When Hearts collide (An Arthur Morgan Rdr2 fanfiction)

Chapter 31: Anxious

Warm breezes, and golden fields. Fields, swarming with deer. They seemed unfazed, by my presence. They seemed almost to be welcoming me. Among them, was a large white buck. His gaze trained on mine, never losing focus. He didn't run, he didn't so much as flinch. Slowly, he turns my way, and approaches me. From a distance, he'd seemed like just a normal buck. But, as he approached me, he seemed larger than before, glowing brighter. He stood before me, now. Towering slightly over my six foot figure. His eyes, seemed familiar. I couldn't explain how. But, in some ways, they seemed almost human. He speaks to me, then. And the voice I hear, is my own.
"It's not time, yet. You've much left, to do," it says.
"What do you mean? Am I...am I dying?" I ask.
"Dying, no. But, you've been wounded far greater, this time, than ever before," the buck replies.
"Is this a dream, then?" I ask.
"This is the chasm, between life and death. However, you're reason for having been sent here, is merely due in fact, to what has happened to you, out there," the buck says.
"So, this is an out of body experience?" I ask.
"Of sorts. I am one of your spirit guides. The animal you could return as, when your time, finally does come. I am the good side, of your inner aura," The buck says.
"There's another side, then?" I ask.
"Yes. Look there, on the horizon," the buck says, gesturing with his antlers, to where what looked to be a lone coyote, all black, stood, waiting and watching.

Upon seeing this, I understand. The buck was the decent side of myself. The me, I was now. The coyote, was the bad side of me, the me that once killed, pillaged, and robbed, without a second thought. Although the coyote was beautiful in its own way, I didn't want to return to earth, in that form.
"Why am I here?" I ask.
"Your body and mind, are separated. It happens to one, when they are in a shock induced coma. Right now, you're in one," the buck says.
"I gotta get back. Can you help me?" I ask.
"But of course. I'm here to guide you. Stay strong, in goodness, and I shall remain by your side, help you. Faltering, will send him your way. And he will lie and cheat you, outta good things," the buck states, before gently nudging me backwards.
"I'm done, bein' a bad man. It's done nothin' cept cause grief for those round me," I say.
The buck smiles and then bows to me, before giving me one final nudge, the nudge that brings me back to reality.

My eyelids fluttering, my eyes slowly open, taking in the light of the fire nearby. Dusk was falling. How long exactly had I been out? Shifting, I wince. I must have made some sort of painful noise, because suddenly, Abigail is standing over me, looking down at me.
"You're awake. How're you feelin'?" She asks.
"Like I got hit by a train," I say.
"Well, Micah and the others did break some of your ribs," she says.
"Shit, we need to leave here. Leave, before Dutch comes," I say.
"You're in no state, to be movin' around, right now," Abigail says.
She was right. I'd only make my injuries worse, by acting impulsively.
"Where's Peyton?" I ask.
Abigail bites her lip. It is then, that I notice she has both my sons, in her arms.
"Abigail, where is she?" I ask.
Again, she doesn't respond.

Moving, I try to sit up.
"She went after John," she finally blurts out.
"She what?!" I ask, eyes widening in fear.
"She left last night. She asked me to watch over you and the littles, while she was gone. I told her not to go. But, she insisted," Abigail says.
"She'll be killed. Goddammit! Why did them bastards have to show up and do this shit to me? We should've all gone together," I say.
"You need to remain calm," Abigail says.
"What good will that do? My woman, is out there, probably getting shot down, right now. How stupid could she possibly be, thinkin' she could do this alone?" I ask.
Abigail doesn't answer me. She merely moves to sit next to me.
"This isn't right. I should be there, with her. And, I'm not," I say.
"Have faith in her. She's smart, quick, and she knows a thing or two that a really good teacher, taught her," Abigail says.

I wanted to believe her. I wanted to believe that Peyton could make it through this. But, I still couldn't shake off the feeling of anxiety, the situation brought me. Refusing to fall back asleep for any reason, I lie there, wide eyed and waiting for her. Abigail sticks close to me, not risking sleep either. Suddenly, I hear it. The sound of hooves fast approaching. Great, Micah and Bill were coming back, to finish the job. Only it wasn't them, that rode through the trees. It was Peyton, John, and Sadie?! Why Sadie was here, I didn't know. But, Peyton was home and seemingly, unscathed.
"John!" Abigail cries, running to him.
"It weren't easy, but she got me out," he says.
"Thank you. Thank you so much!" Abigail says.
"I couldn't have done it, without Sadie," Peyton says.
"It weren't no coincidence, we ran into each other," Sadie says.

They dismount, and Peyton approaches Abigail.
"How is he?" She asks.
"I'm awake," I shout, and she suddenly appears beside me.
"Thank God," she says.
I scowl up at her. She looks at me, confused.
"You're damn lucky, you weren't killed. Don't ever do somethin' like that without me, again. You scared me," I say, reaching up to pull her against me.
"Arthur, I did what was necessary," she says.
"I know. But, I was worried, bout you," I say. I don't mention the dream I'd had about the deer or the coyote. It would only worry her.
"Sadie helped. Ran into her on my way there," she says.
"And I ain't goin' back to Dutch, if you're plannin' on askin," Sadie says.
"Guess that makes our little gang, bigger," Peyton says.
"Gang?" I ask.
"Well, yeah. And you're our leader," John pipes up.
"Naw, I ain't nothin' of the sort," I say.
"Look, they told me, bout why y'all left. Dutch is...well Dutch is runnin' us all into the ground," John says.

I chuckle. It weren't no secret, how Dutch was quickly becoming a man no one wanted to be around.
"Listen, all of you. I ain't no leader. This ain't no gang. John, y'all get outta here. Make yourselves a home. Sadie, you do the same," I say.
"Hell no. We're stickin' together," John says.
"At least for now," Abigail says.
"Fine, for now. At least till I'm back on my feet," I say, and we all sigh a breath of relief. John was safe and we now had the chance, to properly enjoy freedom. At least, one could hope.