No Time To Die- ARTHURMORGAN x O/C

part 30- Maneater

       The sun hangs high in the sky over the camp, casting long shadows from the trees that frames the area. The sounds of men preparing for the great heist at the Saint Denis bank fill the air, a chorus of laughter and strategizing evident in the thick, humid atmosphere. Claudia sighs as she leans against a gnarling tree, watching the others bustle with excitement and determination. It is a familiar sight, and though she is proud of their daring spirit.
The thrill of adventure courses through her veins, and the excitement of the impending job is lost on her. She needs a distraction—something to break the monotony of camp life, however fleeting. She casts one last glance at the group of men, who are too engrossed in their eager discussions to notice her slink away, she decides it is time to ride out. Claudia mounts her horse, and rides towards the distant silhouette of Saint Denis, the vibrant city with its mysterious allure calls her.
As she approaches the bustling streets of Saint Denis, a sense of liberation ignites in her chest. The saloon doors swing open and close like a heartbeat, raucous laughter spilling from inside, drawing her in like a moth to a flame. Claudia ties Nyrah to a post outside and steps into the dim lighting of the establishment. The interior is filling with laughter, the clinking of glasses, and the smoky haze of poorly rolled cigars. It smells of sweat and ambition, and as she walks through the crowd, she feels a surge of energy pulse through her.
She perches herself on a barstool, ordering a drink that the bartender slides down the counter toward her. The alcohol is bitter but welcoming, and she savers the burn as it slides down her throat. Claudia watches the various patrons—some singing, some bickering, and others sinking deep in their cups, oblivious to the world around them.
A particularly boisterous man catches her attention, his laughter riding the waves of noise like a buoy. He's wearing a faded red shirt and a ragged hat that sat askew atop his head. His cheeks are flushing from the drink, and he seems more than eager to engage. Claudia's adventurous spirit pique, and she leans forward, a coy smile gracing her lips.
"Looks like you're having yourself a fine time," she says, her voice sweet and teasing as she turns to him.
He turns his gaze to her, eyes glinting with a mix of drunkenness and interest. "Well, why wouldn't I? This is the best place in Saint Denis! What brings you out here, darlin'?"
Pretending to play innocent, Claudia tilts her head slightly, the movement adding a delicate touch to her already charming demeanor. "Just looking for some excitement. The camp can get a bit... dull."
His eyes widens as he leaned closer, intrigued. "You're from that gang, aren't ya? The Van der Linde crew?"
Claudia feigns a playful coyness. "Maybe. Wouldn't you like to know?" She decides to let her gaze wander for a moment so he could admire her nonchalant demeanor, then returns her focus to him, teasingly biting her lower lip. "What kind of excitement do you suggest?"
"Well, you're in the right place!" He gestures towards the clamor around them, and she laughs lightly in return. "But if ya want somethin' special, I have a stash of cash we could use to take this party to the next level."
Her pulse quickens at the mention of cash, her charming facade shifts into something more sly, her mind racing with thoughts of what she could acquire. "Oh? You're pretty generous for a man who's had a few too many," she teases, bouncing her foot lightly against the stool.
The man stands straighter, puffing out his chest in bravado. "You ain't seen nothin' yet. Let me show ya a good time."
With a flick of her hair, she smiles, letting the banter flow as easily as the whiskey. They exchange jokes and stories, and Claudia presses closer, letting her laughter mesh with his, all the while quietly assessing the contents of his pockets. He is so lost in the moment, so unaware of her intent, it makes her heart race.
Feeling daring, she leans in, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "You know, I've always wanted a pocket watch. Something to remember this night by. Do you know where a girl might find one?"
The man laughs, his eyes glinting. "I might just have one for you, sugar. You'd like that, huh?"
"Very much," she whispers, her voice sultry as she meets his gaze directly, urging him to lean closer.
He proudly retrieves a gold pocket watch from his vest's inner pocket, the polished surface gleaming in the dim light. "Here ya go! Just for you."
"Such a gentleman." Claudia takes the watch from him, fingers brushing against his, smiling sweetly. "You wouldn't miss it, would you?"
"Not at all, darlin'." He leans back, takes a swig from his glass, and then sets his sights on another round of drinks. Sensing the opportunity, she slides the watch into her own pocket—taking her time, trying not to let excitement cloud her judgment.
The man turns to chat with another nearby drunkard, his arms flailing as he animatedly recounts their earlier drink adventures, while Claudia's hands continued to deftly search his pockets. To her delight, she finds a handful of dollars tucking away within his trousers. Her heart pounds louder, and she acts quickly, flicking the bills into her own pocket before slipping from the barstool with the grace of a cat.
She secures the prize, she quietly makes her way towards the saloon's exit, just as she reaches for the door, she turns back one last time, catching the eye of the bumbling man and throwing him a flirtatious smile. "Thanks for the fun!" she calls sweetly.
He raises his glass, oblivious, a loud laugh escaping his lips. "Come back any time, sugar!"
Claudia slips out into the night, a vibrant moon above — the city alive with echoes of laughter and revelry. She relishes the adrenaline coursing through her veins, the thrill of the heist fresh in her mind. She begins to walk away, she catches sight of several figures in the distance heading towards the saloon, their faces obscuring but the ominous shape of badges evident on their chests. Rifles hanging around their back.
"Damn it," she mumbles under her breath, realizing they were bounty hunters. Quickly, she mounts Nyrah, her heart racing with a sense of urgency that ignites within her. The last thing she needs is to be caught by bounty hunters—especially when she had just pilfered a drunkard's valuables.
Claudia kicked Nyrah into action, the bounty hunters had already spot her. "Hey!" one of them shouts, his voice slicing through the noise of the streets. "Get back here!"
Claudia grips the reins tightly, spurring Nyrah harder, her heart racing. She can hear their laughter turning into shouts behind her, the sound intensifying as they took off in pursuit. The city's night landscape blurring into a haze of motion as she urges her horse to gain speed.
The bounty hunters follow, hooting and trying to close the distance down. They were confident, perhaps too much so, but Claudia has a wild spirit and a knack for escape. She races through narrow streets and alleys, weaving between startling citizens and vendors who shout warnings or curses in her wake.
In the chaos, she takes a sharp turn, leading her pursuers through a less traveling side street. She spots an opening that lead out into the swamps, the riders follow. Claudia's muscles strain as she calls upon every bit of her strength, her exhilaration mounting with the chase.
As she breaches the edge of the swamps towards New Hangover, she urges Nyrah to pick up speed, focusing on putting distance between herself and the bounty hunters. The trepidation ignites into determination. She didn't have to look back to see how close they were; the adrenaline courses through her, pushing her deeper into the trees.
Claudia's heart races, a victorious smile breaking across her face. She maneuverers deeper into the forest, she slows, allowing Nyrah to catch her breath as well.
Once she is sure she has shaken them off, Claudia dismounts and leads Nyrah into a nearby clearing, hiding from view. The towering trees cloister around her, a sanctuary from the chaos of the city. Breathing heavily, she leans against Nyrah, allowing the exhilaration of the evening to settle into a warm glow of satisfaction.
She retrieves the pocket watch and the bills from her pocket, grinning as the moonlight glints off the metallic surface. Claudia takes a moment to admire her spoils, contemplating their worth, thinking of all that she could do with the money.
That amusement quickly fades into pragmatic thoughts as she makes a small camp. She builds a hasty fire to ward off the night's chill and rolls out a bedroll for herself. The night sky above her glistens like a sea of diamonds, and the silence of the forest becomes a comforting balm.
Before the night deepens, Claudia pulls out her meager rations, a small whiskey flask she got stowed away, and settles in to enjoy her small victory. As she sips, she realises with a satisfying sigh that is precisely the kind of excitement she has sought when she left camp earlier that day. She falls into a light sleep beneath the moon's gaze, the whiskey quietening her mind.