When the West calls (Micah Bell x OC)

Chapter 1

At the beginning of the year 1899, the infamous Van der Linde gang has moved South, in New Austin, after robbing a bank in the north part of the country. They installed their camp in Rio Bravo, between the San Luis River and Benedict Point, in a quiet area.

Just before the robbery, the gang had recently grown bigger from new members. One of them was a young man named Charles Smith, a lone wolf who accepted to join the gang and benefit from the security of being in a group. In everyone's opinion, he was a great addition to the gang, capable, and always willing to help. The same could not be said for the second new member, Micah Bell. He was a ruthless outlaw, introduced to a life a crime by his father, with who he committed a double homicide by the age of 17. Micah was not a nice man. He only believed in being the strongest to survive this tough world. And lucky for him, he was skilled and experimented, which was exactly why Dutch offered him a place in the gang. That and the fact that Micah saved the charismatic leader's life.

"It sure is hotter than where we were before" a young woman with blue eyes and brown curly hair said, wiping the sweat from her forehead.

"That's for sure" another woman said with a chuckle as she rolled her sleeves up her arms.

But their little chat soon was cut short by some barking.

"Go back to work, ladies! The tents won't build themselves!" Micah shouted as he grabbed a bottle of beer and went to sit in front of the fire in the middle of the camp.

"Micah! Micah!" Dutch tried to call out despite the busy and noisy camp.

"Boss?" the blonde man said as he stood up to face the Van der Linde leader.

"I'm sending some men to look around the area, see if they can find some useful information. I'd like you to go see if you can find anything in Tumbleweed, just north of here" Dutch said as he took Micah by the shoulder and started to walk towards the hitching post.

"Sure boss" Micah answered, a bit annoyed that his break has been interrupted. Dutch left and Micah mounted his horse, suddenly motivated by the thought of a possible saloon in the town he had to visit.

***

It was the fourth time Micah rode in direction of the small town of Tumbleweed. During his last visit, he had not learned a lot, the city being in decline and most of the people having already left. But Dutch had been pressing him about valuable information, so Micah came back again, mostly just to avoid Dutch, and drink in peace.

As soon as he stepped into the saloon, the bartender recognized him and opened a beer before putting it on the counter. Micah took it after giving the man the money. He took a sip of the fresh beverage as he leaned against the wooden bar and started to look around. Today was more crowded than usual, a few tables being occupied, as well as some stools next to him.

After some time, Micah tried to concentrate on discussions that were being held in the saloon, hoping to finally find something to bring back to Dutch. But the man next to him took most of his attention, his fingers tapping on the bar and his leg shaking on his stool. Micah was about to pass his nerves on him, but the man suddenly straightened up while looking at the entrance. Micah could hear him sigh in relief as he looked towards the door and saw a man scanning the room before running towards Micah's stool neighbor.

"Finally! What took you so long!? I was worried sick!" the man said to the newcomer, some agitation still in his voice.

"I'm sorry Pat... But I had some trouble on the way. Those damn bandits robbed me again" the man whispered the last part, still trying to catch his breath.