Ghosts of the Past [ RDR2 - Arthur Morgan ]

Chapter 49 - Family Values

Word count - 2096

CHAPTER 49 - Family Values

Restless was living up to his namesake as Arthur and Rosemary travelled side by side back towards the cave mouth that housed the family. Her shoulder was still wrapped tightly - Arthur's doing - and she was still not fully herself. But the promise between them was if anything at all happened, they would return to Hamish Grove.

Rosemary's finger glistened with a new ring. Arthur had insisted on a detour, and a lengthy one at that, to the fence in Emerald Ranch. He had apologized over and over again in his own gruff way about it not being a new ring - something he couldn't quite afford. Rosemary had assured him she didn't need a ring at all. But she was thankful to have one regardless.

It felt like an anchor in her hand as they ascended the hillside in silence. Each step carried them closer to their own misfortune. Something Rosemary had noted, they hadn't so much as had a bad bump to the head since leaving the gang within the last week. It was a stark reminder of the calm they were leaving behind for the hope of saving family from Micah Bell.

Javier was standing guard at the path. They knew this first from his accented voice calling out "Who's there?" Through the trees.

In the past, Rosemary hadn't minded knowing the guards were there. Sure they had their guns ready when she entered camp, but once they knew it was her, they always dropped their aim away from her. Yet when Arthur's rumble of a voice replied tentatively "It's me- And Miss Levenson."

Javier's aim took a lot longer to waver.

Their arrival was met with wary stares, suspicion or confusion woven into every glance. Javier's aim did drop, but his grip remained firm. "Hola, Amigo." His words seemed stiff "You've been gone a while..."

Arthur didn't reply. Instead he simply tipped his head as they passed him, and dismounted at the entrance of camp. Shifting sands. It was almost tangible how uncertain they were here. Eyes from all over propped up to watch them. Rosemary looked towards her wagon quickly, to find Sadie, Charles and Abigail huddled there. They had stopped whatever they were discussing in favour of looking wide eyed at the unexpected return.

But the hardest-burning eyes belonged to Dutch Van Der Linde. He was staring across the camp at Arthur alone. His gaze did not waver to Rosemary even for a second.

Slowly, he got to his feet. His presence was nothing if not intimidating to Rosemary. She was thankful for Arthur's sturdy frame in front of her, shielding her from Dutch's stare. Her eyes flicked to Sadie - who offered her a small smile that said it all: I'm glad to see you.

Dutch's voice drew Rosemary back to him. He spoke with a sense of complete calm, giving nothing away. "Son - didn't know if you were coming back."

"Guess I did." Arthur was blunt in his reply "Rose had an interesting story to tell. When I got her outta Lakay."

"Oh I'm sure she was simply filled with stories." He replied, eyes flickering to her shortly, then back to Arthur. "But alive. I see."

He nodded shortly. "Alive. No thanks to you." His probe didn't earn him a reply from Dutch, who continued to survey him. "He's a rat," he stated, jutting his chin toward Micah's empty bed. "Sold out our location to Milton."

Dutch exhaled through his nose, slow and measured. "So she says."

"So I say." Arthur growled in return.

The sheer intensity of their stare was enough to have Rose wanting to run again. Back to Hamish Grove. Back to the cottage. But when she caught sight of little Jack in the distance with Tilly, she bit her cheek. Stay strong.