Red Dead Reborn

Chapter Two: The Overlook

It was high noon by the time Horseshoe Overlook was occupied by the Van der Linde gang. They were set up near a town by the name of Valentine; a typical Western town, just without the sand.

"Alright, folks, time to unpack. Welcome to your new home!" Dutch Van der Linde declared charismatically.

The wagons formed a perimeter around the centre of the overlook right where Dutch had his belongings parked.

"I'm gonna go wait for the others," said Javier.

His good intent of ensuring his dear and loyal friends reached the campsite was Javier's main priority. Some others, those unnamed, lingered in their minds about the effort it took into unpacking almost everything in the wagons, convincing themselves that Javier was being lazy.

By the time Arthur, Hosea and Charles arrived, the camp was all set up.

Danny assisted in setting up the girls' wagon where all of their belongings were set out neatly as per Miss Grimshaw's firm instructions.

"Everyone, put your tools down for a moment. Come on, gather around. Quickly now." Dutch requested. "I know that things have been tough... but we are safe now, and we are far too poor. So it is time for everyone to get to work."

"Get to work, but stay out of trouble. Remember: we are itinerant workers." Hosea advised them, reminding the gang for the umpteenth time.

"Laid off when they shut down our factory to the North. Now, get out there, and see what you can find. Uncle, Reverend Swanson... no more passengers."

The gang chuckled and snorted at the friendly faces they brought into camp that became part of their surrogate family.

"It is time for everyone... to earn. Their. Keep."

"There is a town a little way down the track, name of Valentine. Livestock town. All mud and morons if I remember right. That seems a decent place to start."

Unable to hold back his concern any longer, Mr Pearson voiced his desperation for a supply of food to be brought to him so that he may provide as per his civil duty as the camp cook.

A money box was put on display on a barrel at Dutch's tent. The box signified basic camp funds as a portion distributed from big takes in which a secret bag would be filled over time.

Once the gang members were dismissed, Leopold Strauss approached his horse with a creepy look on his face and rode out of camp. Others laboured around camp by cutting wood, transporting what hay bales they had left with Miss Grimshaw there to bark orders and ensure things were done properly.

Danny also felt like going out so he let Mary-Beth know before making his way over to his horse to mount up.

"Where do you think yer goin'?" A womanly, uptight voice questioned the young outlaw.

Dropping his head, slightly and crooking it over his right shoulder, Danny turned around, only to find himself in the unfortunate company of Molly O'Shea.

"Going for a ride into town. What's it to you?" Danny responded sharply.

Molly scoffed. "Don't take that tone with me, boy. I want ya to do somethin' for me."

"Is it worth my time?"

" 'Is it worth my time...' You oughta show some respect to yer elders, boy."

"Well, maybe I'll consider it if you stop calling me 'boy.' What the hell you want anyway?"

"I want a pocket mirror. Mine got broken during that Blackwater farce."

Danny's brows furrowed together. It puzzled him over why she would approach him, of all people, to commit to a request such as that.

"Why me? Why don't you ask Uncle Dutch?"

The redhead let out a short, heavy sigh because of how impatient she was about gaining another pocket mirror; solely to ensure that her beauty was far superior to that to every woman in camp.

"Because yer already by yer horse." Molly accused. "So, are ya gonna find me a pocket mirror or what?"

Danny exhaled through his nostrils and pinched the bridge of his nose while his free hand latched onto his hip.

"Alright, fine. I'll find you a damn pocket mirror... if it means you stop bothering me about it."

Satisfied, Molly spun on her heel and walked speedily back to her and Dutch's tent with hope that her lover would make her swoon over him once more.

Now that Danny was left alone, he resumed mounting Abercrombe. He clicked his tongue and lightly jabbed his heels into his horse's sides before they were on the move, leading out of camp and up the path leading towards town.

The first thing Danny did when he rode into town was visit the saloon. Coincidentally enough, that was where he crossed paths with Lenny Summers.

"DANNY! Danny, there's trouble. They got Micah. They, th-they..." Lenny exclaimed breathlessly as he dismounted his horse and dramatically approached his friend.

"Whoa, whoa. Slow down, Lenny." Danny assured. "Start from the beginning. What happened to Micah?"

Lenny took deep breaths for over two minutes until he was calm and steady.

"He, he's been arrested for murder - up in Strawberry. I-I rode as fast as I could. I barely got out myself. They nearly lynched me. He's held up in the sheriff's office. There's talk of hanging him." Lenny explained more calmly.

It befuddled Danny as to why Lenny valued the importance of rescuing Micah, even for being a twisted, creepy and sinister individual.

However, Micah had his uses. He was a good gun, after all.

When Lenny noticed how blank Danny's expression was, it worried Lenny even more.

"Well?! Aren't you gonna go do something?" Lenny asked impatiently.

Danny's eyes widened, surprised that Lenny was pushing him for motive.

"Me? Whatchu think I'm supposed to do? Hearing this has got to be the best news I've heard since I got together with Mary-Beth."

Flabbergasted at his response, Lenny shared his concerns over the repercussions over their failing to save Micah. Especially now that Danny was aware of this information, if Dutch reacted negatively to the fact that knowing that Micah was in danger and they failed to act to save him, it finally hit Danny.

"For fuck's sake... fine. I'll see what I can do." Danny surrendered. "But... we're getting some drinks. You look like you could use one."

"Just one."