"Red for Dead" An RDR Universe Short Story (Male Character)

Fire. Everywhere.

Flashback 3 years ago: 

I don't like to talk about this alot. It's gonna be short.

As the first rays of dawn painted the sky in hues of pink and gold, I stood in the doorway of our modest cabin, watching as the world awakened around me. The scent of coffee wafted through the air, mingling with the crisp morning breeze that ruffled the curtains and carried the distant sound of cattle lowing in the fields. Beside me, my mother bustled about the kitchen, humming a tune as she prepared breakfast.

"I'll be back in a couple hours mom! I'll bring the food back after I head out with John for a bit."

"Be careful out there today, Ryan," she said, turning to give me a warm smile. "And don't forget to take your hat. The sun's gonna be mighty hot."

I nodded, reaching for my worn Stetson and settling it firmly on my head. "I'll be back before sundown, Ma. Promise."

My mom came up to me, that same loving expression she had always had everywhere she went. She kissed my forehead and made me promise to be safe, like she always did. 

But something was different. I think?

It was in the way she held me, maybe it was a bit too long, it was like she wanted to hold on to me as long as she could. I could remember it now, the tension in her arms, the subtle hint of concern in her voice. I was too stupid to even notice it. I kissed her goodbye and walked out with John, too preoccupied with what we had planned for the day. We were heading out with some of the neighborhood kids to the next town and see what we could stir up. 

If only I knew. 

I walked home from the store, bought some canned foods my mom told me to get, we were supposed to have dinner with the family today. Rare occurrance having everyone in the house at once, brothers were usually out working, David was robbing, doing whatever they do. Either way, they bring money back, so you don't see my mother complaining. I walked that same road I usually do, kicking up dirt on the way. Everything was just as normal. Greeting the men on horse, I dreamed that one day I would get my own. Around 30 minutes later, as I rounded the turn to get onto the road to my house from the main town, thats when shit got real.

Smoke, everywhere. 

"What the fuck...?" I mumbled to myself, my steps picking up pace, a stroll, turning into a walk, into a sprint as the smoke thickened as I ran and ran. I raced back towards home, a knot of fear tightening in my chest with each passing mile. But nothing could have prepared me for what that awaited me as I rounded the final bend in the road. Rounding the turn onto my neighborhood, the only thing you saw was fire. Everywhere. It was chaos, shots fired, screams of strained mothers, yells of local boys, and the blood. It was everywhere. Blood tinted the streets of the road, but I didn't care. 

The air was thick with smoke, and the once peaceful neighborhood lay in ruins, consumed by flames that licked hungrily at the sky. My heart pounded in my chest as I leapt from my horse and sprinted towards what remained of our cabin, dread gnawing at my insides.

I've never ran so fast. One step turned into two, and I sprinted down the road with complete disregard for my safety. Until I reached my house, it was too, burning. I kicked down the door with an urgency i've never had, and came face to face with a body. More specifically, David's body. His head was horribly disfigured, his teeth were gone, a bullet hole in his forehead, and his expression. I'll never live it down. I stood there, shock, horror, whatever you call it. I walked through the burning house, trembling, hands shaking, praying that I wasn't going to see it. 

I did. 

It was horrifying. There was nothing left of them. If it wasn't my own fucking house, I wouldn't have any idea who they were.  The acrid scent of smoke hung heavy in the air, mingling with the unmistakable stench of death. Every step forward felt like a leaden weight upon my heart, dragging me inexorably towards the ruins of my former life. I fell to my knees next to them. I was manic, fucked up in the head, I was going to burn there, and die next to my family. I closed my eyes and felt the hot flames against my skin, this was going to be my grave, next to the ones who I loved most.