AMERICAN HOLDUP
Riggs Station, Big Valley
The morning dawn had risen and with it the awakening of all the creatures it summoned from their slumbers. The birds chirped praises to the rising sun, whitetail came out into the open to feed and for a train station downhill, business never stopped even if the early hours minimum to no activity. But for the two brothers up ahead it was the perfect time to commit a simple crime.
Observing the train station through his binoculars, Lemy chewed on some tobacco and swapped away some annoying flies pestering him. Next to him stood Lyle, less attentive to the situation in hand and more focused on the blade he was sharpening. Both had agreed to Bobby's plan and to a greater extent were genuinely proud to see him seek out profitable options for them, despite them being unlawful, not something they were against at all to be fair. Both had their fair share of crimes and law searching for them in different territories out in this vast country. Watching Bobby give in and participate in a stagecoach robbery was out of left field, but they welcomed it without question. Of course young Bobby was not allowed to actually partake in the robbery itself, guess Lyle and Lemy still saw him as the baby brother that needed protection from this cruel world.
"Chilling morning don't ya think?" Lemy asked his brother.
"I'm used to it." Lyle examined his hunting knife then placing it away, "Winters up in the Grizzlies are a harsh mistress, this is nothing. Man up you damn weakling."
Lemy made a face to the remark, but kept to himself. It was too early in the morning to get into another argument with the damn prick. They had a job to carry out for that blasted post office clerk, the pay wasn't glorious, but anything was better than nothing. Once the train arrived the merchandise that was to be 'repossessed' by them two would be loaded into a stagecoach that would be transported down to Blackwater. The plan was simple. Speed ahead to the cliffs next to the Upper Montana River where the waters were shallow enough to create a road across and ambush the driver. Quick and easy, there shouldn't be any problems whatsoever.
"I should have drank some damn coffee before riding up here." Lyle complained.
"I got some cocaine gum, if you want it that is." Lemy put away his binoculars and lit up a cigar.
"Eughh...keep it." Lyle refused the offer, not a great fan of that so-called medicine. He had tried it once and once was all it ever was going to be.
Checking his pocket watch the oldest of the Louds took note of the current time; ten past five in the morning. The train should be arriving soon in about fifty minutes more, plenty of time to kill, either by conversation or simple silence. There was never anything to talk about with each other, it would always devolve into an immature mocking match before turning into a full-blown fist-fight. They couldn't afford one of their well-known brawls in the middle of a job. There was no way they were going to fuck up such an easy assignment for a low-life clerk with too much time on his hands.
"So what more can you tell me about the Wolves you encountered the other day?" Lyle asked. Lemy coughed some smoke from his lungs, the cigar's raw taste mixing all too well with his inner pink tissue, "I know those men from up in the Grizzlies, heard enough stories about them to be cautious when alone up there. What about you?"
"I've run into them a couple of times, well...make it a few after yesterday's incident, but your assessment is just as good as mine. They ain't as massive in numbers as the O'Driscolls, but do share their murderous reputation and they ain't as strategic as Van Der Linde's boys, but they do possess that undying fanatic loyalty for The Wolfman himself." Both brothers mulled in silence at the capabilities of the gang that was possibly inhabiting the region they were staying in.
"How confident are you that it was them?" Lyle questioned him.
"I'm not sure yet…" Lemy drawled, his mind going places, thinking hard about it all.
Their thoughts were spread away into the wind as the distant sound of a roaring engine caught their ears. Looking far ahead on the railroad tracks, both of them caught the sight of the incoming smoke of the early morning train making its stops at Riggs Station.
"Guess that's my cue." Lyle walked over to Liena and climbed on her, "I'll get set up at the ambush point. If anything changes, still come by and give me a bloody heads-up. I don't want to be out there for too long."
Lyle rode away leaving Lemy behind to keep a look-out for the stagecoach that would be arriving shortly after. Spitting out his cigar, Lemy crouched down on the soft-green grass with Slayer a mild distance away chewing on said grass and getting a healthy full breakfast. His owner on the other hand had yet to eat anything since last night. Ignoring the grumbling of his stomach he busied himself by reading his father's letter, one of the letters they had acquired. They were far from getting any new information, until said possible correspondence arrived, so re-reading his father's handwork for any clues or meanings was all he could do.
"Dang it old man, this better not be some wild goose chase." His frown quickly turned to a smirk, "Either way you got us three together again, not your intention, but here we are."
Over at Strawberry, Bobby was leaning next to a log-house reading a newspaper. Told to stay put while they carried out the job, he was limited of options to do in this small tourist-trap. He already checked the general store, post office, and walked around the circular town at least three times. Again all he could do was wait for those two to return and confirm a job well done. He trusted their skills and experience at handling those sort of missions, yet he felt just a bit slighted at not being allowed to join them.
He didn't even have to pull out his guns or actually kill anyone. Just observing and getting some hands-on knowledge would have been sufficient for him. But in the end Lem shut him down, guess they still view him as a child that still needs to be taken care of. Flipping pages, he focused on the printed news in hand over a pointless argument he was having in his own mind.
"Hunter found alive after being presumed dead three weeks ago, states he just wanted to get away from his overly-demanding wife."
Boring.
"Snake-Oil Salesman tarred and feathered after multiple customers suffer intense stomach pains for days down in Texas mining town. Sheriff's office confiscates all crates."
Funny.
"Dangerous Outlaw, Bill Williamson captured by bounty hunters in Wyoming. Williamson is wanted for murder, train robbery, bank robbery and destruction of private property."
Interesting.
"Stagecoach robbery in Cumberland Forest leaves behind a gruesome crime scene. All four occupants plus the driver were found tied around a great oak tree, decapitated and riddled with over a dozen bullets. U.S. Marshals believe this to be the work of the psychotic Wolves outlaw gang. Travelers have been warned to travel during daytime and avoid heavily wooded paths."
Freaky.
"Man claiming to be legendary gunslinger Jim "Boy" Calloway arrested for drunken disorderly conduct and accidentally shooting a deputy's dog in Valentine."
Stupid.
Folding the paper away, he sighed, disappointed to not see any news regarding his father's murder on the papers. Guess he was not as important to even include on the obituary section. Regardless it would not really make a great difference anyhow, Lincoln was dead and that was the end of it. Walking back towards Lemy's encampment Bobby mused about the times his father would be at the ranch down in Cholla Springs. Lincoln was never a great ranch-hand, but he tried and gave it his all for a good week's pay to feed his family. He never did stay for long. After a month or two he would take off into the sunset and Bobby would not see him again until half a year at times.
Even if he did disappear more times than he stayed he still got to spend more time with him than his older brothers ever could. It always bothered Bobby, always held a troublesome thought that his brothers felt envious of him. Lincoln's relationship with him was the most stable out of the three of them and it made him wonder if Lemy and Lyle slightly resented him for having been actually raised by their father. It was a dark idea and because of it he shoved it away. He should not be thinking like this, especially not now when they finally got to be together again. It was them three, unity was their only chance at success.
The walk up the hill was long. He should have brought his horse, but the tamed beast happened to be located at the exact camp he was heading up to.
"Oh hey you!" A feminine voice called out behind him.
"Huh?" Looking up ahead he spotted a young woman heading down the same path with a basket full of flowers. Taking a closer look he recognized her as the same girl that Lyle had rescued two nights ago.
"I don't know if you remember me, but I remember you. You're Lyle's brother...correct?" Gloom asked.
"I am...dad...got around, he was not the exclusive type." Bobby couldn't have said it any better.
"Oh…" He could see it in her eyes and he was not going to judge her for it. His father was a real womanizer. In fact he still wondered of the possibility of more unknown siblings out there in the wild that have yet to be discovered.
"It's fine Miss. I reckon you're looking for Lyle right?" The small smile on her was not missed by his eyes, he mentally chuckled at the fact that his wild and uncivilized brother had managed to woo this polite city girl.
"He's out on an errand with our other brother. They should be back before noon." He explained.
"Another brother?" Gloom double checked him, surprised to hear that revelation.
Bobby shrugged, taking off his hat to examine it out of habit, "Dad really loved women. Is it okay if I accompany you back to town? My business can wait."
Back at the river that divided, Big Valley and Great Plains, Lyle remained stationed at his spot high up in a nearby cliff. Having 'borrowed' one of the rifles that Lemy had acquired the other day, he kept a sharp eye out for any riders passing through the area. So far only a few people have passed the river. A few were good, but no-one at all would be better, he only hoped that once the hold-up went down there would not be any interference by a third party.
He'd been up on this rock for about half an hour now. He was hoping that Lemy had not fallen asleep in that middle of that damn field, if he went back and actually found him like that he would kick his head in. Then again maybe the stagecoach meant for Blackwater had yet to arrive, if that older idiot brother of his didn't come by then he would be gone.
"Just another hour." Lyle stretched his legs as he lay completely prone on the ground, "One more hour and I'm out of here."
As he waited under the morning sun with the rays of that same burning star pressing his body with warmth his mind went over the many happenings since the night he arrived at Blackwater. His father was dead, murdered by highwaymen or according to Lemy's theory an bloodthirsty wolf-inspired outlaw gang roaming the area as of late. He could be right on the money with it, but that still doesn't explain the connection with the letters he wrote and the manner in which he wrote them, much more is at play. A fabled treasure can attract many eyes and majority of those eyes usually belong to the worst kind looking for an easy way to a life of tremendous wealth. It did not surprise him that Lincoln would summon so many enemies because of said treasure, but just how many of them were involved was the real question?
"I need a drink." He muttered as the sun struck his body. Beads of sweat already pouring out his skin, the cool breeze had faded away allowing the heat to settle down for a bit. Uncommon for the temperature around these parts to rise anywhere above eighty, then again, Summer was fast approaching.
"Wonder what she's up to?" Lyle couldn't help but smile at the image of a certain young raven-haired beauty back in town.
That girl had made a deep impression on him and he had yet to understand why? He's seen so many pretty girls in his life, this one in particular was a unique sight. Since first seeing her, Gloom had been on his thoughts and it both annoyed and excited him. Hopefully she was still around by the time they got back for that planned lunch of theirs.
The approaching galloping of a horse brought him back to focus. Turning around with rifle in hand he aimed for whoever it was, but lowered down his sights as it was his brother fast approaching.
"It's on its way! At least two miles behind me! Light security, just a passenger riding shotgun and holding one too!" Lemy dismounted Slayer and stopped in front of Lyle.
"Okay then...shit should be simple enough." Lyle looked back down at the river crossing, "Alright let's make this quick. Get down there and I'll provide cover from up here."
"You better not shoot me by accident." Lemy pulled up his bandana and took out both handguns from their holsters then jogged down the trail.
"Please, I never miss." Lyle scoffed and took a crouching position behind a small brush.
About twenty minutes passed by and their target came into view. Exactly as Lemy had described it; simple correspondence stagecoach with just two men operating the whole wooden thing. He was willing to bet that those men are not all that eager to die for a meager pay, but then again, humans have always been a rare breed.
The coach had gone down the hill and was just a few yards away from Lemy's hidden spot. Now it was up to the only outlaw in the family to not mess this up.
Just as the horses had touched the riverbed Lemy made his presence known, "Hey there friends! No sudden movement, especially you Mr. Shotgun-Man!"
The two men were so preoccupied chatting over trivial matters that they were genuinely caught off-guard by the lone bandit. "What the hell?" The driver spoke out too confused at the fact they were being held up.
"Now I would dare you fellers try anything drastic as my associate up there has a clear shot that will pop both your heads off clean." Lemy pointed up to Lyle with his pistol as both men looked up to see said survivalist aiming his rifle straight at them.
"Ah fuck it...I ain't dying for a cheap paycheck." The man holding the shotgun tossed the weapon down on the muddy riverbed and raised his arms up.
Seeing that everything had gone down accordingly, Lemy proceeded to loot the whole carriage for the right goods that Hector had hired them to get. Lyle kept a sharp eye on the two from above, but also scanned the area for any horse-riders that may grant them unwanted trouble. As Lemy checked the carriage, Lyle wondered what Bobby was doing at this precise moment.
Back at Strawberry, Bobby and Gloom were having a civil conversation and a certain ash-blond bandit was the main topic of discussion.
"...then he claimed that the entire accident had not been his fault. Like we didn't see him slip and land face first into a pen full of mud and other things after attempting to kick one of the piglets away." Bobby chuckled as he shared childhood memories, "Lyle refused to talk to us out of embarrassment for the rest of the day and actually skipped town that same night. Didn't see him again until six weeks later and guess what was the first thing that came out of my mouth?"
"Oh that's mean." Gloom chuckled back, amused at the stories of the man she was very interested to know more about.
He was killing time. Those two should probably have been done by now and it didn't hurt to know more about the young woman in front of him. Lyle's aloof persona had ensnared her, it was obvious to tell, she was more than happy whenever his name came up. Gloom looked alright, personality wise to Bobby. Yes she was beautiful he was not going to deny that, but he was also making sure if there was no hidden motive behind her curiosity. So far he had not picked up on any contradictions, so perhaps she really was smitten for his brother. Now this was good material here for him and Lemy to tease him about, granted he didn't stab them both out of bashful anger.
"Lyle's a great guy. Just a bit rough around the edges. He needs a woman's touch to clean him up a bit." Bobby admitted.
"I figured that much myself." Gloom warmly agreed and looking back at the hotel she was currently staying in, "I'm afraid I'm going to have to cut this exchange of ours short. It was great meeting you Bobby and I do hope Lyle hasn't forgotten about me just yet."
"Knowing him, he must be feeling quite anxious to get back here." Bobby tipped his hat to her and watched her disappear inside the building.
Humming to himself and walking back to basecamp Bobby mused about the interaction, "Dang, Lyle, she's a real keeper."
Riding together, Lemy and Lyle were now heading over to the drop-off point. The instructions were simple enough: follow the road until reaching the abandoned U.S. military fort, Fort Riggs. Hector started to leave the locked box hidden somewhere inside the fort for his associates to find and come back to him for their well-earned payment. They were a good distance away from the last spot, so it was safe to remove their bandanas.
Soon enough they came upon the fort itself in all its decomposing glory. In fact it was an insult to call such a small structure a proper fort. It looked more like an average camp with badly placed stick walls and just a single small building in the center. Hitching both Liena and Slayer next to each other the brothers entered the deteriorating so-called fort with pistols drawn.
"This place looks empty. Trash and broken wood everywhere." Lemy noted.
"Not even drifters would dare spend the night in this collapsing house, fully exposed to the elements and predators of the night." Lyle added.
Checking the house and seeing it empty both walked in. Lemy, who was holding the looted box and its unknown contents, began to search for a good spot to wedge it and out of the common eye's view. Lyle walked over to the desk which had been collecting dust for years and grabbed an old piece of paper to read.
"Seven more have died. Little Moon Bear did not survive the night. All have been returned to the earth. The soldiers refuse to listen. They do not care for our sick ones. We are on our own. Our people will die out in this cage. Our story will be forgotten. May the Great Spirit guide us into the beautiful sky once our bodies stop breathing and our desires to keep on living have died out."
Lyle's face remained neutral as he finished reading. His eyebrows however arched down into a frown as he closed his eyes and gave out a heavy inhale and exhale. Lemy had finally managed to find a good enough spot underneath a broken bed and shoved the box right in. Dusting off his hands he looked at Lyle and noticed his brother's stiff composure.
"Hey, all good?" He walked towards him.
"Let's get the fuck out of here already." Lyle marched out in disgust, leaving Lemy behind to awkwardly follow in confusion.