Age of The Understatement

Part 14 - My Mistakes Were Made For You

The Outskirts of Raton, NM

After finally arriving to the closest town, Miles decided that leaving Pearl at the general store wasn't the best plan. It would be nearly impossible to slip her a decent amount of cash without raising any suspicion. After the three hung out around town for awhile– indulging in the local saloon, eating to their heart's content in the cafeteria, and stopping quickly by the general store, they all head back to the hosel that they were planning on staying at.

It was quite a sight, the rooms. Dirty, musty, cobwebbed walls. The sheets were clean at least, besides the silverfish that would sporadically fall from the deteriorating ceiling. Never in a million years would Miles sign up to stay in a place like this, but he wanted to be sure that Pearl woke up under a roof where there were people around to help her and take care of her. He wanted to make sure she was safe, somewhere were there's a doctor nearby at least.

Pearl, after complaining for the last ten minutes, plopped herself down onto the soft linen sheets. At some point in the bustle of the late evening, Pearl bought herself a new bottle of laudanum. Knowing that Alex would snatch up the bottle as soon as he saw it, Pearl was keeping it safely tucked away inside of her corset. She carefully took a dropper earlier in the day in the saloon bathroom, enough to feel the effects but not enough for Alex or Miles to notice, especially not enough for them to notice after knocking back multiple pours of whisky. They seemed to have other things on their mind anyway..

"What a fuckin room." Alex said. "How much did we pay for this shit hole?"

"Doesn't matter, first time in weeks where we haven't just slept on dirt!" Miles replied, sitting himself down on the edge of the other small twin sized bed that sat across from Pearl's.

Alex scoffed, leaning back onto the wall as he looked down at Miles. "I think I'd rather have the outdoors."

Pearl rubbed at her eyes before pulling her hair down from its usual updo, running her fingers through the roots. "Miles I thought you said you were going to get a bath? Do they not have one here?"

It's a lot to ask her not to sting.

"I'd rather not in a communal bath, maybe I'll wait till the morning when the waters fresh." Miles said, scratching at his own head as he watched Pearl delicately brush her long locks.

Alex took a seat next to Miles, tossing his legs over his lap as he lounged out along the bed.
"I don't think I'm ready for Cripple Creek."
He said softly as he placed his hands behind his head, not really directing his comment to anyone.
"I'm worried I'll get shot."

Miles sighed and leaned his head back against the wall, placing his hands onto Alex's legs, running his fingertips up and down them slowly in attempt to calm him.
"If we time it right we will be fine. Don't get like this, we're only two days out."

Alex looked over to Pearl who was beginning to crawl herself under the covers. He let himself relax a little. She'd be safe here versus Cripple Creek. She didn't need to live the cowboy life, she'd find someone here. Live how she's always wanted, be free. He felt protective over her, almost like an older brother. He hoped maybe they'd see each other again in the future.

"Well." Miles broke the silence as he pulled Alex's legs off of him, standing up shortly after. "Best be getting some sleep. Long travel times ahead."

"I'm fucking exhausted." Pearl mumbled into her pillow, the sheets pulled almost completely over her head.

Miles turned the wick down on the small kerosine lamp that lit the room, making the room much dimmer. Alex reluctantly slid under the covers, Miles soon following him as they waited for Pearl to doze off. It felt like an eternity, but soon enough Pearl started to snore ever so slightly giving Miles the ok to carefully stand up and gather their things.