" I'm sorry I couldn't save you. " -// Hosea & John, RDR2 (NOT SHIPPING)

What could I have done?

It was an ordinary day so far. The both of them, Hosea and John, still in their younger ways, out and about. John wanted to go out and visit a nearby town, to quote, “try and find some leads.” none of them thought he'd find any sort of things, perhaps just went out to go and cause some trouble, but Hosea went out of his way to go on and go with him. Didn't wanna leave him out on his own, however, no one trusted John that much to go out on his own.. With good reason, too. If it wasn't obvious already, he was a trouble maker in camp, and if anything just to people passing by when the chance came by.

They were galloping up the trail, Hosea making his horse mildly fast but mildly slow at the same time, making their way up to whatever town seemed to be nearby at the time. He glanced back to John a couple of times, just to check on him.

H — “ So, John, ”

Hosea started off, trying to catch his attention with conversation. He could tell the kid was somewhat bored. All he had was the nature to look into at the moment, after all. Which is what some of us needed, but perhaps not them two. Or just John.

H — “ What do you plan on doing around here like you mentioned? Did you write anything down? ”

He didn't expect John to actually write anything down, you'd probably almost least expect that from a kid like him. He thought he had a big head, knew what he was doing, when he clearly didn't in some cases.

J — “ I got most of everything remembered, pa', I plan on doin' a lot for camp.. For you, for everyone. ”

John tried to sound honest, but he wasn't really getting the most "I'm super convinced" look from Hosea at the moment. His eyebrows furrowed slightly, man, he was at least being a little honest. Wasn't that big of a deal to him...

J — “ Oh, c'mon, I'm bein' honest this time! Believe me! I'll prove to y'all I ain't all that bad, ”

Hosea sighed, and shook his head. He chuckled a little.

H — “ Alright, alright. I'll believe you when it happens, kid. ”

He chuckled, glancing back to him for a moment before looking forward again. He wanted to keep his eyes on the trail, he didn't want to crash or anything. He seemed fine, but he didn't wanna take any chances. Just for their safety, wasn't normal anyhow either way. He looked forward, focusing closer now

When everything seemed fine, it all just.. Stopped, in half a second. In half a second Hosea could see a deer dart straight past him, in half a second John was nearly already knocked back. In half a second, it seemed like, they were both on the floor, along with Hoseas horse. he quickly got up despite any sort of pain in his back, looking at the deer just continuing to run away in a fit of fear. He felt pain in his back and chest, and he coughed a little. He was awfully lost for a moment there, but quickly zoned back in to a soft cry coming from the side of him. Actually, not really soft, more of a hard-pained cry. He looked over, it was John.

He broke his arm, it seemed like, it was bent practically backwards. He was bleeding real bad on his legs, his face also a bit scratched up from landing straight on the floor. Nothing seemed fatal.. Seemed.

Hosea rushed over, quickly checking on him in every corner, making sure to be extremely gentle with the broken arm. John was only getting more urgent and panicked from the pain every second, and Hosea pushed to calm him down quickly.

H — “ Calm down. Deep breaths. C'mon, you're okay.. ”

His horse was already back up at this point, just standing. But also limping. Hosea didn't pay attention to this, though. He just kept his eyes on John, trying to help him the best he could. He wasn't good with fixing up.. Broken arms, persay, but he tried to do his best with everything else. he gently lifted him up, and set him down on his horse, then, he helped his horse heal a little as well. He cracked his back, picking his hat back up, and placing it on his head. he quickly, urgently, got immediately to riding back to camp for John's sake. His wounds weren't that bad it seemed, but he was clearly getting weaker and weaker every moment that passed by. He was getting more urgent.

He didn't know how much time he had. But he was sure he'd he fine. Sure. He checked mostly every where, everywhere else seemed fine... Right, right..?

no.

Not even for another minute would everything be fine.

Not anymore.

———

HEHEHHWHBW leaving this on a cliffhanger unless someone wants another chapter or something 😭😭

If anyone also wants to request anything that'd be super cool! It might not be the best quality but I'd try my best.

Thank you for reading,, have a good day/afternoon/evening/night, whatever!