Strangers By Nature | Red Dead Redemption II |

Chapter Thirteen | Just The Two of Us

May 9th, 1899.

Stephanie is alive. I don't know how. She's alive, I talked to her, held her. She's alive. I've spent half my life in a cloud thinking she had died by my hand. But no. She's alive, she's got kids. She has a proper family.

She saved Arthur and me from getting shot down by the law in Saint Denis. Had to shoot our way out of jail. Apparently, we were spotted going at it, and we were gonna be given a life sentence in Sisika. For sex.

Steph saw us at the bar, I hope this news doesn't spread. We killed a lot of law getting out of there. I can only imagine the headlines in the papers. We didn't even have masks or anything, they know who we are. They know how we are. We can't be spotted in Saint Denis. We will surely be shot dead within seconds of being seen.

I don't think this should spread, I don't know what I'd do if we became wanted. I don't think I could take living with the constant fear of being killed by a bounty hunter.

Speaking of things I don't think I can take, Steph is leaving within the month. She lives on the other end of the US in New York. An-

"Whatchu up too?" Arthur interrupted my writing, looking down at me as I closed my book.
"Well, I was writin'," I reply, placing my journal into my bag along with my pencil.
"I wanna show you somethin'." Arthur put out a hand, which I took hesitantly. I don't like secrets or surprises so this is... I don't know.

- THIRTY MINUTES LATER-

"Where are you takin' me?" I asked with a smile,
"I already told ya I ain't tellin' you." Arthur kept us goin' at a steady pace. His old horse was slow but quite steady. I left mine back at Catfish. Arthur's named his horse Spirit. And I've named mine Eclipse. Sounded fitting.

He hadn't told me anything besides the vague idea of wanting to show me something. We've been on the trail now galloping for what seems like ages, and he hadn't said as much as a peep.

I never thought I'd be here. With someone who cares about me enough to set up a surprise. In fact, I don't think I've ever been this happy, never before have I felt content with my life. I have Arthur, my sister is alive and well. I have a house. What else could I want?

I nuzzled my face into Arthur's back happily, smiling as I felt his body flex with the bumpy ride. I love how warm he is, especially at night.

I look around with a smile as I try and guess what's about to happen, we've arrived in the swamps of Lemoyne. This is where the gators are, and a bird or two.
"You get me a pet gator?" I asked with a smirk, Arthur scoffed as we came to a sudden stop.
"Nope, follow me."

Arthur hitched the horse to a tree, wandering along the shoreline of the swamp's many bodies of water. I followed curiously, my boots sinking into the mud as we trudged over to a boat I could just barely make out from the distance.

Arthur stood beside it as I caught up,
"Ladies first." He giggled, waving me into the boat.
"Funny," I mumbled, as I sat down he began to push the bait out to the water as he hopped in.

Once we were afloat he began to paddle down the river, working up a sweat.
"S'gettin' dark out. Where are we goin' Arthur?" I ask once more, the sun had begun to set about twenty minutes ago, the darkness of night fading in.
"Just a bit further, you'll see." He insisted.

Just as I was beginning to grow impatient we arrived. An alcove of sorts underneath a weeping willow tree, the water standing still as we ceased all movement from the boat. Arthur looked around excitedly.

I paused, looking around with confusion. Arthur stood by with a longing glance towards me, which made me feel special. And right before I was gonna ask him what I'm supposed to be looking for I saw a light. Then another, floating through the sky.

Suddenly hundreds of fireflies began to swarm above us. I watched in awe, the lights scattering around the water, illuminating the night as they fluttered above.
"Woah," I mumbled to myself, it was breathtaking to see all these insects working together like tiny stars around us.

"I have somethin' else," Arthur began to rustle around in his satchel.
"What is it?" I ask,
"I'm puttin' a lot of trust in you. If ya hate it just give it back 'right?" Arthur then produced a piece of paper, of which he handed to me.

I look down at it to see a drawing, of me. Each line is intricately drawn, with so many details it looks like a photograph. I was at a loss of words it was so stunning, I had no idea Arthur could draw. Let alone this well. He's drawn me like a Prince, I look better in the drawing than I really do. But to think he sees me as this perfect is nothing short of heartwarming.

"Oh my god Arthur..." I mumbled,
"Sorry it's stupid..." he immediately backtracked in a panicked tone.
"No no no, it's gorgeous. I uh... I dunno what to say."
"You sure you like it?"
"No. I love it." I immediately embraced him, holding him tightly before planting a delicate kiss on his ever-so-enticing lips. How could I not kiss him?

We sat there for a moment, savoring each other's company as we watched the fireflies buzz about. I laid in his lap, my back against his stomach as he held his arms around my waist and kissed the top of my head.
"Thank you. I really needed this." I mumbled, running my hand across his leg, "Anything you want tonight I'll do it. I've been spoiled 'nough today."
"Hmm... How about we go home and I'll get at you."
"Alright but can we get some whiskey first? I want a drink."