Liam had a long talk with Hosea. He now knew everything about him. Liam didn't mind though, he could tell Hosea was to be trusted.
He walked to his tent to be met by an older lady. "What's your name again, boy?" Susan Grimshaw asked sternly. "Liam Parker, ma'am." He responded. Susan's expression softened. "You have manners. I like that. Most youngin's these days wouldn't know a lick of it!" She said as they both laughed. "I think you'll be a fine edition to our family." Susan said patting him on the shoulders and walking off. He knew to listen to her as Arthur had directed him to.
Liam saw a younger man tied to a tree behind Mr. Pearson's wagon. He grew nervous as he saw him. What had he done? Could Liam end up like that? "He's just a sad O'Driscoll." Javier said as he walked up beside Liam, sending his worry away. "Oh. Well looks like he's where he belongs." Liam said as they both laughed. He knew whoever crossed the Van Der Linde Gang would be dealt with accordingly. The man sighed in despair as the two walked off.
Liam helped out with anything he saw he could do. Miss Grimshaw was pleased with this. He was happy to be on her good side. He was finishing up chopping some firewood when Arthur walked up to him. "You're a fine worker, kid." Liam felt relief when he heard Arthur's voice because he knew him more than anyone else around camp. "Thanks. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you, Arthur." Liam said. "I could say the same, Mr. Parker." Arthur told him. "Say, you wanna go hunting with me? We need the food." Arthur asked him. "Of course! Ain't been hunting in a while." Liam said as he followed Arthur to the horses. They climbed off and headed west towards the Dakota River.
"What're we looking for?" Liam asked. "Some deer, maybe some rabbits too." Arthur said as they rode along the Dakota River. They rode silently. Liam didn't talk much. Neither did Arthur. "Over there, look." Arthur said in a hushed voice pointing toward a few deer. They got off their horses and Arthur grabbed his bow and arrow. He was surprised Arthur could use one, he sure didn't know how. In one swift motion, he pulled the bow and shot it through the buck's lungs. "Damn. You shoot that thing good." Liam complimented in a whisper. "You wanna try?" Arthur asked him. Liam laughed. "Unfortunately I got no idea how to use one." Arthur looked at him for a moment. "Well why don't I teach you?" Arthur proposed. "Alright then." Liam said, determined.
Arthur showed Liam where to place his hands and how to breathe as he held the bow. He positioned Liam's shoulders and pulled him to correct his posture. After a few tries, Liam was hitting the target every time. "You're a fast learner, kid." Arthur said looking at the tree covered in arrows. "I guess so." Liam said handing the bow back to Arthur. "I'll get Charles to make you one. I'm sure he won't mind." Arthur said as they climbed onto
their horses. "Really? That'd be great!" Liam said excitedly.He followed Arthur around a rock formation which lead them back to camp. "You know how to shoot shotguns and rifles right?" Arthur asked him. "Yes sir. Luckily I had people down in Rhodes teach me most of the stuff." Liam said as they rode into the backside of Horseshoe Overlook.
Pearson was more excited about the deer than anyone. Arthur and Liam walked up to Charles to ask him about the bow. "Of course I will. It's nice to have people wanting to shoot bows instead of obnoxious guns all the time." Charles said. "Thanks Mr. Smith." Liam said smiling as the group diffused.
As Liam was walking back to his tent, he had heard horse hooves coming fast into camp. A younger man with a terrified look on his face, yelled, "They got Micah! Dutch! Arthur!" Dutch, Arthur, and Molly walked up to him. Liam had no idea who he was. "What's going on?" Dutch asked. "They got Micah. He's been arrested for murder. He was in Strawberry and..." He said between breaths, being cut off. "It's okay, son. Breathe." Dutch said calmingly. "They nearly lynched me. They got Micah in the sheriff's in Strawberry, and there's talk of hanging him." He told them. "Here's hoping." Arthur sarcastically muttered. "Arthur!" Dutch scolded, disgusted by Arthur's lack of compassion. "What? The fool brought this on himself. You know my feelings about him, Dutch." Arthur growled. "You think I can't see past his bluster to the heart inside? He is a fine man." Dutch said passionately. "No, I ain't saving that fool." Arthur argued. Dutch, then starting to raise his voice said, "Well I can't go! My face will be all over West Elizabeth. I am asking. He would do it for you." Arthur sighed. "Alright. Fine, I'll go check it out soon." Dutch looked at Arthur and asked him to take Lenny into town to "loosen up". Arthur agreed. Relieved, Dutch sighed and thanked Arthur and everyone else went back to their routine at the camp.
Liam followed Arthur. "Who's Micah? And who was that boy that just rode in here?" He asked. Arthur turned around and replied, "That's Lenny. He's close to your age. Good kid. As for Micah, he could disappear for all I care." Arthur said in an annoyed tone. Liam wondered why Arthur was being made to rescue someone who he obviously didn't like. He felt bad for Arthur in a way. "Sorry you have to go do that. He sounds like a jackass." Liam told him. "Oh he is. And you ain't gotta feel bad for me. That's what comes in being apart of this life." Arthur said. Liam pursed his lips as Arthur grabbed his coat. "You wanna come, kid? You look like you could also loosen up a little, too." Liam raised his eyebrows in excitement. "Sounds great, Arthur. Let me grab my hat first." He went and grabbed his hat and the three rode off.
YOU ARE READING
Unshaken
ActionLiam Parker is a newly 17-year-old in search of a new life, who has an accidental encounter with a member of the Van der Linde Gang that changes his life forever. *Red Dead Redemption II is owned by Rockstar Games. I do not own or take credit of any...