There goes the jigsaw man

Stuffing you in the pockets of his pants

We thought we'd make it safe and clear

But we never really stood a chance

We took the money

We took it over everything we held true

Ran around the world

Yeah little rabbit, run

I don't wanna be here

Running through the rain

I could do it over man

There ain't a thing that I would not change

All my friends are gone

Left me freezing on a beach

And every time I crawl up here

Somebody tries to take a piece of me.

- UNKLE

"Hey. You okay?"

Arthur started a little, staring around at Rane as if he had never seen anything quite like her. He was standing beside the train tracks, the sack of cash dropped at his feet unceremoniously. He had one hand on his lean hip; the other was stroking his chin, his shoulders hunched.

"Yeah, I'm okay," he muttered gruffly.

"You don't look okay." Rane came to his side, placing a hand on his back, rubbing gently. "Hey. Look at me."

He did, a little reluctantly. His eyes were hurt.

"I just hate it." Arthur shook his head, his expression naked. In that moment his bombast and pretext was washed neatly away, and he was just a man grieving someone he loved. His face was boylike in its earnest unhappiness. "Can't fuckin' believe he's gone."

"I don't think you should jump right to that," said Rane, very low.

"What do you mean? You tryin' to say Dutch was lyin' about John?"

"Yeah, that's exactly what I'm trying to say. You look surprised," she added, looking at him with grim amusement. "Does the idea of Dutch being dishonest shock you? Come on, now."

"I'm be surprised he was lyin' about somethin' like this, sure!" Arthur massaged the bridge of his nose. "What makes you say that?"

"It's just a feeling. But my feelings are usually right," she added as he started to look cynical. "Just hold off for a second before you start reading him his last rites, that's all I'm saying."

Arthur eyed her, pursing his lips. "Well, either way, we oughta get back to camp."

"I know you think I'm full of shit, but just -"Rane leaned up, kissing Arthur's cheek gently, placing her palm against his neck. She reached out and squeezed his hand. "Hang tight for a little bit longer. Just hang tight."

Arthur sighed, nodding, then bent and hoisted the sack of cash on this shoulder. "Alright. C'mon."

THEY rode on toward Beaver Hollow in relative silence, Rane casting worried glances over at Arthur every now and again. She felt hapless; he'd known John for what amounted to his whole life, and she felt sure that the grief she felt in her heart paled in comparison to his. The rain was falling steadily now, pattering gently onto the earth beneath. Arthur's gray shirt clung to him, darkened by the moisture, and Rane couldn't help but notice how thin he was. The ribs in his torso stood out sharply, and his cheekbones were pronounced, the hollows beneath his eyes shadowed and deep. Had he lost weight in just the past week? Rane thought maybe he had. And now that she thought of it, she hadn't seen him put much more into his mouth besides cigarettes lately, either.

"When did you eat something last?" she asked him.

"Why?"

"It's for my dissertation."

Arthur shrugged. His expression was exaggeratedly dispassionate, but Rane was sharp, and she saw the watchful vigilance in his eyes at this query.

"Ain't hungry."

"That's not really what I asked you."

Arthur rolled his eyes, trying to look glib. "Rane, this ain't exactly the time for you to be playin' doctor. I'm fine. Okay?"

Rane eyed him a moment, then turned her eyes back to the trail. "Okay." She cleared her throat. "What happens now? When we get all this back to camp?"

"Well," said Arthur pensively, clearly kindling to the change of topic, "to be honest I haven't gotten that far yet. Right now I mostly just wanna talk to Abigail and Jack, and we can figure it out from there."

Rane's heart sank. She had nearly forgotten about Abigail and Jack during all this mess.

"Do you think Dutch will tell her?" she asked. "Before we get back?"

"Nah, I don't think Dutch will want any part of it. Micah, now." Arthur passed a hand over his face, frowning. "He'd get a kick out of breakin' their hearts, and I don't want to give the son of a bitch the satisfaction."

"He won't get the chance," she murmured. She hesitated, then took the plunge. "Arthur, listen, I want to get out of here soon. Like tomorrow. Or tonight."

Arthur nodded, chewing his lower lip.

"I can't promise ya nothin', Rane. I hope you understand why that is."

"I know. I'm not asking you to promise anything. But I think we're getting down to the wire here. Dutch, the way he acted after John -" Rane shook her head. "He's touring the solar system. I don't even recognize him from a week ago. I can't imagine how you must feel, knowing him for decades and seeing him like this."

"Yeah, it ain't much fun, I'll say that," Arthur conceded, still frowning.

"That stuff that happened to me on the road, and back at camp -" Rane flung a hand backwards. "- it's not a good sign, Arthur, I think it means that whatever is going to happen is close. I know it sounds crazy," she added, rubbing her forehead restlessly, "but this happened before and it was a day, just a day before everything went sideways. I wish now I'd have seen it for what it was, but -"

"What happened before?" Arthur asked her frankly.

Rane shook her head. "I had a dream."

"A dream? About what?"

"Just . . . " Rane shook her head. "That something was going to happen, that I might die -"

"You ain't gonna die!" Arthur's voice had gained an abrupt, hoarse ferocity. "Quit talkin' that way, Rane -!"

"Okay, I hear what you're saying, but the first time this happened, I did die," said Rane steadily. "It feels the same way. You understand? It feels the same way inside. Inside me."

Arthur was looking at her from his mount, frowning, his brows low over his eyes. He looked dismayed.

"I don't want to," Rane replied, meeting his gaze. "I'm just . . . I'm telling you this because it happened to me before. I don't know what's going to happen. Umbarae is just a feeling. It could be somebody dead just as soon as it could be a broken wine glass, Arthur. I don't know, I'm just . . ."

She trailed off, his expression disarming her. He looked nakedly frightened for her. Not for himself, not for anyone else. She sighed.

"I'm sorry. Take this with a grain of salt."

"I ain't gonna take it with nothin'. I don't like to think of you dyin' or getting hurt." Arthur's voice was harsh. "Not in the least."

"You think I like to think about you getting hurt?" Rane cast him a bald look. "Arthur, I love you more than I can even put into words. The thought of losing you, it terrifies me. Terrifies me. Whether it's me or you."

Arthur nodded, chewing his lip, watching her. After a moment he turned his head away from her, facing the trail again.

"You still can't know for sure," he said, "and just for the record, darlin', I don't usually include those sorts of things into my calculus, so if it's just ideas, there ain't no reason to take it into consideration."

"Arthur, just because it isn't quantifiable -!"

"It ain't, and we mostly deal with material things here on this plane of fuckin' existence," said Arthur frankly. "I don't mean no disrespect, but I got a lotta friends on the line here and one maybe dead in an early grave not yet thirty, and I ain't too keen to follow breadcrumbs. You understand."

Rane watched his profile a long moment, then nodded, her brows knit. "Yeah. I understand."

Arthur jerked his head. "Look."

Rane did, squinting. She could see a group of horses up ahead, cantering. The lead one - albino, coat shining in the gentle rain - was unmistakable.

"You keep your temper," Arthur said quietly, not looking at her. "Not 'cause I disagree with whatever you wanna say to him but because I ain't got the strength or the wherewithal to quarrel with you on it. I feel weak as hell today."

Rane glanced at him, her brow furrowed, feeling a sweeping sensation of dread at these words. "You do?"

"Yeah, I do. That's what happens when you're sick with this shit, and I ain't doin' so hot, in case you ain't noticed." Arthur looked at her from beneath his hat. His blue eyes were bloodshot, but he was smiling a little bit. The grim humor in his gaze was a spear through her heart. "You wiped blood away from my mouth just a little white ago, Rane. Don't act like you're stupid, because you ain't. I'm just askin' you to go gentle. I don't have a whole lot of fight in me this very moment."

Rane watched him a long moment, her eyes bright and fixed on his, her jaw flexing as she ground her teeth, then turned away, looking at Eli's mane, her eyes bright. Arthur reached out and touched her shoulder gently.

"I shouldn't have said them things. That wasn't very kind."

"No, don't apologize." Rane swallowed hard, straightening. "I'm sorry. This is kind of tough to handle at this very moment, if we're being honest."

"Well, you're gonna have to get used to it real quick." Arthur raised his voice. "Hey! Why are y'all stopped?"

Tilly was rushing down the hillside before where Dutch and the rest had come to a stop. Rane pulled Eli to a stop, watching this warily. She was astride a morgan, and Jack Marston was sat in front of her, his tiny hands grasping at the saddlehorn, his dark hair in disarray. She yanked the horse to a halt before them, her eyes large and wild.

"They took Abigail!" Tilly cried, staring at Dutch desperately. "They came and I got Jack, but they took Abigail!"

"Who did?" Dutch roared.

"Agent Milton and his men!" Tilly replied. Jack was clutching at the saddle, staring around him, his eyes wide and frightened. "Took her to Van Horn to be tried for murder!"

"Murder?" said Arthur sharply. "Murder, you said?"

Tilly nodded, her face ashed.

Dutch shook his head. "I am sorry to hear that," he said loudly.

"We gotta let her go." Micah was watching Dutch, his eyes shrewd.

"John's . . . well . . . " Dutch looked at Jack. Rane kicked Eli forward, clearing her throat loudly.

"Jack, you don't worry about your mom or your dad," she said loudly, overriding Dutch before he could go on. "You just stick with Tilly for now, okay? You got it, darling?"

"Yes," said Jack, meeting her eyes.

"We're gonna practice with my sword later, you think on that, buddy. You remember my sword, don't ya?" Rane patted her scabbard.

"Yeah." Jack looked a little heartened. "Really?"

"Really really. You put your hands over your ears now, Jack, can you do that?"

"How come?"

"Because I gotta talk to the grown-ups about something." Rane smiled at him winningly. "Go on, sweetheart, don't worry. Tilly, keep those hands there, will you?"

Tilly nodded as Jack obliged, clapping both palms over his ears. Rane immediately turned her furious gaze on Dutch.

"That was how you were gonna tell him about his dad? Half-assed and still on your horse, like you're ordering a fucking tuna melt? Huh?"

"Girl, your mouth has got a mind of its own -!"

"No, this you can deduce on your own without insulting me," Rane snapped, pulling Eli closer to the Count, her eyes hard. "You're all over the place and that's fine, but this is a little kid and if you wanna drop this type of shit on him then you're going about it like a real son of a fucking bitch -!"

"Excuse me?"

"You hard of hearing?" Rane cleared her throat exaggeratedly, gesturing to Jack. "He doesn't hear it from you that way. That's what I said. And if you need it a third time, just let me know, I'm here all day, I got nothing but time."

Dutch laughed loudly. "If you think you can tell me what to do, then you've grown too big for your britches, honey -!"

"He won't hear it that way -!"

"That ain't UP TO YOU!"

"I'M MAKING IT UP TO ME!" Rane met his eyes fearlessly, her voice low and harsh and coarse, hissing at him, trying not to shout. "HE'S A CHILD, AND THAT'S HIS FATHER!"

"YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO RAISE YOUR VOICE AT ME, LITTLE GIRL!" said Dutch, not bothering to keep his tone down. His words rung in the woods around him, and he glared at Rane through the light rain, his dark eyes burning. Tilly flinched, drawing closer to Jack. "YOU MUST HAVE FORGOTTEN WHO YOU ARE IF YOU THINK -!"

"I DON'T WALK BY YOUR LAW, DUTCH!" Rane bellowed, matching his tone. Her face was bright red, her brows drawn over her eyes, leaning over Eli's neck and glaring at him. "I'M NOT ONE OF YOUR LACKEYS, I'M HAPPY TO CALL YOU OUT ON YOUR BULLSHIT!" She leaned forward a little more, aiming a finger at him, the cords in her neck standing out. "What happened to him was YOUR FAULT, Dutch! YOUR FAULT!"

"Oh, Christ, you gonna get all soft-hearted because you fucked him?" said Dutch, eyeing her coldly.

"I did, yeah! Do I need to stitch a letter on my chest so your holy-rolling ass feels a little more comfortable with it?" Rane shook her head, looking supremely disdainful. "Listen to yourself. You raised him up from a kid and you're turning him loose like he was a run-over stray dog. If you walked into a church right now, I bet you'd burst into flames, you backsliding, cowardly son of a bitch -"

"You don't know what the hell you're talking about -!"

"I know that I've been here for two weeks and I'm a damn sight better friend to him than you are -!"

"OH, GET OFF MY ASS!" Dutch roared, waving a hand impatiently, his face reddening. "IT AIN'T NONE OF YOUR GODDAMNED BUSINESS, GIRL, YOU'RE NOTHIN' BUT A FUCKIN' DRIFTER!"

"SURE IT IS!" Rane shouted back. "YOU MADE IT MY BUSINESS WHEN YOU LET ME INTO THIS GANG, DUTCH! AND I GUESS I DIDN'T REALIZE YOU LET YOUR OWN BOYS DIE IN THE DIRT WITHOUT A SECOND THOUGHT OR I'D HAVE MOVED THE FUCK ON!"

A ringing silence fell behind this statement. Dutch scoffed, shaking his head and laughing.

"Abigail is alive and she needs help," Rane murmured, low. She gestured at Jack, whose hands were still clapped over his ears, Tilly's palms over his. "She's got a little kid who needs her. Since you let his dad down, maybe you can help her, at least, and save a little bit of whatever's left of your ratchet-ass soul, Dutch."

"She's just a girl," said Micah loudly. "We got a bunch of money, Dutch, and she's just a girl -!"

"You're just gonna let the boy become an orphan, Dutch?" Arthur bellowed, gesturing.

"It - it ain't like that -!"

"What is it like?"

"I wanna live, cowpoke!" Micah cried, glaring at Arthur. "I still got the choice! Dutch, it's just a girl -!"

"IT'S JACK'S MOTHER!" Rane screamed, dismounting Eli in a swift motion and glaring up at Dutch, leaning forward, very loud. Everyone around her recoiled a little. "HIS MOTHER!"

"It's just a girl," said Micah, very low, looking at Dutch, ignoring Rane. "Just a girl."

Arthur's hand flew to Rane's wrist as she went for her wand. He pressed it back, forceful, looking at her significantly. She was breathing hard through her nose, and without looking at him she relinquished her grasp, still glaring at Dutch.

"Easy," Arthur whispered, squeezing her wrist. "Easy."

"It's just a girl," Micah said again.

"Dutch." Arthur dismounted, going to Dutch's side, palms out, trying for his own part. "Hey -"

"He's right." Dutch was nodding. "It pains me to say it, but he is right."

"Dutch!" Arthur cried.

"Come on, boys." Dutch ignored him, spurring on his horse. He was followed by his fellows, his eyes shadowed by the brim of his hat. Arthur watched him go, his face falling.

"ASSHOLES!" Rane shouted after them, her voice breaking, her eyes were overbright. "YOU ASSHOLES!"

She bent, picked up a handful of gravel from the road and hucked it after them, her brows descended. The rocks clattered ineffectively against the ground as they rode away.

"Save your breath, they ain't listenin''," said Sadie. She'd stayed behind, still mounted, glaring after Dutch.

Rane kicked at a rock on the trail, cursing, low. Her eyes were bright. Tilly and Jack were still nearby, Jack watching Rane uneasily. She fell to her knees, her fists clenched, and after a moment ran her fingers roughly through her hair, moaning low in her throat.

"Is my pa alright?" Jack said at length, low. "And my mama?"

"We're gonna find that out," said Rane, not looking at him. She was still knelt on the ground, her fingers clutching her scalp, her face turned away. Her voice was thick. "We're gonna make it okay, Jack."

Arthur knelt next to her with an effort, grunting. He placed a palm on her shoulder.

"Get up, baby."

"Fucking Dutch," Rane murmured, her voice acidic.

Arthur spat roughly, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, rubbing her back gently.

"Well I guess that's it, then," he muttered bitterly. "All them goddamned years."

"Arthur, what are we meant to do?" said Tilly, looking frightened.

Arthur fixed his gaze on Tilly and Jack, looking uneasy. He got to his feet, making for his horse.

"Take this." He hauled the sack of cash from the back of his mount onto the back of theirs, the horse stamping at this added weight. "You take Jack and you wait in Copperhead Landing for Abigail and Missus Adler and Rane here. Okay?"

"Thank you, Arthur." Tilly snatched at his wrist as he pulled away, meeting his eyes. "Thank you. Truly."

Arthur grasped her hand in both his own.

"You're a good girl." Arthur gave her a look that was rife with unspoken emotion. "You have a good life, now, you hear?"

"Alright, Arthur." Tilly was weeping now, her dark eyes bright. She struggled, her mouth working. "Ill . . . . I'll miss -"

"Me too, sweetheart." Arthur gave her a smile. "Me too. Jack, c'mere."

Arthur took Jack's hands in his own, meeting the boy's eyes. Jack met his gaze, uneasy.

"You be brave, son," said Arthur gently, squeezing his hands. "I'm gonna go get your mama."

"Okay, Arthur," said Jack softly. Arthur nodded, his mouth thin, then turned away.

"Missus Adler!" said Arthur loudly, striding away. Rane thought his brusque evasion of the situation rather telling.

"What, Arthur?"

"We're gonna go do somethin' about this. Why don't you come along?"

"Gladly." Sadie's response was unhesitant, and Rane felt a rush of gratitude for it. "Lead the way."

"I can do that if I can't do nothin' else," said Arthur, mounting his horse with a grunt. "You ladies stick close."

Rane was on her feet and on Eli's back in an instant. "You got it, sweetheart."