Unshaken

My Last Boy

"And that's Liam." Micah said, sitting with Cleet and Joe. He wore a smug smile on his face. Liam walked up to them. "Yes, that's me." He said. "Boy is a fighter, but dumb as trees sometimes. Or as someone of his culture would say, "slow as molasses". But it ain't his fault, he's a southerner. You can hear it when he talks. Been in this gang all of ten minutes and follows old Cowpoke Morgan around like a lost puppy. Again, ain't his fault, he don't know no better. Boy does pull his own, if I must say. But honestly, things been going downhill ever since he joined this group of deadbeats. Makes you wonder." Micah said. Liam pursed his lips for a moment. "Makes you wonder what?" Liam asked. Micah stood up and walked around the table. "It makes me wonder why you are always gone. Makes me wonder why you wasn't at the Saint Denis bank robbery. Makes me wonder if maybe you ain't as nice as everyone thinks you is. And it just makes me wonder if maybe, just maybe, it ain't all just a coincidence." Micah said, getting in his face. Liam looked down for a moment. "What are you trying to say, Micah?" Liam asked, angry.

Micah motioned Dutch over. "I think I know who it is, Dutch!" Micah said. Dutch quickly approached him. "What are you talking about?" Dutch asked, eyes darting between the two. "I think the boy here may be up to something. He's young and easily influenced. Maybe things ain't just a coincidence, Dutch." Micah said. Dutch stared at Liam for a moment. "Now that I come to think of it, it's a possibility." Dutch said, his hand on his chin. Liam's eyes went wide. "Dutch! You seriously ain't believing what that fool is saying, are you?" Liam asked, heartbroken. He remembered when Bronte's men were about to kill him for not giving up Dutch's whereabouts. He was willing to die for Dutch. "I don't know. I don't know anything anymore. All I know is that someone is saying something!" Dutch yelled. "I would never betray this gang. If you believe it's me, then you really have changed." Liam said. "You don't talk to him like that!" Micah yelled in Liam's face, running up on him.

At that, Arthur ran up and pushed Liam back behind him, getting between the dispute. "What the hell is wrong with you two, he ain't done nothing but do good by this gang!" Arthur yelled. "Oh, daddy's here to save you again." Micah said sarcastically to Liam. "Arthur, I hope you're not covering for him. He better not be talking, I'm warning all of you!" Dutch yelled as he and Micah scurried off back to the cave. Liam stood in shock. "Arthur, I-" Liam said, Arthur cutting him off. "Ride with me." Arthur said, walking to the horses. They rode out of camp down to the river.

"That goddamn snake! He's trying to frame me, and for what?" Liam yelled in anger, looking at the river. "I know. I'm real sorry, son. You shouldn't be getting dragged into all of this." Arthur said. "What's happening to Dutch? That ain't the same man I met in Horseshoe." Liam said. "I'm afraid it's been happening for years now, I was just too blind to see it." Arthur said. "What's gonna happen to everyone?" Liam asked. "I ain't sure, but we're gonna get out of this. You are." Arthur said. Liam sat for a moment. "Arthur, don't play by their rules, play by yours." Liam told him. Arthur looked at him. "Seems like I have to, if we wanna survive." Arthur said. "Tough times don't last, but tough people do. We're gonna get out of this, Arthur." Liam said. "I know. But when the time comes, you go." Arthur said. "I will." Liam promised. They sat for a while, watching the river, then rode back.

Sadie, Charles, John, Karen and Sean sat at the fire. Bill, Javier, Micah and his two creepy friends sat near Dutch by his tent. Liam noticed that the girls' wagon was no longer there. He went and sat by them at the fire. Arthur walked up to Dutch. "So why are these two still here?" Arthur asked. "Old pals of Micah's." Dutch said, looking annoyed. "They're getting real comfortable." Arthur said. "We need guns, for what's coming. Cleet and Joe know how to fight, it's lucky I bumped into them." Micah boasted. "What is going on, Dutch? What is happening to us, what's happening to you?" Arthur asked. "You show him some respect." Micah hissed, getting up and walking to Arthur, threateningly. Liam, John, Sadie, Charles, Sean and Karen all got up to back Arthur up. "Excuse me?" Arthur asked.