Saving Arthur Morgan | rdr2

Chapter 31

Sadie and I return to camp later that evening. Camp was mostly dull, as usual. The only cheerfulness left is Uncle's winning personality.

"Hey.. I'm real thankful you went with me today." Sadie stops me from continuing into camp, a sad smile on her lips.

"No problem. I know you'd do it for me." She nods at my words, smile completely gone.

"Just don't name it to anyone..especially Arthur. He'd have my neck for putting you in that situation."

"Okay, I won't. Please..find forgiveness. It's the only thing you can do at this point." She nods slowly, pushing away tears.

"Alright..I'm gonna head to bed. I'm tired and..I just need a rest."

I smile, hoping she listens.

___________

I wake the next morning to abnormal quiet. I slowly dress, stretching then finally peak out if my tent. I see Arthur talking to Reverend Swanson, a worrisome look on his face.

I fix my hair, making sure I look okay then join the men.

Arthur looks me up and down, a look of sadness in his eyes. I assume he had a rough night..

Swanson is worried. "Challenging times..for everyone." He furrows his brows, Arthur agrees.

"You must make the best of what you got or change it." I say before I can stop myself.

Reverend looks to be thinking over my words, begins to open his mouth but Dutch pops up from out of no where.

"Cmon Arthur." He waves his hand, eyeing me up and down creepily before heading towards the horses.

"Arthur." I stop him. "Please, don't go. Just stay, tell him your sick." I plead.

"No. I gotta help so we can get the hell out of here." He whispered. "It's the only way we can leave, I'm doing this for us." He suddenly grabs me, I gasp but he plants hot lips to my forehead and takes off.

I stand there, watching them take off once again. Damn myself for being a coward and..whipped. Ugh.

I retire to my tent now, leaving only a slight crack. As I draw a wilted flower, out of the corner of my eye, I see Reverend packing his things on the table in front of my tent. I say nothing but watch him from a distance as he looks about frantically. Luckily for him, I'm the only one up now.

I sit down my pencil down, leaning forward to pull the tent open a little more, watching him silently. Moments later, he nervously speed walks towards the horses. He mounts one of the extra mares we have on hand, looking around with true fear in his eyes and clicks his tongue for the mare to go.

"Hmm.." I stealthily climb out of tent and run to my horse, hopping on quickly. I take off to catch up to him but instead of making my presence known, I'll follow quietly.

__________

He hops off the mare, heading towards the train platform. He straightens his shirt and rolls his tense shoulders before sitting down with a long sigh.

I hop off, approaching from behind the bench, trying to stay quiet. He doesn't notice me for a moment, I can She his pale, cracked hands shake.

"Hello." I say, startling him even more.

He eyes me with fear and hurt. "Isabella..I-I-"

I hold my hand up to stop him. "I know exactly what you're doing..what about the women, Swanson? Jack!" I feel my anger rise.

Tears fill his eyes, he stands shaking his head and hands nervously. "I tried for days to get them to come with me..then what you said this morning felt like a sign from God!" He chokes out.

The trains comes now, black smoke fills the air and the whistle blows making the Reverend jump again.

I sit, gesturing for him to sit as well. "Truth be told...I don't blame you." He relaxes now, sighing. I stare at my hands now, feeling the same turmoil weigh on myself.
The train screeches to a stop now in front of the platform.

"I'm a changed man..I cannot.." he trails off now, a gasp leaving his lips. I look up to see him staring at the train with utter fear.

And then I see him...Arthur jumps down from the train with a look of complete confusion.

"Isabella? Reverend?" He asks, fists balling.

"I'm leaving Arthur...I cannot deal with anymore death and pain." Swanson stands now.

Arthur turns on me now. "And I guess you're leaving too, I should've listen to Dutch-"

"Now hold on a damn minute!" I stand, shouting at this infuriating man before me. "I ain't leaving! I came to see what Swanson was up to!" I defend myself which makes Arthur relax but send accusing eyes to Swanson now.

"What about the women..? And-and Jack?" Arthur asks the same questions that I asked moments ago.

Swanson hangs his head. "I tried to get them to go.."

Arthur rubs the back of his neck roughly, then sits on the bench we were just at.

All I'm thinking about right now is why the hell was Dutch telling Arthur that bullshit..? I narrow my eyes at Arthur who stares at me with hurt still.

The Reverend sits beside him, taking a deep breath and then releases it slowly.

I walk off, letting them say their goodbyes..

"Goodbye Isabella, I give you my best wishes." Reverend Swanson waves a shaky hand as he climbs onto the train. I wave back, smiling despite my current anger at Arthur.

"I hope you find what you're looking for!" I call after him as a man takes his ticket.

Arthur stands before me now, watching with me as the train pulls away finally.

"I'm sorry for-"

"Save it." I roll my eyes. "I see that you let pieces of shit like Dutch talk about me."

Arthur seems taken aback suddenly. "Listen..I took up for ya..imagine how I felt seeing you with Swanson, waiting for a train." He tilts his head to the side, looking at me curiously.

"Yeah well..I told you I wasn't leavin so you should've believed me." I tilt my chin in his direction now, standing by my word.

He chuckles. I roll my eyes which makes him laugh more.

"If you don't stop laughing..I'll-I'll-" I trail off, not knowing what to say.

"Or you'll what?" He stands very close now, a smirk on his full lips.

"You're sick.." I look up into his eyes, noticing that he's already looking noticeably healthier.

I yelp, embarrassing myself as he snatches me up into his arms, walking towards my horse.

He winks at me, making my face grow even more hot. "I ain't gonna kiss ya."

For those of you that are still reading and like it, I'm sorry for the slow updates! I've been busy with college and I've had my hands full! Juggling my 2 yr old and school is rough. But regardless of the slowness, I hope y'all enjoy. I'm hoping to wrap this story up soon!