The pain in Michael's head constantly pushed him in and out of consciousness. He was on his stomach on horseback unable to move his body in those moments. He watched the ground race beneath him along with the clip clop of the horse's hooves ringing in his head. The ground transitioned from hardened dryland to loose sand to grassy wetlands through his bouts of uncomfortable sleep.
When he finally did come to, he was in the back seat of a car. He groaned as he opened his eyes and tried to reach the side of his head. Then he realized he was still tied up. The rope was beginning to bite into his skin.
Willy was driving the car with Owen sitting besides him in the front seat. Willy looked up in the rearview mirror to see Michael glaring at him.
"What's going on?" asked Michael. He knew exactly what was going on but wanted Willy to say it. He had trusted him and this was what he got in return.
"What's going on is that you're going to juvie," said Owen turning back and sneering at Michael.
"I'm sorry, Michael," said Willy. "I liked you, I really did. You saved my life and I will forever be grateful for that. But business is business."
"You lied to me."
"You did too," said Willy. "You didn't tell me you were a respawner." Michael gulped. "You used me."
"Just like you were going to use my daughter."
"I wasn't going to use her! I loved her!" Michael practically screamed that out. His voice quivered with emotion.
"She's my daughter and no way would I let a monster like you near her," said Willy with menace in his voice.
"You don't have to do this! I saved her! You have to let me go."
"And miss out on a glorious bounty?" said Owen. "No way. No fucking way." Michael's head sunk.
"Cole wasn't the one who wanted to hurt your family, did he?" Michael suddenly asked. "He wasn't the one who send Hicks. He was innocent. In that regard, at least."
Willy didn't say anything for a few moments. His gaze was lowered to the ground before he said, "He was my main competitor. He's a sadistic bastard but he wasn't the one who killed my son's girl."
"Then who did?"
Michael looked at Willy's expression and understood. "Oh."
"My son was planning to run away with her. He's my only son and heir. There was no way I was going to let him jeopardize his future over a girl."
Michael was shocked to hear that. He sunk into the uncomfortable seating of the car. Willy saw the expression on his face. "We've all done stuff we aren't proud of..."
At least I tried, thought Michael. At least they'll know I tried. At least, Elena will forgive me. Maybe.
Dread filled Michael as they drove into Billy's town. Michael realized that it wasn't just a town at all but a full-fledged city. Buildings towered above him thought nowhere near as tall as the buildings he had seen in the Peak City. Nonetheless, it was an impressive sight which he had not at all expected since he had seen the smaller towns of the Freelands. From the distance, the skyline had looked magnificent though as they had neared the city, he saw that it had maintained the grittiness of the Freelands. He could instantly feel that the atmosphere
here was different from all the other towns. Danger. Yes, that was the word. That was what he felt throughout the town from the foreboding looking buildings to the nasty looking townsfolk. He also saw many other people who did not seem to belong and judging from their faces, they looked as uncomfortable as he was. Owen sat up upright in his seat and made sure his gun was in his holster.
After a few moments, the car stopped in front of a guard post. A long row of barbed wire fence stretched out from each side of the guard post. Beyond the fence was a huge series of compact buildings that looked menacing in the evening redness. The prison was in a remote section of the city which made it look all the more frightening.
Willy lowered the window and informed the guard about the prisoner. The guard's eyes went wide and snatched a quick look to back seat towards Michael. He then hurried towards the guard post and Michael could see him talking hurriedly into a phone from the small opening in the cabin.
Seconds later, a bolt of red lightning struck in front of the gate sending Michael's heart racing. It reminded him of the shock he had felt when Evans had respawned in front of their group when escaping from the Peak City.
Michael had seen the respawner before at the standoff. He wore a large, brown leather hat along with his cowboy clothes. In his holsters were two gleaming revolvers that Billy the Kid would show off kindly in his stance. He had an air of power around him which made you regard him with a mixture of fear and submission.
Owen got out of the car and roughly pulled out Michael from the backseat. He presented him to the respawner who studied him over.
"I would've thought you were trying to trick me if not for the fact that I knew what he looked like," said Billy as if Michael couldn't hear him. "He don't look like much to be honest."
"He killed Cole at his homestead," said Willy and Michael glared at him. "I did not kill him," said Michael levelheadedly to his surprise.
Billy ignored him. "A sad death but at least we got you, Willy. A true man of the Freelands. You have done well capturing him. Your reward's inside."
Billy seemed to be regarding One-eyed Owen with contempt. He did not address or look at him once as if on purpose. Owen too seemed to be on edge, his hand hovering over the holster.
He then signaled to the guards. "Take him inside to his friends, boys. Be careful, the guy is dangerous."