The Night the Bandits Came

 by Maren C.

Chapter 1

Andi’s POV

Bang!
16 year old Andrea Carter woke from a restless sleep.
" What was that?" She whispered in the darkness.
Bang!
She sat up and squinted out the window. Her eyes adjusted to the dim light.
What is going on?
She peered at her wallclock. 1:00 am.
The sound wasn't a gun shot and it came from behind the corral.
Sliding from her bed she groped for her split shirt. "I'm going to check around. What if one of the horses escaped?" She told herself.
Once dressed she crept down the stairs debating if sliding down the banister--though highly unladylike-- was quieter. Passing near her mother's room she held her breath. The door was cracked just enough to peer in. Thank goodness she's still asleep. Andi sighed, wistfully eyeing the banister.
Deciding against it she reached the back kitchen door. Her fingers closed around the knob.
"Psst Andi!" A voice broke the defining silence like a shattering glass.
She turned. “Mitch?”
“Yes, it’s just me.” Mitch appeared at the bottom of the stairs, dressed for ranch work. “ I heard that noise too. I reckon Shasta got mighty antsy cooped up in the barn,it being so cold and all. Coulda knicked a loose board.” He passed Andi and opened the door, a gush of frigid air shot in like a sharp bite.
“ Go back to bed, Sis. I can take care of this myself. If it turns out to be trouble…” He bit off the end of his sentence.
“ No way big brother. I’m coming along, because if something happened to my horse–” Bang!

Rushing outside Andi crept around the side or the corral.
“Andi!” Mitch catches her arm. “ What if it's not your horse–or a horse at all.”
Andi shrugged off his arm and kept walking. Turning the corner she nearly tripped from surprise.
A fully tacked, sweat drenched sorrel horse stood by the barn, chest heaving.
The horse struck the barn door with a forehoof. Bang!
“Find the source of the banging?” Mitch asked.
“Shhhh!” Andi put her finger to her lips, then pointed. “ A horse.”
“ Easy honey.” Andi whispered to the frightened animal. I know this horse. I've seen him somewhere before.
When she reached out to stroke his neck the gelding shivered. “ Ahhh buddy you're cold.” Then it came to her. Flash.
Her friend Cory Blake’s horse. If he’s here–where Cory?
“Mitch–” Andi began.
“Sis, I know who’s horse this is.” Mitch nodded twice.


Chapter 2

Cory’s POV from 4 hours before

Minding his own business Cory trotted on the dirt road from his father’s livery. Picking up a new horse for the family business was an opportunity he always jumped on.
Whistling a tune to the rhythm of Flash’s jog he didn’t notice a masked man in the trees.
“ Dismount with yer hands where I kin see um’!” A rough voice shouted and out stepped a bearded man.
Cory pulled the slack reins taunt, “Who are you?” He hoped his voice hid his fear. What’s going on?
“Not a word, boy! Or yer horse gets hurt!” The man spat, touching his pistol in warning.
Cory dismounted grudgingly, a little leary of the man's gun.
Then it all went black.


Chapter 3

Andi’s POV

Once Flash was untacked and wiped down he was to spend the rest of the night until Cory was found.
Chad was told of Flash’s appearance and Cory’s disappearance and joined their small search party.

They let Cory’s family know as well.
Mrs. Blake was beside herself with worry. “ God be with you. Bring my son home.” She said softly as she sent them off.


Now, Andi was mounted on her beloved Shasta, Chad on Sky, and Mitch on his gelding Chase.
Her brother gave up on telling her to stay home. He is my friend so I have to come. What if he’s injured or …dead? She blinked, erasing her last thought.



Chapter 4

Cory’s POV

Where am I? Cory regained consciousness with a jolt and a pounding head. Then he remembered.
Flash! His father's money! They were gone.
He opened his eyes to see he was in a different place.
The sun was rising over the Sierra's and a churning river lapped at his boots.
Cory's arms burned. The bearded man had tied them to a large branch overhead.
He tried to stand but nearly fell into the rushing water, his feet were tied as well!
Try as he might to loosen the knots that bond him they held fast. If only he could get to his pocket knife.
There is nothing to do now except hope and pray someone will find me.
As his weight shifted the branch bent.
If I pull hard enough I could break it. Or my wrists. Cory winced at his last thought. I'll risk it.
He yanked his arms down and with a great snap the branch snapped. Thank you Lord!
He unwound his hands and cut his ankles free.
Once on his feet he glanced around. Then started the long long walk home.
Once Ma and Pa know I'm alright I'll head straight to the sheriff's office. Then he stopped and racked his brain. All he remembered was a man with a beard, not explicit details. That would help but wouldn't be enough to find the culprit. Better than nothing.
Deep down Cory felt as if he had let his father down in a simple task. At nearly 17 he was sure he could handle the job. Without getting robbed that is. Forget it Pa won't care as long as you're safe.
A horse's snort made him turn.
He scanned the pine trees.
Nothing.
A second thought hit him like a pound of bricks, What if there was not just one bandit? You could be leading back to town. To the bank? To the Carter's ranch.
To Andi.


Chapter 5

Andi’s POV

I reckon searching for a friend and being wary of bandits was not what I thought I was going to be doing in the wee hours of the morning, Andi gripped her lantern tighter. I don’t really like the thought of being in the woods in the dark either.
“ We should split up.” Chad said. “ Andi, stay with Mitch.”
“ Ohh Chad, you know I…” Andi started.
“ No arguing. With a bandit on the loose you're safer this way.” Chad turned stubborn.
Andi gave up and followed Mitch as Chad galloped away.

An hour passed and the sun began to rise. Andi shivered in her thin cotton blouse in the morning air. You should have brought a coat.
She yawned but worry still nagged at her heart, Cory can’t be dead. He can’t.
To keep her mind off her dark thoughts she scanned the trees for clues.
There!
A foot print. Cory’s foot print. It had to be.
“ Hey! Mitch! I found a clue!” Andi yelled and dismounted. Crouching down she examined the print.
Her brother trotted up.
“That looks fresh. And look there.” Mitch pointed. “The branches have been broken here, see?”
Andi nodded. A flood of relief washed over her. We aren't out of the woods yet. Literally.



Chapter 6

Cory’s POV

Leading the bandits on a wild goose chase was easy. But, trying to find your way back to town at the same time is not. Cory thought. It’s about a mile to town and I have a head start. I could lead them right to the sheriff’s office unless they have other plans.
Lord, please don't let them be cattle rusters.
“Cory!” a shout split the silent morning air.
“ Over here!” He yelled back. Chad? Please let it be Chad.
Hooves pounded as Sky trotted from the trees.
Dismounting Chad gripped Cory’s shoulders. “ What happened?”
“ I got robbed, Flash and my Pa’s money.” For the first time Cory realized how tired he was. When Chad let go he nearly fell over. He told Chad all that had happened.
“ Sit down, boy.” Chad said, rubbing his chin deep in thought.
“ They're following me. I thought if I went home I would lead them to the bank or your ranch. Could be cattle rustlers." Cory sat down on a stump, his legs felt weak.
“ Do you remember what the man looked like? Was there anybody with him?” Chad muttered.
“ No, I don't.”


Chapter 7

Andi’s POV

Andi heard an ear splitting cowboy whistle.
Chad! He must have found Cory.
“ Mitch! This way!” She spurred Shasta on. Mitch galloped close behind.
Chad and Cory were in a clearing. Cory sat on a stump looking dazed.
At the sound of hooves he looked up, caught Andi’s eyes and smiled.
She dismounted and started to rush toward them but stopped.
Chad’s face was hard as he looked past her, his hand on his holster.
“ Andi. Mount up on Shasta.” Chad barked orders. “Mitch dismount, give Chase to Cory. Run as fast as you can, get the sheriff.”
Mitch jumped down and touched his gun, “ Someone following us?”
Chad nodded grimly.
Cory mounted Chase and turned, “Come on Andi lets get you home.”
“ No!” Andi blurted. “ I can't leave my brothers here with those bandits in the woods. They could get shot again.”
“You could get shot again.” Cory warned.
Then he did something he had never done before.
Reaching out, he slapped Shasta’s hindquarters. With a burst of speed the colt shot forward, galloping for the ranch.
Thundering hooves showed Cory was following.
All Andi’s anger at Cory for spooking her horse melted as she galloped on
Suddenly she heard two gun shots then silence.
Please God, Andi prayed. Let my brothers be alright.


Chapter 8


Sheriff Russ Tate’s office was not hard to find. But, with a heart pounding like a thousand hooves Andi nearly passed it.
She later swore that she leapt free from the saddle before Shasta had completely stopped.
By the time Andi bolted into the sheriff’s office she was out of breath, “ Sheriff Tate– Cory got– robbed–my brothers–there was shooting!”
“ Miss Carter, I don’t think I quite understand.” Russ smiled as he stood from his desk. “ Maybe let Mr. Blake explain.”
Andi nodded as Cory stepped forward. I reckon I forgot he was here.
“ Mr. Blake, Miss Carter, would you please lead me to the spot where the bandits last where.”
“ No need to.” Mitch stepped through the door. “ They're outside. Shot them in the arm.”
“ Get the doctor. Meanwhile, lock them up.” Sheriff Tate ordered.
Andi stopped listening, all she wanted was her warm bed.
As the men shuffled outside Andi sank to a stool in the corner, All’s well that end’s well. She smiled, and then she dozed.