Ghosts of the Past [ RDR2 - Arthur Morgan ]

Chapter 38 - Debt to the Dead

Word count 2067

CHAPTER 38 - Debt to the Dead

It was late. There was a hush of worry around the gang. Despite it being no earlier than four in the morning, no one had slept a wink, with the exception of young Jack who had been put to sleep in the back of Rose's wagon. Abigail and John were yet to return, and everyone else wanted the young boy close.

There weren't many men-folk left at camp. Pearson, the reverend, Strauss and Uncle were all that remained. And while not completely undefended, it was clear all the fighters were gone. They'd been expected back before dinner time. And the camp was already in the process of packing up in preparation for the move back west upon their triumphant arrival. Though the packing had slowed to a halt when they failed to return.

Sadie's hands were clenched around a gun, staring into the distance. "Something's wrong." She muttered once again. A thought she had shared every ten minutes for the past few hours.

Even Uncle had the decency to stay wide awake during the uncertainty. "So you've said." He drawled.

"And I'll keep saying it." She snapped in return.

Rose was rubbing her temples slowly "You two have to stop damn bickering. 'Fore I lose my mind." Her brain had gone sluggish in the late hour. That was until the sound of horse hooves brought everyone's attention on the entrance to camp.

Just one horse.

Charles Smith rode into camp, with Abigail on the rump of his horse.

In an instant, there were questions and demands for answers. Grimshaw spoke so fast and terrified that Charles couldn't keep up with her. Abigail was crying somewhat as she was directed to her son sleeping in the back of the wagon. "They're alive." Was his first word to try and calm everyone.

"But not here?" Rose confirmed "and not coming here anytime soon."

Charles met Rose's eyes, and after a moment, shook his head. "John - he was taken into custody. Arthur, Micah, Dutch, Javier and Bill - far as I know they got on a ship a few hours ago."

There was a brief moment of pause. Before Grimshaw spoke "Hosea? Lenny?"

The word didn't even have to be said for all those listening to know exactly what had happened. Charles took a deep breath "Dead."

The silence was deafening. The sound of a distant storm seemed louder now as they all took that in. Hosea, the man that had been the catalyst for Arthur coming to find Rose—gone. The man who had saved her life. Gone.

Her breath stilled, like the air had been knocked from her lungs. If Arthur had been here, he would have said something steady, something sure. But Arthur wasn't here. And neither was Hosea.

And only days after Kieran. Only weeks after Sean.

Those shifting sands moved below her feet once more. But this time there was no Arthur to hold her steady. "We have to get them." Rose stated after a moment.

"Miss Levenson, they're gone." Charles stated.

"And they need a burial!" Rose countered.

Charles took a little breath, jaw tightening. "I can't go back into the city, Rose. You know that."

"And you want Hosea and Lenny's bodies to rot in police custody?" she snapped. It wasn't fair to take it out on Charles, but dammit, none of this was fair.

Charles hesitated. His eyes flickered to the others, gauging the impossible weight of it. "I don't like it."

"I don't either."