Abigail wakes me up.

"Sorry, what time is it?" I ask getting out of my tent and rubbing my eyes.

"Almost noon. Come on, get ready, we have a job to do" she says going away.

"A job? Me and you?" I ask following her.

"What, you think I can't do a job?" she asks with an offended voice, stopping and looking at me.

"No I-I didn't mean that…"

She smiles.

"Are you kidding me?" I ask smiling back.

"We have to go to the Lemoyne National Bank in Saint Denis and check it. Hosea is planning a robbery" she explains.

"Oh, yes he talked about it" I answer.

I still remember when he told us at the mayor's party.

"And put a dress, we don't have to catch too much attention" she says pointing at my trousers before she goes away.

"Which dress?" I yell at her back.

"If you don't have one, ask Miss Grimshaw" she replies.

After some time we get on a wagon and head to Saint Denis.

If there is something I recently understood about myself, is that I don't like dresses. This is the second time I wear one and I definitely prefer pants. But if I have to mingle with the citizens…

We reach Saint Denis and from there the bank. It's a big, yellow building with a big front door, but no guards.

This is the State Bank and it has no protection?

I ask the same question to Abigail.

"Hosea, Tilly and Karen have already been here and they noticed that too. It's odd, but not unusual. No-one dares to rob a bank in the city centre" she explains.

No-one but us, I think while we go inside.

The room is stunning. I admire the blu and white decorated walls and the dark wooden floor.

Abigail starts talking with one of the employees, making up a story to borrow some money from the bank, while I move my eyes around the room and memorize the details.

The heavy iron door must be the entrance to the vault. Next to it there is another door: the entrance of the director's office. But there are two things that I don't like about this bank: one, there is no backdoor, so if the police arrives, we'll have to fight to get out of here; two, it looks like a frequented bank, so there are a lot of citizens inside, and we'll have to deal with them as well.

When we're done we get back on the wagon and then to camp.

As soon as we reach it, Hosea comes towards us and asks what we have found. Abigail and I tell him everything and then she leaves. I'm about to follow her, but Hosea stops me.

"No, come inside. Dutch wants you with us" he says.

The boss is seated at the little table with a big map in front of him.

"So, you've found something interesting?" he asks without much enthusiasm.

I repeat him what I've already told Hosea. He nods while I speak, but says nothing.

"As I told you Dutch, the plan we made is perfect. We've been there looking and studying the place. I've… tasted it as well as I can. It's a good plan" says Hosea.

"I know, I'm just nervous, I think. This don't feel right" he replies.

He talks with his eyes low and with a worried voice. It's like he's lost all the energy he usually has.

Deep inside me, I'm sorry to see him like this, and I wonder why.

"You're never nervous, that's been my job all these years" jokes Hosea.

"I know" replies Dutch chuckling.

I hear some footsteps behind me and then Arthur shows up.

"Hey, you're wearing a dress! What's the occasion?" he jokes getting near.

"The bank" I reply pointing at the map on the table.

"Look, Karen, Tilly, Abigail even Miss Fred here, I sent them all and they say the same thing: there's no more than one armed guard. And the police… well it's a city so there's police, but as far as we can tell, the patrols will all go in this way when Abigail and I will cause the diversion" explains Hosea pointing at the map.

"What do you think?" asks Dutch looking first at Arthur and then at me.

He's asking me an advise for the plan?

I don't know what to reply, so I simply look at Arthur.

"I don't see we have many choices. We linger around here we know we're dead" he answers.

"If we have a good plan, things will work just fine. And we've already done it in the morning, when we robbed the bank of Rhodes, so…" I add.

"I…I think I agree" says Dutch, but he doesn't sound sure.

"If we do it in the night there's the drama of getting into the bank. Can't do that silently" remarks Hosea.

"Okay, okay, let's do it" replies Dutch standing up.

"Everyone gets some rest. We'll do it in the morning. Look smart. Travel lightly" he orders going away.

"What does it mean 'look smart'?" I ask to Hosea as soon as Dutch exits the house.

"Just wear something like this. It we'll be enough" he replies pointing at the dress I'm wearing.

"Arthur, gather the boys. They all must be ready for tomorrow" he adds.

The day after arrives fast. Before I'm aware of it, I'm getting dressed and ready for the robbery. Miss Grimshaw provided me another dress, she seems to have plenty. Then, we all gather in the front yard. Lenny, Charles, John, Micah, Bill, Abigail and I, we are all waiting for Hosea, Dutch and Arthur to show up.

"Well, dresses definitely make you look more like a real girl, you should wear them more often" jokes Micah when I reach them.

I smirk to him.

"I prefer when you wear pants, they make you look… tough" replies Lenny.

"Thank you, Lenny" I say with a smile.

We're all dressed in a different way today. I move my eyes from one to another checking their waistcoats, bow ties and fancy trousers and then I stop on Charles, who's standing in the crowd. He has a dark green suit and a brown coat.

I've never seen him dressed like this and he looks kind of funny. I guess I prefer the normal Charles with his blue shirt and that strange necklace he always wears.

I feel a smile draw on my lips while I look at him.

Hosea, Dutch and Arthur finally get out of the house and we head to the horses and wagons.

Hosea will go with Abigail on a wagon. Charles, Bill and I will take another.

Arthur, Micah, Dutch, Javier, Lenny and John will ride on the horses.

"So, let's get out of this godforsaken place and get rob ourselves a bank!" exclaims Hosea.

We all rejoice at his words and spur the horses to head to the city.

Dutch gives us some last indications and then we split up so not to look too suspicious getting at the bank all together.

Bill stops the wagon in one of the side alley and we get down. We reach the main road where the bank stands, but there we don't find anyone of the others. Apparently, we're the first, so now we just have to wait.

I start pacing, looking around nervously and checking every now and then the gun I had to tide on my ankle: wearing a dress, there's no place I can put it. In a little sack around my neck, I got the ammunitions.

"Are you nervous?" asks Charles, standing still next to me while I walk.

"You're not?" I ask back.

"I guess. Maybe a little. But Hosea planned everything so…"

"We don't have to worry, I know, I know" I reply stopping next to him and taking a deep breath.

"Just… whatever happens, we meet back to camp, right?" I ask looking at him in the eyes.

He nods.

I know it's not the right moment, but I wish I could tell him something. Some word that could make him understand how much I care and how much I'm worried that, if something goes wrong, I will never be able to see him again after this.

With my heart beating fast, I reach out a hand and take his.

"Whatever happens…" I reply.

His fingers tighten around mines and he nods again.

The others arrive from the street and interrupt us. After they dismount the horses, we all gather around Dutch.

"Gentlemen, robbing thieves, ain't no crime at all. Folks like this, they stole what this country could have been. As soon as we get out, load everything on the wagon on the other side of the street and…"

Dutch's words are interrupted by the roar of a distant explosion.

The diversion.

"I love that Hosea! He's a true artist!" laughs Dutch.

I smile as well, looking at the smoke cloud rising from the building in the distance. Voices and whistles make me understand that the police in the surroundings is heading towards it.

I follow the group of men across the street. Then, we all put bandanas on our faces and I reach my ankle and take my gun, just when Bill kicks the front door.

"Ladies and Gentleman, this is a hold up. Don't do anything stupid!" yells Dutch.

I wait for all my companions to enter the bank and then I close the door behind them. Javier and I will guard it while Arthur and Dutch collect the money and the others control the citizens: there are around ten of them.

Dutch opens the director's office and forces him to come out. Micah, Charles and John move all the people inside the room and close them up.

I check outside for any trace of the police. Still nothing.

As soon as the manager opens the vault, Arthur and Dutch go inside.

"I need the combinations for the safes" I hear the former shouting from the inside.

Bill starts beating the director to make him confess the numbers. When the safes are finally open, he pushes the director back inside his office with the others.

I move my eyes up and down the street again, when suddenly I spot some armed men.

"John. I think we have a problem" I say to the closest man.

He gets near me and watches from the window.

"Shit" he whispers.

"Hey, come out of there! I think there's the law!" he shouts to the others inside the vault.

"Get out here!" yells a man from the street.

It's Agent Milton.

How the hell did they find us?

Bill, Javier, Micah, Charles and Lenny get near the windows as well, their rifles in their hands, ready to fight.

"Come on, Van der Linde, it's over!" Milton yells again.

Dutch and Arthur reach us.

Agent Milton turns around and takes another man from behind a wagon keeping him at gunpoint.

Hosea.

They have Hosea. Where is Abigail?

With a heavy breath I move my eyes up and down the street, but I don't see her. Maybe she run?

"Mr. Milton, let my friend go, or folks, they are gonna get shot unnecessarily" yells Dutch.

"Your friend? Ha, why should I do that?" asks the Agent.

"Come on, Milton…"

"It's over. No more bargains. No more deals."

I squeeze my hand around my pistol and keep staring at him, praying he won't do anything bad.

"Mr. Milton. This is America. You can alway cut a deal" replies Dutch.

I look around and try to find a way, something that can help us get out of this situation. We have to find something.

And Abigail? I have to find her too, make sure she's safe.

"I've given you enough chances…" says Milton pushing Hosea in the middle of the street.

I watch the old man taking a few steps towards us and then I hear a shot.

I gasp.

"Goddammit!" I hear someone shouting, but the voice comes from far far away.

I feel everything around me like I'm underwater. I stop breathing for a time that seems endless and I'm not able to move a muscle.

I sense the others move, start fighting, out of my line of sight, but I can't move my eyes from the body in the middle of the road.

A blood pool comes out from Hosea's lifeless body.

Abigail. I have to reach her, help her out of here, bring her back to Jack.

It's like I wake up from a long sleep.

I realize I can move again my arms, so I raise the gun and start shooting against the men out in the street.

"How are we getting out of here, Dutch?" asks Bill.

"Hold them up! I got an idea. Arthur, come here!" he answers.

I keep shooting and shooting, but I can't understand if I hit them or not, if I kill them or not. My only thought is to find a way to get out.

A huge bang and a strong invisible force push me against the wall at my left. I hit the shoulder and instinctively lift my arms to cover my face.

A deep whistle in my ears makes me deaf, but I can see Dutch, through a thick grey smoke, making sign with his hand to follow him. Behind him the wall has blown up.

I run in his direction and get out of the bank.

The fresh air wakes all my senses again and helps me think more clearly. I pull down my bandana taking some deep breaths.

"Come on! Let's get on that roof and out of here!" yells Dutch from my back.

Javier, Lenny and Bill run past me and climb the ladder that leads to the roof.

On my right, the little alley I'm in ends with a gate; on my left there's a wall. It's not so high, so maybe I'll be able to climb it and, from there, try to reach Abigail.

After all, the others can take care of themselves, they don't need me to protect them.

"What are you doing? We need to go!" says Charles grabbing my arm and dragging me towards the ladder.

"NO, I need to find Abigail. Come, help me" I reply taking his hand and heading to the wall.

Then, I turn to look at him.

"Remember, we'll see at the camp" I say looking at him in the eyes.

"Come with us, it will be safer" he replies.

"I have to find Abigail. I need to know she's safe. Please…"

He keeps staring at me.

Should I… kiss him? What if this is the last time I see him? What if…

"Charles come on!" yells Dutch from behind us, while he steps on the ladder.

"Help me" I say pushing Charles' back against the wall.

"Wait…" he tries to reply.

"There's no time, Charles, please!"

I put my foot on his hands and he lifts me. I grab the wall and hoist until I'm seated on the top of it.

"Be careful" he says looking at me.

"You too" I reply jumping on the other side.

With my heart beating fast I walk several little alleys until I find myself again on the main street, but away from the bank and the gunshots.

I look up and down the road, but there's no trace of Abigail.

Maybe she run away? What if she has not and they took her? What should I do now?

Some patrols start to move in my direction.

I have to go. But where? If Abigail really escaped, she will head back to camp. Maybe I can try to reach her.

I start running. I run and run as fast as I can with this goddamn dress on me.

As soon as I see a horse, I mount on it.

Around me the city is in turmoil. Some policemen run past me on their horses, but it's like I'm invisible to their eyes. They're looking for a group of men, of outlaws, and I don't look like one right now.

I get out of the city without any problem and on the road to the camp, I meet no-one.

When I get there, a crowd greets me and among them there's Abigail as well.

"Oh my God, you are safe!" I yell running towards her feeling a little relieved.

We hug.

"Where are the others?" she asks when she lets me go.

I move my eyes from her to the others all gathered around me.

"They run, but… I don't know. There were… Pinkertons and they…"

My voice breaks. My eyes start to burn. I look at the ground feeling suddenly weak, powerless, desperate.

"Hosea… he…he didn't make it" I whisper.

Abigail hugs me again.

I have no strength to look at the others in the face. All I want to do now is stay alone. I don't want them to see me like this. I don't want them to see me cry.

I gently push Abigail away and try to calm myself.

"We have to move. If they knew about the bank they probably know were we are by now. We have to find a new place" says Sadie.

"In the meantime we can wait for someone else to show up. If by tomorrow morning they're not here, we'll go" replies Miss Grimshaw going away.

She sounds a little shaken, too.

We start packing and loading our things on the wagons.

There's not much people left, so everyone of us has to make double work.

"No, there's no need to take that. Leave it here" say Miss Grimshaw when Tilly starts taking Hosea's things.

I gulp and try hold every kind of feeling inside, focusing on the work and not thinking about anything but a new place we can move in.

But, when I finish, and the sun is already down, and there is still no news from the others, and I start feeling the weight of all the things that happened during the day on my shoulders and on my chest, I have to leave.

I walk towards the lake shore in the back of the house and stare at the sunset.

Warm tears start running down my cheeks.

Milton that pulls the trigger, Hosea's body on the ground, Charles' eyes before I left him: all this crowds my mind and makes me feel heavy. So heavy that my knees give in and I have to sit on the ground.

Where are they? What if they took them? What if they killed them?

When I finally have the strength to get up, darkness has come.

Pearson prepared something to eat and we all gather around the campfire.

I take the plate he hands me, but I'm not able to put anything inside my mouth. Just the idea of eating makes me sick.

The others finish their plates, but they don't move, they don't go to sleep. I guess no-one will be able to do that tonight.

"Fred" murmurs Karen next to me.

I look at her: she points me something in the distance. I follow her finger and narrow my eyes as to see better in the darkness.

My heart loses a beat.

"Oh my God" I hear myself whisper.

I jerk up and start running towards the dark shape that comes closer and closer.

He dismounts his horse and walks towards me.

New tears come out of my eyes.

"Charles. Oh my God, you're here!" I yell throwing my arms around his neck.

He hugs me in turn.

I hold him so tight I think he isn't even able to breath, but I don't care. He's here, he's safe and nothing else matters right now.

"Charles!"

"You're back, son! You're back."

The others greet him as they get closer. Then, Abigail asks the pressing question.

"Where are the others?"

Charles takes a little before answering.

"Lenny's dead."

My stomach twists. Somebody gasps.

"John's been captured."

I look at Abigail when she brings a hand to her mouth and I touch her shoulder whispering a 'we'll rescue him'.

"The others are on a boat that will take them someplace away from here. They'll be back as soon as they can" he ends.

I nod.

What's important, is that they're safe. They'll come back. I'm sure they will.

"You want to eat something, son?" asks Uncle to Charles.

"Yes, maybe" he answers.

"Come" I say taking his hand and leading him to the campfire.

Then, I bring him a plate with some stew and watch him as he eats. Around the fire there's only him and I now.

"Sadie thinks it's better if we move, find another place to camp. I agree with her. If they knew about the bank who tells us they don't know about this place?" I say.

"Maybe I know some place where we can go. It's a little north from Saint Denis. But we'll have to throw out the people who stay there" he answers.

"Okay, we'll tell the others" I reply.

Silence falls.

I keep glancing at him for a while, when a question comes to my mind.

I get a little bit closer to him on the log where we are seated.

"Why you split from the others?" I ask.

"There were some guards on the dock and Dutch and the others had to reach that boat to get out of there. So I volunteered to be bait and make them run away" he answers.

Well, he surely has a spirit of sacrifice.

"But this way you put yourself in danger" I say with a little reproach in my voice.

"I lost them fast, they were no trouble for me. And then…" he adds fixing his eyes on me.

He has a strange expression now, something I've never seen on him.

"I had to go back to you. I promised I wou…"

I give him no chance to keep talking.

My lips find his, my arms fasten around him and my hands sink in his hair.

As soon as we touch, my heart blows in a phrenetic beat.

He kisses me in turn, laying his hands on my hips and his touch causes me a shiver.

I feel his taste and swallow his breath just like all my life should depend from this.

It's like the entire world disappeared: there's just him, his soft hair, his broad shoulders I'm clinging at, his warm lips.

I feel like I could stay like this forever. I don't want to separate from him anymore. I don't want to lose the way he makes me feel right now.

I'm safe.

I'm home.