Snake Skin | John Marston

That's The Way It Is

The crack of gunfire echoed through the dusty scenery, drawing the attention of nearby lawmen. With swift and ruthless efficiency, the outlaws gathered what they could, ready to face the law once more. The air was thick with the scent of gunpowder and the weight of fresh deaths. More blood stained their hands.

Y/N, however, seemed unfazed. Folks whispered that woman could bathe in blood and still come out bone-dry.

In the chaos, the gang made a break for it. The lawmen's pursuit was relentless, but the outlaws knew these lands like the back of their hands. They sped down the worn, sandy trails, the relentless moon beaming down on them until they veered into the shadows of a forest. Only when they were sure they had shaken their pursuers did they finally rein in their horses, drawing to a halt under the canopy of trees.

The men pulled down their masks, and Sean exclaimed, "That was fun, lads! Real fun! Now I see why they call you professionals!"

"Shut up," Arthur said calmly, tossing each of them a stack of cash, including Y/N.

"Great, I made some money," Y/N spoke softly, her fingers deftly counting the bills.

"Gotta be a hundred dollars there," Sean pointed to Y/N's hands as she counted.

"Very nice," she said, a rare smile cracking her lips.

"You two weren't even invited," Arthur said, his gaze steady on Sean and Y/N.

John glanced around, "What now?"

"We need a real big take. Enough to get us out of here," Arthur huffed, leaning forward on his mount.

"Was that a setup?" Y/N asked, her eyes flicking between John and Arthur. "Law turned up real fast."

"I don't know. I don't think so," Arthur said, though doubt flickered in his eyes. Everyone looked at him. "I'm starting to get nervous."

"You think they followed us from Blackwater?" Charles asked, gently petting his horse.

"Maybe, but I reckon this law was just locals."

"I hope so. I'm gonna head into Valentine. See if I can get something started there," John said, turning his mount, ready to leave. He glanced at Y/N before looking away.

She noticed John's glance but paid it no mind, her focus on the conversation, trying to piece the puzzle together. Too many pieces were still missing.

"I think we should split up for now. You know the drill—don't get followed," Arthur remarked, his tone firm.

John groaned. "Of course not, boss," Sean chimed in, sounding almost cheerful.

Without further delay, Charles, Arthur, and Sean dispersed, vanishing into the wild terrain. Everyone parted ways except for Y/N and John, who stood there, each staring in a different direction.

"I guess this is..." Y/N began, drawing John's attention instantly, "...this is goodbye."

He didn't respond.

She nudged her stallion onto the dusty trail, the horse's hooves kicking up small clouds of dust. Without looking back, she heard John's horse falling in line behind her, his pace slow and deliberate.

She glanced back at him, puzzled. "Huh?" she uttered, noticing he was lost in thought.

John was replaying the scene on the train in his mind, the moment Y/N had gunned down four armed men in the blink of an eye. It dawned on him why the law was so desperate to capture her—her lethal skills.

Turning her focus back to the trail, Y/N spurred her stallion to pick up the pace.

"How old were you when..." John paused, choosing his words carefully, "...you chose this life?"