what could have been. an arthur morgan fic

one.

Arthur wiped some blood off of his cheek as he looked around the dead O'Driscoll bodies. Dutch had sent him, John and Charles out with Kieran again to try and find more information about Colm O'Driscoll's location since he wasn't at Six Point Cabin in the Cumberland Forest so Dutch sent them out to see if they could find him anywhere else. Kieran last got wind of Colm being near an old plantation house near Strawberry. When they arrived at the place they found a bunch of O'Driscoll's and they took them out. "Arthur," John said, snapping him out of his thoughts. "I think we got all of 'em, you ready to check the house for Colm?" Arthur nodded a little begrudgingly, just ready to go home.

"Yep.. Let's go, Charles, you stay out here with Kieran, make sure he doesn't do any funny business."

"Sure, Arthur."

He then started to follow John towards the house, gripping onto his revolver as he looked out for any O'Driscolls that could show up. They walked inside and looked around. "John, you check downstairs and I'll check upstairs, shout if you found anythin' or if y'need help," He said. Arthur then left John to search downstairs as he walked up the stairs. He started to check the rooms, not finding any signs of Colm but he was able to find some money and other items that'd be useful. As he walked down a hallway he started to hear the soft sobbing of a woman coming from a room. He gripped onto his gun with two hands as he quietly padded towards the door, preparing for an O'Driscoll to jump out at him. He opened the door and he wasn't greeted by an O'Driscoll; he was greeted by the sight of a woman who was tied up and surrounded by dead bodies of other women. Her eyes widened as she spotted Arthur and she shuffled backwards as much as she could until her back hit the back of the bed that was in the centre of the room. Arthur was quick to put his gun away and he carefully reached his hands out towards her as he said, "Hey, hey, it's okay ma'am, I ain't here to hurt you, I wanna help okay? I'll get you out of here and somewhere safe." The woman couldn't respond because of the gag in her mouth but she nodded shakily.

He pulled out a knife from his belt and he started to walk over to her. As he walked closer he noticed that her clothes were ripped and dirty and her pale and lightly freckled skin had splotches of the same dirt that was on her clothes. She had a fresh cut running up her cheek which he assumed was caused by an O'Driscoll. Her eyes were a bright blue but heavy eyebags hung underneath them and it showed that she probably hadn't slept in a few days. Her curly hair was brown but it had an almost golden undertone to it and Arthur thought it looked pretty despite how messy her hair was.

Once he reached her, Arthur crouched down in front of her and he started to cut her free. He cut the rope on the woman's ankles first before he cut the rope on her wrists. Once he was done he put his knife away and with as much gentleness as possible he reached up and he took the gag off. "Th-Thank you sir.." Was the first thing she whispered when she was able to speak. He nodded as he tossed the piece of rope away that was in her mouth. "Are you hurt anywhere else, miss?" He asked. She nodded and she turned slowly to reveal the cuts and bruises on her back. The cuts had stained her once white shirt red and it was so sad to see. She then turned to face him again as she quietly asked, "C-Can you h-help me..? I- I have no m-money or- or anywhere t-to go..!" She started to cry a bit heavily again as she raised a hand placing it over her mouth.

"Don't worry about money," Arthur said and at his words a hopeful expression percolated through her scared one. "I'll get you somewhere safe ma'am, I have three other guys with me but they won't hurt you, I promise." The woman nodded weakly, lowering her hand from her mouth as she did so.

"Can you walk?"

"Y-Yes.. I- I think so..."

"Okay, I'll help you up at least," He said. He moved beside her and he gently grabbed her upper arm as he helped her off of the floor whilst he stood up as well. She stumbled a little as she stood up and she couldn't help but lean against Arthur as she got adjusted to standing up after such a long time of sitting. He then started to gently lead her out of the room and down the stairs. "What's your name, miss?" He asked her. She looked up at Arthur and she sniffled softly before saying, "Reed.. M-My name is Reed J-Johnston."