Suddenly the young people heard multiple gun shots echo throughout the woods.

"Get down!" Dimar yelled from a distance.

Mandie and a Sallie threw themselves to the ground. The gunfire stopped. Several minutes passed as they breathlessly waited to see what would happen next.

"Are they shooting at us?" Mandie asked Sallie.

"I do not think so. It sounds like a group of hunters chasing an animal." Salle answered.

At a distance, the girls watched Dimar creep out of his hiding place. He tossed a rock into the woods to see if he could invoke more shooting. Nothing.

"It's alright!" He called to his friends. Mandie and Sallie cautiously came out of their cover and made their way to where Dimar stood. "I heard them ride away minutes ago."

Mandie looked around. "Where's Joe?" She called him frantically, "Joe! Where are you!?"

There was no answer. The three split up in search for Joe. Suddenly Mandie spotted his gray shirt on the ground.

"Joe!" Mandie screamed and as she ran to his side. Dimar got to him first and gently rolled him on to his back. Joe yelled out in pain.

"Joe!" Mandie said again as she fell to his side. She quickly looked him over. She could see his chest was bleeding badly and he was having trouble breathing.

"Dimar, get Dr. Woodard! She screamed. Dimar rose and began running in the direction of Uncle Ned's house. Mandie grasped Joe's hand. His breathing was labored. A horrible gurgling, gasping sound accompanied every breathe. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she watched him struggle in agony.

Sallie and Mandie untied their aprons and pressed them firmly on his chest in effort to slow the bleeding.

"AHh! Joe yelled and gritted his teeth as she pressed down. Mandie could barely see through her tears.

"Mandie," Joe strained to talk.

"I'm right here Joe." she assured him and stroked his hand.

"Mandie, you know... that... I love you," He winced. "If I don't make it... promise me.."

"Don't talk like that Joe!" Mandie interrupted. "Your father is on his way! He will make you better." she cried.

Joe shook his head and tried to speak but began coughing up blood. Mandie felt helpless. Her apron on his chest was quickly turning red.

"Shhh," Mandie cried. "No more talking. Just lie still and breathe." After what seemed like hours, She spotted Dr Woodard racing toward them on a horse. Dimar and Uncle John were a little ways behind. Dr. Woodard slid off his moving horse and kneeled by his son's side in one fluid motion. He tried to hide his emotions as he quickly evaluated that his son was dying.

He ripped off Joe's shirt. Mandie stifled a cry with her hand and turned away from the gruesome sight.

"Amanda, get water!" the Dr. commanded. She quickly scrambled away to obey.

Joe grasped his father's arm. "Don't ... let her... see me die Dad. Please... don't let her see me die." He went rigid with pain.

"Joe, you are going to be just fine." his father tried to assure him but they both knew he was lying.

Mandie returned with a bucket of water. Dr. Woodard began wiping the blood from Joe's chest. Joe, still struggling for every breathe grunted in pain.

"Please Dad!" He said through gritted teeth.

Dr. Woodard looked at John. "Take Amanda home John, Dimar and I can carry Joe to the hospital."

John's eyes met Dr. Woodard's and he gave a silent nod in response. He walked over to where Mandie was crouched over Joe. "Come Amanda, Sallie, lets go home, Dr Woodard will help Joe now."

Mandie couldn't believe her ears. "No! No!" she screamed hysterically. "I won't leave him!"

Uncle John lifted her from the ground but she was not going without a fight. John's strong arms were no match for her and he was eventually able to pull her away.

"Joe!" Mandie screamed through blinding tears. John put her on his horse and mounted behind her. She looked back at Joe's struggling body as Dr. Woodard and Dimar rolled him on to a blanket to carry him to the hospital.