World Is A Cruel Place (Arthur Morgan x Reader)

Prologue

                   {Current Age: 12}

Your body felt... Stiff. Unmovable. Numb. But more so cold. You weren't entirely sure where you currently are because all you see is nothing but a dark abyss of pure nothing. And the only thing you could hear was the occasional small gust of wind coming from who knew where. The only sense you had was a slight stinging around your wrist which you now realized that your icy hands were touching each other. You shifted your wrist and heard the slight squeak of rope twisting. You winced in pain as the rough rope rubbed against your already raw skin. You went to lick your lips only to taste a bitter and slightly salty cloth. With the now sudden realization, that had happen to kick in now about all times, that you have been taken to someplace unknown make your heart start to pound and your breathing quicken. "H-hello?" You attempted to question though your rasped voice muffled by the decently thick cloth around your mouth. You wiggled your body around until you sat up. Tears began brimming your eyes as fear began to consume your very being. You hated the how silent the room was and you hated how cold you felt while being nearly immobile. You tried to calm yourself down by controlling your breathing and trying to lower your racing heart beat. You were getting close to that point but nearly jumped out of your skin when you heard gunshots from what seemed like it came from above you. You screamed out in fear but also in hopes of someone hearing you and helping you out of where ever you are. So... You continued to scream out but then hushed once the gunfire ceased. You panted a bit and listened to the muffled voices above you. It was hard to make out what they we're saying but the one thing you barely picked up was the word: Search. You let out a sigh of relief. From that word alone, you assumed someone must have demanded other people to search the building. You heard foot steps walk and pause above you. You felt like you weren't going to be found anytime soon so you screamed out again and heard foot steps pause and more muffled talking. The footsteps became rushed and you heard them barrel down the stairs and slam what you assumed the door open.

"Now. I knew Colm was fucked in the head. But I didn't think he'd be this bad... Kidnapping a poor child- what kind of sick man does that?" A slightly rough voice spoke out. Your felt your numbed body be moved around a bit and the rope shifting  gently around your wrist. Signifying that you would soon be free. The cloth around your mouth became lose and fell on your lap. Then the cloth around your eyes loosened and did the same as the other. You blinked and let your eyes focus. In front of you was a young man with light brown hair and blue eyes. He looked to be about two years older than you. His bright blue eyes that shined with a hair of life and joy behind them stared into your own orbs that were widened and frantic.

"Are... Are you okay?" He asked you in a gentle tone. Your body shook with both fear and from being cold for so long. Though you gave the boy a shy nod and swallowed hard due to being nervous about the strangers. You soon felt the rope be removed from your wrist gently and you brought your wrist forward and rubbed them but hissed in small pain. The boy that was in front of you now stood up and looked at one of the older men that he was with. "What should we do with her Dutch?" He asked. You turned to the man he looked at. He had slicked back black hair and brown eyes that seemed to show he was thinking about what to do. He had surprisingly high cheek bones and a small mole on one of them.

"We can't just leave her here and have the O'Driscolls take her once again, Dutch." Another male spoke. He seemed to be the oldest of the two. He had blonde hair and brown eyes and looked to be kinder. Even compared to the youngest one out of the three he still seemed the kindest. The man who went by Dutch looked at you.

"Do you have a mommy or daddy that we can take you to?" He asked as he crouched down to your level. You scooted back to get away from Dutch a little. He had a slight offended look but quickly shook it off. "Don't be afraid. I'm not gonna hurt ya." He said gently. You gave in a little bit but we're still on edge. You then eventually gave a small nod. "Do you know where they are?" He continued. You looked down and chewed your bottom lip and shook your head.

"T-they m-might be home..." You muttered out. Your voice still raspy. The youngest one blinked in thought and leaned on one leg and placed two fingers on his chin.

"Where do you live then?" The blonde male was next to speak again. He moved to stand next to Dutch.

"Strawberry..." You answer out and cough a little. Your mouth was also a bit dry considering the cloth was in your mouth a little bit and it collected most of your saliva. Dutch turned to the youngest one.

"Arthur. Could you send this young lady back to her parents? Hosea and I uh..." Dutch cleared his throat. "We have some business to finnish." He finished before leaving with Hosea. Arthur, the youngest one, gave a nod and held a hand out for you to take. His expression blank and hard to read. You cautiously grabbed his hand and he helped you up. You stumbled a little and he looked at you a little funny.

"Sorry... M-my l-legs are cold..." You mutter out and let out a small shiver. Arthur sighed and wrapped his jacket around your shoulders. You quickly became warm thanks to his jacket.

"Come on. Let's get going." He said blandly. He started up the stairs and you followed close behind him. He helped you onto his horse before hopping on himself. You grabbed onto his waist as the horse rushed away from the cabin that you were held captive in. The ride was silent until Arthur cleared his throat to try and cut the silence. "You know I... Never caught your name." He said being his awkward teen self.

"(Y/n)...(Y/n)(L/n)." You answered. "And you?"

"Arthur Morgan..." He replied. "So just what did the O'Driscolls want from you?" He added. You let out a shrug.

"I... Don't know... I ain't really familiar with them." You replied truthfully. And you really didn't know much about the O'Driscolls. You didn't hear all that much about them especially in Strawberry where it was such a small town. Arthur gave a nod.

"Yeah well... Stay away from 'em. They're bad news." Was all he said before the ride went silent and you had finally arrived home. You waved him goodbye as he left quickly. Most likely to meet up with Dutch and Hosea. You watched him slowly fade off into the distance. Once gone, you entered your home, closed the door behind you, turned around and screamed out in horror.