Hidden Destinys || RDR2 - Arthur Morgan x OC ||

4. Who the hell is Leviticus Cornwall?

Emma had been with the Van der Linde gang for a week now, and she was determined to prove herself. Despite skepticism from some gang members, Arthur and Dutch eventually agreed to let her come along on the next big mission. The plan was to rob a train belonging to Leviticus Cornwall, a wealthy industrialist, and steal the bonds reportedly on board.

The morning of the heist, the camp was alive with a mixture of anticipation and tension. Dutch briefed the group, his charismatic voice filling the cold morning air. "Alright, listen up! We're going to hit that train. Arthur, Javier, Bill, and myself will head out first to set up the explosives on the tracks. Emma, you're coming with us. The rest of you, be ready to follow our lead."

Emma's heart raced with a mix of excitement and nerves as she saddled her horse in the pre-dawn chill. The weight of the upcoming heist settled on her shoulders like a heavy cloak. Around her, the camp stirred with a sense of purpose and anticipation. Arthur approached, his expression serious yet oddly reassuring. 

"You sure you're ready for this?" he asked, his voice low. She nodded, determination shining in her eyes despite the lingering doubts that gnawed at her. "I am. I want to help," she replied, trying to steady her nerves with each breath. As they gathered their gear and received last-minute instructions from Dutch, Emma couldn't help but feel a surge of pride mixed with a tinge of fear. This was her chance to prove herself, to show that she belonged among these outlaws, even if her journey here remained shrouded in mystery.

"Alright," Arthur said, mounting his horse. "Just stick close and follow our lead."

The ride to the overlook where they would set up the explosives was a tense affair, the cold bite of the mountain air contrasting sharply with the adrenaline coursing through Emma's veins. The snow-covered landscape stretched out before them, serene yet tinged with the urgency of their mission. Dutch's authoritative commands cut through the quiet morning, directing the positioning of each member of the gang with precision. 

They reached the overlook with the train tracks in view. Dutch dismounted and motioned for the others to follow. "Bill, set up the explosives. Arthur, Emma, check on him."

Bill was already crouched by the tracks, carefully placing the dynamite. He looked up as Arthur and Emma approached. "Here, take this," Bill said, handing Emma a spool of wire. "Connect it to the detonator."

Emma took the wire, her fingers cold and stiff. She carefully connected the wire to the small box hidden between the rocks, south of the tracks. "Is that good?" she asked, looking to Bill for approval.

Emma's hands trembled slightly as she handled the dynamite, the weight of responsibility settling heavily on her shoulders. She glanced at Arthur for reassurance, finding his steady gaze grounding amidst the chaos of their preparations. With each click of the detonator and each wire carefully laid, Emma felt a sense of accomplishment mingled with apprehension. Would their makeshift explosives hold? Could she truly trust her own abilities in this high-stakes gamble?

"Perfect," Bill said, giving a nod. "Now let's get back to the others."

They mounted their horses and rode back up to the overlook where Dutch and Javier were waiting. "Alright," Dutch said, his eyes scanning the horizon. "Everyone, masks on."

Emma pulled a bandana over her face, her heart pounding in her chest. The sound of the approaching train grew louder, the ground beginning to vibrate beneath them. Dutch signaled for everyone to take cover, and they waited in tense silence.

The train appeared around the bend, its engine roaring. Emma held her breath as it drew closer, the tension almost unbearable. Suddenly, there was a loud click—nothing happened. The explosives had failed.

The tension reached its peak as they waited for the distant rumble of the approaching train. Emma's heart hammered in her chest, the sound of her own pulse nearly drowning out the natural world around her. When the explosives failed to detonate as planned, a surge of panic threatened to overwhelm her. Dutch's terse orders cut through the chaos, urging them to adapt and overcome.