Cain, you were a good boy, weren't you? We never did find out where you came from, did we?
No, but you stayed with us—with me—for weeks, or was it months? My perception of time back then weren't what it is now.
After Uncle Hosea and Mama said I was done with my lessons, I always liked playing with you. I liked to think that you were my best friend at the time, and I yours.
But then, you were taken away, weren't you? I didn't understand, but I think even then, I knew. We were friends, weren't we? There was no way you would just walk away.
No, you were taken away. Isn't that right, Rufus? I just take my eyes off of you for two seconds, and poof— both of you were gone.
It's funny, what people do when they're drunk. I mean, I didn't see it happen to either of you, but the inebriate always seem to leave… hints.
Of course, he didn't both hiding what he did to you, now did he, Cain? No, I was just too young to understand.
They weren't though. No, when I found you in the woods Rufus, I could see the trail plain as day; the trail leading me to the same bastards who would have beaten me dead a few months back. They knew they couldn't hurt me or Mama with Mr. Ricketts around, but an animal? Not worth it.
Wolves, coyotes, and foxes—all dogs, all of which make for the perfect excuse. It were just another drunken hunting accident, right?
Shame though, they must have gotten some sort of disagreement. Maybe it was drunken rage or some stupid game, but they ended up all shooting each other dead at their camp, away from any responsible folk who might've stopped them. Get the right positioning of the bodies and empty the cylinders a bit and you don't even need to launch an investigation.
Lawmen, what a bunch of lazy, lying bastards. Tell a few lies here and there, make everything seem like it was well handled, and no one cares. All that matters is that everything is "civilized" and you can take the truth to the grave.
Like last night, when I was carrying Rufus home, I had a few more truths that I'll take to my grave. The look in her eye says Mama has it too, and maybe Ricketts will figure it out.
I did learn one thing though: Don't drink alcohol so close to someone who might want to kill you.
Maybe not my best chapter, but I like I did it well enough. Can I get an F for poor Rufus though? I mean, there has to be SOME reason he disappeared in canon, right?
I think I might've made Jack come off as a bit of a Sociopath. Eh, he's a poor guy grieving who just lost his friend to the guys who beat the shit outta him. I think guilt might be a little delayed.