Unshaken

The Spines Of America II

Liam shot up amidst his sleeping. He was breathing heavy in a cold sweat. He realized it was only a bad dream. He checked his pocket watch, lighting his lantern. It was five in the morning. He couldn't fall back asleep, so he drew what he saw in his slumber into his journal.

His fears had shifted from his life in Rhodes to his future with the gang. He had dreamed that Agent Milton had gotten him in his sleep. Liam saw him, but couldn't move. He struggled when Milton pulled out his gun. He shot Liam between the eyes, causing him to wake up.

It was almost six in the morning now. He slid on his boots and leather jacket and headed for the horses. To his surprise, Kieran was up and pacing around. "Everything alright?" Liam asked. "Of course not. You know what's going on. I wanna... I wanna cr- create a life with Miss Gaskill, but I don't know if that's possible with this mess." Kieran admitted. "It's a pretty dream, ain't it? Look, do as Arthur says, have an escape plan if this all goes to shit." Liam said. "I will, thank you." Kieran said scurrying off. Liam saw Uncle sitting behind the girls' wagon reading over something. He walked up to him.

"What you reading there, Old Man?" Liam asked. Uncle laughed and slowly stood up. "Respectful type, ain't you?" He asked. "I try." Liam sarcastically replied. "It's funny you should ask, I was needing somebody for this." Uncle said. "For what?" Liam asked. "A coach." Uncle said. Liam rolled his eyes. "I know how your coach jobs are. Law always ends up trailing y'all." Liam said. "Look, it's either you or Sean. Everyone else is busy with Dutch's mess or thinks it's too risky. Don't know what happened to this bunch. I thought we was outlaws!" Uncle said. "Well maybe they finally grew a brain. Anyways, we're outlaws, not idiots, well, most of us." Liam said. "You or Sean." Uncle reminded him. Liam knew Sean could be messy with his work and might bring more attention than they needed to gang. He sighed. "Okay. What's this coach holding?" Liam asked.

Uncle laughed with pleasure. "We're taking the whole coach, boy." He said. "What you mean?" Liam asked. "It's a deluxe-built coach that was meant for Cornwall to be picked up in. Ya know, before Dutch killed him. They're moving it to Blackwater to be put in an auction. Figured bringing it to Saint Denis would be more trouble than it's worth." Uncle said. "Who's guarding it?" Liam asked. "Apparently some amateur guards Cornwall's men hired. Figure we can take them out pretty easy." Uncle said. "And you know where they're moving through?" Liam asked. "Yep. They're crossing the river and cutting through the Grizzlies into the Heartlands to avoid any Murfree drama." Uncle said. "That's right up the road from here." Liam said. "Exactly." Uncle agreed.

"And who gave you all this information?" Liam asked skeptically. "One of his men! Drunk as a skunk and didn't even see old Uncle rob him blind." Uncle said. "It's always something with you, ain't it?" Liam said laughing as they walked to the horses. "I'll lead the way." Uncle said as they rode out.

He led Liam to the river bottoms. "We're getting them here?" Liam asked. "Why not? Looks as good a place as ever." Uncle said. Liam observed the flatlands. "I don't know." Liam said, unsure. "What about them rocks over there?" Uncle asked, pointing to them.

"It feels too open and exposed over here. And it ain't far from Annesburg or camp. We screw up, the law'll be here quicker than you to a bottle of booze." Liam said. "You little bastard, okay." Uncle sighed, agreeing. They sat for a moment, thinking. "So what do you think we should do then, big guy?" Uncle asked. "I say we follow them to the Grizzlies. Ain't no law there, plenty of places to hide if I'm thinking right." Liam said. He had never been to the Grizzlies, so he didn't quite know what to expect, but knew it was mountainous."Good idea. Let's go then." Uncle said, pulling out the map he'd been looking at. "This way." He said heading towards Ambarino.

Uncle led them through the forest. "How do you feel about all this?" Uncle asked Liam. Liam sighed. "I don't know. I know I've only been here for a few months, but even I can see things ain't the same." Liam said as they started up the mountain. "Dutch seems like a different person. I hope it don't all end badly." Uncle said. "I wouldn't dwell on that too much. Figure this'll all end soon." Liam said. "Yep." Uncle agreed as they rode. They crossed the mountainous terrain. Liam noticed the environment changing. It was more rocky and cool the direction the were headed.