Saving Arthur Morgan | rdr2

Chapter 18

Arthur stopped a little ahead of me, waiting for me to mount and follow. I stared at him, tears stinging my eyes. He patiently waited, staring back with a neutral face. "you're a good shot Isabella. Just rusty. When we went hunting that day, you didn't get the chance to shoot anything, I guess I'm sorry for being..overbearing." He suddenly says with a slight smile.

I shake my head. "No Arthur..that's not the problem. I know how to shoot a gun..I just want to be as good as you. But it's something else and you know it."

I mounted Misty, trotting up to him. He started to continue but something didn't feel right. "No." I finally say, he stopped a few feet away.

"What?" He asked, almost irritated.

"No, I'm not Mary. I won't be pushed away, I won't be ignored. I'm here ain't I? More than she ever gave you." His face was still straight and clear of emotion. he started to shake his head now, my heart felt as if someone was squeezing as hard as they could..to torture me.

"Listen-" he stopped squeezing his eyes shut with a sigh..i could hear the rejection loud and clear before the words even came out.

"No! This-this is getting ridiculous." I trot off in front of him, heading back to camp on my own. "Just...don't kiss me again like last night. My heart will break even more if..you do."

I kept my back to him but when I thought he was following, I turned back to see him racing off in the opposite direction.

"Damn."

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"Where's Arthur?" Hosea stopped me as I was entering camp.

"He..uh went off to run an errand. Looked like he was heading to Saint Denis." I answer. His weathered face fell, worry clear on his features as he furrowed his grey brows. "What's wrong?"

He smiled slightly. "Nothing to worry about, if you happen to run into him again before I do please tell him to come to me or Dutch as soon as he can."

The words set alarms off in my head. I nodded, heading back to Misty. I have to find him.

I rushed out of camp, running Misty so fast I felt like I was falling off. The roads were oddly deserted for an afternoon like today, made me panic more.

"Hey Miss!" Two horsemen appeared up ahead, they raised their arms to stop me. They looked official, both adorning badges.

I pulled Misty to a stop, despite the panic that rose in me I tried to stay calm. "Yes?"

"Have you saw any...undesirables around these parts?"

"No, is something wrong?" They smiled widely, seeming joyous.

"Of course not...see we're looking for the Van Der Linde gang. We heard they were around this part of the country and we can't seem to pin point their location. Ya see, their leader is a no life thief and murderer." They turned serious quite quickly. "So you haven't saw these fellers?" The one closest to me handed a paper to me...a bounty.

'ARTHUR MORGAN WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE
$5000 AWARD'

Attached to it was Dutch's and Hosea's as well..

I held men's bounty posters in my hands tightly and trying to stop the tremble. They seemed to notice as their eyes stared at my shaking hands.

"So...you seen some men like that or not?"

I folded the paper up. "Can I keep this, for reference? I ain't saw no men like that around here sirs."

"You sure about that?" They inch closer.

"Of course I'm sure." I give them the best laugh I can muster.

"Well alright. Thank you Miss."

"No problem." I carry on as normal but when they disappear on up the road, I take off as fast as I can towards Rhodes. I'm trembling so bad I can barely grip the reigns.

Once I made it to Rhodes, the town was deserted. Blood was splattered on the dirt road of the town, men lay about like a war zone.

My head goes light suddenly. Arthur...

"About time someone took care of that sorry sheriff." A older man on a crutch came around the corner of the general store, sitting down on the steps of the store.

"What happened?" I hitched Misty, joining the man. My nerves were shot but no point in panicking just yet.
I notice he wears a confederate jacket but normal clothes underneath.

"Ahhh don't eye me like that miss, I'm reformed. I wear this jacket cause...truth be told I ain't got nothin else." I nod, giving him an reassuring smile and he continues.
"A group of outlaws came in here and handed the Gray's a good old ass whoopin." He chuckled. "One of em' didn't make it though. But I will say, there was only four of the tough bastards and a whole lot of law men." He spat on the ground beside me, continued to chew his tobacco.

My heart dropped at the thought of Arthur dying again.

"Did you see who died?"

"Some redheaded boy. Weren't fair, poor boy got his head blew off." He shook his head, spitting again.

Sean... poor old Sean. Arthur is going to be heartbroken.

"Oh..thank you for filling me in sir."

"Don't mention it."

I dug in my pocket handing him the change I had on me. His prideful manner told me he wasn't always this way but he took it eagerly.

"Thank ya miss."

"Get something to eat." I smile, mounting Misty and heading back to camp.

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After the seemingly long ride back to camp, I was exhausted and so was Misty.

I hop off to see the gang in a huddle like group. The night air chilly and the only warmth to the camp are the lanterns around. The heaviness weighs down on me and I haven't even spoken to anyone yet.

"Isabella!" Mary-Beth runs towards me from the group. "Where have you been?" She takes my hands into hers. "Oh your hands are icy!"

"I was looking for Arthur for Hosea." I tell her, her blue green eyes were red. "What's wrong?"

The gang turn to me, all sad or crying. Abigail steps out, sobbing. To my surprise she takes me into a hug, I hug her in return feeling her turmoil as she whispers as if saying it out loud hurt worse. "They took Jack."