of his saddle bags on his horse. His smile and tone sounding more sadistic than before and his smile more wicked in appearance. The soldier looked at the saddle bag, but his expression seemed to be that of doubt. Lucius noticed this and he raised his finger to the man. “Oh ye of little faith!” Lucius said in a mocking manner.  “Do not doubt the power at our disposal. And do not doubt nor question that of Magruder! Now fetch the posters and let us settle business here. I don't care for the pleasant atmosphere here.” said Lucius. The soldier then opening one of his own saddle bags and retrieving the wanted posters for Joseph Law. With the papers in hand they both turned and marched toward the Sheriff's office, their boot heals thudding against the planks of the wooden walkways leading to the office and other businesses of Contention,  AZ.