Loyalty Divided

Chapter Eleven

The gang members inside the train exchanged anxious glances, their hands going to their weapons as they prepared for the confrontation. Arthur's mind raced as he tried to formulate a plan. The situation was precarious, and they would need to act quickly to avoid being overrun.

As the footsteps grew louder, the tension in the air became palpable. Arthur, Dutch, and Evangeline steeled themselves for the impending clash. The first shots rang out like thunder, shattering the stillness of the night. Arthur ducked behind a crate, firing back at the lawmen advancing on the train. Dutch, ever the strategist, barked orders to the gang members, directing their fire to keep the attackers at bay. Evangeline, her nerves steeled, took up a position near the door, her revolver aimed with deadly precision.

Bullets flew through the air, striking metal and wood with a deafening clatter. Arthur's focus was razor-sharp, each shot he fired hitting its mark. The lawmen, though numerous, began to falter under the gang's relentless assault. Hosea and John moved through the train cars, taking cover behind seats and returning fire, their movements coordinated and efficient.

Arthur spotted a lawman trying to flank them from the right. He adjusted his aim, squeezing off two quick shots. The lawman dropped, his weapon clattering to the ground. He nodded in satisfaction and moved to the next target.

Evangeline fired with unerring accuracy, her revolver spitting fire as she kept the lawmen at bay. But as she took aim at another target, a bullet struck her stomach. She gasped, her eyes wide with shock and pain, and she crumpled to the floor of the train car.

"Evangeline!" Arthur shouted, his heart pounding. He ducked behind a seat, firing off a few more shots to cover her before dashing to her side.

Evangeline's face was pale, her hands clutching her abdomen where blood seeped through her fingers. Arthur tore a strip from his shirt, pressing it to the wound to staunch the bleeding.

"Stay with me, Evangeline," Arthur said urgently, his voice tight with worry. "You're gonna be alright."

Dutch, noticing the commotion, redoubled his efforts, firing with renewed intensity. "Keep them off us!" he shouted to Colten and John. "We need to get Evangeline out of here!"

Colten moved up, his shotgun blasting lawmen back as they tried to advance. John followed suit, his repeater chattering in rapid succession, forcing the lawmen to take cover.

Arthur lifted Evangeline, grimacing as he felt the weight of her injury. He carried her to a safer spot behind a sturdy metal crate, quickly checking her wound. "Hang in there, Evangeline," he muttered, his hands working quickly to tie the makeshift bandage tighter.

"We need to end this," Dutch growled, his eyes flashing with determination. "Hosea, John, push forward! Arthur, can you hold them off here?"

Arthur nodded, his jaw set. "I'll keep them off you. Just get her to safety."

Hosea and John moved forward, their guns blazing as they advanced through the train cars. The lawmen, realizing they were being outflanked, began to retreat, their numbers dwindling under the relentless fire.

Dutch, seeing the tide turn, signaled for the gang to press the advantage. "Drive them back! Make sure they can't regroup!"

Arthur fired at the retreating lawmen, his shots precise and deadly. He glanced back at Evangeline, her face contorted in pain but still conscious. "We're almost through this," he assured her, his voice filled with determination.

As the last of the lawmen retreated into the darkness, the gang members regrouped, their breaths heavy but victorious. Dutch approached Arthur and Evangeline, his expression grim.