Escapism (Arthur Morgan x Reader)

Chapter: 18

Arthur's POV

The sound of the horses scampering off scared, confused, yet diligently was being led away by my sweetheart. Yn had disappeared and any source of comfort I had in that moment ran cold. The air felt like it had dropped a few degrees, the warm sun now looked a little paler, the wrinkles in peoples frowns felt a bit meaner.

"Well gentleman...I hate to say but y'alls time has come to an end." Dutch had a light flickering in his eyes I'd never quite caught before. It was like a flame from hell that screamed damned and downright crazy.

"What happened to you Dutch...you left me to die...you left Arthur to die! You- you...you didn't care about us like you said in your fancy speeches." John uttered, he was suffering a heartbreak of a senile father figure.

"I didn't leave you dear boy I tried. But you was a rat- ALL OF YOU WERE!" he pointed accusingly at the men that stood in front of him. There was now a line of each men, Javier, Bill, and for some reason Cleet and Joe were there...those bastards. I guess Dutch really needed those men for backup and planned this shit.

Little did Dutch know they did too. Lenny and Sean was order to grab the money. John, Charles, Grimshaw, Kieran, Reverend was still even there...and me were gonna defend us.

"Dutch you ain't right for this. We was a camp- this here ends now." Ms. Grimshaw growled. Dutch tilted his head up,

"So be it then." He said with a swift lift of his left pistol firing a hole into her chest as she spout blood out and fell over. It set off the feud that would be the battle between Dutch and his boys versus the original members.

I had lifted over a table and crouched behind it with John. The law men arrived and they scattered bullets into the mix. Lenny and Reverend had the box running out but Bill held out his shotgun and took the redeemed Swanson down. He gasped and collapsed and Lenny yelped.

"Go Lenny run! Where we said to!" I yelled. Lenny had managed to dodge the bullets and take out a few lawmen as he rode over and out of the hills. At least the money was taken care of...

"You all are such traitors and it all started with Yn!" Dutch screamed now.

"You don't fuckin' KNOW Yn!" I yelled as he started to get up but John yanked him back down. The way he brought my fiance into this made my damn blood boil.

"You idiot. He's tryin' to getta rise outa you so he can shoot your head clean off!" John frowned as he took out a few more law men. They didn't seem to stop so John and Arthur looked over to Charles

"Go make sure Lenny is safe." I yelled.

"But- won't you guys need me?" He asked.

"We can hold em' off, just help Lenny, he lost poor Sean." John said. Charles nodded and managed to take a hidden route as Bill, Cleet, and Joe took off after him. Charles managed to grab Grimshaw, Sean, and Kieran on the horse as he snuck around the back of what was happening. I don't know how he quite managed to grab them so stealthily but he did. A mental note not to mess with Charles.

Looking back to see Kieran's blood stain the sand made me and John look at each other knowingly. Dutch was running back to his horse. John lifted me up and they shared a nod.

"Whatever happens, happens Arthur. But you are my brother 'til the end." John said, voice cracking slightly.

"Goddamnit John, you're the little brother I never had." I nodded with the tip of my hat as we ran to their horses. We began to catch up with dear Dutch, John in the back shooting off the remaining lawmen,