Land of the Unknown

Loss

Three days passed, and Lincoln County heard the news of Sheriff Brady's murder. Everyone in the county knew that war had begun.

 The Regulators did not attempt to hide the truth. The posse, Chisum, and McSween knew their enemies were plotting, and it would be a matter of time before they strike. Yet, the group still wanted vengeance for Tunstall's death.

Emiliano didn't have the motivation to work or do anything. Richard knew something was bothering him but didn't want to press the issue, so he told the rest of the men not to worry him. Billy didn't even give him a hard time. Emiliano was sitting on his bed, holding the bag with his Mother's ashes. There was a knock on the door, and someone entered the room. "Emiliano." It was Gouyen; she closed the door behind her and slowly walked towards him but stopped midway. She was worried that Emiliano had stopped contacting her and how he had been when Luke told him the truth. "I-I was worried about you."

"Por cuanto tiempo (For how long)?"

"No hace mucho tiempo (Not too long)." Gouyen bit her lower lip. She couldn't help but feel guilty for hiding the truth from her childhood friend, the man she cherished. "I'm so sorry. Luke made me promise not to tell you. I also felt it was not my place to tell you." Gouyen got closer to him and sat at the edge of his bed but kept her distance. "He loved Laureana and still does, Emiliano; he also loves you."

"Now you're defending him."

"I'm not defending him; I am telling you the truth. I always found it strange why he was adamant about protecting and wanting to be there for you. He was just a Father wanting to be there for his son."

Emiliano banged on the bed, stood up, and paced. "I should have known! All the signs were there, but I blinded myself from the truth; I'm such a fool!"

"I know you're hurt and angry that a man you respected kept such a secret. All these years, he didn't know of your existence; now that he does, he wants you to be safe. Luke feared the thought of you hating him for the rest of your life." Gouyen stood before Emiliano and put her hands on his chest. "Please believe what I am telling you, Emiliano. Forgive Luke and forget this place! Let's go and make a new home together; that's what Laureana would have wanted!"

Emiliano noticed her tears; he slowly wiped them from her eyes. "Perdóname (Forgive me). I always made you worried about me. How is Luke?"

"Everything has been quiet, and Luke has been in study for days. Isaac and I couldn't persuade him to get out. He kicked out Charles and Netty."

"He did!? Why would he do that!?"

"According to Isaac, Netty was a prostitute that Luke hired before coming to this state. She was pregnant with Charles and didn't know who the Father was. She went to your paternal grandfather and convinced him that Luke was the Father. Your grandfather threatened Luke that he would sue to get his money back if he didn't marry Netty. Netty was the reason why your parents couldn't be together!"

Emiliano looked at the bag of his Mother's ashes and then at Gouyen. He was consumed with anger, sadness, and vengeance. Luke made the simple mistake of sleeping with a prostitute who wanted financial gain. If that hadn't happened, Luke and Laureana would have been married and had a wonderful life with him. He didn't realize that tears were forming in his eyes. Gouyen hugged him, and he did the same. Gouyen comforted him, telling him that everything would be alright. They looked at one another as their faces came close together; their lips met. 

They kissed.

Gouyen felt her heart soar as Emiliano tightened his hug and kissed her.

They both departed from the kiss. "It took you this long to admit your feelings to me," Emiliano chuckled as Gouyen's face turned red; she gave him a smack on the shoulder.

"You kissed me too, tonto (dummy)." The young woman hugged him tightly. "Let's finally put Laureana to rest and leave this place. You finally know that Luke is your Father, so don't dwell on those feelings. Put the past to rest so we can have a future together."

Emiliano was about to respond when the door immediately opened; Yginio entered. The couple noticed Yginio's grim look. Emiliano slowly let go of Gouyen and knew that something terrible had occurred.  "¿Qué pasó(What happened)?"

"Hay algo que debes ver (There's something you need to see). It's better if she stays inside."

Both were confused, but Emiliano motioned her to stay. The two men walked out of the building. It was noticed that many of the Regulators ganged up around a particular area of Tunstall's ranch. As Emiliano arrived, Richard walked toward him and stopped the young man in his tracks. "I am so sorry. What you are about to see is horrid." The older man walked out of the way, as did the group.

Annmarie was lying on the ground; her dress was ripped and disheveled. Her skin was blue, with many stab wounds and bruises. Emiliano knelt beside her and slowly motioned his hands toward her face but stopped midway. "Wh-Who?" 

"We all know Dolan and Murphey's gang did it. Who else would do such a thing?" Billy answered as he scratched his head. "Probably were tryin' to get information out of her and tortured her to get it. Did ya tell her our plans and secrets!?"

"Billy, that's enough! Emiliano lost a friend!" yelled Frank.

The men saw Gouyen running toward them. She stilled as she saw the body of Annmarie. Gouyen fell to her knees as she slowly touched Annmarie's face and cried; Emiliano said nothing. "See what your hatred and vengeance have brought! All because of land and profit! How many more of you must die!? 

"Shut it! This ain't none of yer business!" snapped Billy.

"Don't speak to her like that, or you'll have me to deal with, Billy!" Emiliano glanced at Gouyen, Annmarie's dead body, and then to Richard. "I can no longer be in the Regulators. Annmarie was killed because of me, and I still have her to consider." He looked at Gouyen. "I can't lose her either."

Richard glared at him. "You want to leave us, especially since we're at war?"

Emiliano stood; his eyes never wavered. "This was never my war, to begin with. I told you that I had other goals, which have been achieved."

"Come on, Dick. We don't need this son of a gun! We're better off without him," said Billy.

Richard stopped; he was angry that Emiliano suddenly wanted to quit. However, he still respected him since he spied on Luke and captured William. "Alright, I'll respect your decision to leave but to leave the Regulators, you must help us on one more mission. We suspect a man that was part of the plan that killed John. His name is Andrew Roberts, also known as Buckshot Roberts. We need to take him in for questioning, and if our mission is successful, you will be free to go."

Emiliano nodded. "I will agree to the terms. I will need to take Annmarie's body to Madame Belle and-"

"No, you need to bury her body here. Madame Belle is a powerful woman; if it's found that one of her workers is killed because of the conflict, then she will go against us. We can't afford more enemies." Gouyen was horrified, while Emiliano was emotionless as he looked at Annmarie's corpse. Richard patted him on the shoulder. "We will help dig up her grave, Emiliano. You can't live in guilt; this is life." 

Some of the men went and returned with shovels; they began to dig. Gouyen wanted Annmarie to have a proper burial, but with the situation, it wouldn't have been possible. She chanted a funeral prayer of the Apache people.

Emiliano watched as the grave was dug; he gently carried and put Annmarie's corpse in the grave. The men were about to push in the dirt, but Emiliano motioned them to stop. He pushed the dirt with his bare hands.

No one said anything as they watched and listened to Gouyen's chant. The grave was complete. "Take as much time as you both need. Tomorrow we ride to our mission," said Richard. He and the others left, leaving the couple alone.

Gouyen finished with her chanting and watched Emiliano kneeling by Annmarie's grave. She feared what would happen to Emiliano if he went on to tomorrow's mission. "I have to tell this to Luke! He needs to know!"