Red Dead Reborn

xxxvii) Goodbye, Goodbye

July 21st, 1899

'Dutch had been stirring up a whole heap of trouble ever since he got back from Guarma. Now he's finally taken care of Cornwall, but that's put the heat on us even more, and it's only a matter of time before the Pinkertons find us and kill us.

It seems as though the roles have reversed: Micah is the one who's always conversing with Dutch in secret, and Arthur is the one who is left out of most matters about Dutch's movement.

He seems more certain that he can finally achieve his end goal, but what scares me is that there won't be anyone left to go with him - if he actually manages to pull this off.

My sight has improved drastically thanks to some herbs Charles had fixed up for me since I lost my eye a few weeks back, back at Braithwaite Manor. My aiming and shooting's improved, even if it's like starting all over again, and my perception of closeness with things have got better also.

Mary-Beth is getting slightly bigger as the weeks go by. Her stomach looks so strange, given her perfect figure. But I love her unconditionally.

I just need to get her out of here.

We should have left a long time ago...'

Closing the journal he hadn't touched in weeks, Danny rubbed his eyes with his fingers and breathed deeply until his peace was disturbed by footsteps crunching gravel underneath the boot of the person that approached him.

"Danny Matthews," called the voice.

Danny opened his eyes and lifted his head up, fixing his father's hat on his head comfortably.

"Reverend Swanson." Danny tipped his head at the reformed alcoholic. "What can I do for you? Join you for a few Hail Mary's?"

The middle-aged man appeared conflicted with matters on his mind. He made himself comfortable on the ground beside Danny and confided in him about their place in the gang.

"Daniel, our time's come. This... It's over. I-I-I mean, what reason have you for remaining loyal to Dutch? To the gang?" Reverend Swanson stammered nervously.

"You mean to our family? Don't tell me. You're gonna cut and run."

Reverend Swanson opened his mouth to speak but fell short on words.

"You're right, Reverend. It is time we got ourselves lost, good and proper. There's no other way out of this unless we leave. What will you do?"

"Go to New York and preach God's word. God only knows how much we need Him right now..."

"Amen to that, Reverend."

"I've already spoken to the others - the women, I mean. They seem persistent to stay for a little while longer, but I-I was hoping you and Miss Gaskill would come with me."

Danny sighed and shook his head.

"Where would we go? We don't have enough money to just cut and run now."

Reverend Swanson pursed his lips and reached into his back pants pocket. From said pocket, the Reverend offered a stack of money to Danny.

"Oh, no. I can't, Reverend." Danny declined politely.

"Please, Daniel. I insist. Take it. You need it more than me. You and Mary-Beth... you get out of here and don't look back."

There was much hesitation about accepting money from the Reverend, but Danny was also keen to see one last thing before his and Mary-Beth's departure, and that was to see Colm O'Driscoll swing.