Okay, final chapter, let's do this.
But let me just say a Merry Christmas Eve to everyone. I was going to upload this tomorrow, but instead I'll work on the epilogue and upload that tomorrow so you all have something to read. But yeah, this is the final chapter. Enjoy it and don't forget to review - there's been some varying in reviews, but a special shout-out to motordog for reviewing every single chapter within hours of uploading. Also, a lil' shout-out to So hard to choose usernames for reviewing a bunch of chapters they'd missed out on. That takes dedication and I've only been able to do that a few times. Very much appreciated. Also, I know I haven't given many songs to many characters, but I've thought of one that... well, it doesn't sum up Rune Brody's personality, but I feel like it just captures the feeling of his... tendencies. Deceit and Betrayal by Audiomachine.
11th July, 1902
Flat Iron Lake, U.S.A
The dining room of the riverboat was undignified opulence incarnate. The chandelier that loomed over the crowd with crystals glistening with lantern light, the silken white tablecloths that would be thrown away after the stains of soup and sauce rendered it worthless, the gold and platinum necklaces encrusted with diamonds and sapphires and rubies… back in his day, Thomas Cooper would've hit up the place for the rings alone.
But it was a better life he had now. There'd been no problems getting onto the boat – no wretched Brodies had snuck aboard, he was certain of it. And he'd placed some of Davenport's retainers at the tables with Schofield revolvers. That was six undercover and eight guards inside, as well as the six outside… twenty men all in all.
Dick Barlow professed his admiration for Roy and how he'd been a true friend and a truer American. It was a long, tedious speech – the man had sought Roy's service as a lawyer after whipping a negro half to death. That was Roy – had performed his service for everyone (everyone who mattered, that was).
Roy gestured for Thomas and spoke lowly into his ear. "You wired her, yes?" Thomas replied with a nod. "Good… did she reply?"
"Her aide did – said she was otherwise occupied, but the price should be sufficient."
Thomas nodded and leant back into his chair, sighing as he plastered on a smile and applauded Dick Barlow's speech. "Thank you for those kind words, sir." Roy rose to his feet. "Thank you for those kind words, but this little soiree is not for me…" Roy picked up his glass of scotch and gestured to his daughter. "This is for my daughter's soon-to-be husband and master, Mr. Lucien Durand." Roy smiled at the young man. "A thousand blessing to you both."
"A thousand blessings!" Everyone parroted the toast.
"Sorry…" Lucien mumbled to Genevieve. She turned towards him, not entirely sure what he was apologising for. "Well…" Lucien cleared his throat. "It hasn't escaped my notice that you are… less than thrilled about this arrangement."
"That's one way of putting it…" Genevieve murmured.
"But… well, we're to be a family now," Lucien explained. "Perhaps we could… at least try to be friends?"
Genevieve crossed her arms. "And if I were to say that I never sleep in the same bed as friends?"
Lucien's smile hardened for a moment and he sipped his port, feigning a laugh. "I would remind you that I am your husband first." Genevieve nodded. Just as she'd expected. She licked her lips and rose to her feet. "Where are you going?"
Genevieve let out a loud sigh and turned towards him. "A gentleman wouldn't ask…"
"I'm your husband-"
"Not yet," Genevieve replied curtly before walking out of the room. Christ, the man was feeble. She hadn't seen Aiden yet, but maybe he was hiding somewhere…
Avery was right, this life wasn't her but… well, she doubted that being an outlaw was here either. And not to mention that… well, she had been stressed, that was no doubt the reason, but she still hadn't bled yet… if the worst did happen, at least she could claim it wasn't a bastard…
The thought flexed something tight around her throat – she wanted a cigarette. And whiskey – hell, maybe she needed some of Uncle Shelby's opium.
Genevieve arrived at the lavatory and (after fiddling with the infernal contraption she wore, sat down, allowing herself to think. Was Aiden coming? Was he there already? Or had he finally grown tired of her, the gang leaving Lemoyne after robbing a bank? Aiden wasn't like that… at least, he didn't seem to be.
And that half-hearted proposal – was that another scheme? Was he using her as a way to rob from her family? The matter was that she wasn't an outlaw or a murderer and he was both. Is that the sort of man she wanted to be with? Yes, of course, she cared about him more than other men she'd met but… well, her family would never talk to her again, she was sure of it.
Night's Hawk clambered aboard with Anna, who crawled across the bow of the boat, clutching a rope and tossing it towards the second boat (which Rune, Aiden and Sam were on). They caught the rope and the two rowboats pulled up on either side of the rear.
Sam struggled climbing onto the boat – he was terrified Mercer's revolver would fall out of his holster, and the gunbelt was still too big for him, but Rune pulled him up and onboard.
"Alright, gang," Rune whispered as he peered at the guards that patrolled the deck, "Luca, I want you and Lana to go and take the aft…" Rune gestured to the front of the ship. "Near, take Miss Colt and Night's Hawk down the stern…"
"You alright, Near?" Aiden frowned.
"So long as I don't do no running…" Near replied, wincing as he shifted his weight onto his good leg.
"Miss Anna, Miss Alice, take portside and wait outside the doors…"
"Huh?" Alice frowned.
"Go left," Rune hissed. "Sam, Aiden, you two are with me." Rune put a hand on Sam's shoulder. "You alright?"
"Yeah…" Sam said nervously.
"Ain't no shame in being afraid, son."
"I'm… I'm okay, Rune."
Rune's mouth twitched into a smile. "You're being a real brave boy, you hear me?"
Sam managed to force a smile. Rune was… well, there was a soft side to him. He was glad – Mercer always placed his faith in the right people…
Aiden followed Rune and Sam – how many times had he received that fatherly smile from Rune? Only now… well, Rune made no acknowledgement to Aiden. Instead, he stuck close by Sam – his new son, apparently…
"Aiden," Rune whispered, pointing to one of the lawmen that pissed over the side of the boat. "Want to do the honours?"
"Sure you don't want to send your prize pony?" Aiden replied.
"Oh, this is hardly the time for your childishness…"
"Sure," Aiden growled, his voice dripping in sarcasm.
"Oh, I may as well do it… See, Sam, Aiden here's gone all soft," Rune explained. "He's forgotten just how we do things."
"No, I ain't-"
"They kill one of us, we kill ten of them. They kill three of us, we wipe them all out- Aiden's just all bark now. Soft as he ever-"
"Shut your goddamn mouth," Aiden snarled, "I ain't gone-"
"Why don't you prove it- oh, wait…" Rune chuckled, "you're too busy sulking. I'll deal with this-" Rune moved to stalk towards the guard.
"Oh, damn you…" Aiden murmured, moving along in front of Rune.
"No, I'll do it-"
"Shut up…" Aiden groaned as he crept behind the guard.
Rune moved back to Sam. "Just remember," Rune whispered, "Aiden is a strong man, but he is something of a dolt. Learn how to play him."
Aiden grabbed the guard's head and slammed it into the side of the boat before throwing him overboard. He looked back to Rune. "Happy now?"
"Not yet, keep trying. Because you're either loyal to the gang or you ain't-"
"I'm fine!"
"Good! Stay that way!" Rune shot back a glare as he allowed Sam to walk in first. "Remember, boy, no gunfire yet…"
Sam nodded to Rune before glancing back to Aiden. Truly the worst of the bunch – the man had little else other than sour feelings and a thirst for blood.
Rune took out his Buck Cattleman revolver and clicked back the hammer, breathing deeply. He was close now – close to wiping out their enemies. "Aiden?" Rune asked.
"Ready." Aiden drew his black Buck. He began to pull up his red bandana when Rune grabbed his hand.
"I want these bastards to know who we are." Rune turned back to the door. "Let's ruin these bastards…" Rune murmured as he kicked open the double doors and fired his revolver into the air. Women screamed and men yelled as Rune calmly walked forwards, scanning the crowd for Rune Davenport.
A man rose from his chair, trying to draw a revolver, but Aiden quickly kicked him hard in the stomach, sending him to the floor, and following up with a swift kick.
A door from the right burst open and Alice and Anna walked in, Alice firing her shotgun at the guards. Anna drew an arrow and fired, watching it soar across and hit one of the guards on-stage.
A third door opened on the balcony above, and Luca and Lana marched down both walkways, firing their rifles and sending guards tumbling down onto the dinner tables below.
"Quiet!" Rune shouted, firing his revolver a second time. Then a third and a fourth. The crowd grew to a quiet whimpering as Rune watched the door to their left open and Ellie and Night's Hawk walked in, followed by Near (due to his limping).
"Ladies and gentlemen, you may know our faces, glimpsed us in the street, but you do not truly know us." Rune picked up a cigar from a plump old man and placed it in his mouth as he walked towards the centre of the room, a hand on his hip. "We are the Rune Brody Gang, and we are here for our benefactor. So… where is Roy Davenport?" Roy glanced around, waiting expectantly for the man to jump out and reveal himself. "Y'know, I'll settle for a Davenport?" Aiden's hand grew tighter around his revolver. Rune's pale blue eyes shifted onto the old half-blind limey that sat at a table.
"Where's your boss?" Thomas Cooper's good eye flickered up to Rune before casually looking away. Rune jerked his head to Anna, who walked over with a knife drawn. "You only got one eye left. Don't make us take it, Cooper…"
"Go to hell," Thomas replied – almost as if he truly did not care what happened to him.
Anna grabbed Cooper's neck and brought his face back, so that his good eye was looking up to the chandelier as Anna's knife drew closer.
"Better come out, Roy…"
"Very well," came Roy Davenport's voice from a table behind Cooper. He stood up, clasping his lapel as Paradise grew closer to her mother. "I suppose you have some grievances to air?"
Rune walked forwards and leant on the table, his eyes heavy on the Rebel in front of him. "This how you Rebels conduct business in the South?" Rune hissed. "You filth!"
Roy remained calm. "You robbed me-"
"You rob everyone else," Rune's voice raised if only for a moment. "I know fellas like you…" his voice was shaking, "fellas who- who have the law in their pocket! Who think their money lets them control everything…"
"What y'are describing, sir, is the way of modern America. And you all are just thieves and killers. Perhaps even worse…" Roy's eyes fell on Aiden. "I've seen some of the looks your folk give mine. The way your little thug leers at my girl-"
"Shut your damn mouth," Aiden growled.
"Who do you think you are?"
"A man with a gun," Near replied from the other side of the room.
"So like a savage…" Roy scoffed.
"A what?" Night's Hawk nocked another arrow.
"Like a goddamn savage," Roy spat the words.
"Whatever grievance we may have done you…" Rune said slowly, glaring at Roy and his wife and daughter. "Whatever mistakes we may have made… you ordered the murder of an innocent woman. An innocent man. You killed three civilians!" Rune snapped, his eyes heavy. "There are rules! There are some things that you just do not do!"
There was a long pause as Thomas gave a short nod. Out of the corner of Rune's eye – and it was as subtle as anything else, but he noticed it. It was to someone in the crowd…
"Damn your rules…" Roy growled. "And damn you!" He pulled at his cravat. "You ask me how we conduct business in the south? Allow me to show you, you Yankee numbskull…"
Rune nodded. "Of course…" He drew his revolver and pulled back the hammer, aiming it at Roy's head.
Aiden fired his gun, killing a man who had been sat at the table behind Rune. Rune turned around, completely confounded. He turned back to see Thomas Cooper leaping to his feet, pulling Roy and the two women towards the exit.
Rune started firing at Thomas, one of his bullets straying and hitting a man in the leg. He let out a cuss and grabbed a glass from the table, chucking it forwards and hitting Thomas in the back of the head as he passed through the doors.
A gunshot cracked again, and Rune felt a bullet graze his stomach. He gasped to look up and see a flurry of people. None of them dressed like guards, but bullets were still flying. He saw something shine – a gun? Or a watch or…
He raised his revolver and fired, hitting the man and watching a revolver clatter to the floor. "They're armed!" Rune shouted.
Alice fired her shotgun, taking a man's leg off and watching a woman shriek and yell, looking at the bloody stump. Alice loaded her shotgun calmly and then fired at the woman. In Alice's eyes, no-one could kill her if she killed all of them…
Night's Hawk stood there, gripping his bow as he watched these white people cry and run. How many of his people had been like this? How many of them begged? His people had been raped, murdered and robbed. By right, he ought to do the same… He nocked an arrow and fired it into the crowd, hitting a rich white tycoon in the head. His fine clothes were bloodied… it felt good.
Lana didn't have a reason. She didn't really remember thinking through why she did what she did… she saw someone near Luca and shot them. She didn't know if they had a gun… maybe. Maybe not. But she knew one thing – Luca was safe.
Near looked around at the people calling for help, being shot down as they tried to run for safety. It reminded him of the stories he'd heard from his father about when the slaves tried to escape the mines. He looked at the gang – his very family… butchering people.
Aiden stood next to Anna, watching nock and arrow and go to rush forwards. He didn't take a moment, he grabbed her by the shoulder and pulled her back, pushing her against the wall.
"Stop!" Aiden tried, but Anna slipped out of his grasp and moved into the crowd, unleashing her fury and vengeance in bloody retribution. Aiden looked around, trying to find Genevieve in the room, hoping she wasn't one of the corpses on the floor. Failing to see her, he left the carnage in the room and made his way down the hall, through the escaping civilians. He grabbed one of the women by the throat. "Where's the Ladies?" He pointed his revolver at her head. "Where?" The woman pointed down the corridor and Aiden released her, shoving his way through the people.
He kicked open the door and pointed his revolver inside, finding no-one there but Genevieve, who washed her hands. "Aiden?" She gasped. "What's been-"
"You need to go," Aiden said as he swept across the room, grabbing her wrist and leading her towards the door.
"What are you doing? Let go of me-" Genevieve tried to pull her hand free and Aiden turned to face her.
"The gang is here, and they're killing everyone," he explained.
"Why would they do that?"
"Because your father has already started killing us all off!" Aiden shouted. He licked his lips and pulled the shotgun from his shoulder. "I need to get you outta here."
"But Pari-"
"I'll do what I can, but I need you safe." He handed her his revolver. She examined the pear grip, an eagle emblazoned on the hilt. It seemed so strange in her hand… heavier than what she was used to. "You shot one, right?"
"Well… at bottles."
Aiden pumped the shotgun. "There's boats at the back. I'll put you in one and then look for your family." Aiden opened the door and moved first, his shotgun scanning the crowd for other retainers. A bullet whizzed by his ear and he turned to see a man running towards him, revolver drawn.
"No, it's me- it's Genevieve Daven-" Genevieve tried to catch the man's attention, but he was swiftly hit in the head with the stock of Aiden's shotgun once. Then twice. Aiden wiped the blood from his cheek and looked up at her.
"Shoot next time." He grabbed her hand and they moved down the corridor with the stragglers of the crowd. More gunshots – rifles. Aiden grabbed Genevieve and threw her against a wall, covering her mouth.
"They fall weird…" he heard Alice chuckle.
"Find me those goddamn Davenports!" Rune shouted.
Aiden looked into Genevieve's deep blue eyes, feeling her breath get cut short upon hearing him talk. She looked up into Aiden's hazel eyes, unsure exactly of what he would do now called upon by his mentor.
Aiden slowly removed his hand from her mouth and crept towards the corner of the wall, peering around it for a moment before grabbing Genevieve's hand again and pulling her down towards the rowboats.
Sam was led by Near down one of the corridors. He felt… well, he felt scared. It was hard to fathom his true emotions, what with so many of them jumbled together within a single day…
Near reminded him of Mercer in a peculiar way – like he was the other side of the same coin. Where Mercer was a drunk, Near seemed sober in all senses of the word. Mercer had been a lawman in his day, whereas Near had always been an outlaw. But most importantly, Mercer never smiled and Near always seemed to. Except, of course, on the riverboat.
"So, we find them and kill them?" Sam asked.
"That's what Rune says…" Near grunted.
"But… I don't know if that's…" Sam frowned. It wasn't these Davenports that killed Mercer…
"You don't know if you want 'em dead?"
"I… well, I don't know… Rune doesn't-"
"Let me tell you something, son," Near grumbled, "you do what you believe you should. Let me deal with Rune and his wants…"
Near opened a door to a small closet filled with a broomstick, mop, bucket and, most importantly, two people. Aiden McKneil and Genevieve Davenport. Near's eyes widened as he examined the two of them, hands tightly clasped.
"Hey," Alice shouted from down the corridor, "what're you expecting to find in there? Or you figure you'd become a maid now you only got one leg?" She snickered.
Aiden shook his head to Near as he pulled on Genevieve's hand, forcing her behind him. Near licked his lips – he'd never seen the lad look quite so scared. And putting himself in front of the girl… well, maybe it was vanity or wishful thinking, but… it reminded him of Henri. Of what he would've done if she was in danger.
"How's about you go look somewhere else, Alice?" Near raised an eyebrow. "Y'know, there's a bunch of people running 'round, you can't think to check them?"
"I-"
"Did I ask you to talk, girl? Go look for those goddamn Rebels!"
Alice rolled her eyes and turned to walk back towards the bow of the riverboat. Near glanced back to Aiden and Genevieve. "Take one of the rowboats," he said to Aiden, "put her in and then look for the rest of them. We've scoured the back of the ship and couldn't find them."
"My father," Genevieve said. "My father, he'll come with us, right?"
Near bit his lip. "Girl, I'm afraid Rune's bent on killing Roy." Genevieve covered her mouth. "But I swear to you, I will do my best to get your mother and sister out of here…"
Aiden nodded and jogged along the deck with Genevieve, helping her into the rowboat. He was going to turn to go back when she caught his hand. "I…" She bit her lip. "I don't know what to say…"
Aiden glanced over his shoulder at the distant gunshots and looked back to her. "If I ain't back in five minutes, you go, you hear?"
"Where? Back to Rhodes-"
"No, you go somewhere we ain't never gonna go back to. Valentine, or Emerald Ranch, Blackwater- just get outta here." Aiden took his revolver from her and handed her the shotgun. "Remember, shoot first." He grabbed her by the neck and roughly pressed his lips against hers. It was… well, it was almost like her first kiss. It was as though every other kiss had been dull of the passion and lust she felt in that one moment.
And then he was gone.
Paradise clung to her mother as Roy anxiously loaded his revolver. "Make them stop," Paradise cried, "please, mama, make them stop-"
"Pari, it's okay. We'll be out of here soon…" Valentina soothed her daughter as she looked over to Roy. "How are we getting out of here?"
"Well, they didn't stow away, so they must have boats nearby-" Roy raised his revolver as the door opened. Thomas Cooper held up his hands. "Christ, man, announce yourself next time, I almost shot you…"
"If I announced myself, someone else would've shot me." Roy handed Thomas the revolver.
"You're sure I shouldn't have one?"
"They'll most likely shoot first if they see you armed," Thomas explained, checking the cylinder of the second revolver. "At least this way you can barter your money with them."
Roy nodded. "So, the plan?"
"Three rowboats at the stern. I'll escort you there, but you must be quiet…" Thomas' good eye flickered to Paradise.
"Pari, sweetie," Valentina said gently, "you've got to be quiet now, you hear? Calm yourself…" She shushed her daughter as if she were a baby, holding her close.
"Okay," Thomas nodded. "I'll go first, make sure the coast is clear. I'll come back for you three when it is."
"Mr. Cooper, you're a good friend…" Roy shook Thomas' hand.
"Mr. Davenport. Ladies…" Thomas cocked back the hammers of his Schofield revolvers and crept out of the door.
Genevieve sat in the rowboat, counting down the seconds in her head. At least, she was until she heard some shuffling and footsteps. She picked up the shotgun and pumped a shell into the chamber, just like Ambrose had shown her. She pointed it at the deck, waiting to see who would appear.
"Someone there?" The grizzled Englishman said. Genevieve let out a sigh of relief.
"Mr. Cooper?"
The man poked his head out and, sure enough, it was him. Genevieve gave a wide smile and stood up as he lowered himself into the rowboat. She gave him a tight hug. "I thought you might've died…"
"Not yet…" Thomas grinned.
"Is my father okay? My mother, Pari…?"
Thomas licked his lips, examining her with his good eye before sighing. "There was nothing I could do…" Genevieve didn't change. She thought she would change – that there'd be some crushing realization or something would break inside her. Instead, she just sort of… heard the words. She nodded and sat down as Thomas leant close to her. "Miss, we need to get you out of here."
"Blackwater," Genevieve said, hollowly. "I think-"
"We can't travel through three states with no money or horses…" Thomas informed her. "I'll take you to your uncle Guido."
Aiden pulled out his pocket watch, brushing a thumb over the cracked face. He'd been gone four minutes… he had to get back quickly, else Genevieve would be gone and he could do nothing for her family then.
He opened the door to a small cabin at the back of the riverboat and saw Roy, Valentina and Paradise all huddled together at the back. Paradise let out a shrill scream and Aiden pressed a finger to his mouth, but Valentina had already thrown a crystal decanter at him. Aiden fell backwards, narrowly avoiding the decanter.
"I'm not going to hurt you," Aiden tried to explain, but Valentina had picked up a crystal ashtray and launched it across the room. It thudded into Aiden's eye, making his revolver fire into Roy's foot. "Shit…" Aiden cussed, pressing his palm to his cheekbone – it was hot like an iron in the fire.
"Mr. Cooper!" Roy shouted. "Mr. Cooper!"
"Goddamn it…" Aiden hissed, holding his cheekbone as he looked up at Roy.
"Well done, son," Rune said as he arrived at the door, followed by Alice, Lana, Luca and Ellie. His eyes fell on Roy's bleeding foot and chuckled. "See, Alice? I told you he had my back…" Aiden glanced to Alice, who gave him a smirk. His hand flexed around the hilt of his revolver. "Good evening, Mr. Davenport. Mrs. Davenport…"
"Stay away from my daughter," Valentina growled.
Rune pointed his Buck Cattleman revolver at Valentina. "I've had to bury three members of my family today. Three people that you killed for no reason other than spite!"
"You're not a family," Roy snarled. "This is my wife and daughter…"
"Where's the other one?" Rune turned to Aiden, who shrugged. He glanced back to Roy. "Have you heard from Shelby or Ambrose in the past few hours?"
Roy narrowed his eyes. Why would he have? He'd been on the boat… he saw Rune's pale grey eyes glint in the moonlight and his hands clenched into fists. "You… you killed my brothers?"
"And I'll kill all of you as well," Rune said calmly as he scooped away some broken crystals with his boot. "I'll do it without a second thought."
"You're a murderer, Brody!" Valentina spat at him. "Oh, you dress it up like you're some visionary saviour, but all you want is gold. So, go on! How much?"
Rune stiffened. His jaw clenched and he took a step forwards, his head turning to the side as he examined the people in front of him. "You think you can buy me?" He hissed.
"You're parasites," Valentina responded. "Common criminals. What else is there for you?"
Rune licked his lips, his eyes falling on Paradise. She was pretty – one of the prettiest women he'd seen. Ava had been pretty too… "Okay," Rune said calmly. He grabbed Paradise by the wrist and tore her from Valentina's grasp. Though Valentina cussed and screamed, Alice came in to grab her and hold her back while Luca put a revolver to Roy's head. Rune threw Paradise to the ground and fired a bullet into her forehead.
Valentina let out a scream that tore and scratched her voice. Rune turned Roy and leaned in close, speaking into his ear so only the two of them knew what he was saying. "Now you know what it's like to lose someone you care about…" Rune fired a bullet into Roy's knee, and then another into Valentina's. "All your money, Roy…" Rune said loudly. "All your power and status… fine clothes and manners – where's it got you?"
"I know powerful people," Roy spluttered, "they'll gut you-"
"Burn this ship down!" Rune shouted to the gang. "I want that other Davenport to burn or drown with her family!" Aiden clenched his jaw and tried to walk out, but Rune grabbed him by the shoulder. "Set a fire in here, son." Aiden licked his lips, looking to the helpless people on the ground before doing as he was told. "As I was saying… where did it get you? Burning to death on a ship by a bunch of Paddies and Greasers…" Rune scoffed. "You shouldn't have treated us like animals, Mr. Davenport. They have a habit of biting when there's no way out."
Aiden grabbed the decanter of brandy and tossed it around the room before taking a box of matches out of his vest and drawing one, clenching it tightly. There was no going back after this. He was condemning himself – condemning all hope of anything with Genevieve.
"Please," Roy rasped hollowly, "Mr. McKneil…"
Aiden was wary not to look at Roy for fear of losing his nerve. He was scared to look at Rune in case he'd see his doubt. He closed his eyes and told himself, 'it's for the gang'. He struck a match and tossed it on the floor, backing out with Rune and making his way towards the rowboats.
As the fire raged across the steel riverboat, a beacon in the darkness, a group of silhouettes walked across the deck. A woman held a torch, tossing it through the window of a cabin before rejoining her comrades, all of them walking towards the rowboats tethered to the stern. And not a single one of them looked back as they departed the inferno on the lake.
I wasn't sure how to end this, so I figured I'd leave it there. We don't need to see the minutia of them leaving, but like… let me know what you thought.
Also, out of interest, which event did you enjoy reading more – Ava's Last Hour, the Tragedy at Shady Belle (Matty's death) or the Riverboat Massacre (this chapter). They're all similar but very distinctly different in their own ways.
See ya tomorrow!
R.