Saving Arthur Morgan | rdr2

Chapter 12

Once we got to Braithwaite Manor, Arthur dismounted. He eyed the property, then turned to me. "We've gotta sneak in." His voice sounded pained.

"What?" I gestured towards the men who patrolled the fields and surrounding areas. We were off under some trees a little away from the property line.

The evening settled over Lemoyne, the frogs and crickets sang already. Maybe the men will retire soon.

"Ahh. We can get in. This ain't nothin compared to some of the places I've had to sneak into." I watched him as he spoke, his face was neutral. He eyed the property still, then shook his head with a sigh. "Well dismount And we'll-" he looked at me seriously, "ya know what..you stay here." He said, then started walking towards the fenced property.

"What? No!" I hissed, dismounting and quickly followed after him.

He turned to me, rolling his eyes. "I can't be gettin you killed. I'm faster anyways." He started on again.

"Arthur. Dammit, I'm going with you." I caught up with him but he turned quickly, grabbing my shoulders. He surprised me, a small gasp escaped me.

He eyed my lips, then slowly dragged his eyes to meet mine. "I can't get you killed." His face was serious and solemn.

I was dumbfounded. I had nothing to say back, I was rooted to the spot actually.

He nodded his head at me as his hands slowly dropped from my shoulders. His rough knuckles skimmed my exposed arms causing goosebumps to rise and chills to rush over me. I shivered, he noticed as a sly smile reached his lips.

"I'll be back." He promises as he stealthily creeps onto the property.

I walk back to where our horses are, I decide to sit myself down under the willow tree they stood under. I muttered to myself how unfair he is but so damn handsome.

I watched as the men patrolled the area, not a clue what was going on. Luckily the road nearby was basically deserted. No interruptions.
I picked at a flower as I waited.

"Hey!" I jumped at the voice.

I stood quickly, getting close to Persephone because I knew Arthur left his guns in his saddle. The young man approached, his shoulders squared defensively.

"What are you doing!?" He bellowed, cocking his gun and pointing it at me.

"Nothing." I stammer.

He eyes me up and down suspiciously.

"You're up to something..I can smell it." He growled.

"No-no sir..I'm just out for a ride and decided to rest." I assured him.

A smirk settled on his lips, his face turned up like the grinch. "Then why do ya have two horses?"

Oh shit, think!

"Because she's with me." Arthur came out of nowhere, thank God! He stood behind the man his eyes briefly met mine.
Arthur pulled out his revolver, cocking the hammer back with a deadly grin. The young man froze, still turned to me.

"Hey Billy!" Another man came bounding down the path from the manor but stopped when he saw the sight before him. He fumbled for his gun in a panic. Arthur turned and shot him between the eyes but the one called Billy, turned. Everything slowed in my mind.

"Arthur!" I screamed to warn him.

Billy shot, hitting Arthur in the chest.

The shock of it all hit me. The anger inside me boiled now.
I ran to Arthur's saddle in a rage, grabbing a pistol and cocking the hammer back. I shakily pointed it at his back. He was still turned to Arthur's body.

I shot. The bullet hit him in the back and he dropped with a sickening thud. Tears fell and sobs wretched out of me. I ran to Arthur, he was still breathing. I fell to the ground next to him.

"Arthur." I sobbed, shaking him. He started as if I had just awoken him then he slowly shut his eyes with a slow sigh. "Arthur." I cried again.
His blue eyes opened slowly again, a smile spread across his handsome face. "Don't cry. I ain't worth your tears." He choked out, blood seeped from his lips now. He coughed the blood up, the sight of it broke my heart.

I let my head dropped to his chest, sobbing violently. His hand rubbed my hair softly. "I said...don't cry dammit." He coughed some more.

"Arthur...please don't die." I begged, meeting his eyes again as I slowly raised my head.

"I-tell Dutch to.." he coughed more, "to quit with his silly games of revenge...he'll never win if he doesn't." He tried to sit up but I pushed his big body back down slowly, moving to prop his head up in my lap.

"Oh..why? You've truly broken my heart.." a tear fell on his cheek as he stared up at me.

"Don't say that..I'm dying. The last thing I wanted to do is hurt you." He shut his eyes again, coughing again.

bending down to kiss his forehead, he felt oddly cold suddenly. "Arthur I-" he went limp in my lap.

Sobs shook my body as I stood. I stared down at Arthur.. What now...?