The Red Wolf ~ A Red Dead Redemption story

Chapter 34: Old Aquaitance

21st December 1893

Awakening from his slumber, the Red Wolf woke with a sharp pain at the side of his head. His eyes blinked several times before he looked to see the surroundings he was in. It was the bedroom at Jessica's house as he recognised that he was in Jessica's bed. He raised his head up as he looked and saw a man sitting on a chair rummaging some things in his bag. 

"Hey." The doctor called as he was putting away his equipment. The gunslinger sat up seeing that he been in his black shirt, black trousers and his dark red paisley vest. But the sharp pain was still ringing on in his head.

"Morning, How long was I out?" He asked as he rubbed the right side of his head.

"I might've overdid the chloroform, you've been out for 3 days. I'm sorry about that Red Wolf."

"Ah! Ow..." He tensed up as he felt a bandage covering his forehead and the left side of his head. He still felt the burning sensation from the injury despite the doctors efforts. He had been shot many times before, not ever near his head. His right ear rang deeply, whilst not as bad as it was before it still irritated him.

"Well, I have some good news and some bad news"

"Just say it...my head is killing me."

"Good news is there will be no infection or life threatening instances" The doctor stated.

"Don't tell me the bad news, it's pretty obvious." Red Wolf scoffed as he got up from bed and put his socks on before his black boots and silver guerdon spurs.

"I had to cut so more of it off to prevent infection. It's gonna be hard for you, but if done right you'd still have your hearing at 100 years old." The doctor went on to explain glumly as he packed away a surgery knife.

"As if."

"Don't touch it. I'm sorry but your gonna have to live with one ear for the rest of your life. For an injury like that to heal over, It'll take months to fully heal. So every 3 days you change your bandages and take this morphine. Have small doses 2 times a day. It'll be a hell of a road of recovery but I recommend you don't shoot people for a while."

He looked at the mirror, he feared when he had to take it off and reveal himself. He knew he brought this on himself. There was bandages covering his forehead and some padding on where once his ear used to be. The look was so bizarre, he had taken injuries to the head many times before but this seemed to be the most hurtful, as it was a permanent reminder of his foolishness.

"It cost me 50 dollars for the surgery, your just lucky your girlfriend paid for it. Merry Christmas mister." The doctor said as he was about to make his leave to the door. "There a problem Red Wolf?"

"Nah just I just happen to have a financial crisis on my hands. Thanks really for everything." Red Wolf said, but deep inside he was slightly panicking.

"Remember to keep those bandages dry and clean!" The doctor called as he closed the door leaving Robert inside the bedroom.

After what seemed like a while, he just stared intensely at the mirror at the cabinet. He contemplated on taking his bandages off to see what horror had come. But he knew if he did it, he might not recognise himself at all. The humiliation was more worse than being shot in the hands. Hands can be healed over, but a lost ear would just be noticeable, whilst not as a lost limb. Someone would still notice the difference from one side of the head to the other.

Taking his Red puff tie from the counter he put it on and made himself look presentable as he tucked it under his vest. His gun-belt came on before putting on his chest holsters and checking all 4 of his revolvers.  He knew he had to find money quickly, that girl in town had taken a large amount on a day that he had hoped would be peaceful.