It was in front of us - Micah Bell

Benevolent are the Outlaws

The evening went by and still, no sign of the men returning. Every second they remained away, the more sick you felt that little Jackie weren't coming back.

Trying to distract yourself, you waltzed around camp for a bit but, that only left you to your own imagination so, you slumped down at a table, slouching onto it lazily. You felt completely miserable. All of your anger and hurt from earlier had somewhat ceased. Now, you just feel dumb for acting the way you did. Lashing out at your brother wasn't going to help anyone.

You suddenly heard a loud thump on the table next to your head, as if someone had placed something weighty on it. Sitting up slightly, you looked up to see Karen who, had just placed a bottle by you. She had tired and sad eyes like she hadn't been sleeping.

"Drink! You'll feel better." She exclaimed before she stumbled away, only just keeping her footing.

Watching her walk, you soon turned your attention to the bottle and let out a deep sigh.
Slumping your body back down to the table, you rested your head on your arms and tapped the bottle lightly. Creating a soft, high pitched sound.

You were in no mood for drinking so, you just ignored the bottle.

A moment passed before Molly came to sit with you at the table.

"How are you, sweetie?" She greeted you softly as she leaned closer to you and placed a gentle hand on your back. Getting your attention softly.

"I'm alright Molly. Yourself?" You asked back, your tone tender.

"Same as normal I suppose." She almost mumbled in a dejected tone.

You smiled thinly at her as the silence sunk back.
"I'm sorry lass. I saw you wanted to go with them, the boys." Molly began again.

"Yes, I did." You responded bluntly, still feeling bitter about that.

"Then Micah had to go and stop me." You spat.
"To protect you, love." Molly comforted you, shooting you a glance.

You knew of course that was the reason Micah kept you back. With everything you were feeling, it would have been likely you would have gotten shot had you of gone.

"Are you and Kieran going to be okay?" Molly asked, nodding over to the women's wagon where Kieran was also sat, being molly-coddled by Mary-Beth.

"We will be. Just give it time." You responded with a sigh as you pulled your gaze back to your friend.

"I hope so. You two have always been so close. It's weird seeing you fight."

"It feels weird to be fightin'. We ain't fought proper since we were kids really." You reminisced on a memory from many a year ago.

"You, ain't seen Micah, have you Mol?" You asked her quietly, keeping your voice somewhat low.

"No, I haven't. I'll assume he's stood guard waiting for Dutch and that to return. Someone's gotta keep watch." Molly replied as she looked at her nails momentarily.

"I see...." You sighed. You felt, oddly cold and vulnerable. Like you all of a sudden craved embrace. Micah's arms had become a somewhat 'safe haven' for you. You'd never have thought you'd feel safest in the arms of a cowboy.

"I'll see you around Molly. I gotta, try and clear my head." You sighed with a nod as you stood from the table.

"Alright, take care (Y/N)." Molly said with a smile as she too stood up and took herself over to Dutch's tent, awaiting his return.

As you walked out of camp and down towards the shore, you stopped just before the toe of your boot could reach the waves.
Gazing over the lake, you couldn't help your mind wondering down the rabbit hole of why the Braithwaites would take little Jack. Why on earth Kieran didn't think to do, or say nothin' to no one.
A part of you considered taking a ride to find Penelope, see if she knew anything but, your gut was telling you it would be a bad idea to head anywhere near there right now.