Arthur Morgan x Reader

Forty-One

"Empty...", you frowned as you let your gaze wander through the church rows. "What the hell is going on?"

Arthur grabbed you by the shoulder.

"We should get going.", he said and urged you to move.

But you shook his hand off and took a step into the room.

Old planks of wood creaked below the soles of your shoes.

It smelled dusty, as if nobody had been here a long time.

The light that fell through the windows made the room look pale and the colours washed out.

"I don't understand...", you examined the cross that was upside down. "Father McLean would never leave this place. He's obsessed with it."

With an unsure look in his eyes, Arthur followed you to the altar. But he kept a few steps of distance.

His eyes lingered on the cross.

"I dunno about you, but we should leave. Now.", he kept insisting. "I ain't got no good feelin' about this."

Again, he grabbed you by the shoulder.

This time, you allowed him to pull you back.

Your eyes remained glued to the cross though.

Somehow, this seemed familiar.

Father McLean was a man who liked to tell lots of stories to scare the kids.

Something in the back of your head told you that this was part of one of his stories.

If you remembered correctly, a cross that was turned upside down was supposed to invite demons.

Your heart skipped a beat.

As if lightning had struck you, you pushed your hands into Arthur's back to make him walk faster.

But the two of you didn't make it far.

He had taken about three steps towards the exit as two shadows crawled across the floor.

Arthur stopped.

You didn't realise that he stopped moving and bumped into him.

A soft gasp of surprise escaped you.

His shoulders stiffened.

You didn't dare to take a look to see what was going on.
Your eyes wandered over the floor.

The shadows looked unfamiliar.

But judging by Arthur's reaction, he knew who it was.

"Micah.", Arthur said in a surprisingly cold, disgusted voice.

You glanced over his shoulder.

The man with the white hat nodded his head in greeting. A smile was on his face, dirty and smug.

"Mister Morgan.", he purred.

His voice was smooth yet sounded not pleasant at all.

A cold shiver crawled down your spine as it reached your ears.

Arthur took a step back to make you move as well.

His finger slid onto the trigger of his revolver. But he didn't raise the barrel.

Not yet.

"What do ya want?", he asked, not letting his eyes off the man standing in the door.

Micah did a gesture.

"You have something that's ours.", he pointed at the bag that was strapped across Arthur's chest. "Dutch didn't want to believe that I was right. But I told him, that his boy Arthur will betray him one day. And you proved me right."

Arthur's eyes flinched.

He curled his lips in displeasure, but didn't make a move to defend himself against the allegations.

His gaze wandered over to the other man.

You recognised him as Javier, the man who had been supposed to protect your brother.

"Where's the boy, Micah?", Arthur asked, unmoved about the two being armed better than he was himself. "We want no trouble."

Micah chuckled.

He took a step into the room.

A cold aura crept through the air.

"The townspeople were nice enough to take him away so we have a clear path.", he said.

Angered, you let out a low sound.

"I had a deal with Dutch!", you hissed. "I show you where to get money and you leave me and my business alone."

Micah's eyes jumped to you.

"Ah, the parasite that took Arthur's sanity.", he smirked. "I should thank you. The townspeople made a better deal."

A hint of shock appeared on your face, but you managed to make it look like surprise instead.

Your heart skipped a beat anyways.

"What?"

Chuckling amused, he fixed the brim of his hat.

"Oh yeah, they offered everything. Your life in return for access to the mines."

Arthur's mouth moved.

"Dutch said you wanted to raid the mines.", he said.

Laughing, Micah took another step towards the two of you.

"What a fool you are, Mister Morgan.", he chuckled and showed a row of dirty white teeth. "That was just a test to see if you're still loyal to the gang. And it's obvious you're not. What a shame."

He was holding a gun in his hand, but the way he wiggled it through the air made you doubt he knew how to handle it as well as Arthur could.

One quick reaction and he'd be gone.

But then Javier would still he left.

He was armed as well.

And if Arthur shot Micah, he wouldn't he able to react in time to shoot Javier as well. He'd be defenceless.

Your eyes jumped down to his hip.

He had another gun strapped to his leg.

If Arthur would get the hint, you two might be able to take out the danger.

But you weren't confident in your skills.

Your hands moved down anyways, almond his torso, but remained resting on his hip.

You didn't want to warn Javier with obvious movements.

Letting out a deep breath, Arthur adjusted his stand to offer better access to the second weapon.

It seemed like he had gotten the hint and approved.

Your fingers twitched.

But you turned your gaze to Micah instead, to make him feel safe.

"I can offer you so much more than the mines.", you said.

Unimpressed, Micah pointed his gun at you.

"You can't offer anything at all.", he hissed. "You're dead, thats what you are. But I must say, the price your head carries is higher than I would have expected. Not even our good Arthur's bounty is that heavy."

His finger applied pressure on the trigger.

A gentle clicking sound filled the tense silence.

Out of reflex, Arthur raised his gun as well.

As quick as you could, you reached down to grab the gun from his leg and pointed the barrel at Javier.

Javier reacted.

Two shots rang out.