November 19, 1869

Kansas.

I rode into Kansas and looked around for Hawk in a blind panic. Shane was there and he asked, “You okay?” 

“No, I’m not.” 

“What’s wrong?” 

I felt the tears rolling down my face as I looked around. “Last night... Cherokee.. They...”

“They what?” Shane looked at me. 

“They said last night that they didn’t want me to be a threat to their tribe by coming from Nebraska to Wyoming whenever I was in danger... like the other day... They said I was risking my life by staying in Nebraska. They...” I looked around for something to kick. “They didn’t believe that there were real threats out there like Buu and the other outlaws that I came here to avoid. And then Buu comes and shoots down Kale... And there’s not a lawman in sight in Nebraska...”

“Oh...” 

“So I go to them for help, and say look, here’s the name of one of the guys I’m hiding from. They were all mad that I hadn’t told them the name in the first place... they wanted to attack him but didn’t have an identity.”

“Buu comes after everyone.” 

“But I wasn’t just gonna go there and tell them a name right when I met them. Not if I wasn’t sure if it’d be a real problem.”

“Right.” 

“It was always meant to be as a precautionary... In case I needed to escape somewhere to avoid it. But they were all ‘you should choose between Nebraska and here.’” 

“Hmm, I guess,” he nodded. 

“But I can’t do that, Shane... I’ve spent four months developing these other relationships with palefaces who I know they wouldn’t trust. I’d be trapped.”

We talked a little longer and then I headed back home. 

Nebraska. 

I found Hawk and Sasha in Nebraska out on a ride and when Sasha asked how I was doing I said, “Um... Things have been a little bit chaotic. I’ve been trying to find you both.”

“We were out riding,” Sasha said. 

Brent came over and I sighed with relief. “Brent! I’ve been needing to talk to you. All of you really but...”

“What you needing to say Trin?” Hawk asked.

“Buu... He shot down Kale... Aimed his gun at me when he said I was being too noisy.” 

“Who is that?” Sasha frowned. 

“But I heard him ask Kale to shoot down one of the marshals for one thousand coins. Kale is my... close friend... It happened right behind the town hall... I... He knows where I live now but he took down the man I... and there was no law around at the time so we had to go to Iowa to get him healed...” 

“He is like this. He had no concern of others.” 

“And then I went to tell the village in Wyoming who’s been kind of protecting me a bit... and they started to wonder if it was smart that I was going between here and Wyoming when these men were out here causing danger. There hasn’t been any law about to stop them though so I’m beginning to wonder if maybe they’re right and I should just stay in the area...”

“That might be best. Safer for you,” Sasha said. 

“You’re the only one who can arrest Buu for this. I haven’t seen Dom or Charles anywhere recently,” I looked over at Buu. 

“Well I first need to file some paperwork,” Brent told me. 

“Of course,” I nodded to him. “If there is problem here, I’ll go to your village for help, Hawk... If Brent’s not around...”

“We will help if able,” Hawk promised. 

“Where have you been lately?” I asked Brent. 

“All around and about.” 

“There’s just only so much I can do on my own when you and Charles aren’t here. All I can do is listen to people’s pain. I can’t help them in any concrete way like you both can.”

“Find a gun,” Brent told me. 

“No... Not my point,” I shook my head but Brent walked off and I sighed. “You like the new newspaper building, Hawk?” I asked him. 

“Looks very good Trin. Safe paths to you Trin. We are heading to village,” Hawk looked up at the sky. “Soon time to rest.” 

“Be well Trin,” Sasha said. 

“Thank you both and I’ll see you soon I’m sure,” I said to them and went inside my office.