The Wolf and the Lamb

Lost Again

Things were starting to pick back up after Arthur and Sean had set fire to the Grey's Tobacco fields. Arthur, Bill, Micah, and Sean had all gone into Rhodes to look into a lead. John was out with Charles hunting, and Javier was picking on Kieran as they tended to the horses. Dutch was preoccupied with Hosea as they argued over the next step. 

I was getting antsy as things didn't seem right. To calm my nerves I joined Karen, Abigail, and Mary-Beth by the lake to work on laundry. The spot was quiet, not to far from camp, but the trees provided good cover away. The girls talked about camp gossip, Mary-Beth and Karen tried to include me, but I was too deep in thought to follow. 

We were just finishing when we heard the sound of horses approach. "Arthur must be back" Mary-Beth exclaimed as her and Abigail picked up the baskets and headed back to camp. Karen lingered for a bit. She had turned to walk back to camp and I watched after her. As she turned to ask something, her eyes widened and she pointed behind me. As I turned I was hit in the head.

The last thing I heard was Karen's yells before I was taken away. 

John~

Charles and I had bagged a deer and a couple turkeys from our hunt. We returned almost the same time that Arthur had. The four men were angry as they yelled that it was all a set up, Sean held his shoulder as Miss Grimshaw helped him down. A bullet clipped his shoulder. I was climbing off my horse when we heard a scream, Karen ran up to us. Clinging onto Dutch's coat she cried, "Edith- Edith's been taken" she yelled. "They hit er an took her Dutch." "Who took her" he asked looking at the girl. "Some boys, looked nice dressed" she answered letting go of his coat. 

Dutch looked at me then Arthur, "Braithwaites" Hosea spoke. "If the Grey's set you up in town, then the Braithwaites probably took Edith." I was already climbing back onto my horse, "Then we'll go get her" I stated. I felt the anger boiling in my body. Everyone seemed to be in a panic, "Calm Down!" Dutch yelled. He looked at me, "We'll get her back" then pointed to Miss Grimshaw, "Prepare everyone to move when we get back. Arthur, Micah, Lenny, Javier, Bill, and Charles, Let's go." Dutch commanded and everyone moved.

We rode in a large group through the trails. I stayed beside Arthur and behind Dutch. I knew Edith was like his daughter, I could tell he was as worried as I was. "We'll get her back Dutch" Arthur said looking at both me and Dutch, "Damn right we will" I stated. "Just keep your head" Dutch replied.

The trail widened into gravel as we rode down the entrance to the Braithwaite manor. Two men stood outside, we stopped not to far from the front of the house. I wanted run in, guns a blazing, but I knew I couldn't. I was afraid for her safety, but I was angry. 

Dutch kept talking, I had my hand on my revolver. Then she screamed, everything slowed down. I heard her scream, it was terrifying. Without thinking I started shooting, Dutch following close behind as we all took cover.