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"It's true Texas has good marksmen. They proved that at the Alamo. I don't doubt anyone from Texas handling themselves correctly. They might not have won that battle, but they gave them what for," Chase agreed.
In that moment, a truth hit Chase, and he smiled. Despite all the problems ahead of them, despite their heritage, they were all Texans. True Texans. It didn't matter that one was a breed. They stood together on that much.
"Hey, this snake isn't bad," Lee waved his stick with meat on it at them.
Everyone laughed breaking the heavy thoughts of war and what lay ahead.
Chapter Nineteen
As they pushed on, the weather remained hot and dry. The sky held few clouds, the sparse trees only lined the creek beds. Crickets and frogs warred to make noise. The night sky was like a black blanket with tiny twinkles peeping out. They stopped often to drink. The full moon lit a grayish pathway for them against the hot desert floor. Chase was thankful for the light. He found peace knowing that God still protected the earth.
The grasshoppers buzzed occasionally, jumping in all directions. Geckos scrambled for the cracks in the rocks. After several hours, Chase began to slow his pace.
He glanced at the Captain who showed signs of exhaustion.
"I've been thinking, Captain. When we get close we need to watch Hawks for a while, see what he is up to then figure out how to move in without him seeing us."
"Do you think he might have help?" The Captain asked.
"No…he's a loner. He only had those Tyler boys along to disguise his intentions. This man is looking for something," Chase reasoned. "And I have an idea that he's been looking for some time. This could be the only distraction we will have."
"Maybe he'll be too busy to notice we've arrived," The Captain offered.
"Maybe, but Lee's not going to be any help, so it's up to you and me, and even though we have better odds, we think twice about killing, he doesn't. So we've got to distract him and then catch him," Chase decided. "But for now, get some rest. With any luck, we'll be there by noon."
As he closed his eyes, he wondered if he could talk to Katherine without benefit of touching her. Not that he minded touching her, but it was too distracting. He could not help her unless he knew something. Burning Tree surely meant for them to communicate in other ways than what they had. How else could he learn of what was happening?
He let his mind wander to hers. Yes, this was much better. At least for the present.
"Katherine, can we talk…" Chase asked in his dream state. As though calling her name would help.
She came to him though, to his own surprise, her face a mask, almost unreal to him. She said nothing yet. Her silence worried him. Her expression was grim and unwavering.
"Katherine, I want to help you, but I must know first what Hawks wants…"
She stood silent, her face not smiling, her hair a tangled mess, her face gaunt. Her hands were blistered and raw. The smell of the burned out station was upon her, she reeked of smoke. Smudges of ash covered her face. He took her hands in his. It seemed impossible to be with her and not touch her. The abuse she had suffered was as internal as out. He could see it, and sense it. Her spirit was touched. He brought her hands to his lips and kissed them then he looked into her eyes. From her eyes he saw many things going on at the station. He saw her constant digging, her crying. How the sun had nearly done her in.
"Katherine you have suffered much. Let me help you now. Tell me what Hawks wants."
"You must go away…he will kill you," she whispered as she backed away from him. "You were right. The station is a dead place, and only the dead live there. Go away, hurry…you must go."
"No, he will not hurt you any longer, Katherine. Hold on, please. Please, concentrate and tell me what he wants!" Chase asked softly trying to entice her to stay in his dream.
"You are dead…" she said gruffly and began to turn away from him, as a tear slid down her face.
"No…no, Katherine, I'm alive and I want to help you." Chase pleaded. "I am near now, it won't be long."
"Then stay alive, do not come here…it's death's door. And…always remember…what we have shared, from what power I know not. You have given me a peace within and something I will carry to the unknown…" There was a sad smile on her lips as she spoke.
"Katherine…" Chase frowned feeling her sense of depression. "Wait…"
"You cannot help me any longer, and I thank you for what you have done," she whispe
red and did not turn around again as she walked into what looked like a vision of smoke and clouds.
Chase opened his eyes. The dream was over and he realized she was in greater danger than ever. His need to get to her was bearing down on him.
Shadows seemed to yawn against the blood red of sun peeking over the horizon, promising another scorching day, Chase stopped. An owl gave off a last hoot announcing daybreak.
