Fire and Silk

Chapter 3: A New Member

     Coming up with a story on the spot to cover the gang being characters in a story had been even more difficult than Talia thought. Dutch had questioned her at every turn as she gave him half truths. She was from the future, she knew the fate of the gang. For a moment none of them believed her, merely looking at her like she grew 2 extra heads. It wasn't until she grabbed the phone and turned it on that they began to look at her with shocked awe and not mistrust. "So you really are from the future." Hosea said quietly as she scrolled through a few pictures and even some videos. Showing them glimpses into her life. "The year 2023 to be exact. What I don't understand is how the hell I ended up here in the first place. I wasn't doing anything special, just having a quiet night at home." She said as she pulled the phone back, looking down at the screen.

     Dutch spoke up next, arms crossed over his chest, a look of contemplation in his eyes. "You said you knew the fate of our gang. I'd like to hear more about that." Another wave of pain floods her head, making her wince as she turns to him. "It's...it's not pretty. From what I remember a few of you end up dying before the end even happens. By the end, the Pinkertons catch up with you and the gang breaks up." Talia responds, a tear rolling down her cheek as she looks down, unable to look at any of them. 

     Hosea speaks up at that and places a hesitantly reaches out to place a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Can you remember who dies and how? Perhaps we can prevent it completely." But Talia shakes her head violently in response, how can she tell this man his own death. Not to mention Arthur, his death is one of the most poetic and painful ones of the game. She can't bring herself to tell him his fate. "I...I can't."

     Another painful throb hits her, this one so blinding it leaves her gasping for air. When she catches her breath again her mind wanders back to Arthur...back to his fate...which was what again? Panic once again wells up within her as she frantically tries to remember but it's almost like TV static has taken over her brain and it has her groaning, her eyes rolling back in her head as yet another wave of the blinding pain wracks her body and she's bent over on the bed, heaving deep breaths. She can feel it. Her memories of them. With each throb in her head they're being ripped away, leaving only empty holes in their wake. 

     "Paper." She croaks out reaching out a hand. "Paper and pencil. Hurry please! They're slipping!" Arthur is the one who reacts, taking out his journal and turning to a blank page before handing it to her with his pencil. She practically rips it from his hand and furiously starts writing. Thomas Downes stay away, TB, Arthur, Rhodes is a trap, Saint Denis bank is a trap, Leviticus Cornwall stay away, Micah = no, Beaver Hollow.  She keeps writing until suddenly her hand stills and she looks up at each of them. "They're gone." She whispers. "My memories they're...how the hell am I supposed to save any of you without my damn memories?!" She practically wails in anguish, the tears flowing freshly down her face, Hosea wraps an arm around her shoulder and takes the journal handing it to Dutch before turning back her and speaking in a smooth even tone. "There, it's alright. We'll figure this out. Dutch I think she's had enough for today and so have we. The poor girl needs a break." 

     Dutch merely nods as he looks over her scrawled handwriting, deep in thought before standing up off the chair. "I think you're right. She's already told us plenty from the sounds of it, and even through that obvious pain she tried to write down enough to give us warnings for the future. You did well Ms. Talia. I'll be sure to remember this. Hosea a word outside. Arthur, sit with her and keep an eye on her. If she remembers anything else you tell me immediately." 

     Arthur just gives a silent nod, taking his place in the chair by her bedside while Dutch and Hosea walk outside. Once the door closes behind them he turns to face the woman in front of him, unsure of to even say to her after all that. "I'm sorry you're stuck here with us. I can't imagine how scary it has to be for you." Talia just nods in response, leaning her head back against the wall. "It's so strange, I would read up on all of you and now here I am talking to you face to face. And that damn note, how the hell can I save anyone if I can't remember what goes wrong so I can prevent it? What kind of sick twist of fate is that supposed to be..." She sniffles through her reply, eyes fixed on the ceiling.