Morgan's Legacy [{RDR2 FanFic Sequel}]

The Letter

Dear John,

I can no longer afford your wages seeing as you've been gone for over a month now. Two damn weeks, that's what I gave you. Your wife and son are well. Abigail is doing well at her post in the general store but your wagon is down again and she has no way to get to town anymore. I am a Godly man, Mr. Marston but I am also a businessman. If you fail to return by the end of the month, I'll have no choice but to turn your family out.

In that case, I can secure them a room at the inn in Strawberry for a few nights. Mayor Timmins happens to be an old family friend. But a favor from a friend is only good for so long. You'll need to come secure permanent lodging for them as well as a new place of work.

I hope all is well for you, son.

Truly, I do.

Sincerely,

David Geddes

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John Marston

"Fuck."

That's all I can say as I stare down at the letter. Turned out? The image of my family sitting on the street of Strawberry with nothing but that poor cat Jack drags around with him flashes in my mind. I rub my palm against the stubble growing on my jawline, thinking over my options.

"Swear to me you'll protect her. Swear it!"

Arthur's words ring through me again and my chest pounds with a sudden ache. Years ago, when Abigail told me she was pregnant and the baby was mine, my first reaction was anger. Then fear. I never sat well with fear. I've always found it easier to run from it. Even if it means leaving folk behind. When my brother's last words ever spoken to me, begged me to look after his wife, I had to change my ways.

Now here I was letting him down already.

That was the last time I saw either one of them. After I left Arthur, I found the women at Copperhead Landing, right where Arthur had told them to wait for me. By then, Charlotte had already gone without a trace. I chased after her trail but the law was on us like flies on shit.

I couldn't save her.

Micah and Dutch turned up missing. Arthur was found dead, reportedly killed by a Pinkerton agent though I know the truth of it. Charlotte was seen there, fleeing the scene at Dutch's side, according the newspapers. Though I refuse to believe it.

We couldn't stick around to search for her, not with the law so close on our tails. I had no choice but to take them back west. Eventually, we ended up somewhere north of Strawberry. A run in with cattle wranglers turned into a full time job after I impressed the boss enough to let us stay on their land. Though that may change now, looking down at the letter still in my hand, David Geddes signature neatly scripted at the bottom.

It was Abigail that finally convinced me to go back to Beaver's Hollow and start up a search for her. Every damn day the first words out of her mouth were "You promised him, John Marston!" I couldn't stand being a disappointment to her any longer. Or her nagging was just too damn annoying, I couldn't take it much more. Mr. Geddes allowed me two weeks for my absence from work, so long as Abigail kept up on her chores and continued her job down at the general store in Strawberry. Now, I've been gone nearly a month with no luck and no word from me... can't say I entirely blame him for threatening to kick us out.