Lamb To The Slaughter (Red Dead Redemption 2 Fanfic)

Old Friends: Part I

 The silence was so loud, it woke Fae from a dead sleep. Mornings were loud, chaotic, full of life and voices. Her natural instinct told her to wake, telling her something was wrong and she was needed. But in this situation it was quite the opposite. The cabin was empty, absent of all life, except John, who laid at the back of the cabin, mumbling and groaning in his sleep. Once again she'd woken up, and her Javier was gone. Something she was used to, just something she didn't expect. The pain in her foot took a moment to arise, less harsh than yesterday. As Fae slowly drew back the blankets from her legs, a less horrific sight than last night. The swelling was down, thanks to snow wrapped in a cloth and placed on her foot, she was thankful to whoever did that. The color was prettier too, not as purple and angry looking. In her arm was a small stinging, the same sensation as being stabbed. When she rolled up her sleeves she found a needle sized hole, Reverend, he had given her some of morpheus' sweet embrace. Javier, or Delilah must have convinced him to share a little of the reliever. Fae shuttered for a moment at the thought of the size of the needle, it was best to roll down her sleeve and forget about it.

Susan entered, not a moment later. Her peppery hair tucked up under a shawl, and her deep wrinkles frozen. Mrs. Adler entered behind her, still draped in that raggy brown blanket and dirty nightgown. She was dripping wet from snow, with soot and the smell of fire drifting off of her. Poor woman, first her husband, then her home, her whole life gone in a night.

" You're awake." Susan said in a nearly cheerful tone, " Here Mrs.Adler, sit." She directed Sadie to the fire, sitting her in a chair before giving her the blanket from Fae's legs," Coffee, Miss. Bennett?"

Fae sighed as the cold air overtook her body," I'll pass." She tried a soft smile.

Susan shook her head," Hosea said the same, you two and your sugars and creams." Susan handed a cup to Sadie before pouring one for herself," Dutch had to rip Javier and his children from your side this morning, none of them wanted to leave until you woke."

" Where are they?" Fae was most concerned about Delilah.

" Delilah is with the other ladies while they eat, and I believe the boys are over in their cabin, waiting for Dutch. Which reminds me, Dutch needs to see you when you can, and Delilah brought you a couple personal things." Susan came to her again, this time with a cup of warm water for her to sip on. It wasn't coffee but it worked," I mean this in the gentlest way possible, but you can't see yourself."

Fae chortled as she took the cup," Thank you, Susan."

She couldn't imagine how she looked or smelled, it had been at least two days since she'd looked in a mirror, and at least a week since she'd bathed. Susan and Sadie quickly left, off to find Sadie some clothes most likely. Susan was such a mother. Fae took a sip of the hot water before reaching for a black bag at her feet. Inside was a hairbrush, a pair of blue jeans, a long sleeve black shirt, black knit gloves, a red scarf, and something that made her stop in her tracks. Her black hat, her beautiful black hat. Last she saw it, it had flown off her head as they escaped Blackwater. She wasn't sure how Delilah had found it, or had it. All she knew as she looked at the silver embroidery, and the familiar dents and scratches, a smile came to her face.

Fae started with her hair, freeing it from the knotted braid it had become over the past few days. She found comfort in combing her fingers through it, even though it desperately needed a wash. Somehow she stood on her own, and stripped her blood and sweat soaked clothes from her skin. A fresh pair instantly made her feel better about her appearance.

As her fingers laced the last few buttons into place, Arthur entered the building, a cigarette hung loosely off his lower lip as he warmed his body. He lifted his eyes for a moment until he saw Fae, instantly turning away towards the door," Excuse me Miss. Bennett, I didn't know you were-"