Loyalty Divided

Chapter Fourteen

Evangeline sprinted alongside Arthur, her heart pounding in unison with their rapid footsteps. The night was alive with chaos as gunfire echoed through the trees, and the smell of gunpowder filled the air. Fear and fury propelled her forward, her mind a blur of determination to protect her newfound family.

As they reached the camp, Evangeline's eyes darted around, taking in the chaotic scene. Dutch and Hosea were returning fire from behind an overturned wagon, their faces grim and focused. John was crouched behind a barrel, his rifle steady as he picked off attackers with deadly precision. Miss Grimshaw had taken cover in the open flap of a tent, armed with a rifle.

Arthur darted to his tent, scooping up Copper and securing him inside. "Stay here, boy," he ordered, his voice urgent.

Evangeline crouched behind a stack of crates, her revolver clutched tightly in her hands. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself amidst the chaos. She could hear Arthur's voice, a comforting anchor in the madness, and she peeked out, aiming her gun at the shadowy figures advancing through the trees.

Bullets whizzed past her, some striking the crates and splintering the wood. She fired back, her shots finding their marks. The attackers were relentless, their numbers overwhelming. Fear gripped her heart, but she fought on, drawing strength from the thought of her companions.

Arthur's voice rang out above the din. "Get down!" he yelled, pushing her further behind the crates. She glanced over at him, his determined expression mirroring her own resolve. Somehow, despite the chaos, she noticed that Colten was not fighting with them. He was no where to be seen.

Evangeline's mind raced, trying to make sense of Colten's absence. A part of her felt a pang of betrayal, but she quickly shoved it aside. There was no time to dwell on it now. She focused on the immediate threat, aiming her revolver and firing at the advancing attackers.

The air was thick with the acrid smell of gunpowder, and the sound of gunfire was deafening. Arthur was a whirlwind of motion beside her, his revolver spitting bullets with lethal precision. Dutch was shouting orders, his voice a commanding presence amidst the chaos, while Hosea moved with the practiced grace of a veteran, taking down enemies with deadly efficiency. John, positioned further back, was providing cover fire, his rifle picking off attackers with surgical precision.

Evangeline ducked as a bullet whizzed past her ear, lodging itself into the crate behind her. She fired back, hitting one of the attackers square in the chest. The man fell, clutching at his wound as he crumpled to the ground. She barely had time to register the hit before another assailant charged towards her. She aimed quickly, squeezing the trigger and sending him sprawling to the dirt.

The attackers seemed to be coming from all directions, a relentless tide threatening to overwhelm them. Evangeline could see the strain on her comrades' faces, the tension in their movements. Miss Grimshaw was holding her own, but there was a steely determination in her eyes, a silent promise that she would protect her family no matter the cost.

A bullet grazed her shoulder, tearing the cloth and slightly breaking her skin. She yelped in pain and dropped her revolver.

"Evangeline!" he shouted, his voice barely audible over the din. "Are you okay?"

She nodded, gritting her teeth against the pain. "I'm fine," she managed to say, though her voice was strained. "Keep fighting!"

Arthur nodded, his jaw set in a grim line as he turned back to the fray. Evangeline took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus. She picked up her revolver and aimed and fired at the nearest attacker. The bullet found its mark, and the man fell with a scream.

But then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw movement. A figure lunged at her from the side. She swung her revolver around, but it was too late. Rough hands grabbed her, one clamping over her mouth, stifling her scream. Panic surged through her as she struggled against the grip, but the attacker was strong, dragging her away from the safety of the crates.