Van Der Linde Savior (Red Dead Redemption 2)

In the Night

Celina laid awake that night upon the cold, firm mattress of her bed. In the put of her stomach, something was wrong. Something felt off in a way the woman had no means to put her finger on. The sound of floorboards creaking down the hall made it's way to her alert ears. She felt her heartbeat accelerate as the steps grew louder.

Reaching under her pillow, she pulled out her revolver and held it in her lap. She was ready to aim at any second if need be. Celina licked her lips and gently cleared her soar throat, "Arthur? Hoagie? Sean?.... Javier?"

There was a moment of tense silence before she heard the creaking of the floor again. The sound was getting louder, drawing nearer. Celina moved out of bed, making her way to the side of the door, her back against the wall. She took a deep breath to steady her shaking hand.

"Celina, come on." He spoke quietly, his voice coming from the hall.

The woman allowed herself to relax, letting his voice soothe her nerves. She stepped into the doorway, her anxiety lifting even further when she saw Javier standing there. She took note that his gun was in his hand but pointed at the floor. It seemed whatever her gut was trying to tell her had Javier on edge too.

She allowed herself to take in his appearance. It was clear that although the late hour, he hadn't caught a bit of sleep himself. Celina yawned, "What's going on? Why aren't you in bed?"

Javi cocked his head to the side, motioning her to follow him, "Dutch is here. He's found us. Don't ask me how, but he has. We... we can't tell if he really has us surrounded or not but I've got a feeling that it isn't going to be long before he kicks our doors in. We can fight, but it may be better if we run."

Celina's mouth went dry, "Why haven't I heard him? We know he isn't quiet."

"He was just spotted by Sean who has watch tonight. Sean says he's headed right for us. He's coming right through the woods."

"Shit," Celina pinched the bridge of her nose and shook he her head, "How are we going to run? We don't have time if he's already here." She sighed, "You all run while you can. I'll stay behind. I'm the one he wants most. You can get away- all of you and take Hoagie."

Javier squinted his distaste at the idea, "Leave you behind for Dutch? As if we would do that. We can't leave you. We won't."

She smiled weakly, "You have to. I'm dying anyway."

Javi took a deep breath and took a step back. He tilted his head to the side a bit, looking her up and down. "Just don't cough on me, ok? I don't want to get sick."

Celina raised a brow in question. She was about to ask what he meant but then his lips were upon hers. It took Celina a moment to collect herself under his somehow pleasant taste and the pressure of his soft lips. She kissed him back, making sure not to escalate as to prevent any risk. Slowly, they pulled back from one another. Celina spoke first, "Javi-"

Javier stared at her for a long minute before taking her hand in his and pressing a kiss upon the back of it. He looked into her eyes as he did so, "We all stay and we all fight. As a family."

The moment was broken when Dutch's voice boomed through the walls of the house, "Miss Knoll, I know you are in there and I ever so kindly request you bring your beautiful self ou-tside."

Celina took another deep breath, directing her attention towards the front of the house, "That'll be my fiancee."

Javier chuckled lightly, "I think it's safe to say the wedding is off."

Celina scoffed, "You think?"

Arthur's voice sounded next. He was close by. Celina figured that he was already in the front room, ready to start firing. He sounded confident, at least there was that, "Celina isn't going to do that, Dutch."