Until Death - Red Dead Redemption II

Act XV: Stop, He's Already Dead!

They had one goal for the day and that's stealing back Arthur's wagon. Of which would either be easy or utterly impossible. It all depends on Dutch's willingness to give Arthur something for the road. Even if he didn't however Jack was confident he could take the gang out with little issue.

Arthur thought about it, and although he doesn't like to flatter himself; He did way more for the gang then anyone else did. He made them thousands of dollars, saved nearly everyone from death at least once, and he's the strongest. Nobody else really compares although they're fantastic, there's a reason Arthur was requested to tag along on nearly every expedition.

Arthur was awake first, opening his eyes as he smelled Jack. That wonderful scent that feels so warm, the man opening his eyes to look at Jacks shoulder and neck. Burying his face in between the two, his body already intertwined with the boys. Arthur had an arm wrapped around the brunettes waist and another holding his head, their legs seemingly tangled together.

It was so nice to wake up to someone for once. Arthur hadn't woken up to anything besides his horse in the past couple a' years. It's new to sleep with someone but he loved the feeling. It was warm yes but, it also made Arthur feel good knowing Jack was safe from the outside world in his embrace. Nothing could hurt Jack when in Arthur's arms.

After Arthur awoke Jack was up soon after, the two sitting by the fire while cooking some beef.
"Ya think we could take down the gang?" Arthur asked, Jack quite shocked by this question. The brunette was sharpening his knife,
"Why would we do that?"
"I need my wagon. I wanna be prepared if things Y'know get a bit rough."

Arthur's eyes were shaky, his pupils visibly looking around quickly. The tapping of his shoes and the grip he had on the log was enough for Jack to notice his nervousness.
"Do you wanna grab it all quiet like? Or wanna go in guns a' blazing?" Jack pondered aloud, looking into Arthur's worried eyes.
"Neither. Just wanna talk to em' and take it,"

It was a faulty plan mostly for the fact that it wasn't a plan at all. He just planned on asking for it after they kicked him to the curb, as if they'd be so kind to give him back his wagon that happens to hold all their ammunition and weapons. Jack knew this and he knew that Arthur wanted his things but he also didn't want to hurt the gang.

The brunette is the opposite. He wants nothing more than to kill Dutch and Micah specifically. Beat up the others. Let some go that ain't had no issues. But it's messy. It's just a big ole damn mess.

"Saddle up. Let's go." Arthur interjected, having already mounted his horse. Jack was quick to sit behind him. Sometimes he thought about buying his own horse but holding Arthur was more of a win.

While riding they were talking about nothing in particular, just chatting to chat. However their conversation was quickly interrupted when they quickly and suddenly were flung from the horse. The animal in which falling as well.
"What the hell?!" Arthur yelled as he stumbled back up, Jack lifting his face from the ground to see a man standing next to them. Old man. Had to be in his sixties. Bald. And sickly. Looking down the two saw a shovel in the road that had tripped up the horse.

"You got a death wish old man?" Arthur shouted,
"I-I didn't mean no harm honest! It was an accident I swear on it!" The man stuttered out, looking as if he's gonna wet himself.
"So you just happened to drop a shovel at the perfect damn time to trip us? We're in the middle of the goddamn forest what are you even doin' out here?"
"I was lookin' for uh... I was lookin' for a box I buried a few years back. Didn't find it."
"Is that so?" Arthur didn't buy the story. And he can barely contain his rage to the point that he's clutching his fists hard enough to start bleeding.
"Where you get off threatening the elderly!" The man stuttered out once more, a poor attempt at standing up for himself.

Arthur had enough, swinging a hefty punch at the man's gut. The man started to wheeze as he groaned throwing a weak hand, Arthur responding by hitting him once more in the chest. Jack watched on growing more and more uncertain of what's happening. Arthur wasn't lightening up on the old man. Beating him mercilessly.

"Arthur that's enough." Jack said, however the man either ignored him or didn't hear him as he kept wailing on the sick feller.
"Arthur!" Jack shouted, he still did not let up. The man was nothing but dead weight at this point, blood all over his face as he flailed in pain.
"ARTHUR THAT'S ENOUGH GODDAMNIT!" Jack screamed, essentially ripping Arthur from the man.

The blonde man looked at Jack with surprise, he'd never been yelled at like that before. Most people were to afraid to ever tell him what to do, let alone scold him. Jack wasn't a good man by any means. He'd done a lot of bad in this world but he has pity, and the man was already dying from something. He didn't deserve to be treated this violently when he's already weak.

The brunette looked at Arthur, the more time he spent with him the more he realized how dangerous he was. Sure Jack himself wasn't not dangerous but he never attacked an innocent knowingly or purposely.

The boy shoved past Arthur to check on the beaten man, he wasn't moving. In fact he wasn't breathing. The man was dead. He died a slow painful death by the hands of a complete stranger. Jack looked at the man once more before looking back at Arthur who was blank faced. His expression turning unreadable as Jack gave him a sorrowful look.

"Jack I-" Arthur placed a hand on the boys shoulder as he walked by, his touch being immediately slapped away.
"Don't fuckin' touch me. You can go deal with yer damn wagon I'm going back to camp." Jack expressed before walking his way back to camp. They weren't that far from it.

Arthur stood silently, unable to think clearly about what had just happened. He had blood down his hands. He could feel it splattered on his face, had he really just beaten a sick man to death over a shovel in the road? And why was Jack acting all high and mighty? The boys killed over a thousand folks so what if Arthur looses his cool?

August, 1899.

Arthur is starting to frighten me more often. The more time I spend with him the more I notice how dangerous he can be. Of course I'm no saint but it's like Arthur doesn't have a sense of pity for anyone.

Beat a man to death today. A sick old man. Arthur broke his nose, knocked out the poor bastards front teeth. The poor man died slowly and painfully getting beaten to death by Arthur: He ain't even had a reaction of sorts. He just looked blankly at me, like he had no idea what the hell he was doing.

Looked through his journal and he "punished" me. I enjoyed it. I think. It felt good but it also kept making me think of the cellar. Steven specifically. That man haunts me, I don't want Arthur to ever force me into anything again. All I could see was Steven. His bald head and his dirty dick. I can still taste the putrid prick.

We've started saying we love each other. And I do love him, but he scares me. I don't want to constantly fear he might kill some complete stranger for looking funny. It ain't right: it's dangerous too. We'll hang if he keeps this horror up.