Red Dead Reborn

xli) The Hunt Begins

14th September, 1907 

Being stuck on a ship for two straight months was not fun for Danny Matthews. Especially when he was confined on the steel boat, surrounded by water and wealthy Australians seeking adventure elsewhere. The sheer torment he had to endure, being forced to listen to monologues from Agent Booker, was enough to drive Danny insane. 

With just another twenty kilometres out from Blackwater, Danny bit down on his bottom lip in anticipation and excitement for his arrival in Blackwater and his freedom from the Pinkerton watching his every move for the whole trip and seven years additionally. 

On the boat, Danny leaned on the railing, staring at the land in sight as the sun peeked over the horizon. Folks inside of the ship were singing with such joy and intoxication that it brought much sentiment for the memories of the past. Danny reminisced the many fond memories he'd spent growing up as an outlaw; grinning at the times he made a fool of himself in front of his wife, his best friend, his uncles. 

Once the ship arrived in Blackwater, many of the passengers all scrambled onto the dock. Danny and Agent Booker were amongst the passengers fresh out of Australia. The two men calmly disembarked the vessel at the same pace folks did. Even the town drunk could have noticed that Danny and the agent were in serious business, while the rest of the folk who populated Blackwater didn't even bat an eye. 

A newspaper boy held a rolled up newspaper and sang out the main headline in order to attract money. 

Neither Danny nor Agent Booker dared utter a word as they approached a group of lawmen waiting for them on horseback. One horse was left vacant to be saddled and owned just for Danny. 

"This is where we part ways, Mr Matthews - for now, of course. But know that whatever you do, I will be watching you veeeery closely. Got it, boy? You're going to head to Rhodes. Find a man who runs by the surname of Scott. He'll point you in the general direction in where to find Micah Bell." Agent Booker spoke with a gravelly voice. 

Danny said not a word out of spite. 

"Here, you'll be needing it." 

Danny's gun belt was held up by Agent Booker, offering for the younger man to take it back. Danny grabbed his belt and fashioned it comfortably around his waist. He dared not draw his gun, even if the temptation was fierce competition; he was wise to not embrace that desire to kill Agent Booker in cold blood as there was no way he could predict whether the gun was kept loaded or not. 

He just couldn't take the risk. He had to do this for Mary-Beth. He had to finish the mission for Karen, his only daughter. 

"Remember, Mr Matthews. I'm watching. Aaaalways watching you..." 

Danny snarled and grumbled under his breath as he mounted the spare horse and made himself comfortable before he slapped the reins, barking at the horse as he rode off, leaving a trail of dust behind. As he was told, Danny rode to Rhodes to meet his contact in hopes of finding clues that could point him in the right direction. 

The long ride out of Blackwater already tired Danny as he rode up the Upper Montana River and then East to Riggs Station. 

At Riggs Station, Danny focused on sound in order to anticipate whether he would have another heart attack or not. Sufficed by the lack of noise or rumbling, Danny slapped the reins again as he uttered words of encouragement and praise to his temporary horse as he rode across the bridge. 

Returning to that location after several years brought back more memories, particularly the one where Danny saved Reverend Swanson's life after they nearly got run over by a locomotive. Danny smiled to himself in sadness until he suppressed that memory by riding off on the road all the way around Flat Iron Lake.