From the Ashes

Chapter 3

Arthur and Violet approached the camp and they were greeted by a man with a darker complexion and a long black braid that hung down his back.

"Hey Charles." Arthur called to him as they walked closer.

"Picked up a stray, did you?" Charles chuckled as he looked over Violet. She blushed, remembering the state of her nightgown and ratted hair. She definitely looked like a stray - felt like one too.

Arthur just continued on towards the heart of the camp.

"You seen Miss Grimshaw? Need to get this one a bedroll and a change of clothes."

Charles nodded. "Last I heard, she and Abigail were having their usual spat over by the carriages. She's probably still over there. I'm Charles, by the way, though I guess you gathered that." He said, looking back at Violet again as he put out his hand to shake hers.

She took his hand and smiled warmly. "Violet."

He smiled back then let go of her hand, going on his way toward the horses.

She turned and saw that Arthur had started walking again. She followed quickly to catch up with him.

She could heard two women snapping at each other.

"I ain't doin' that no more!" One said. She was younger, with dark hair and a pretty face.

The older one responded sharply "Everyone here has to sing for our supper, miss!" She had her hands on her hips as she glared at the younger woman.

She then glanced over her shoulder seeing Arthur. "Ah! Mr. Morgan! Please explain to Miss Roberts here how everyone needs to pitch in! This camp won' keep itself runnin'!"

"Oh yes, please do Arthur!" The young woman added sharply.

"Now, I ain't gettin' involved in this." He put his hands up in a surrender motion and looked down.

"I've had just about enough of all this!" Miss Roberts said in a huff as she stormed off towards the opposite end of the camp. Miss Grimshaw watched her go, eyes still fuming.

"Well, uh anyway," Arthur said as he scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "This here is Violet." He pointed a thumb over his shoulder towards her as he spoke. "Think you could get her set up with a bedroll and some new clothes?"

"Now, I don't know." Grimshaw looked Violet up and down, a slight sneer on her face. "Is this one actually gonna pitch in 'round here?"

Violet nodded immediately. "A-absolutely. Whatever you need." She would do what was needed to stay in the protection of this camp. Obviously she wouldn't be able to survive out there on her own.

That's what she was now. On her own. Alone. She needed to find Jessie. If he was even still alive. She could feel in in her gut. He was.

"Well, alright then." Miss Grimshaw said as she walked over and put a hand on Violet's shoulder. "Follow me and we'll get y'set up." She led her over to some tents with multiple bedrolls lain out.

As she was led away, Violet looked back over her shoulder at Arthur, who was watching her go. She smiled at him and mouthed the words thank you.

He just smirked as he tipped his hat and then turned away, walking towards what was probably his own tent.

Violet felt her stomach tighten slightly as her cheeks heated.

                           ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Her bedroll had been set up next to a woman named Sadie Adler. She had become a fairly recent addition to the group as well due to some eerily similar circumstances as Violet. Her house had also been burned down. She's also lost her husband to that awful gang, the O'Driscolls. Violet knew of them. Everyone knew of them.