Sign of the Times (Arthur Morgan x Reader)

Chapter Four

I wasn't sure what to do. Colm had his boys scouting around Valentine, looking for me, and if I tried to move Zephyr before his condition improves, he could get worse. I sat cross-legged on my bed roll with my head resting in my hands, trying to think optimistic thoughts, but none would come. The gnawing ache in my empty stomach wasn't helping matters either. It was then that I glanced up, and noticed a small parcel sitting atop the tree stump that wasn't there before. After careful consideration, I picked up the package. Upon inspection, I found it was a carefully bundled parcel of salted cured meat, and some bread and cheese. My mouth was practically watering as I broke the bread in half and inhaled its scent deeply. It was still warm and fresh.

Arthur must have left this behind. Was this the dinner that Pearson mentioned before? My eyes slid closed for a moment before I replaced the food on my bedroll, and got to work, rekindling my small campfire as night was slowly but surely beginning to fall. I stood for a moment to stretch my legs as I retrieved a spare blanket from Zephyr's saddle. I threw it over him as he laid contently near my tent. His ears were laid back, indicating he was still feeling unwell.

"I'm sorry boy... but...we'll find a way out of this soon enough." I mumbled, stroking him, and scratching him lightly behind the ears, which he seemed to appreciate as he stretched his neck for more. I smiled softly, sitting up straight, and retrieving my map from the saddlebag.

"If we head South from here first thing in the morning... we should arrive at Flatneck station before noon... then we can take the train to Rhodes. Being that it was so close to Saint Denis... maybe, just maybe, Colm will steer clear of such a big city..." I mumbled, more to myself than Zephyr, who had already drifted off to sleep. After eating a few bites of the provisions I was given, I felt my eyelids growing heavy, and it wasn't long before I had drifted off to sleep.

*The next morning*

"Did ya sleep well?" My eyes burst open at the sound of a familiar voice, and I sat straight up, only to have my back shoved against the nearby tree, and a rusty knife dug into my neck.

"Now... sweetheart... if ya scream, I can't promise ya you'll come outta this alive." Colm hissed, chuckling in the sinister way that he does. The five boys he had brought with him laughed as well as they surrounded me.

"Bastard... I wouldn't give ya the satisfaction..." I growled, my eyes glaring daggers through him.

"I've had a lot of boys die recently... all 'cause you decided to run off on me." He growled, his voice becoming deep as he forced me to stand, now wrapping his hand around my throat tightly. I felt the cold steel of one of his rings press into my neck as he squeezed. He brought his face close to me as he wrapped his fingers tighter.

"I'm sick and tired of you makin' a damn fool of me, woman!" He shouted, bringing his hand back and slapping as hard as he could across my face. The taste of iron filled my mouth as another of his rings caught my lip and sliced it.

"After everythin' I've done for ya-" I reared back and spit a good amount of blood in his left eye, and he hissed in anger as he wiped it away.

"Grab her." He ordered as two of his boys rushed to me, taking one arm each, holding it out securely. I fought against them with all I had, but Colm quickly landed a hard blow to my stomach, knocking the wind out of me, and causing me to dry-heave. Another blow came in quick succession, and I felt my legs give out as the other two continued to hold me up. My face was contorted in pain as the ache radiated through my abdomen and ribs.

"Hogtie her, and bring her back to the camp up near Emerald Ranch..." He paused for a moment in front of my limp body, taking my face in his hand, and gently turning it up to where he could see me clearly.