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“Sir, Please Don’t Take My Brother Away,” He Cried — The Rancher Looked Up… And Embraced Them Both

He looked at Thomas, then back at Cole. You won’t You won’t tell anyone we’re here. Not unless you want me to. Danny’s shoulders sagged, and for the first time, he looked like what he was, a terrified kid holding on by a thread. He nodded just once. Cole bent down and scooped Thomas up as gently as he could.

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The boy was light, too light. All sharp angles and fragile bones and fragile bones. His head lulled against Cole’s chest and a soft whimper escaped his lips. “Come on,” Cole said, glancing at Dany. “Let’s get him inside.” Dany followed close enough that his shadow touched Cole’s heels. He didn’t say anything, but his eyes never left his brother. Not once.

As they crossed the yard toward the house, the wind picked up, carrying with it the smell of distant rain. The sky was bruised and swollen, the kind of sky that promised a storm. Cole glanced up at it, then down at the boy in his arms. He didn’t know their story yet. Didn’t know what they were running from or why.

But he knew enough to recognize the look of hunted things. And he knew enough to know that whatever came next, it wasn’t going to be simple. The house was dark when they stepped inside, save for the dying embers in the hearth. Cole kicked the door shut with his boot and carried Thomas straight to the back room, laying him down on the narrow bed with as much care as he’d ever handled anything.

The boy’s head sank into the pillow, his eyelids fluttering, but never fully opening. Danny hovered in the doorway, arms wrapped tight around himself, watching every move Cole made. “Sit!” Cole said, nodding to the chair in the corner. You look like you’re about to fall over. Dany shook his head. I’m fine. You’re not.

Cole moved to the wash basin and soaked a rag in cool water, ringing it out before pressing it gently to Thomas’s forehead. The boy stirred, murmuring something incoherent. When’s the last time you ate? Dany didn’t answer. Cole glanced over his shoulder. I asked you a question. Yesterday, Dany muttered. Maybe. Cole set the rag aside and stood, crossing to the small cabinet near the window.

He pulled out a tin of salted crackers and a jar of preserves, setting them on the table beside Danny. “Eat!” Dany stared at the food like it might vanish if he blinked. “Go on,” Cole said, his voice softer now. “I’m not going to take it back.” Slowly, cautiously, Dany reached for a cracker.

He bit into it, chewing slowly, and then his composure shattered. He grabbed another and another, shoving them into his mouth so fast he nearly choked. Cole turned away, giving the boy what little dignity he had left. While Danny ate, Cole rummaged through the cabinet for his medical supplies. What little he had, a bottle of willow bark, tincture, clean bandages, a tin of sal.

He brought them back to the bed and set them on the nightstand, then pulled a chair up beside Thomas. The boy’s breathing was still shallow, his skin clammy and pale beneath the fever’s flush. Cole uncorked the tincture and measured out a careful dose, tilting Thomas’s head back and coaxing the liquid past his lips. The boy coughed weakly, but swallowed.

Will he be all right? Dan<unk>s voice was small, almost childlike. He will if the fever breaks, Cole said. He didn’t add the rest. If it doesn’t, there’s nothing I can do. Dany set the crackers down, wiping crumbs from his mouth. Why are you helping us? Cole glanced at him. Why wouldn’t I? Because nobody does.

Danny’s voice was flat. Matter of fact, not without wanting something. Cole leaned back in his chair, studying the boy. I don’t want anything. Everyone wants something. Maybe, Cole said, but not from you. Danny’s eyes narrowed, suspicious. You don’t even know us. No, Cole agreed. I don’t.

They sat in silence for a long moment. The only sound the crackling of the fire and Thomas’s labored breathing. Outside the wind howled rattling the shutters. Where are you from? Cole asked finally. Danny’s jaw tightened. Nowhere. That’s not an answer. It’s the only one I’ve got. Cole let it go. For now he could see the walls the boy had built around himself thick and high.

And he knew better than to try and tear them down all at once. Trust wasn’t something you demanded. It was something he earned. You can sleep in the other room. Cole said standing. There’s a cot by the window. I’ll stay with Thomas tonight. Dan<unk>y’s eyes darted to his brother, then back to Cole. I’m not leaving him.

I didn’t say you had to. Cole moved toward the door, pausing in the threshold. But if you’re staying, you might as well get some rest. He’s going to need you strong when he wakes up. Danny hesitated, then nodded slowly. He pulled the chair closer to the bed and curled up in it, tucking his knees to his chest.

Within minutes, exhaustion claimed him, and his head drooped forward, his breathing evening out. Cole stood in the doorway for a long time, watching them, two boys alone in the world, running from something they wouldn’t name. He didn’t know their story yet, but he could guess enough of it. He turned and walked to the front window, pulling the curtain aside just enough to peer out into the night.

The yard was empty, the barn, a dark silhouette against the horizon. But beyond that, in the distance, he thought he saw something. A flicker of light, faint, brief, gone. Cole’s hand moved instinctively to the revolver on his hip. He stood there for a long time, watching, waiting. But the light didn’t return.

He let the curtain fall and moved back to the bedroom, settling into the chair opposite Danny. He didn’t sleep. He just watched the boys and the door and the window because he knew deep in his gut that whoever those boys were running from wasn’t far behind. Thomas woke just before dawn, his eyes fluttering open with a soft, confused whimper.

Dany was at his side in an instant, gripping his brother’s hand so tightly his knuckles went white. “Tommy!” Danny whispered, his voice breaking. “Tommy, can you hear me?” The younger boy blinked slowly, his gaze unfocused. “Danny?” “Yeah, yes, me.” Danny’s shoulders shook and he pressed his forehead to Thomas’s hand. You’re okay. You’re okay.

Cole stood from his chair, moving to the wash basin to give them space. He rung out the rag again, soaking it in fresh water, and brought it back to the bed. Here, he said, handing it to Dany. Keep his forehead cool. Dany took it without looking at him, his attention holy on his brother. Thomas’s eyes drifted to coal, wide and weary.

Who’s that? He asked, his voice barely a whisper. He’s Danny hesitated. He’s helping us, helping us. Helping Thomas’s brow furrowed. Why? I don’t know, Dany admitted. But he is. Thomas’s gaze lingered on Cole for a long moment. Then he closed his eyes again, too weak to stay awake. Dany kept the rag pressed to his forehead, murmuring soft reassurances until his brother’s breathing evened out again.

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