Alone

Mary walked away and hearing my steps behind me hoped for me to follow her or stop her from walking away to say something instead she saw Tilly walk into my tent and her jealously for what she saw soon diminished when she saw me load a rifle and sit outside watching Javier walk past with Arthur, “You don’t have to do that you know!” Arthur horsily spoke, “I don’t trust any of you, so yes I must! Failing that it’s me laying in bed next to her which is improper and starts vicious rumours!” he nodded leaving with Javier as I looked briefly over to Mary who positioned herself to have a view of my tent the usual position obtained by Karen but she later accepted Sean’s proposal and it meant another pillow for her to lay on.

Mary woke up held pounding from last nights drinking and sitting up saw James exhausted lean against the tent flaps but still on “duty” but was greeted by Hosea who handing him a coffee thanked him for his service. Mary stood up seeing an opportunity to again apologise but being met by Karen who complained about her head prevented Mary from talking to him as Tilly came out from the tent hearing of what James had done and immediately hugged him as a thank you and Mary glaring back at Karen snapped, “I don’t care Karen bug someone else!” before slumping against the crate began her usual duties. Time passed and sitting down to carry on with her work Tilly heard Mary ask, “Ar...are you okay, after you know, last night?” “No I’m not but it’s never going to change is it? We are woman and I’m black, I can’t change that and will have to live with that! It annoys me that James felt he had to stay outside his tent all night to ensure my safety!” “He stayed up all night?” “Yeah, Hosea tried to talk him out of it, I could hear them but he refused!” “Do you know where he is?” “Getting washed and getting ready to ride out, to reclaim the money but Dutch left recently to the saloon in Valentine with Strauss... that concerns him, so he could be heading there instead!” “Good because I need to talk with him!” “I would hurry, he doesn’t want to be kept waiting!” she nodded before putting her things down was met by Susan snapping, “Where are you going?” “I need to talk with James then I will be back!” “He is tired enough, he doesn’t need to be warn down by more of your bullshit! Back to work!” “I won’t be long I promise!!” she sighed before nodding snapped, “Five minutes, now go!”

Mary walked up past the others and seeing James being handed another coffee by Pearson put it down to finish washing himself, “James...” Mary trailed off and looking back he nodded to acknowledge Mary’s presence. “*Yawn* yes!” “I’m sorry about yesterday, I really am!” “Yes I know. I just liked you and didn’t see you going for someone like Dutch!” “I don’t. We just have ****, even Tilly feels the pressure!” “If you needed money you could have just asked!” she went to respond but being thrown to the ground by Molly cried as Molly kicked but Mary feeling the kicking cease she looked up to see James pull her away, “Take your frustrations out on Dutch! Not her!” “Whore!” “Molly!” he barked and breaking free she sighed before snapping, “You aren’t even worth my time!” Mary looked up seeing his hand was offered out to her , “Thank you!” she thanked before taking it felt his hands begin to brush the dirt off and then felt his hand hold her nightwear to cover her exposed breast, “Thanks James!” he nodded handing his jacket to her and smiling back at him, they were interrupted by Hosea’s cough, “I’m sorry to interrupt and I know you’ve been through a lot so far but I need one more favour from you!” “Of course what is it Hosea?” “You saw Dutch leave camp?” “Of course I did with Strauss, apparently going to Valentine for a drink at the less well known Saloon. Concerned about it like me?” “Yes! I was hoping you could oversee what happens and if necessary take action!” “Of course, also adds to my list any more crimes he commits!” he nodded before feeling another yawn coming spoke, “Look after the women okay?” Hosea nodded before looking to Karen spoke, “Your turn to take watch!” she nodded as James being returned his jacket left his hand on his bunk and flicking his wrist to ensure the blades still worked, “Alright!” “But James...” Mary pleaded he looked back before nodding spoke, “We can finish this later. Over a game of Dominoes perhaps?” she nodded before sighing walked away as James began to mount his horse and ride off, Mary looked down before feeling an hand comfort her looked over to see Kieran, “Are you okay Mary?” “Yes Kieran, it’s just I made an mistake and he won’t let me explain. I felt **** to sleep with Dutch but despite his claims I can see he doesn’t like it. I know he hates it even more because they are on completely different sides but... I don’t know. I just feel shit about it!” “Well if I liked a woman and witness what happened I would be hurt as well, it’s natural even if Dutch **** you.” “I know, I just wish I could make him understand my position or at least make it up to him!” “You can mend his cuff on his sleeve if you want to start!” Susan grumbled throwing his spare jacket over, “He’ll come around, just wait for him to digest it!” Kieran comforted she nodded before thanking him spoke gratefully, “Thank you Kieran!”

I waited on the roof crouching down to overlook Dutch’s actions, my hood pulled up to cover my identity and the deputy badge hidden away watched as Cornwall barked from his horse, “You dare rob from me, I’m Leviticus Cornwall!“ I watched as Strauss was pulled in front of the Inn with John as Cornwall snapped, “Take care of them!” his henchmen nodded when Dutch walked out hands raised as he began to spin his webs of lies and Arthur clearly readying himself to take them out was joined with me aiming a shot at one the holding Strauss hostage waited for Arthur to fire. *bang* and shooting Strauss’ man quickly fired to line another shot up to allow the others to take cover; I fired again killing the next and looking back Arthur could faintly make me out quickly joined Dutch in the defence. Dutch looked over before snapping keeping his head down helping the now wounded and crying Strauss onto the wagon, “John help me with this wagon, it will give us some cover, Arthur shoot something!” Arthur lined his next shot up but seeing him fall down looked back to see me running along the roof and leaping to the next building killing the gunman on the roof with a quick neck break. before killing the next watched as they continued down the muddy path, “I hope you have an plan, Dutch!” Arthur growled where Dutch nodding replied, “We need to get to our horses and get the hell out of town!” “Why are we going into the town!” Strauss cried clutching his wounds, “Shut up or do you want to be the one pushing the wagon?” John groaned in between gritted teeth straining to push it forward. Arthur looked back before seeing the people swarm behind them, “We have more trouble!” Dutch looked back before seeing the nearest one being taken out by a phantom bullet smiled seeing me gun the next one down pushed on forward, “Arthur put him on John’s horse!” Arthur quickly rushed to Strauss and trying to take cover from the horse rider looked over to see a bullet straight between his eyes as he fell off and hitting the ground with a thud. “Shit!” Arthur growled seeing the rest of the townsfolk came watched to see me wound the first before signalling for Arthur to flee wounding the next one watched to see Arthur flee on horseback allowing me time to slide down and flee shortly after him in the opposite direction, quickly covering my tracks in the process.

“Susan, Pearson start packing up!” Dutch snapped hurrying the group, “What happened in Valentine Dutch?” Hosea queried but Dutch pushed past him with Arthur trying to get some sense out of the incident, Hosea sighed before pushing past John walked up to the returning James who hitching Alice to the post pulled his hood down and began to immediately change his clothes, “James...” “Hosea!” “What happened?” “You robbed from the wrong guy. Leviticus Cornwall, a rich businessman who doesn’t give up. He has hired his own people to find you all and put an end to you. The difference is unlike the Law they don’t care if you are taken alive. They planned and ambushed Dutch and the others wounding Strauss as they tried to get away, they almost got shot several times if it wasn’t for me shooting the ones taking a shot at them!” “And for that I thank you my boy!” Dutch spoke throwing his arms up to go for an hug but being met by a punch straight to the face snapped, “That’s for fucking Mary-Beth. You are also lucky the other group that I belong to hate Cornwall and want him dead!” Bill went to go for his gun but being calmed but Dutch he spoke, “We haven’t got time for this. Pack up with the others. Arthur, John, Micah let’s finish any other business before leaving. I want us ready to leave by tomorrow the very latest!” Arthur nodded before hearing Abigail plead to Arthur, “You promised to take Jack fishing!” “I know Abigail but I’m a wanted man! It’s not safe!” on hearing this I quickly put my clean trousers on and throwing my jacket on spoke, “I’ll go with you but I’ll keep my distance. If anything does get to serious I will step in. After that we can simply drop Jack back and finish that last borrower for Strauss...” “Fine, Jack get your rod!” he ran off and mounting Alice I stated, “I’ll go ahead!” “Thank you James!” “Jack’s going to be going through a lot of shit he shouldn’t have to be dealing with” she nodded before kissing his cheek whispered, “As a thank you!” he nodded in return before plopping his hat firmly on his head spoke, “I’d better go, look after Mary and Tilly for me, will ya?” she nodded before beginning to pack saw James ride off with the slightly jealous Mary begin to question the other woman.

The fishing was nice and quiet, Jack and Arthur were able to spend some time together and I from a safe distance reading my latest correspondence whilst getting some fish for myself to cook. It also allowed me a great deal of peace to contemplate my next moves and my own plans. It was clear from what I had seen that Dutch was in that and egomaniac mood that loved the contest and challenge between him and the law and that was a problem, a big one when you had idiots like Micah, Sean and Bill blindly following him, however as I contemplated what my next acts should be in freeing the women my thoughts were interrupted by two pairs of boots clunk against the shoreline, so quickly finding cover I slid my rifle barrel through the small gap lining up the potential shot when Arthur heard them introduce themselves, “Arthur Morgan!” “Don’t know who that is?” “Don’t play stupid with us Arthur, we know who you are. My name is Agent Ross, this is Milton; we are from the Pinkleton detective agency!” “What do you want?” “Have you seen Dutch?” “Nope, don’t even know who is he?” “We know of your past and we are here to offer you a deal. Bring us Dutch Van Der Linde and you can walk away, free as a bird! Think wise Mr Morgan because this is an limited time offer. Enjoy your fishing lad!” Arthur glared at them watching them leave before hurrying Jack to pack away watched me coming out rifle in hand, “So much use you turned out to be?!” “The best weapon is a weapon that the enemy doesn’t know about. My rifle was aimed at Milton all along. It also allowed me to eavesdrop on the conversation...” “You know about them?” “I know of them and I knew they were on the trail of gangs, perhaps the size of your bounty raised enough interest in them. We should head back to camp!” he nodded summoning his horse and feeling me pass Jack up to him I spoke, “One thing is for sure... if you accept the deal, you would be dead. They don’t keep their end to any bargain!” “Lucky enough for Dutch I wouldn’t do that to him!”

“Dutch we have bigger problems!” Arthur spoke horsely handing Jack over to his mother, “What’s wrong?” Abigail muttered and leaning in I spoke, “Pinkleton’s, I’ll explain later!” she nodded as he walked away to confront Dutch who simply asked, “Pinkleton’s?” “Some sort of super agents!” Arthur replied which caused James to state, “Why don’t you actually let someone who knows of them explain it...” “Fine Mr lord and mighty, what do you know?” Dutch moaned rolling his eyes, “They are agency privately funded by an wealthy benefactor. They are almost their own Law enforcement agency with access to an whole army of men, they have the best guns, the best resources and have snitches everywhere. They are organised and unlike the sheriffs departments they aren’t brain dead, beer drinking idiots. They never give up on a bounty; they’ll try anything to succeed and from what I can see you are their next target. They will try anything offer deals, bribery anything to catch their target. I just feel sorry that they are after you. You either kill them all or die trying!” “I have had people with worse reputations after me and I still remain, they don’t scare me. We will just move further East, lay low and earn some money. When we earn enough we’ll leave!” “They will find you eventually Dutch and it’s clear you are the one they want most!” he nodded before standing up spoke in front of the others, “They want to take what we value most away from us. Our dream, our freedom, all because we don’t follow their rules. How typical of them, they won’t be taking us alive because they will never find us. We just need a bit of money and then we can disappear. Now pack up and finish of any business here, because we are leaving soon!” I looked around before shaking my head snapped, “Horseshit... you are on the run because just kill everybody who looks at you wrong and steal from those who work hard. Whatever you once were is no longer true. You need to split up and let the women go!” “You don’t have to stay here!” Arthur spoke but shaking his head, James spoke, “Yes I do. There is innocent people here and they don’t deserve what is going to happen to them and thus I will stay!” “Do what you must as long as you follow our rules!” “Ready to leave Arthur?” I queried and nodding Arthur readied his horse, “Yeah, let’s go. Sooner we get this done, the sooner we can get out of here!”

We rode up to the homestead, to see the family rushing around the husband tending to the fields, “This it?” I asked, Arthur nodded before groaning snapped, “I don’t need you to hold my hand. I’ve done this before!” “Yes but with Pinkleton’s around and the Law it’s important to have someone watch your back!” he groaned before dismounting his horse watched up to the wife who sitting on the porch asked, “How can we help you gentlemen!” “Hi I’m...” Arthur cutting the formalities snapped, “You borrowed some money from us and now it’s time to pay up. Where’s our money?” “We can’t afford it. We have been trying but we haven’t reached the down payment. My husband is ill, you see but he is really trying, if you would just give us some more time!” “No! You either pay up or we will have to ensure he pays at a later date!” he clicked his knuckles before marching off she pleaded, “Please he isn’t well!” “What’s wrong with him?” “He has TB” “TB? Mr Callahan! Callahan!” “What?” I pulled him to the side as he snapped, “I’m not letting him getting out of this!” “No, I’m not saying that but, he has TB!” “So what?” “If he spits, coughs, sneezes or bleeds you can catch it, just wear your mask, that’s all that I’m saying!” he contemplated it before looking over to the man spoke...