Lamb To The Slaughter (Red Dead Redemption 2 Fanfic)

Outlaws From The West: Part I

It had been three days since Daisy had passed. Three whole days down to the hour. It was the only thing that lingered on her mind: not hunger, not the stabbing pain that now took over her whole foot, not the dull environment or even everyone's bored state of mind, only her Daisy. Her speckled gray body, her unique beautiful white spots, her pink and white nose, her four white socks, the little prance she did every time before Fae saddled her, the way she would flick her head in disapproval. Oh Daisy. It felt like she had always been there, and now she was just gone. A bear's gourmet supper.

A thaw hit and everything turned to mud, and the morale of the gang hung a little higher. Dutch was being Dutch again, and Dutch being Dutch he was planning some score. He had Finnick off with him, planning and plotting with him and Hosea.

It was late in the morning, Fae laid wide awake on the couch, listening to water drip off the roofs. Her head rested on the back of the old coarse couch, watching the once winter wonderland melt away. A raggy old olive colored blanket laid over her body, she kept her bad leg held out straight and the other close to her chest. Her entire body ached down to her fingertips. Laying emotionless, the best way to hide pain of any kind,silently mourning Daisy. She plastered a tight smile on her face whenever someone spoke to her, pretending she was fine. It was really her only defense, she needed to stay strong for Delilah, for Javier, well for everyone really.

Many people filled the room, most of them just waiting for Dutch's order. Being mindlessly bored together was a little more sufferable than suffering alone silently. Fae could hear Delilah's voice off in the background, somewhere under all the indistinct chatter. A gentle and sweet tone she had heard many times, she knew she was talking with Charles. She really liked him for whatever reason, she liked him enough to introduce her to her father and get him in this mess. Liked him enough to where she actually wanted to keep his baby, despite the conception being the only time she had met him.

Susan sat on the side of the couch, taking Fae out of her own head for a moment. She scooped up Fae's cold hands, holding her fingers tight until they regained color again," Anything I can get you dear? Maybe some more snow for the foot?"

Fae could feel the slush of snow running down and soothing her ankle, a disgusting feeling against such a filthy couch. Her eyes still lingering out the window, she tried a tight smile," No thank you, Susan." The only four words she had said to her for days.

Susan huffed and scooped up Fae's other hand," How about any food? I haven't seen you eat this morning. We got some canned fruits, so kindly provided by the O'Driscoll boys. I think I saw some strawberries, some peaches, oh a few cans of pineapple, and I do believe there's corn too."

"Thank you Susan, truly." Her eyes finally met her wrinkly face, there was an exhausted and sullen look on her jagged face," I'd rather not eat something that didn't reek of O'Driscoll."

She set Fae's hand back in her lap before quickly moving to Fae's braid, tucking and hiding hair to give her a neater appearance," I say I can't blame you." Her  hands went back to her own lap before she sighed and pulled the blanket over Fae's hands," Well let me know if you want anything, you better get some before the boys do." 

Once Susan was gone, Fae's green eyes wandered out the window once more. She could almost feel the sun, smell the spring air as the snow melted away, the dirt, the mountains. A smell she had long forgotten. Being cooped up in the cabin was driving Fae slowly mad: three days of nothing but grief, hunger, and boredom.

That's when another weight planted itself by her side. This weight was familiar, comforting almost. Something she had felt hundreds of times at her bedside, late at night. Pulling her attention from the window again she was greeted by her Javier's warm smile.A tender look he only gave her, when his gaze would soften and his pressed lips would turn upward," Anything good out there?" He looked behind his shoulder briefly, glancing out to the bland environment.