Loyalty Divided

Chapter Forty Two

Morning light filtered through the trees, casting dappled patterns on the ground as it illuminated the camp. Evangeline sat with Dutch, Hosea, Arthur, John, Mac, and Davey around a makeshift table. The plans for the bank robbery were laid out before them, the anticipation of the day's events hanging heavy in the air.

Dutch leaned over a drawn map, his finger tracing the routes they had scouted and the positions each of them would take. "I'll go in first," he started. "Hosea, you'll follow behind me, then Mac and Davey. Arthur and Miss Thornton you'll be the last to come in. Arthur and Davey, you make sure no one makes any moves, Miss Thornton and Mac, you take kind donations from the patrons."

Evangeline nodded, her gaze fixed on the map. The details of the plan were clear in her mind, each step methodically arranged to minimize risk.

"What about me?" John spoke out.

Dutch sighed and placed a hand on the boys shoulder. "We'll need a gun to stay at camp. I'm puttin' a lot of responsibility on you, son." John looked away dejected. He nodded and crossed his arms, clearly disappointed with Dutch's decision.

Evangeline glanced at Arthur, whose jaw was set in determination, though a shadow of grief still lingered in his eyes. His usually steady hands had a slight tremor, a sign only she might notice. The lines of exhaustion and sorrow etched into his face were a stark reminder of the pain he was carrying.

Her heart ached for him, knowing how deeply Isaac's and Eliza's deaths had cut. Arthur had always been the rock of their group, a steady presence in the chaos, but now, his foundations had been shaken. Evangeline wished she could take his pain away, shoulder some of his burden, but all she could do was stand by his side and support him as best she could.

She couldn't help but think of the countless nights they had spent together, planning their future, talking about leaving the gang life behind one day. Now, those dreams felt distant, almost impossible. The weight of their losses hung heavily over them, but Evangeline was determined to see them through. They had come too far to give up now.

Arthur caught her gaze, and for a moment, his eyes softened, a fleeting glimpse of the man he was beneath the grief. She gave him a small, reassuring smile, hoping to convey her unwavering support.

The sound of Dutch's voice pulled her back to the present, and she focused on the task at hand. This robbery was crucial, a chance to secure enough money to keep them going, to buy them some time. They needed this win, not just for the gang, but for Arthur. He needed a reason to keep pushing forward, a glimmer of hope in the darkness that had enveloped him.

Hosea added, "Remember, the key is speed. We don't want to linger any longer than necessary. In and out, no heroics."

Dutch looked around the group, his expression serious. "Everyone ready?" A chorus of affirmations met his question. "Then let's get to it."

They mounted their horses and rode toward the town, the rising sun casting long shadows across the landscape. The ride was silent, each member lost in their thoughts, focused on the task ahead. The town appeared on the horizon, its sleepy demeanor masking the storm about to descend upon it.

As the horses trotted along the dusty trail, Evangeline's mind churned with thoughts. Arthur's words from the night before echoed in her ears, urging her to leave the gang. She understood his concern, his desire to protect her from the escalating dangers that surrounded them. The grief in his eyes had been a stark reminder of what they stood to lose, and the thought of his pain made her heart ache.

But leaving wasn't a simple choice. Their lives were so deeply intertwined, their love forged in the fires of hardship and shared dreams. Could she really walk away from Arthur, from the gang that had become her family? The idea of leaving him to face the dangers alone was inconceivable. Yet, the thought of a safer, quieter life held its own allure, a life where they might find peace away from the bloodshed and chaos.