Red Nelly And Her Band Of Thieves

Introductions

Red Nelly

1879 Australia

Introductions

Once again, Nelly's hip hit the side of a chair, as the train rolled along its bumpy tracks. It seemed, not even the layers of petticoats she wore were going to spare her from a nasty bruise. "This is the last time I am doing this for you, Gabe." She hissed over her shoulder, after apologizing to the person in the seat. Gabe, her older brother of seven years, had his large hand folded over her upper arm, pushing her in front of him through the narrow passage between the rows of seats, as though she couldn't be trusted to walk on her own. His dominance over her had gone to new levels since Cain had been killed. He always wanted someone with her, like he knew of her plan to leave his little crew. He couldn't, though, there was no way. She never spoke to any of them other than for the tasks at had. Cain had been the only one.

It wasn't like she would jump off the train, the train was going too fast! It was ridiculous to think she needed to be taken to the ladies room. It was one straight line there and back. If she was inclined to run from him, there weren't many places she could hide on this bumpy contraption. The trip between Hobsons bay and Flinders street was not that far, but she couldn't wait as long as that. Now Nelly wished she had made time to visit the ladies room somewhere before she left. It would have spared her her current situation.

Gabe's grip hurt, even though Nelly was used to this sort of treatment from him. Even before Cains death. Neither before or after, had Nelly ever given her brother a reason to doubt her. She had always done her part, whether she liked it or not.

She was also being truthful this time. She wasn't going to do this any longer. Before Cain came along, Nelly felt resigned to her situation in life, not really knowing any other way. Her young heart couldn't handle another break like she had experienced. Loving, Cain, made her existence mean something more. Now that he was gone, another life, the one they had planned together, was all she wanted. If only to honor him. Perhaps Gabe could see her desire to leave in her eyes. Pfft, how could he? He never looked at her eye to eye.

The train car jolted again, causing Gabe to lose his balance, and loosen his grip. Nelly's arm slipped easily from his hold, and suddenly, without Gabe steadying her, she continued to the ground landing on her knees. She heard him curse and looking back at him, she caught him holding his hip. Nelly smiled, he deserved to get roughed up every now and then, just for treating people the way he did.

"Are you alight ma'am?" Someone asked. Nelly schooled her features, it was time to play the game. Who was she kidding, when it came to anyone outside their little ensemble of misfits, Nelly always had to be someone else. Sighing, her thoughts went to Cain again. He was the only person she never had to play games with. He was the only person who truly knew her. With his memory in the front of her mind, she looked up to the person who was making it their business to see to her needs. She felt sorry for them, a moment of regret settled in her before she turned on the Wyatt charm, deceiving someone who was being kind never felt any good. But, her regret was quickly vanquished by the sound of her own gasp. "Did you hit your head?" The stranger asked with concern, leaning in closer. Nelly, instead of smiling sweetly frowned with confusion. The only thing that happened to her head was that it was reeling with the sight of the man who knelt in front of her. Cain?

Nelly starred at the man for a moment. Her heart was about to pound out of her chest, the person in front of her looked like, Cain! But Cain was dead. She knew this, she was there when he was buried, remembered the hours she cried in her sleep morning her love. Mentally shaking her head, to get a grip on herself, she regretted doing so, immediately. Because, for that moment when she looked into the strangers deep brown eyes, she thought that the last three months of feeling alone, of nursing her heartache, of missing the only person who took the time to know her, had been a farce. For that moment, her love was not dead.