Strangers By Nature | Red Dead Redemption II |

Chapter Nine | Rising Water

Peter sat in the river, nude and bloody. The water rose to his stomach as he rested his head on his knees. His back hurt, his chest, his face, everything ached.

As he rubbed the blood from his arm he began to sob, completely and utterly defeated by the cruelty he'd just endured. He felt violated in every sense of the word, completely and utterly defiled of all human respect and rights.

They used him like a toy, like some sick plaything for them to control and beat. All Peter could think of was how disgusting everything felt. He felt disgusting. The world felt disgusting.

The river water from behind Peter began to shift as Arthur waded in behind him. The larger man was also nude and sat down beside his partner with a frown.

It wasn't just Peter who'd been on the receiving end of such brutality. Arthur got a similar treatment, but he managed to escape their grasp. But not before he lost all his dignity.

Peter splashed some water into his face, rinsing everything from his complexion.
"You alright?" Arthur asked somewhat stupidly, setting a gentle arm on Peter's bruised shoulder.
"No. I'm pretty goddamn far from alright." He growled. And within moments Peter entirely fell apart once more, crying into Arthur's chest as the older man tried his best to comfort him.

A deafening silence fell upon the two as they bathed themselves in silence. Completely and utterly drained of all life in their hearts.
"I'm sorry," Arthur mumbled,
"What?" Peter asked with confusion,
"I should've been there sooner."

Arthur always figured if someone was upset it was his doing. Even if he saved Peter's life he always thinks he should've done better. What he does is never enough in the blonde's eyes.

"You saved me, Arthur. I should be the one apologizin' here. I dragged you into all this mess." The O'Driscoll's can always capture more people. But they needed to find Peter to set an example, keep members from leaving. If they don't find him, people will know they can escape.

"You saved me from death. You ain't do nothin' wrong." Arthur replied,
"They want me. They ain't want you. That's the only reason you got hurt, because I was beside you."
"Y'know all I've ever really cared 'bout is loyalty," Arthur wrapped an arm around Peter, "I'm stickin' by you till the end."
"You're a fool, Arthur Morgan."
"Such a fool." Arthur smiled,

Even though Peter still felt violated beyond words, having Arthur by his side made it feel just a bit better. It's been so long since Peter's had someone in his corner. Someone who listens to him. Cares about him. Wishes him well.

Arthur had walked with Peter to the Kamassa River, their horses walking behind them. It was a swamp river, kind of green. Gators and birds all around certainly gave the place a sense of danger, but they weren't there to get clean. They were there to get the blood and... stuff off of them.
"Where are we gonna go?" Peter wondered out loud, Arthur paused thinking for a moment. They were heading to Lemoyne, but where in Lemoyne? Lakay is secluded but constantly ran through by Night Folk and Raiders. Saint Denis is crowded and lacks privacy, but due to the law, it's quite safe. Rhodes is stuck in some vile feud between the Anderson Boys and the Lemoyne Raiders. Can't say they want to stick their noses in that.

Arthur's explored Lemoyne countless times, he's got a decent idea of what resides in that swampy land. The blonde thinks, and thinks hard of something they can utilize. Some place they can stay.
"Catfish Jacksons," Arthur said,
"Where's that?"
"South of Braithwaite Manor," Arthur says as he stands to his feet, Peter looks up to be met with Arthur's ass. Which is something that's for sure.

After a good minute of Arthur and Peter drip drying they slipped their clothes back on, gun belts and all as they walked over to their horses.
"Care if I ride witchu?" Peter asked as he let go of his horse.
"Not at all." Arthur smiled, Peter hops on behind him, holding Arthur's surprisingly trim waist that he can never get enough of.
"C'mon girl!" Peter shouts at his horse, the steed following happily.

It hurt both men to ride the horse, for uncomfortable reasons their asses were beyond sore. They felt like they had a full-body bruise it was so bad. The ride was peaceful enough, Lemoyne always smells kind of muddy. Probably because there's an excess of it coating just about everything. But the way the sun beams through the branches of the trees, the flamingos, and the sound of frogs. It was undeniably beautiful under all the dangers.

Arthur knew of Catfish Jacksons due to a kind lady who once raced him there on horseback. She left and Arthur's curiosity got the best of him, so he wandered up to the small homestead and knocked on the door.

Nobody answered after several attempts, and the entire place felt kind of empty. So Arthur let himself in, finding the place empty of all inhabitants. So many houses were like this, void of humans after so many died all around. Speaking of death, Arthur did find the previous inhabitants.

There was a body hung from a roof beam in one of the bedrooms, it was still fresh. It didn't smell of decay yet. And behind the house, he found a freshly dug grave labeled Algie Davidson. Didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what transpired at the house, so Arthur for once in his life did the respectful thing.

He took down the body of the young man, and buried him beside the other grave in the backyard. Thorough inspection found that the boy's name was Nate and the other dead man outside was his father. Arthur placed a framed photo of the two over the graves and left the house. Not before taking $25.00 from a lockbox, however.

"How do you know this place?" Peter asked as they came up on the homestead.
"It's empty. I can insure you that." Arthur said as he hopped off his horse. Peter scoffed,
"Alright."

Unlike the previous hill hut, this place was a proper home. A living room, a kitchen, two bedrooms, and a washroom. Out back was an outhouse, a well, and a heft amount of firewood for the large fireplace that centered the home.
"Not bad Morgan." Peter smiled as he wandered around the home.
"Let's hope we can stay 'ere for longer than last time."

Peter walked outside to hitch their horses properly before getting settled, After some light dusting, a little cleaning, and the place was good enough to sleep in. There was even some canned fruit in the cupboards, and medicine too. A nice little house it was. Plus this place had a working tub. With hot water!

There was a pump over the cast iron tub that produced nice and hot water. Well after you lit a fire underneath the water tank outside, which needs to be filled regularly with well water.
"You in the mood for a drink?" Arthur asked as Peter leaned against a wall,
"Always."