The Young Riders. Ike McSwain. 030. Death.
A Silent Witness
Fandom: The Young Riders
Character: Ike McSwain
Rating G
Word Count: 317
Summary: Ike has a vigil he must keep
Disclaimer: I don't own anyone
The vastness of the land stretched out before him as he rode slowly toward the small, ramshackle building that sat isolated on the plains. It had been a long searching for something he missed but knew was gone.
Dismounting easily, he stepped onto the porch. Pushing open the door he barely flinched at the creaking of the hinges as the door wobbled but remained intact.
She’d been his friend, his lover, and more importantly she’d understood what he was going through. He’d felt safe with her, safe enough to let his guard down and let her in even though he knew better.
That faith, that trust had had disastrous results. Trailing one hand along the sideboard of the room Ike stared at where the table had sat. No one knew. No one had ever figured out what it was that had killed her. He knew, he had been there, he’d seen the acceptance in her eyes, the forgiveness and the love even as she slipped further into death.
Swallowing the painful lump in his throat he blinked to clear his eyes of the tears before he turned and walked slowly out the door. Stepping off the porch he shuffled slowly to the old, knotted fur tree that sat behind the house. Sinking down to rest under it he stared out over the sea of grass and let the tears flow, let them fall unashamedly.
*I miss you both so much Aggie,* he whispered to the wind even as his fingers traced the names carved into the tree he rested against. His son would have been five years old now, and no one even knew he’d been a father.
Rising to his feet he mounted up, it was time to get back to Sweetwater. He had a run coming up in the morning and if he wasn’t there to take it they’d ask question - questions he couldn’t answer.