Aaliyah's Redemption: Bound by Fate ***DISCONTINUED, READ DESCRIPTION***

Chapter XIII

The camp at Horseshoe Overlook was soaked from the overnight storm, the ground still damp underfoot as the sun finally broke through the remaining clouds. A golden glow stretched across the horizon, signalling what would soon become a beautiful day. The smell of wet earth hung in the air, and droplets of water dropped lazily from the canvas tents as the camp began to stir awake. Aaliyah stood near the edge of camp, watching the men and their horses ride away, her mind elsewhere.

"Miss Stephens," Sadie's voice called from behind.

Aaliyah turned slowly, catching Sadie's eye. "Mrs. Adler," she replied, her voice even but soft.

The two women faced each other, a moment of silent understanding passing between them. Their paths had crossed before, long before the chaos that had brought them both into the Van Der Linde gang. Now, there was a mutual respect, tinged with the weight of their shared past.

"I heard about what happened to Jake," Aaliyah said softly, her eyes filled with sympathy as she glanced at Sadie.

Sadie's expression faltered for a moment, a shadow passing over her face. "Thank you, Aaliyah," she replied, her voice heavy with grief. Memories of her husband, Jake, still felt fresh, raw even.

"You're a strong woman, Sadie." Aaliyah reached out, gently placing her hand over Sadie's. The two women embraced, their contact brief but full of understanding. In that moment, Aaliyah could feel the weight of Sadie's loss, the pain of having everything ripped away in an instant, it was a feeling she knew too well.

As they pulled away, Sadie cleared her throat, the air between them shifting. "You wanna help me tend to the horses?" she asked. "I normally give 'em a good groom in the morning so when the men ride out, they don't gotta worry about it."

Aaliyah nodded, grateful for the offer. "Sure thing."

Together, they headed towards the makeshift hitching posts. Aaliyah grabbed Taima, Charles' beautiful Appaloosa, while Sadie took Brown Jack, Bill's sturdy Ardennes. The two women worked in silence for a moment, the quiet of the morning interrupted only by the gentle nickering of the horses and the soft brush of the grooming tools.

After a few minutes, Aaliyah finally broke the silence. "How'd you end up here?"

Sadie's hand paused briefly on Brown Jack's coat, her voice lowering as she spoke.

"The O'Driscolls came to the homestead in May... That's when they killed Jake." Her words were laced with pain, and Aaliyah could see the raw anger beneath her calm exterior. "I hid in the cellar while they... while they destroyed everything."

Aaliyah stayed quiet, knowing that no words could ease the burden of Sadie's loss.

"Then Dutch, Arthur, and Micah showed up. Killed the O'Driscolls that were left. Arthur and Dutch raided the place, but it was Micah who found me in the cellar," she continued, her voice hardening. "He's the one who set the homestead on fire. Took everything I had left of Jake."

Aaliyah glanced over at Sadie, noting the bitterness in her tone. "That's awful..." she started, but words seemed inadequate.

"After that, the boys took me to Colter where they were hiding out," Sadie said, her gaze distant. "That's where I've been ever since. Helping out around camp, doing chores... trying to keep myself busy." Her voice softened, and she looked at Aaliyah, a mix of resignation and determination in her eyes.

"You ever thought about leaving?" Aaliyah asked, her own gaze focused on Taima's saddle, as if the weight of Sadie's story had reignited something within her.

Sadie shook her head. "I thought about it, but this gang's my family now. What's left of it, anyway. Can't say I'll ever leave."

The silence between them thickened again, but it was a companionable quiet this time. They continued grooming the horses, letting the routine of the work fill the space between them.

After a while, Sadie's voice cut through the stillness. "Enough about me. What'd you tell Arthur?"

Aaliyah stiffened slightly, feeling the weight of the question settle on her. Sadie's tone had shifted, her protectiveness of the gang evident. Aaliyah took a deep breath, her words coming out measured. "We ran into Curtis Malloy," she said quietly.

Sadie's head snapped up, her expression sharpening. "The sheriff?"

Aaliyah nodded, avoiding Sadie's piercing gaze. "Yeah. And no, I wasn't lying when I told Tilly. He's someone I... worked with. A long time ago." The words tasted bitter in her mouth, but it was the truth.

Sadie studied her for a moment, then nodded. "You need to tell them. Dutch, Hosea... they won't take kindly to secrets, especially if it involves law men."

Aaliyah felt a knot form in her stomach. "I know, Sadie. I know." She lowered her voice, glancing around to make sure no one else was nearby. "Just because my father was who he was, doesn't mean I am the same. I followed his footsteps for survival, not revenge."

Sadie looked at her thoughtfully. "Your father... was he really tied up in what happened to Lyle?"

Aaliyah's gaze met Sadie's, her expression hardening. "Yes," she confirmed. "But he was just following orders. It wasn't his choice."

Saide let out a slow breath. "If Dutch or Hosea get wind of this..." Her voice trailed off, but the warning was clear.

Aaliyah nodded, the weight of her past settling heavily on her shoulders once again. "I'll handle it. I promise."

The two women finished grooming the horses in relative silence, exchanging small bits of conversation here and there, but the air between them remained heavy with unspoken understanding. The rest of the camp began to stir, the sound of voices and laughter signalling the start of a new day.

***

"Miss Stephens!" Miss Grimshaw's voice called from across the camp.

Aaliyah, who had been sitting on the edge of the cliff, watching a herd of wild horses run below, turned to see Miss Grimshaw waving at her. She stood up, brushing off the dirt from her skirt as she approached the older woman.

"Is everything alright?" Aaliyah asked.

"Yes, dear. I just need some help patching up the men's clothes, and the other girls are busy with chores." Miss Grimshaw handed Aaliyah a pair of pants and a needle and thread. "You've done this before, I assume?"

Aaliyah nodded, her voice quiet as she began to stitch the fabric. "I worked as a maid for a bit. Used to sew up things when needed."

The two women worked in companionable silence, the task simple but oddly comforting. After a while, Miss Grimshaw glanced over at her. "You've been good help around here, Aaliyah. How're your injuries holding up?"

Aaliyah smiled faintly. "I've seen better days. Still feel like a bruised piece of fruit." She chuckled, and Miss Grimshaw joined in with a soft laugh.

"Well, you certainly look like one," Miss Grimshaw teased lightly. "You'll be resting in Arthur's tent tonight. He won't be back until tomorrow, so you can take it easy."

Aaliyah hesitated. "I don't mind sleeping with the other girls."

Miss Grimshaw's eyes narrowed slightly. "It's not up for discussion. You need rest if you want to heal properly."

Aaliyah sighed, nodding in agreement. "Yes, Miss Grimshaw."

As Miss Grimshaw walked off to attend to other matters, Aaliyah made her way toward the campfire. She sat down, her eyes drawn to the way the flames flickered and danced. She could feel the weight of everything she'd been holding inside, but for now, she let the warmth of the fire offer her a fleeting sense of peace.