The Red Wolf ~ A Red Dead Redemption story

Chapter 58: The Letter

16th September 1894

Months had passed, things had changed quite a bit in the gang. After a bank robbery in Flagstaff done by Dutch, Bill, Arthur, John and Abigail. They were all forced to leave the Grand Canyon Camp and the state of Arizona as a whole with the law going after them and because Dutch wanted to keep moving about and had heard of opportunity up north, in Utah. Hosea wasn't happy about the robbery as he knew it was too much unwanted attention for them and that it had impeded everyone else's opportunities in Flagstaff.

But even so, it wasn't too bad. The new camp everyone was in was a lot cooler, especially being in a woodland glade that was near a lake within Beaver County. Bringing a long needed Autumn cool after the scorching summer heat in Arizona. As for Robert, it was a nice change up, since he could see more of Shane. They met back up in the saloon in Beaver along with Karen and Hosea to catch-up for old times. The months that had gone by had been mostly peaceful, all he did was bounty hunting and hunting animals collecting pelts and meats and selling them to trappers and butchers in towns in the state. He hadn't partaken in any major robberies since his train robbery since he wanted to get back to bounty hunting, a profession he preferred. He had also been inviting his best friend Mary-Beth onto many hunting and fishing trips.

Mac had finally fully healed from his injuries, and was living in the moment of every second as he went fully wild. Once he went into a town and gotten blind drunk and beaten up every patron in the saloon, leading to his arrest. He would've hanged had Robert and Hosea not gone to the Sheriff and "persuaded" him not the hang Mac with a large bottle of whiskey. Even so, his return to health was much needed as Dutch had been working on a scam involving the horse racing in Bonneville salt plats. So he needed every muscle he needed to pull it off. Trelawny had also returned to camp after his long absence bringing his charm to everyone around with his magic.

John and Abigail had been going ever more close in their relationship, even making love with one another every other night. Their moans and screams keeping everyone up at night. Though recently Robert had noticed Abigail had been getting a bit emotional whenever doing chores or talking to someone. Then sometimes he could hear her violently throw up in the night, though she refused to talk about her symptoms recently. Robert had a slight suspicion on what it could be, but he hadn't got anything out of it and John had been weirded out as well and even he wasn't talking about it.

But even with the mostly peaceful and nice atmosphere around camp. Robert just wasn't satisfied, sure he'd be smiling around and generally being friendly. He just felt empty, he knew why...it had been over 8 months since he saw his loving lover Jessica.

Every now and then he'd look at his hat and a picture he had of her for hours, just admiring her beauty, but it was more of an obsession now. All he wants desperately this whole world, would be to go back to her and prove he but to go to her would mean to end everything again, but he wasn't so sure if it's the right thing. It would never be the same, he knew she would be ashamed of some of things he had done in his exile. But then again, she hadn't been writing to him, despite the many letters he wrote to her, as much as he tried to let himself admit it was over. He just couldn't give up nor give in. Perhaps a state of limbo that seemed infinite, perhaps he deserved it but he just doesn't know.

Today it was a cool, calm and windy midday. Robert was sat by the campfire along with John talking about their recent bounty they did together the previous day with Mac, Davey, Pearson, Uncle and Trelawny listening in. With a musical atmosphere thanks to Pearson playing with his naval accordion.

"So what did you and John do again?" Mac asked as he read through the newspaper.

"We took down the Blondie twins and delivered them to the sheriff in Beaver. Nasty degenerate men, just like you and Davey." Robert replied with a smirk and receiving a playful punch from Davey.