The Second Form of Proteus (RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2 fanfic)

Red Moon

A blood moon shined brightly in the night sky, a quiet and peaceful night, birds ceased their prattle as slumber succumbed them. An owls cry could be heard echoing from the treetops.

Two sleepless figures skulked throughout the red night, in search of help. They scurried into the forest, careful to not be seen on the nearby roads, in fear of being spotted by curious passerby. Their lantern clutched tightly in the taller figures hand, knuckles white. The smaller form whispered something to the taller figure, who quickly hushed her, in fear of being heard.

Hours, they traveled, walking through creeks and small riverbeds, on top of railroad tracks, over bridges and through forests. All in the search of a witch. The smaller figure doubted the woman was even real, as some people get into a frenzy when something peculiar happens. Shunning their thoughts, they moved forward.

By dawn they both came across a hut in a denser part of the forest. The smaller figure, a woman, breathed a sigh of relief. She wore a petticoat covered by a navy blue dress with white lace towards the hem. She wore a black shawl around her golden hair, which was in a loose bun and safely tucked back into the cloth.

The other figure, a tall and stocky man, wore brown trousers with a paper-boy cap, and a white church shirt with a chocolate vest covering it. His 9'oclock shadow was visible, and his black curly hair was wet with sweat. They both were exhausted, and found relief upon seeing the structure.

As they both got closer to the house, the more uneasy the man felt. The woman tried to rush forward to get a better look, but the man shielded her way with his arm. He handed the lantern towards the woman and slung the rifle he kept over his shoulder forward. He cocked another round into the chamber and proceeded with caution towards the house.

The house itself was made of wood, with a front porch and wrapped around the right side of the house. A small garden was on either side of the porch, labeled and unlabeled herbs and vegetables were growing. On the outside of the porch were carved runes into the columns of the house. Feathers hung flittered about, and a cow skull was hanging by the door. Jaw bones with runes and symbols painted on them dangled by the windows, and bells jingled softly as a cool breeze settled in.

The man uttered a command for the woman to stay by the walkway, not wanting the have her harmed. His shoes creaked and shuffled as he made his way onto the porch. He looked around cautiously, eyes scanning for anything unusual or any movement out of the ordinary.

He sighed regretfully, and knocked three times. Nothing, not an answer, not a sound was made inside. He knocked again.

Rap.

Rap.

Rap.

Nothing.

He sighed heavily and looked back at the woman. She was standing there calmly. She then ushered him forward to try again. Rolling his eyes he put his gun away and put his ear up to the door.

Listening for anything inside to give away someone was indeed home. He thought he heard a shuffle of feet but before he could register what happened the door flew open. He fell to the ground in shock. Laying there groaning he looked up.

A barrel of a shotgun met his gaze, his eyes widened and he glanced around the barrel to see a woman standing there.

Dressed in a maroon frock, with a dark purple corset sewn into the dress she looked at him with piercing green eyes. She had her hair up into a tight bun with dark brown locks flowing around her oval face. She looked maybe 40, as wrinkles creased around her nose and forehead.

No one made a sound between them, either she was in no mood to deal with strangers affairs or she had mistaken them for robbers.

The man's wife cried out in fright, "Please, oh please don't hurt him!"

Her lip quivered and she rushed forward and threw herself onto her husbands body, shielding him with her own self.

"W-We only wanted to visit, we mean no harm, we promise!" she continued to plead and sob, hoping it would get her somewhere.

"Alright, alright shut it missy" the "witch" snapped, her voice like gravel.

Sighing she propped the gun by the door, and beckoned them inside. The woman sniffing and weeping helped her husband up who shushed her with sweet nothings. He took her by the arm gently and led her inside.

The other woman watched as he removed his wife's shawl, with eyes like a cat. She huffed and sat down on the round table by her kitchen.

"When you're done cowering like mice i would suggest coming over here" she stated hurriedly, not wanting to listen to them sniffling like babies.

"We are not cowering, maam" the husband stated calmly. "my wife, she gets upset easily-"

"well i can plainly see that" the woman stated, obviously annoyed.

Drawing a cigarette from a nearby drawer she lit it and took a long drag, smoke spilling out of her nose and mouth like a dragon, she put it down.

The couple made their way to the table and sat across from the woman. The wife sobbing softly and hiccuping, pulled out a handkerchief and wiped her eyes.The witch rolled her eyes and cleared her throat, drawing the attention towards her.

"Now, what can i do for you today-" the woman said, before being interrupted by the weeping wife,

"A child!" she blurted out. Clearing her throat and sheepishly looked up, "a-a child, maam. W-We want a child.."

-end, word count: 972
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