Blessed are the Peacemakers {[RDR2 Arthur X Reader]}

chapter 1; snowed in

~ Where it all started ~

The sting of an ice covered boot connecting with the side of your face was still lingering on your cheek. You were hardly aware that your feet were still weakly carrying you through the two foot deep snow. Your ears were ringing, your eyes stung and every part of your body ached, the cold wind penetrating through every inch of your thin clothing. It was becoming increasingly hard to keep your eyes open as your body wobbled through the forest.

Ahead you see the soft silhouette of a building in the moonlit snow. As you get closer, you note the broken windows, the fallen railing around the front porch and a crooked door, barely hanging onto the homes frame. Even though the place was in shambles, it looked like a safe escape from the howling, frigid wind that chilled your very bones.

The front porch was surrounded by drifted snow and you used every bit of might you had left in you to push through it. Your feet landed on the first step and before you knew it, you were flying backwards, face towards the blizzarding sky and your arms scrambled to catch you. The base of your neck collided with the broken rail and the world went black.

Slowly, you became one with the drifted snow as the wind swept the snow over your numb body and bloodied face. Coming to terms with your untimely fate, you gave into the darkness and let the cold overcome you.

An oddly peaceful death.

____

A few hours later

____

Warmth.

Heaven.

It must be.

The warmth grew, spreading throughout your whole body, dethawing your frozen flesh. You didn't open your eyes just yet as you didn't want to spoil the first comfort you'd felt after three days alone in the snow infested forest. You became aware of a weight on your body. A soft touch brushed your cheek and then a warm wetness brushed your forehead. Was somebody touching you? What was this sensation?

Your eyes did not want to open. You were still unimaginably weak and your body demanded more sleep but you knew something was not right. This was not death after all and you certainly had not reached heaven.

Blinking your eyes open slowly, first you spot the crackling fire beside you. Everything is blurry as you struggle to focus. A rough wool blanket covers you from head to toe, sealing in the damp heat. This is when a wave of unbearable pain rushes over you, tearing through each of your limbs. It felt as though your head was going to burst.

Without thinking, you let out a reactionary scream, clutching your head as if it would ease the pain.

A soothing voice comes from above you.

"Shhh, sweetie, you're okay. We're finding you something for the pain."

You realize your head is in the lap of an older woman. Her black hair highlighted by a single streak of white is plopped up in bun and her hands clutch a wet rag which she rests back on your forehead. You know you should speak but you can't find any words.

Groaning in pain, you push to roll yourself on your back, wanting to be face to face with this woman. The movement is difficult and her gentle hands don't hesitate to assist you. The fire illuminates your faces, allowing both of you to assess one another. There isn't much time for that once you become aware that the light is also beaming across the faces of four tall, rugged men towering over you.

Fear mixes with the pain and suddenly you're overwhelmed with panic. Could it be that the notorious O'Driscoll gang that had left you for dead had come back to finish you off? What else could they possibly take from you?